US20060016043A1 - Electric vacuum cleaner and cyclonic dust collecting apparatus - Google Patents
Electric vacuum cleaner and cyclonic dust collecting apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060016043A1 US20060016043A1 US11/185,732 US18573205A US2006016043A1 US 20060016043 A1 US20060016043 A1 US 20060016043A1 US 18573205 A US18573205 A US 18573205A US 2006016043 A1 US2006016043 A1 US 2006016043A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- dust collecting
- collecting apparatus
- filter
- vacuum cleaner
- electric vacuum
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/12—Dry filters
- A47L9/122—Dry filters flat
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/14—Bags or the like; Rigid filtering receptacles; Attachment of, or closures for, bags or receptacles
- A47L9/1427—Means for mounting or attaching bags or filtering receptacles in suction cleaners; Adapters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/14—Bags or the like; Rigid filtering receptacles; Attachment of, or closures for, bags or receptacles
- A47L9/1427—Means for mounting or attaching bags or filtering receptacles in suction cleaners; Adapters
- A47L9/1472—Means for mounting or attaching bags or filtering receptacles in suction cleaners; Adapters combined with security means, e.g. for preventing use, e.g. in case of absence of the bag
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/165—Construction of inlets
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/1658—Construction of outlets
- A47L9/1666—Construction of outlets with filtering means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/1691—Mounting or coupling means for cyclonic chamber or dust receptacles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/20—Means for cleaning filters
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner and a cyclonic dust collecting apparatus to be mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner.
- Electric vacuum cleaners include, for example, a main body having an electric fan, a suction member to be moved along a floor surface, and a connection hose which connects the suction member to the main body, and a disposable filter bag is mounted in the main body.
- an electric vacuum cleaner of this type When an electric vacuum cleaner of this type is driven, outside air (air on the floor surface) is sucked from the suction member by driving the electric fan provided in the main body, and taken into the main body from a suction port of the main body through the connection hose.
- An inlet of the disposable filter provided in the main body communicates with the suction port. When the air sucked from the suction port passes through the disposable filter, dust entrained in the air is captured by the disposable filter (see, for example, Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. 5-20279 (1993)).
- the electric vacuum cleaners of this type are uneconomical and disadvantageous in terms of environmental protection, because the cleaners utilize the disposable filter. Further, the disposable filter is not replaced until a certain amount of dust is collected in the filter. Therefore, the suction force and hence the dust collecting efficiency are reduced, as the amount of the collected dust is increased.
- an electric vacuum cleaner including a cyclonic dust collecting apparatus which is capable of swirling air sucked from a suction port to separate dust from the air by a centrifugal force and capture the dust.
- the dust collected in the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus can be easily discarded by detaching the dust collecting apparatus from a main body and performing a predetermined operation.
- the electric vacuum cleaner including the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus is advantageous in that the reduction of the dust collecting efficiency is prevented by frequently discarding the dust collected in the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus (e.g., whenever the cleaner is used for a cleaning operation).
- An electric vacuum cleaner comprises a main body including an electric fan incorporated therein, and a dust collecting apparatus removable from the main body.
- the dust collecting apparatus comprises a suction port, a cyclonic flow path for swirling air sucked from the suction port to separate dust from the air by a centrifugal force, a dust collecting chamber in which the separated dust is collected, an air outlet port provided in a wall of the dust collecting chamber for discharging the air sucked from the suction port, and a filter attached to the air outlet port.
- the main body has a wall opposed to the wall of the dust collecting chamber and having an opening smaller than the air outlet port in opposed relation to the air outlet port for feeding the air downstream by the electric fan.
- the air outlet port has a region opposed to the opening and a region not opposed to the opening, and a guide passage is provided for guiding air discharged from the region of the air outlet port not opposed to the opening toward the opening.
- the inventive electric vacuum cleaner is adapted to selectively utilize the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus and a disposable dust collecting apparatus having a mouth cardboard and a filter bag attached to the mouth cardboard.
- the main body has an accommodating portion for accommodating either of the dust collecting apparatuses, and the accommodating portion has a fixing member for fixing the disposable dust collecting apparatus when the disposable dust collecting apparatus is mounted in the main body.
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner taken along a horizontal plane and seen from an upper side;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a filter holder as obliquely seen from a front upper side;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the filter holder and a filter held by the filter holder partly in section taken along a horizontal plane;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side;
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 5 with its dust cover removed;
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 5 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with a disposable filter mounted therein;
- FIG. 8 is a front view of a dust collecting apparatus to be mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 9 is a right side view of the dust collecting apparatus
- FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion A in FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 5 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with the dust collecting apparatus to be mounted therein;
- FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 5 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with the dust collecting apparatus mounted therein;
- FIGS. 13 ( a ) and 13 ( b ) are diagrams respectively illustrating states of a packing deformed when the dust collecting apparatus is mounted and when the disposable filter is mounted;
- FIGS. 14 ( a ) and 14 ( b ) are diagrams illustrating a variation of the packing
- FIG. 15 is a plan view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a first variation of the second embodiment with its dust cover removed;
- FIG. 16 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a second variation of the second embodiment with neither the dust collecting apparatus nor the disposable filter mounted therein, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side;
- FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a dust cover as seen along a line D-D in FIG. 16 ;
- FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 16 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with the disposable filter mounted therein;
- FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 16 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side when the dust cover is to be closed with the dust collecting apparatus mounted in the cleaner;
- FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 16 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side when the dust cover is completely closed with the dust collecting apparatus mounted in the cleaner;
- FIG. 21 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a third variation of the second embodiment with neither the dust collecting apparatus nor the disposable filter mounted therein, the sectional view being taken along a horizontal plane and seen from an upper side;
- FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along a line E-E in FIG. 21 with neither the dust collecting apparatus nor the disposable filter mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner;
- FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 21 with the disposable filter mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner;
- FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 21 taken along the horizontal plane and seen from the upper side with the dust collecting apparatus mounted therein;
- FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along a line F-F in FIG. 24 with the dust collecting apparatus mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner;
- FIG. 26 is a vertical sectional view of an upright electric vacuum cleaner to which the present invention is applied, the vertical sectional view being seen from a right side;
- FIG. 27 is a back view of a main body of the upright electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 26 with a dust collecting apparatus detached;
- FIG. 28 is a right side view of the detached dust collecting apparatus.
- FIG. 29 is a front view of the dust collecting apparatus with a filter cover being opened.
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side.
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 taken along a horizontal plane and seen from an upper side.
- a left side and a right side in FIG. 1 are respectively defined as a front side and a rear side of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 .
- An upper side and a lower side in FIG. 2 are respectively defined as a left side and a right side of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 .
- the electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes a main body 3 having an electric fan 2 , and a connection hose 5 having one end inserted into a suction port 4 provided at a front end of the main body 3 (in FIG. 2 , the connection hose 5 is not shown).
- the connection hose 5 is an elongated tubular member with at least a part thereof having a bellows shape.
- a suction member is attached to the other end of the connection hose 5 .
- the suction member is moved along a floor surface with the electric fan 2 in the main body 3 being driven. Thus, dust on the floor surface is sucked together with air from the suction member.
- the air sucked from the suction member flows through the connection hose 5 into the main body 3 from the suction port 4 .
- a plurality of wheels 6 are provided at lower positions of the main body 3 .
- the wheels 6 are rolled along the floor surface, whereby the main body 3 is moved along the floor surface.
- the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is adapted to receive a cyclonic dust collecting apparatus 7 which swirls the air sucked from the suction port 4 to separate the dust from the air by a centrifugal force and capture the dust.
- a fan accommodating chamber 8 in which the electric fan 2 is accommodated is defined in a rear portion of the main body 3
- a dust collecting chamber 9 in which the dust collecting apparatus 7 is accommodated is defined in a front portion of the main body 3 .
- the electric fan 2 is disposed in a right side space occupying about two thirds of the fan accommodating chamber 8
- a cord accommodating portion 11 in which an electric cord 10 for power supply to the electric vacuum cleaner 1 from the outside is accommodated is defined in a left side space occupying about one third of the fan accommodating chamber 8 .
- a cord reel 12 is disposed rotatably about a laterally extending rotation shaft 12 A. When the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is not in use, the electric cord 10 is wound around the cord reel 12 in the cord accommodating portion 11 .
- the dust collecting chamber 9 has a top opening, which is covered with a dust cover 13 .
- a front wall 9 A defining a front face of the dust collecting chamber 9 has a generally round opening 14 which communicates with the suction port 4 .
- the opening 14 is oriented slightly upward with respect to a vertical plane, i.e., inclined forward toward the upper side.
- the dust collecting apparatus 7 has a generally round air inlet 15 formed in a front face thereof, and a tubular inlet pipe 16 projecting forward from the inlet 15 .
- a front edge of the inlet pipe 16 is inclined forward toward the upper side as corresponding to the inclination of the opening 14 .
- the dust collecting apparatus 7 is inserted into the dust collecting chamber 9 from the upper side through the top opening with the dust cover 13 being opened. Since the opening 14 and the front edge of the inlet pipe 16 are inclined with respect to the vertical plane as described above, interference between a peripheral edge of the opening 14 and the inlet pipe 16 is prevented even if the dust collecting apparatus 7 is inserted vertically downward into the dust collecting chamber 9 .
- a generally annular packing 17 is attached to the peripheral edge of the opening 14 . With the dust collecting apparatus 7 accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 9 , the front edge of the inlet pipe 16 is pressed against the packing 17 , so that a gap between the opening 14 and the front edge of the inlet pipe 16 is sealed.
- the dust collecting apparatus 7 includes a hollow casing 18 of a resin, for example, in which air is swirled, a filter 20 which permits passage of air to be discharged from an air outlet port 19 provided in a rear face of the casing 18 to capture dust entrained in the air, and a filter holder 18 B which surrounds the outer periphery of the filter 20 to hold the filter 20 .
- the filter 20 is composed of, for example, a urethane-containing material.
- the inlet 15 is provided in a front face of the casing 18 , and the inlet pipe 16 projects forward from the inlet 15 .
- a cyclonic flow path 21 is defined by a partition wall in the casing 18 . More specifically, the air entering the casing 18 from the inlet 15 is swirled clockwise about a swirl axis 22 (see FIG. 2 ) as seen from the front side along the cyclonic flow path 21 .
- a terminal end of the cyclonic flow path 21 communicates with a dust collecting portion 23 spreading immediately upstream of the air outlet port 19 (just in front of the air outlet port 19 ).
- the dust entrained in the air flowing into the casing 18 from the inlet 15 passes through an outer portion of the cyclonic flow path 21 (a radially outward portion about the swirl axis 22 ) by a centrifugal force when the air is swirled along the cyclonic flow path 21 .
- a generally cylindrical filter 24 (see FIG. 2 ) is disposed along the swirl axis 22 in the casing 18 .
- the filter 24 is, for example, a mesh filter prepared by combining metal wires into mesh.
- a rear end of the filter 24 faces toward a portion of the dust collecting portion 23 immediately upstream of the air outlet port 19 .
- the dust entrained in the air swirled along the cyclonic flow path 21 is swirled in the outer portion of the cyclonic flow path 21 and, therefore, guided into the dust collecting portion 23 without passing through the filter 24 .
- a part of the air (from which the dust is separated) swirled in an inner portion of the cyclonic flow path 21 (adjacent to the swirl axis 22 ) passes through the filter 24 , and flows inside the filter 24 to be guided to the portion immediately upstream of the air outlet port 19 .
- the dust entrained in the air flowing into the casing 18 from the inlet 15 is separated by the centrifugal force and captured by the dust collecting portion 23 , while the air from which the dust is separated is guided through the filter 24 toward the air outlet port 19 .
- the dust can be advantageously captured.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the filter holder 18 B as obliquely seen from a front upper side.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the filter holder 18 B and the filter 20 held by the filter holder 18 B partly in section taken along a horizontal plane.
- the filter holder 18 B includes a rear plate 25 of a generally rectangular shape and a side plate frame 26 projecting forward from an outer peripheral edge of the rear plate 25 , and the rear plate 25 and the side plate frame 26 are integrally formed of, for example, a resin.
- the filter 20 is fitted in the filter holder 18 B with its outer peripheral surface fitted along an inner peripheral surface of the side plate frame 26 .
- a front surface of the filter 20 is substantially flush with a front edge of the side plate frame 26 with the filter 20 fitted in the filter holder 18 B.
- the side plate frame 26 has a positioning projection 27 provided on the inner peripheral surface thereof (in a lower left corner thereof).
- the filter 20 has a recess 28 in association with the positioning projection 27 (in a lower left corner thereof). With the positioning projection 27 fitted in the recess 28 , the filter 20 can be fitted in the filter holder 18 B in a correct orientation with respect to lateral, vertical and anteroposterior directions.
- the side plate frame 26 has attachment members 29 provided at laterally opposite ends of a lower edge thereof for pivotally attaching the filter holder 18 B to the casing 18 .
- the side plate frame 26 further has an operation portion 30 projecting from a transversely middle portion of an upper edge thereof.
- the rear plate 25 of the filter holder 18 B has a generally rectangular opening 31 .
- a plurality of vent holes for passing air discharged from the air outlet port 19 through the filter 20 are defined in the opening 31 by a plurality of ribs extending vertically (vertical ribs 32 A) and a plurality of ribs extending transversely (transverse ribs 32 B).
- Front surfaces of the respective transverse ribs 32 B are located forwardly of front surfaces of the respective vertical ribs 32 A.
- a frame rib (peripheral rib 32 C) is provided on a peripheral edge of the opening 31 as projecting forward.
- a front surface of the peripheral rib 32 C is located forwardly of the front surfaces of the respective transverse ribs 32 B.
- the front surfaces of the respective transverse ribs 32 B abut against a rear surface of the filter 20 , and the peripheral rib 32 C intrudes into a peripheral portion of the rear surface of the filter 20 with the filter 20 fitted in the filter holder 18 B.
- the rear surface of the filter 20 is spaced a predetermined distance (e.g., about 6 mm) from the vertical ribs 32 A.
- the rear wall 9 B has a generally rectangular opening 33 formed in a portion thereof extending rightward from a center portion thereof (opposed to a space in which the electric fan 2 is disposed in the fan accommodating chamber 8 ) as having a size smaller than the area of the filter 20 (air outlet port 19 ).
- the dust collecting chamber 9 and the fan accommodating chamber 8 communicate with each other through the opening 33 .
- the opening 33 is opposed to a suction port 2 A of the electric fan 2 disposed in the fan accommodating chamber 8 .
- the opening 33 is covered with a filter 34 having a pleat structure formed by folding filter paper into a bellows shape.
- the dust collecting apparatus 7 (casing 18 ) has the greatest possible size (the dust collecting apparatus 7 occupies a wider area of the dust collecting chamber 9 from the left side to the right side) to ensure that the air sucked from the suction port 4 of the main body 3 can be properly swirled for improvement of the dust collecting efficiency.
- the air outlet port 19 has a great size (the air outlet port 19 is provided in the entire rear surface of the dust collecting apparatus 7 ) to ensure that the air from the dust collecting apparatus 7 can be properly discharged. Since the air outlet port 19 has a great size, the size of the filter 20 covering the air outlet port 19 can be increased. Therefore, clogging of the filter 20 can be suppressed.
- the fan accommodating chamber 8 which is located behind the dust collecting chamber 9 with the intervention of the rear wall 9 B is required to have a space for accommodating components other than the electric fan 2 (e.g., the cord accommodating portion 11 in which the cord reel 12 is disposed). Therefore, the opening 33 formed in the rear wall 9 B has a smaller size than the air outlet port 19 . In this case, a portion of the air outlet port 19 opposed to the opening 33 ensures proper air flow to the opening 33 through the filter 20 , but the other portion of the air outlet port 19 not opposed to the opening 33 is liable to prohibit the proper air flow.
- the rear surface of the filter 20 is spaced from the vertical ribs 32 A, so that a guide passage 35 is defined for guiding the air discharged through the filter 20 from the portion of the air outlet port 19 not opposed to the opening 33 toward the opening 33 . Therefore, the air flow from the portion of the air outlet port 19 not opposed to the opening 33 can be ensured by the guide passage 35 , thereby suppressing the reduction of the suction force to improve the dust collecting efficiency.
- the rear surface of the filter holder 18 B abuts against the rear wall 9 B, so that the dust collecting apparatus 7 can be firmly fixed in the dust collecting chamber 9 .
- the guide passage 35 can be defined by the space between the vertical ribs 32 A and the filter 20 .
- peripheral rib 32 C of the filter holder 18 B intrudes into the rear surface of the filter 20 , there is no gap between the peripheral portion of the filter 20 and the filter holder 18 B. Therefore, the peripheral rib 32 C serves as a barrier to prevent the dust from leaking from the dust collecting apparatus 7 between the peripheral portion of the filter 20 and the filter holder 18 B.
- the vertical ribs 32 A and the transverse ribs 32 B which serve as a filter cover are formed integrally with the filter holder 18 B.
- the number of components can be reduced, thereby reducing the production costs.
- a portion (left portion) of the dust collecting portion 23 not opposed to the opening 33 is narrower than a portion (right portion) of the dust collecting portion 23 opposed to the opening 33 .
- the space of the dust collecting portion 23 has a cross section which progressively decreases toward the portion of the dust collecting portion 23 not opposed to the opening 33 (see FIG. 2 ).
- the air swirled in the dust collecting apparatus 7 tends to flow toward a narrower space.
- the air can be positively guided toward the portion of the air outlet port 19 not opposed to the opening 33 in which the air communication is poorer, so that the air can be discharged from the entire air outlet port 19 including not only the portion of the air outlet port 19 opposed to the opening 33 but also the portion of the air outlet port 19 not opposed to the opening 33 .
- the collected dust is also guided toward the narrower space. Therefore, the dust is first gradually accumulated in the space not opposed to the opening 33 , and finally captured by the entire filter 20 .
- the dust collecting efficiency is improved.
- the construction of the dust collecting apparatus 7 is not limited to the construction described above, but the dust collecting apparatus 7 may have the same construction as a dust collecting apparatus 107 according to a second embodiment to be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 .
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side.
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 with its dust cover 113 removed.
- a left side and a right side in FIG. 5 are respectively defined as a front side and a rear side of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 .
- An upper side and a lower side in FIG. 6 are respectively defined as a left side and a right side of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 .
- the electric vacuum cleaner 101 includes a main body 103 having an electric fan 102 , and one end of a connection hose (not shown) is inserted into a suction port 104 provided at a front end of the main body 103 .
- the connection hose is an elongated tubular member with at least a part thereof having a bellows shape.
- a suction member is attached to the other end of the connection hose.
- the air sucked from the suction member flows through the connection hose into the main body 103 from the suction port 104 .
- a plurality of wheels 106 are provided at lower positions of the main body 103 .
- the wheels 106 are rolled along the floor surface, whereby the main body 103 is moved along the floor surface.
- One feature of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 is that a commercially available disposable filter 40 (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 ) such as a paper pack and a cyclonic dust collecting apparatus 107 (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 ) which is capable of swirling the air sucked from the suction port 104 to separate dust from the air by a centrifugal force and capture the dust are selectively mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner 101 .
- a user is permitted to mount either the dust collecting apparatus 107 or the disposable filter 40 according to user's preference. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 101 is more convenient to use.
- a fan accommodating chamber 108 in which the electric fan 102 is accommodated is defined in a rear portion of the main body 103
- a dust collecting chamber 109 in which the dust collecting apparatus 107 or the disposable filter 40 is accommodated is defined in a front portion of the main body 103 .
- the dust collecting chamber 109 has a top opening, which is covered with a dust cover 113 .
- the dust cover 113 is attached pivotally to the main body 103 at its rear edge.
- the dust collecting chamber 109 is covered and uncovered by pivoting the dust cover 113 (in FIG. 5 , the dust cover 113 is opened).
- a front wall 109 A defining a front face of the dust collecting chamber 109 has a generally round opening 114 which communicates with the suction port 104 .
- the opening 114 is oriented slightly upward with respect to a vertical plane, i.e., inclined forward toward the upper side.
- a generally annular packing 117 is attached to a peripheral edge of the opening 114 .
- An engagement member 41 for fixing the disposable filter 40 when the disposable filter 40 is accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 109 is provided on an upper front portion of the dust collecting chamber 109 (at a front edge of the top opening) pivotally about a laterally extending pivot shaft (not shown).
- the engagement member 41 includes a laterally extending base 42 , a pair of engagement projections 43 projecting rearward from laterally opposite ends of the base 42 , and an operation portion 44 projecting upward from a transversely middle portion of the base 42 , and these portions 42 , 43 , 44 are integrally formed.
- the engagement member 41 is biased clockwise as seen in FIG. 5 by a resilient member such as a spring. Where the disposable filter 40 is not fixed, the engagement member 41 is kept at a position (initial position) shown in FIG. 5 .
- Claws 43 A for hooking an upper edge of the disposable filter 40 respectively project from lower surfaces of the engagement projections 43 .
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with the disposable filter 40 mounted therein.
- the disposable filter 40 includes a generally rectangular cardboard base 40 A and a paper bag filter 40 B having an open portion fixed to a rear face of the cardboard base 40 A.
- the cardboard base 40 A has a generally round inlet 45 provided in a center portion thereof as corresponding to the opening 114 . A rear side of the inlet 45 is covered with the paper filter 40 B.
- a pair of guide members 46 for guiding laterally opposite edges of the cardboard base 40 A when the disposable filter 40 is mounted in and demounted from the dust collecting chamber 109 project from laterally opposite edges of the front wall 109 A of the dust collecting chamber 109 as extending vertically.
- a pair of stoppers 47 for preventing rearward displacement of a lower edge of the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 when the disposable filter 40 is mounted in the dust collecting chamber 109 project from a front edge of a bottom of the dust collecting chamber 109 .
- the pair of engagement projections 43 are first retracted from a disposable filter (cardboard base) insertion path by pulling the operation portion 44 forward and pivoting the engagement member 41 counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 5 .
- the disposable filter 40 is inserted into the dust collecting chamber 109 from the upper side through the top opening, and the laterally opposite edges of the cardboard base 40 A are slid downward along the pair of guide members 46 .
- the electric vacuum cleaner 101 When the electric vacuum cleaner 101 is driven (the electric fan 102 is driven) with the disposable filter 40 mounted therein, the air sucked from the suction member flows into the main body 103 through the connection hose and the suction port 104 thereby to be introduced into the paper filter 40 B of the disposable filter 40 from the opening 114 through the inlet 45 .
- the air introduced into the paper filter 40 B passes through the paper filter 40 B, the dust entrained in the air is captured by the paper filter 40 B.
- FIG. 8 is a front view of the dust collecting apparatus 107 to be mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner 101 .
- FIG. 9 is a right side view of the dust collecting apparatus 107 .
- a generally round air inlet 50 through which air is introduced into the dust collecting apparatus 107 is provided in a front face of the dust collecting apparatus 107 , and a tubular inlet pipe 51 projects forward from the inlet 50 .
- a front edge of the inlet pipe 51 is inclined forward toward the upper side as corresponding to the inclination of the opening 114 .
- the dust collecting apparatus 107 includes a hollow casing 52 in which the air is swirled, a filter 54 which permits passage of air to be discharged from an air outlet port 53 provided in a rear face of the casing 52 and captures dust entrained in the air, and a filter holder 55 which surrounds the outer periphery of the filter 54 to hold the filter 54 .
- the filter 54 is composed of, for example, a urethane-containing material.
- Attachment members 56 for pivotally attaching the filter holder 55 to the casing 52 respectively project downward from laterally opposite portions of a lower surface of the filter holder 55 .
- Fixing members 57 for pivotally fixing the attachment members 56 of the filter holder 55 respectively project downward from laterally opposite ends of a rear lower edge of the casing 52 .
- tissue paper between the casing 52 and the filter holder 55 it is possible to hold tissue paper between the casing 52 and the filter holder 55 (immediately upstream of the filter 54 ) and press a peripheral portion of the tissue paper held between the casing 52 and the filter holder 55 by a metal press frame 58 extending along the outer periphery of the casing 52 .
- the press frame 58 has a left end portion bent rightward and a right end portion bent leftward.
- the left and right end portions of the press frame 58 respectively serve as pivot shafts 63 of the press frame 58 .
- the press frame 58 is pivotally attached to the casing 52 and the filter holder 55 with its left end portion (left pivot shaft 63 ) pivotally attached to the left attachment member 56 and the left fixing member 57 and with its right end portion (right pivot shaft 63 ) pivotally attached to the right attachment member 56 and the right fixing member 57 .
- FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion A in FIG. 8 .
- the attachment members 56 provided on the filter holder 55 each include a pair of clamp portions 56 A, 56 B spaced a predetermined distance in laterally opposed relation.
- the clamp portions 56 A, 56 B respectively have generally cylindrical pivot shafts 59 which project toward each other coaxially from lower portions of opposed surfaces thereof.
- the fixing members 57 provided on the casing 52 each include an insertion portion 57 A inserted between the pair of clamp portions 56 A and 56 B of the attachment member 56 , and a through-hole portion 57 B through which the pivot shaft 63 of the press frame 58 extends.
- the insertion portion 57 A has a through-hole 60 laterally extending through a lower end portion thereof.
- the insertion portion 57 A is inserted between the pair of clamp portions 56 A and 56 B of the attachment member 56 , whereby the pivot shaft 59 of the left clamp portion 56 A is inserted into the through-hole 60 from the left side and the pivot shaft 59 of the right clamp portion 56 B is inserted into the through-hole 60 from the right side.
- the filter holder 55 can be pivotally attached to the casing 52 .
- the through-hole portion 57 B has a through-hole 61 laterally extending through a lower portion thereof.
- the clamp portion 56 A adjacent to the through-hole portion 57 B has an insertion hole 62 opening toward the through-hole portion 57 B.
- the pivot shaft 63 of the press frame 58 extends through the through-hole 61 with a distal end thereof inserted in the insertion hole 62 .
- the pivot shaft 63 is pivotally held by the through-hole 61 and the insertion hole 62 .
- the pivot shaft 63 is engaged with both the casing 52 and the filter holder 55 . Therefore, the pivot shaft 63 is hardly disengaged, so that a robust structure can be provided.
- the pivot shaft attaching operation can be easily performed as compared with a case in which the pivot shaft 63 is attached with the use of a fixing member such as an E-ring.
- the end portion of the pivot shaft 63 is inserted in the insertion hole 62 and, therefore, even if the end portion is formed with burrs, the burrs are not exposed outside. This makes the attaching arrangement safer.
- the attaching arrangement associated with the left attachment member 56 and the left fixing member 57 has been described with reference to FIG. 10
- the attaching arrangement associated with the right attachment member 56 and the right fixing member 57 has substantially the same structure.
- the dust cover 113 is opened, then the dust collecting apparatus 107 is taken out of the dust collecting chamber 109 , and the casing 52 is opened by pivoting the filter holder 55 about the pivot shafts 59 of the attachment members 56 . In this state, the dust can be easily removed from the casing 52 . Further, the filter 54 is detached from the filter holder 55 to remove dust adhering to the filter 54 .
- the dust collecting apparatus 107 is used with the tissue paper held between the casing 52 and the filter holder 55 (immediately upstream of the filter 54 ) and with the peripheral portion of the tissue paper pressed by the press frame 58 , the air flowing through the casing 52 to the air outlet port 53 passes through the tissue paper before passing through the filter 54 . Therefore, the dust entrained in the air is mostly captured by the tissue paper.
- the casing 52 is opened by pivoting the filter holder 52 .
- the dust in the casing 52 can be easily removed.
- the peripheral portion of the tissue paper is released by pivoting the press frame 58 .
- the tissue paper can be removed to be discarded.
- the dust hardly adheres to the filter 54 , so that the need for removing the dust from the filter 54 is obviated to improve the convenience.
- the casing 52 includes a front member 52 A defining a front portion thereof and a rear member 52 B defining a rear portion thereof.
- the front member 52 A and the rear member 52 B are bonded (e.g., fuse-bonded) to each other. More specifically, the front member 52 A and the rear member 52 B respectively have a bonding rib 64 A projecting from the entire rear outer peripheral edge of the front member 52 A and a bonding rib 64 B projecting from the entire front outer peripheral edge of the rear member 52 B for bonding the front member 52 A and the rear member 52 B to each other.
- a predetermined fuse-bonding process is performed with the bonding ribs 64 A, 64 B in abutment with each other.
- the bonding ribs 64 A, 64 B are fuse-bonded to each other to combine the front member 52 A and the rear member 52 B.
- laterally opposite lower edge portions of the bonding rib 64 A of the front member 52 A are extended downward to define a pair of legs 65 .
- lower end portions of the respective legs 65 are extended to the same level as the lowermost ends of the other portions (the attachment members 56 and the fixing members 57 of the casing 52 ), whereby the inlet 50 of the dust collecting apparatus 107 is oriented generally horizontally with the dust collecting apparatus 107 held upright by the pair of legs 65 .
- the dust is prevented from being scattered out of the dust collecting apparatus 107 from the inlet 50 with the dust collecting apparatus 107 held upright by the pair of legs 65 . Therefore, the removal of the dust from the dust collecting apparatus 107 is further facilitated.
- the inlet 50 of the dust collecting apparatus 107 is not necessarily required to be oriented generally horizontally, but may be oriented upward (or obliquely upward).
- a cleaning device 66 (e.g., a brush) to be used for cleaning the dust collecting apparatus 107 is retained on rear faces of the legs 65 .
- the cleaning device 66 is not retained on a wall of the dust collecting chamber 109 , but retained on the dust collecting apparatus 107 . Therefore, when the disposable filter 40 is mounted in the dust collecting apparatus 107 , damage to the paper filter 40 B of the disposable filter 40 is prevented which may otherwise occur when the paper filter 40 B is brought into contact with the cleaning device 66 retained on the wall of the dust collecting chamber 109 .
- the inlet 50 is provided in a front face of the casing 52 (front member 52 A), and the inlet pipe 51 projects forward from the inlet 50 .
- a cyclonic flow path 67 is defined by a partition wall in the casing 52 . More specifically, the air entering the casing 52 from the inlet 50 is swirled clockwise about an anteroposteriorly extending swirl axis 68 as seen from the front side along the cyclonic flow path 67 and indicated by an arrow in FIG. 8 .
- a terminal end of the cyclonic flow path 67 communicates with a dust collecting portion 69 spreading immediately upstream of the air outlet port 53 (in front of the air outlet port 53 ).
- the dust entrained in the air flowing into the casing 52 from the inlet 50 passes through an outer portion of the cyclonic flow path 67 (a radially outward portion about the swirl axis 68 ) by a centrifugal force when the air is swirled along the cyclonic flow path 67 .
- a generally cylindrical filter 70 is disposed along the swirl axis 68 in the casing 52 .
- the filter 70 is, for example, a mesh filter prepared by combining metal wires into mesh.
- a rear end of the filter 70 faces toward a portion of the dust collecting portion 69 immediately upstream of the air outlet port 53 .
- the dust entrained in the air swirled along the cyclonic flow path 67 is swirled in the outer portion of the cyclonic flow path 67 and, therefore, guided into the dust collecting portion 69 without passing through the filter 70 .
- a part of the air (from which the dust is separated) swirled in an inner portion of the cyclonic flow path 67 (adjacent to the swirl axis 68 ) passes through the filter 70 , and flows inside the filter 70 to be guided to the portion immediately upstream of the air outlet port 53 .
- the dust entrained in the air flowing into the casing 52 from the inlet 50 is separated by the centrifugal force and captured by the dust collecting portion 69 , while the air from which the dust is separated is guided through the filter 70 toward the air outlet port 53 .
- the dust can be advantageously captured.
- a cover 71 which covers a front portion of the filter 70 is openably attached to the front face of the casing 52 (front member 52 A). With the cover 71 being opened to uncover the front portion of the filter 70 , the filter 70 is drawn forward for cleaning thereof.
- the casing 52 (front member 52 A) has a rib 72 projecting forward from the front face thereof on a lateral side (right side) of the inlet 50 .
- the rib 72 vertically extends (in the direction of the insertion of the dust collecting apparatus 107 ), and its distal edge extends to the vicinity of the front edge of the inlet pipe 51 .
- a handle 73 to be held when the dust collecting apparatus 107 is mounted and demounted is provided on an upper side of the casing 52 as extending anteroposteriorly.
- FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with the dust collecting apparatus 107 to be mounted therein.
- FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with the dust collecting apparatus 107 mounted therein.
- the dust collecting apparatus 107 is inserted into the dust collecting chamber 109 from the upper side through the top opening with the dust cover 113 being opened. That is, the dust collecting apparatus 107 is slid vertically downward (diametrically of the inlet 50 ) with respect to the dust collecting chamber 109 thereby to be accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 109 .
- a distance between the pair of engagement projections 43 of the engagement member 41 is greater than the outer diameter of the inlet pipe 51 of the dust collecting apparatus 107 .
- the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 is fixed by the pair of engagement projections 43 .
- the inlet pipe 51 of the dust collecting apparatus 107 is prevented from interfering with the pair of engagement projections 43 which are adapted to fix the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 . Therefore, either the dust collecting apparatus 107 or the disposable filter 40 can be properly mounted.
- the gap between the opening 114 and the front edge of the inlet pipe 51 is sealed, as shown in FIG. 12 , by pressing the front edge of the inlet pipe 51 against the packing 117 .
- the opening 114 is oriented slightly upward with respect to the vertical plane, i.e., inclined forward toward the upper side, and the front edge of the inlet pipe 51 is also inclined forward toward the upper side as corresponding to the inclination of the opening 114 . Therefore, even if the dust collecting apparatus 107 is inserted vertically downward into the dust collecting chamber 109 , the interference between the peripheral edge of the opening 114 and the inlet pipe 51 can be prevented.
- FIGS. 13 ( a ) and 13 ( b ) are diagrams respectively illustrating states of the packing 117 deformed when the dust collecting apparatus 107 is mounted and when the disposable filter 40 is mounted. Particularly, FIG. 13 ( a ) illustrates a portion B in FIG. 7 on an enlarged scale to show the packing 117 deformed when the disposable filter 40 is mounted, and FIG. 13 ( b ) illustrates a portion C in FIG. 12 on an enlarged scale to show the packing 117 deformed when the dust collecting apparatus 107 is mounted.
- the packing 117 is composed of an elastic material such as rubber, and includes a cylindrical base 117 A fitted in the opening 114 , a cylindrical portion 117 B projecting from a rear face of the base 117 A, an annular resiliently deformable portion 117 C projecting radially outward from a rear edge of the cylindrical portion 117 B, and an annular projection 117 D projecting rearward from a junction between the cylindrical portion 117 B and the annular resiliently deformable portion 117 C, and these parts 117 A, 117 B, 117 C, 117 D are integrally formed.
- the annular projection 117 D has a convexly curved cross section (generally arcuate cross section).
- the annular projection 117 D bites the inner periphery of the inlet 45 of the disposable filter 40 , and the front surface of the cardboard base 40 A (the peripheral edge of the inlet 45 ) abuts against the entire rear surface of the annular resiliently deformable portion 117 C, whereby the annular resiliently deformable portion 117 C is pressed forward to be resiliently deformed.
- the inlet pipe 51 of the dust collecting apparatus 107 has substantially the same size as the inlet 45 of the disposable filter 40 or a greater size than the inlet 45 of the disposable filter 40 .
- the annular projection 117 D has a convexly curved cross-section and, therefore, even if the peripheral edge of the inlet 45 or the front edge of the inlet pipe 51 interferes with the annular projection 117 D when the dust collecting apparatus 107 or the disposable filter 40 is slid into the dust collecting chamber 109 , the annular projection 117 D rides over the annular projection 117 D along the convexly curved surface. Therefore, the dust collecting apparatus 107 or the disposable filter 40 can be properly mounted.
- FIGS. 14 ( a ) and 14 ( b ) are diagrams illustrating a variation of the packing 117 . Particularly, FIG. 14 ( a ) is a rear view of a packing 217 according to the variation, and FIG. 14 ( b ) is a sectional view of the packing 217 as seen along a line G-G in FIG. 14 ( a ).
- the packing 217 is composed of an elastic material such as rubber.
- the packing 217 includes a cylindrical base 217 A fitted in the opening 114 , a cylindrical portion 217 B projecting from a rear face of the base 217 A, an annular resiliently deformable portion 217 C projecting radially outward from a rear edge of the cylindrical portion 217 B, and an annular projection 217 D projecting rearward from a junction between the cylindrical portion 217 B and the annular resiliently deformable portion 217 C, and these parts 217 A, 217 B, 217 C, 217 D are integrally formed.
- the annular projection 217 D has a convexly curved cross section (generally arcuate cross section).
- a feature of the packing 217 according to this variation is that an upper edge portion of the annular resiliently deformable portion 217 C projects further outward (upward) than the other portion of the annular resiliently deformable portion 217 C to define a guide portion 217 E.
- the guide portion 217 E is curved to be inclined forward toward the upper side.
- This arrangement provides the same effects as the packing 117 according to the aforesaid embodiment.
- the front edge of the inlet pipe 51 of the dust collecting apparatus 107 inserted from the upper side or the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 can be slid along the curved rear surface of the guide portion 217 E thereby to be properly guided toward the annular resiliently deformable portion 217 C. Therefore, either the dust collecting apparatus 107 or the disposable filter 40 can be properly mounted.
- FIG. 15 is a plan view of an electric vacuum cleaner 101 A according to a first variation of the second embodiment with its dust cover 113 removed.
- the electric vacuum cleaner 101 A is characterized in that the pair of guide members 46 are used instead of the engagement member 41 of the second embodiment as the fixing member for fixing the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 . Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 101 A has substantially the same construction as the second embodiment, except that the engagement member 41 is omitted and the pair of guide members 46 each have a modified shape. Hence, like components will be denoted by like reference characters, and no explanation will be given thereto.
- rear end portions of the respective guide members 46 projecting rearward from the laterally opposite edges of the front wall 109 A of the dust collecting chamber 109 are bent generally perpendicularly toward each other. That is, the left guide member 46 L has a rear end portion 48 L bent rightward, and the right guide member 46 R has a rear end portion 48 R bent leftward.
- the disposable filter 40 When the disposable filter 40 is to be accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 109 , the disposable filter 40 is inserted into the dust collecting chamber 109 from the upper side through the top opening, and the laterally opposite edges of the cardboard base 40 A are slid downward along the pair of guide members 46 (along front surfaces of the respective bent portions 48 L, 48 R). After the lower edge of the cardboard base 40 A is thus brought into abutment against the bottom portion of the dust collecting chamber 109 in front of the pair of stoppers 47 , the dust cover 113 is closed.
- the dust cover 113 has an engagement member (not shown) provided on an interior surface thereof (which faces toward the dust collecting chamber 109 when the dust cover 113 is closed) for fixing the upper edge of the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 .
- the dust cover 113 When the dust cover 113 is closed, the upper edge of the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 is pressed forward by the engagement member. With the dust cover 113 thus closed, the cardboard base 40 A is pressed against the packing 117 by a force applied forward by the engagement member. Thus, the peripheral edge of the inlet 45 provided in the front face of the cardboard base 40 A is pressed against the packing 117 , whereby the gap between the opening 114 and the inlet 45 is sealed.
- a distance between distal ends of the respective bent portions 48 L and 48 R is greater than the outer diameter of the inlet pipe 51 of the dust collecting apparatus 107 , so that the inlet pipe 51 passes between the bent portions 48 L and 48 R when the dust collecting apparatus 107 is inserted into the dust collecting chamber 109 .
- FIG. 16 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner 101 B according to a second variation of the second embodiment with neither the dust collecting apparatus 107 nor the disposable filter 40 mounted therein, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side.
- FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a dust cover 113 as seen along a line D-D in FIG. 16 .
- the electric vacuum cleaner 101 B is characterized in that, when the dust collecting apparatus 107 is not accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 109 and the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 is not fixed to the engagement member 41 , a stopper 80 provided on the dust cover 113 prevents the dust cover 113 from being closed and, when the dust collecting apparatus 107 is mounted in the dust collecting chamber 109 or the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 is fixed to the engagement member 41 , the stopper 80 permits the dust cover 113 to be closed.
- the electric vacuum cleaner 101 B has substantially the same construction as the second embodiment except for an arrangement associated with the stopper 80 . Therefore, like components will be denoted by like reference characters, and no explanation will be given thereto.
- the dust cover 113 has an attachment member 81 projecting from a laterally middle front portion of the interior surface thereof for attaching the stopper 80 .
- a laterally extending rotation shaft 82 is attached to a lower portion of the attachment member 81 .
- the stopper 80 has an anteroposteriorly elongated shape, and is rotatably retained by the rotation shaft 82 at a position slightly forward of a middle portion thereof.
- a tubular portion of a twist coil spring 83 is fitted around the rotation shaft 82 .
- the stopper 80 is biased clockwise as seen in FIG.
- the operation portion 44 of the engagement portion 41 is located in the path of a front end of the stopper 80 . That is, if an attempt is made to close the dust cover 113 when the dust collecting apparatus 107 is not accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 109 and the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 is not fixed to the engagement member 41 , the front end of the stopper 80 abuts against the upper edge of the operation portion 44 of the engagement member 41 to prevent the closing of the dust cover 113 .
- the stopper 80 has a projection 80 A projecting downward from a lower front end portion thereof.
- the projection 80 A prevents the operation portion 44 from forwardly riding over the stopper 80 .
- FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 B taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with the disposable filter 40 mounted therein.
- the upper edge of the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 is fixed by the pair of engagement projections 43 , so that the engagement member 41 is located in a position (fixing position) offset counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 16 . If an attempt is made to close the dust cover 113 in this state, the dust cover 113 is permitted to be closed without the abutment of the front end of the stopper 80 against the engagement member 41 (operation portion 44 ).
- the rear end of the stopper 80 is chamfered to be smoothly curved, so that breakage of the paper filter 40 B can be prevented which may otherwise occur when the paper filter 40 B of the disposable filter 40 accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 109 is brought into contact with the rear end of the stopper 80 .
- FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 B taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side when the dust cover 113 is to be closed with the dust collecting apparatus 107 mounted in the cleaner.
- FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 B taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side when the dust cover 113 is completely closed with the dust collecting apparatus 107 mounted in the cleaner.
- the casing 52 (an upper edge of the front member 52 A) of the dust collecting apparatus 107 is located in the path of the rear end of the stopper 80 . That is, when the dust cover 113 is closed with the dust collecting apparatus 107 accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 109 , the stopper 80 is rotated counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 19 against the biasing force of the twist coil spring 83 by an action force from the casing 52 with the rear end of the stopper 80 in abutment against the casing 52 .
- the dust cover 113 can be closed when either the dust collecting apparatus 107 or the disposable filter 40 is mounted. However, when neither the dust collecting apparatus 107 nor the disposable filter 40 is mounted, the dust cover 113 cannot be closed. Therefore, the start of the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 B is prevented with neither the dust collecting apparatus 107 nor the disposable filter 40 mounted. Thus, the electric vacuum cleaner 101 B is more convenient to use.
- biasing means for applying the biasing force to the stopper 80 is not limited to the twist coil spring 83 , but any other resilient member may be used as the biasing means.
- FIG. 21 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner 101 C according to a third variation of the second embodiment with neither the dust collecting apparatus 107 nor the disposable filter 40 mounted therein, the sectional view being taken along a horizontal plane and seen from an upper side.
- FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along a line E-E in FIG. 21 with neither the dust collecting apparatus nor the disposable filter mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner 101 C.
- the electric vacuum cleaner 101 C is characterized in that, when the dust collecting apparatus 107 is not accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 109 and the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 is not fixed to the engagement member 41 , a stopper 90 provided in the dust collecting chamber 109 prevents the dust cover 113 from being closed and, when the dust collecting apparatus 107 is accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 109 or the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 is fixed to the engagement member 41 , the stopper 90 permits the dust cover 113 to be closed.
- the electric vacuum cleaner 101 C has substantially the same construction as the second embodiment except for an arrangement associated with the stopper 90 . Therefore, like components will be denoted by like reference characters, and no explanation will be given thereto.
- a stopper retainer 91 for retaining the stopper 90 is attached to a right side portion of the front wall 109 A of the dust collecting chamber 109 on the left side of the right guide member 46 R.
- the stopper 90 is retained pivotally about a laterally extending rotation shaft 92 attached to the stopper retainer 91 .
- An engagement projection 93 to be engaged with the stopper 90 projects from a front interior surface portion of the dust cover 113 .
- the stopper 90 has a vertically elongated shape, and its lower portion is retained pivotally about the rotation shaft 92 .
- the stopper 90 has a columnar projection 90 A provided on a front surface of the lower portion thereof.
- a compression coil spring 94 is provided between the stopper retainer 91 and the stopper 90 with its front end abutting against a rear surface of the stopper retainer 91 and with its rear end portion fitted around the columnar projection 90 A, whereby the stopper 90 is biased counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 22 by a biasing force of the compression coil spring 94 .
- a distal edge of a rib 90 B projecting from a front upper surface portion of the stopper 90 abuts against the rear surface of the stopper retainer 91 .
- the stopper 90 is prevented from further pivoting counterclockwise from a position as shown in FIG. 22 .
- an upper end of the stopper 90 is located in the path of the lower end of the engagement projection 93 . That is, if an attempt is made to close the dust cover 113 when the dust collecting apparatus 107 is not accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 109 and the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 is not fixed to the engagement member 41 , the lower end of the engagement projection 93 abuts against an upper end face of the stopper 90 to prevent the closing of the dust cover 113 .
- the stopper 90 has projections 95 projecting upward from front and rear edges of the upper end face thereof.
- the projections 95 prevent the engagement projection 93 from forwardly or rearwardly riding over the stopper 90 .
- FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 21 with the disposable filter 40 mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner 11 C.
- the stopper 90 is located in an insertion path along which the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 is inserted.
- the front face of the cardboard base 40 A is brought into sliding contact with a rear face of the stopper 90 .
- the stopper 90 is rotated clockwise from a position (initial position) shown in FIG. 22 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 94 by an action force from the disposable filter 40 (cardboard base 40 A) during the mounting of the disposable filter 40 .
- the entire rear face of the stopper 90 abuts against the front face of the cardboard base 40 A of the disposable filter 40 . If an attempt is made to close the dust cover 113 in this state, the closing of the dust cover 113 is permitted without the abutment of the lower end face of the engagement projection 93 against the upper end face of the stopper 90 .
- FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 C taken along the horizontal plane and seen from the upper side with the dust collecting apparatus 107 mounted therein.
- FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along a line F-F in FIG. 24 with the dust collecting apparatus 107 mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner 101 C.
- the rib 72 extending vertically (in the direction of the insertion of the dust collecting apparatus 107 ) projects forward from the front face of the dust collecting apparatus 107 (casing 52 ) on the lateral side (right side) of the inlet 50 .
- the stopper 90 is located in an insertion path along which the rib 72 of the dust collecting apparatus 107 is inserted.
- the distal end face (front end face) of the rib 72 is brought into sliding contact with the rear face of the stopper 90 .
- the stopper 90 is rotated clockwise from the position (initial position) shown in FIG.
- the dust cover 113 can be closed when either the dust collecting apparatus 107 or the disposable filter 40 is mounted.
- the dust cover 113 cannot be closed when neither the dust collecting apparatus 107 nor the disposable filter 40 is mounted. Therefore, the start of the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 101 C is prevented with neither the dust collecting apparatus 107 nor the disposable filter 40 mounted.
- the electric vacuum cleaner 101 C is more convenient to use.
- the biasing means for applying the biasing force to the stopper 90 is not limited to the compression coil spring 94 , but any other resilient member may be used as the biasing means.
- the electric vacuum cleaners have been described, which include the connection hose attached to the main body and are operated by handling the connection hose while dragging the main body.
- the present invention is of course applicable to a so-called upright electric vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 26 is a vertical sectional view of an upright electric vacuum cleaner 300 to which the present invention is applied, the vertical sectional view being seen from a right side.
- the upright electric vacuum cleaner 300 includes a vertically elongated main body 301 , a handle 302 connected to an upper portion of the main body 301 , and a suction head 303 projecting from a lower front portion of the main body 301 .
- An electric fan 304 is incorporated in a lower portion of the main body 301 .
- a removable dust collecting apparatus 305 is attached to a back side of the main body 301 .
- the dust collecting apparatus 305 has a suction port 306 , a cyclonic flow path 307 for swirling air sucked from the suction port 306 to separate dust from the air by a centrifugal force, a dust collecting chamber 308 in which the separated dust is collected, an air outlet port 310 provided in a wall (front wall) of the dust collecting chamber 308 as having a great size, and a filter 311 attached to the air outlet port 310 .
- the dust collecting apparatus 305 can be detached from the main body 301 by holding a handle 312 and pivoting an upper portion of the apparatus 305 rearward about a lower edge of the apparatus 305 .
- FIG. 27 is a back view of the main body 301 with the dust collecting apparatus 305 detached.
- the main body 301 has an inner wall 313 which is opposed to the air outlet port 310 and the filter 311 of the dust collecting apparatus 305 when the dust collecting apparatus 305 is attached.
- the inner wall 313 is positioned vertically, and includes an upper wall 314 and a lower wall 315 .
- the upper wall 314 is located slightly forward of the lower wall 315 in the main body 301
- the lower wall 315 is stepped slightly rearward with respect to the upper wall 314 .
- the upper wall 314 is opposed to upper portions of the air outlet port 310 and the filter 311 of the dust collecting apparatus 305
- the lower wall 315 is opposed to lower portions of the air outlet port 310 and the filter 311 of the dust collecting apparatus 305 .
- the upper wall 314 has a multiplicity of openings 316 . That is, the upper wall 314 permits passage of air through the openings 316 , but the lower wall 315 does not permit air passage.
- An air flow path 317 is defined in a front portion (on the left side in FIG. 26 ) of the main body 301 partitioned by the inner wall 313 , and communicates with a lower flow path 318 .
- the electric fan 304 performs a sucking operation
- the air entering the dust collecting apparatus 305 flows through the air outlet port 310 and the filter 311 into the flow path 317 from the openings 316 of the upper wall 314 , and is discharged out of the main body 301 through the flow path 318 .
- a guide passage 319 is defined between the lower wall 315 of the inner wall 313 of the main body 301 and the portions of the air outlet port 310 and the filter 311 of the dust collecting apparatus 305 opposed to the lower wall 315 .
- the guide passage 319 which has a small width increases the flow rate of the air passing through the guide passage 319 .
- the air outlet port 310 and the filter 311 are not entirely opposed to the openings 316 of the inner wall 313 , the air flows from the dust collecting chamber 308 through the entire air outlet port 310 and the entire filter 311 toward the inner wall 313 of the main body 301 , and is properly discharged out of the electric vacuum cleaner through the flow paths 317 , 318 .
- FIG. 28 is a right side view of the dust collecting apparatus 305 detached from the main body 301 .
- FIG. 29 is a front view of the dust collecting apparatus 305 with a filter cover 320 being opened.
- a reference numeral 308 denotes the dust collecting chamber.
- the air outlet port 310 which has a great size is provided in a front wall 309 of the dust collecting chamber 308 .
- the filter cover 320 is attached to a lower side of the air outlet port 310 to be opened pivotally about an axis 321 .
- the filter cover 320 has ribs 322 , 323 , and the filter 311 (not shown in FIG. 29 ) is held by the ribs 322 , 323 .
- the present invention is applicable to the upright electric vacuum cleaner.
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Abstract
In an inventive electric vacuum cleaner, a filter 20 through which air discharged from an air outlet port 19 is passed is provided on a rear face of a casing 18 of a cyclonic dust collecting apparatus 7, and held by a filter holder 18B. A rear face of the filter 20 is spaced from vertical ribs 32A of the filter holder 18B to define a guide passage 35 for guiding air discharged from a portion of the air outlet port 19 not opposed to an opening 33 through the filter 20 toward the opening 33. The guide passage 35 allows the air to pass through the portion of the air outlet port 19 not opposed to the opening 33.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner and a cyclonic dust collecting apparatus to be mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Electric vacuum cleaners include, for example, a main body having an electric fan, a suction member to be moved along a floor surface, and a connection hose which connects the suction member to the main body, and a disposable filter bag is mounted in the main body. When an electric vacuum cleaner of this type is driven, outside air (air on the floor surface) is sucked from the suction member by driving the electric fan provided in the main body, and taken into the main body from a suction port of the main body through the connection hose. An inlet of the disposable filter provided in the main body communicates with the suction port. When the air sucked from the suction port passes through the disposable filter, dust entrained in the air is captured by the disposable filter (see, for example, Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. 5-20279 (1993)).
- However, the electric vacuum cleaners of this type are uneconomical and disadvantageous in terms of environmental protection, because the cleaners utilize the disposable filter. Further, the disposable filter is not replaced until a certain amount of dust is collected in the filter. Therefore, the suction force and hence the dust collecting efficiency are reduced, as the amount of the collected dust is increased.
- There has recently been known an electric vacuum cleaner including a cyclonic dust collecting apparatus which is capable of swirling air sucked from a suction port to separate dust from the air by a centrifugal force and capture the dust. The dust collected in the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus can be easily discarded by detaching the dust collecting apparatus from a main body and performing a predetermined operation. The electric vacuum cleaner including the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus is advantageous in that the reduction of the dust collecting efficiency is prevented by frequently discarding the dust collected in the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus (e.g., whenever the cleaner is used for a cleaning operation).
- With the electric vacuum cleaner including the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus, however, it is cumbersome to detach the dust collecting apparatus and discard the collected dust whenever the cleaning operation is performed.
- Hence, there is a demand for an electric vacuum cleaner with a cyclonic dust collecting apparatus, which is improved so as to prevent the reduction of the dust collecting efficiency even if dust is collected in the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus.
- For more convenience, it is desirable to improve the electric vacuum cleaner with the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus so that a disposable filter can be temporarily used.
- In view of the foregoing, it is a first object of the present invention to provide an electric vacuum cleaner and a dust collecting apparatus which are improved in dust collecting efficiency.
- It is a second object of the present invention to provide an electric vacuum cleaner and a dust collecting apparatus which are improved in convenience.
- It is a third object of the present invention to provide an electric vacuum cleaner and a dust collecting apparatus which are improved in ease of removing dust collected in the dust collecting apparatus.
- An electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention comprises a main body including an electric fan incorporated therein, and a dust collecting apparatus removable from the main body.
- The dust collecting apparatus comprises a suction port, a cyclonic flow path for swirling air sucked from the suction port to separate dust from the air by a centrifugal force, a dust collecting chamber in which the separated dust is collected, an air outlet port provided in a wall of the dust collecting chamber for discharging the air sucked from the suction port, and a filter attached to the air outlet port. The main body has a wall opposed to the wall of the dust collecting chamber and having an opening smaller than the air outlet port in opposed relation to the air outlet port for feeding the air downstream by the electric fan. The air outlet port has a region opposed to the opening and a region not opposed to the opening, and a guide passage is provided for guiding air discharged from the region of the air outlet port not opposed to the opening toward the opening.
- The inventive electric vacuum cleaner is adapted to selectively utilize the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus and a disposable dust collecting apparatus having a mouth cardboard and a filter bag attached to the mouth cardboard. The main body has an accommodating portion for accommodating either of the dust collecting apparatuses, and the accommodating portion has a fixing member for fixing the disposable dust collecting apparatus when the disposable dust collecting apparatus is mounted in the main body.
-
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side; -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner taken along a horizontal plane and seen from an upper side; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a filter holder as obliquely seen from a front upper side; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the filter holder and a filter held by the filter holder partly in section taken along a horizontal plane; -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side; -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the electric vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 5 with its dust cover removed; -
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 5 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with a disposable filter mounted therein; -
FIG. 8 is a front view of a dust collecting apparatus to be mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 9 is a right side view of the dust collecting apparatus; -
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion A inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 5 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with the dust collecting apparatus to be mounted therein; -
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 5 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with the dust collecting apparatus mounted therein; - FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams respectively illustrating states of a packing deformed when the dust collecting apparatus is mounted and when the disposable filter is mounted;
- FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) are diagrams illustrating a variation of the packing;
-
FIG. 15 is a plan view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a first variation of the second embodiment with its dust cover removed; -
FIG. 16 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a second variation of the second embodiment with neither the dust collecting apparatus nor the disposable filter mounted therein, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side; -
FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a dust cover as seen along a line D-D inFIG. 16 ; -
FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 16 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with the disposable filter mounted therein; -
FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 16 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side when the dust cover is to be closed with the dust collecting apparatus mounted in the cleaner; -
FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 16 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side when the dust cover is completely closed with the dust collecting apparatus mounted in the cleaner; -
FIG. 21 is a sectional view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a third variation of the second embodiment with neither the dust collecting apparatus nor the disposable filter mounted therein, the sectional view being taken along a horizontal plane and seen from an upper side; -
FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along a line E-E inFIG. 21 with neither the dust collecting apparatus nor the disposable filter mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner; -
FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E inFIG. 21 with the disposable filter mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner; -
FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 21 taken along the horizontal plane and seen from the upper side with the dust collecting apparatus mounted therein; -
FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along a line F-F inFIG. 24 with the dust collecting apparatus mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner; -
FIG. 26 is a vertical sectional view of an upright electric vacuum cleaner to which the present invention is applied, the vertical sectional view being seen from a right side; -
FIG. 27 is a back view of a main body of the upright electric vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 26 with a dust collecting apparatus detached; -
FIG. 28 is a right side view of the detached dust collecting apparatus; and -
FIG. 29 is a front view of the dust collecting apparatus with a filter cover being opened. - The present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of anelectric vacuum cleaner 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side.FIG. 2 is a sectional view of theelectric vacuum cleaner 1 taken along a horizontal plane and seen from an upper side. A left side and a right side inFIG. 1 are respectively defined as a front side and a rear side of theelectric vacuum cleaner 1. An upper side and a lower side inFIG. 2 are respectively defined as a left side and a right side of theelectric vacuum cleaner 1. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , theelectric vacuum cleaner 1 includes amain body 3 having anelectric fan 2, and aconnection hose 5 having one end inserted into asuction port 4 provided at a front end of the main body 3 (inFIG. 2 , theconnection hose 5 is not shown). Theconnection hose 5 is an elongated tubular member with at least a part thereof having a bellows shape. Though not shown, a suction member is attached to the other end of theconnection hose 5. When a cleaning operation is performed, the suction member is moved along a floor surface with theelectric fan 2 in themain body 3 being driven. Thus, dust on the floor surface is sucked together with air from the suction member. The air sucked from the suction member flows through theconnection hose 5 into themain body 3 from thesuction port 4. A plurality ofwheels 6 are provided at lower positions of themain body 3. Thewheels 6 are rolled along the floor surface, whereby themain body 3 is moved along the floor surface. - The
electric vacuum cleaner 1 is adapted to receive a cyclonicdust collecting apparatus 7 which swirls the air sucked from thesuction port 4 to separate the dust from the air by a centrifugal force and capture the dust. Afan accommodating chamber 8 in which theelectric fan 2 is accommodated is defined in a rear portion of themain body 3, and adust collecting chamber 9 in which thedust collecting apparatus 7 is accommodated is defined in a front portion of themain body 3. Theelectric fan 2 is disposed in a right side space occupying about two thirds of thefan accommodating chamber 8, and acord accommodating portion 11 in which anelectric cord 10 for power supply to theelectric vacuum cleaner 1 from the outside is accommodated is defined in a left side space occupying about one third of thefan accommodating chamber 8. In thecord accommodating portion 11, acord reel 12 is disposed rotatably about a laterally extendingrotation shaft 12A. When theelectric vacuum cleaner 1 is not in use, theelectric cord 10 is wound around thecord reel 12 in thecord accommodating portion 11. - The
dust collecting chamber 9 has a top opening, which is covered with adust cover 13. Afront wall 9A defining a front face of thedust collecting chamber 9 has a generallyround opening 14 which communicates with thesuction port 4. Theopening 14 is oriented slightly upward with respect to a vertical plane, i.e., inclined forward toward the upper side. - The
dust collecting apparatus 7 has a generallyround air inlet 15 formed in a front face thereof, and atubular inlet pipe 16 projecting forward from theinlet 15. A front edge of theinlet pipe 16 is inclined forward toward the upper side as corresponding to the inclination of theopening 14. Thedust collecting apparatus 7 is inserted into thedust collecting chamber 9 from the upper side through the top opening with thedust cover 13 being opened. Since theopening 14 and the front edge of theinlet pipe 16 are inclined with respect to the vertical plane as described above, interference between a peripheral edge of theopening 14 and theinlet pipe 16 is prevented even if thedust collecting apparatus 7 is inserted vertically downward into thedust collecting chamber 9. A generally annular packing 17 is attached to the peripheral edge of theopening 14. With thedust collecting apparatus 7 accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 9, the front edge of theinlet pipe 16 is pressed against the packing 17, so that a gap between theopening 14 and the front edge of theinlet pipe 16 is sealed. - The
dust collecting apparatus 7 includes ahollow casing 18 of a resin, for example, in which air is swirled, afilter 20 which permits passage of air to be discharged from anair outlet port 19 provided in a rear face of thecasing 18 to capture dust entrained in the air, and afilter holder 18B which surrounds the outer periphery of thefilter 20 to hold thefilter 20. Thefilter 20 is composed of, for example, a urethane-containing material. - The
inlet 15 is provided in a front face of thecasing 18, and theinlet pipe 16 projects forward from theinlet 15. Acyclonic flow path 21 is defined by a partition wall in thecasing 18. More specifically, the air entering thecasing 18 from theinlet 15 is swirled clockwise about a swirl axis 22 (seeFIG. 2 ) as seen from the front side along thecyclonic flow path 21. A terminal end of thecyclonic flow path 21 communicates with adust collecting portion 23 spreading immediately upstream of the air outlet port 19 (just in front of the air outlet port 19). - The dust entrained in the air flowing into the
casing 18 from theinlet 15 passes through an outer portion of the cyclonic flow path 21 (a radially outward portion about the swirl axis 22) by a centrifugal force when the air is swirled along thecyclonic flow path 21. A generally cylindrical filter 24 (seeFIG. 2 ) is disposed along theswirl axis 22 in thecasing 18. Thefilter 24 is, for example, a mesh filter prepared by combining metal wires into mesh. A rear end of thefilter 24 faces toward a portion of thedust collecting portion 23 immediately upstream of theair outlet port 19. With this arrangement, the dust entrained in the air swirled along thecyclonic flow path 21 is swirled in the outer portion of thecyclonic flow path 21 and, therefore, guided into thedust collecting portion 23 without passing through thefilter 24. A part of the air (from which the dust is separated) swirled in an inner portion of the cyclonic flow path 21 (adjacent to the swirl axis 22) passes through thefilter 24, and flows inside thefilter 24 to be guided to the portion immediately upstream of theair outlet port 19. Therefore, the dust entrained in the air flowing into thecasing 18 from theinlet 15 is separated by the centrifugal force and captured by thedust collecting portion 23, while the air from which the dust is separated is guided through thefilter 24 toward theair outlet port 19. Thus, the dust can be advantageously captured. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of thefilter holder 18B as obliquely seen from a front upper side.FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating thefilter holder 18B and thefilter 20 held by thefilter holder 18B partly in section taken along a horizontal plane. - Referring to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , thefilter holder 18B includes arear plate 25 of a generally rectangular shape and aside plate frame 26 projecting forward from an outer peripheral edge of therear plate 25, and therear plate 25 and theside plate frame 26 are integrally formed of, for example, a resin. Thefilter 20 is fitted in thefilter holder 18B with its outer peripheral surface fitted along an inner peripheral surface of theside plate frame 26. A front surface of thefilter 20 is substantially flush with a front edge of theside plate frame 26 with thefilter 20 fitted in thefilter holder 18B. Theside plate frame 26 has apositioning projection 27 provided on the inner peripheral surface thereof (in a lower left corner thereof). Thefilter 20 has arecess 28 in association with the positioning projection 27 (in a lower left corner thereof). With thepositioning projection 27 fitted in therecess 28, thefilter 20 can be fitted in thefilter holder 18B in a correct orientation with respect to lateral, vertical and anteroposterior directions. - The
side plate frame 26 hasattachment members 29 provided at laterally opposite ends of a lower edge thereof for pivotally attaching thefilter holder 18B to thecasing 18. Theside plate frame 26 further has anoperation portion 30 projecting from a transversely middle portion of an upper edge thereof. When the dust collected in the dust collecting apparatus 7 (in the casing 18) is to be removed, thedust cover 13 is opened, then thedust collecting apparatus 7 is taken out of thedust collecting chamber 9, and thecasing 18 is opened by pulling theoperation portion 30 rearward to pivot thefilter holder 18B about theattachment members 29. In this state, the dust can be easily removed from thecasing 18. Further, thefilter 20 is detached from thefilter holder 18B to remove dust adhering to thefilter 20. - The
rear plate 25 of thefilter holder 18B has a generallyrectangular opening 31. A plurality of vent holes for passing air discharged from theair outlet port 19 through thefilter 20 are defined in theopening 31 by a plurality of ribs extending vertically (vertical ribs 32A) and a plurality of ribs extending transversely (transverse ribs 32B). Front surfaces of the respectivetransverse ribs 32B are located forwardly of front surfaces of the respectivevertical ribs 32A. A frame rib (peripheral rib 32C) is provided on a peripheral edge of theopening 31 as projecting forward. A front surface of theperipheral rib 32C is located forwardly of the front surfaces of the respectivetransverse ribs 32B. With this arrangement, the front surfaces of the respectivetransverse ribs 32B abut against a rear surface of thefilter 20, and theperipheral rib 32C intrudes into a peripheral portion of the rear surface of thefilter 20 with thefilter 20 fitted in thefilter holder 18B. In this state, the rear surface of thefilter 20 is spaced a predetermined distance (e.g., about 6 mm) from thevertical ribs 32A. - Referring again to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , when thedust collecting apparatus 7 is inserted in thedust collecting chamber 9, a rear surface of thefilter holder 18B abuts against arear wall 9B defining a rear face of thedust colleting chamber 9. Therear wall 9B has a generallyrectangular opening 33 formed in a portion thereof extending rightward from a center portion thereof (opposed to a space in which theelectric fan 2 is disposed in the fan accommodating chamber 8) as having a size smaller than the area of the filter 20 (air outlet port 19). Thedust collecting chamber 9 and thefan accommodating chamber 8 communicate with each other through theopening 33. Theopening 33 is opposed to asuction port 2A of theelectric fan 2 disposed in thefan accommodating chamber 8. Theopening 33 is covered with afilter 34 having a pleat structure formed by folding filter paper into a bellows shape. - In this embodiment, the dust collecting apparatus 7 (casing 18) has the greatest possible size (the
dust collecting apparatus 7 occupies a wider area of thedust collecting chamber 9 from the left side to the right side) to ensure that the air sucked from thesuction port 4 of themain body 3 can be properly swirled for improvement of the dust collecting efficiency. Further, theair outlet port 19 has a great size (theair outlet port 19 is provided in the entire rear surface of the dust collecting apparatus 7) to ensure that the air from thedust collecting apparatus 7 can be properly discharged. Since theair outlet port 19 has a great size, the size of thefilter 20 covering theair outlet port 19 can be increased. Therefore, clogging of thefilter 20 can be suppressed. - On the other hand, the
fan accommodating chamber 8 which is located behind thedust collecting chamber 9 with the intervention of therear wall 9B is required to have a space for accommodating components other than the electric fan 2 (e.g., thecord accommodating portion 11 in which thecord reel 12 is disposed). Therefore, theopening 33 formed in therear wall 9B has a smaller size than theair outlet port 19. In this case, a portion of theair outlet port 19 opposed to theopening 33 ensures proper air flow to theopening 33 through thefilter 20, but the other portion of theair outlet port 19 not opposed to theopening 33 is liable to prohibit the proper air flow. - In this embodiment, the rear surface of the
filter 20 is spaced from thevertical ribs 32A, so that a guide passage 35 is defined for guiding the air discharged through thefilter 20 from the portion of theair outlet port 19 not opposed to theopening 33 toward theopening 33. Therefore, the air flow from the portion of theair outlet port 19 not opposed to theopening 33 can be ensured by the guide passage 35, thereby suppressing the reduction of the suction force to improve the dust collecting efficiency. - In particular, the rear surface of the
filter holder 18B abuts against therear wall 9B, so that thedust collecting apparatus 7 can be firmly fixed in thedust collecting chamber 9. Further, the guide passage 35 can be defined by the space between thevertical ribs 32A and thefilter 20. - Since the
peripheral rib 32C of thefilter holder 18B intrudes into the rear surface of thefilter 20, there is no gap between the peripheral portion of thefilter 20 and thefilter holder 18B. Therefore, theperipheral rib 32C serves as a barrier to prevent the dust from leaking from thedust collecting apparatus 7 between the peripheral portion of thefilter 20 and thefilter holder 18B. - In this embodiment, the
vertical ribs 32A and thetransverse ribs 32B which serve as a filter cover are formed integrally with thefilter holder 18B. Thus, the number of components can be reduced, thereby reducing the production costs. - In this embodiment, a portion (left portion) of the
dust collecting portion 23 not opposed to theopening 33 is narrower than a portion (right portion) of thedust collecting portion 23 opposed to theopening 33. The space of thedust collecting portion 23 has a cross section which progressively decreases toward the portion of thedust collecting portion 23 not opposed to the opening 33 (seeFIG. 2 ). In general, the air swirled in thedust collecting apparatus 7 tends to flow toward a narrower space. With the aforesaid arrangement, the air can be positively guided toward the portion of theair outlet port 19 not opposed to theopening 33 in which the air communication is poorer, so that the air can be discharged from the entireair outlet port 19 including not only the portion of theair outlet port 19 opposed to theopening 33 but also the portion of theair outlet port 19 not opposed to theopening 33. Thus, the collected dust is also guided toward the narrower space. Therefore, the dust is first gradually accumulated in the space not opposed to theopening 33, and finally captured by theentire filter 20. Thus, the dust collecting efficiency is improved. - The construction of the
dust collecting apparatus 7 is not limited to the construction described above, but thedust collecting apparatus 7 may have the same construction as adust collecting apparatus 107 according to a second embodiment to be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of anelectric vacuum cleaner 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side.FIG. 6 is a plan view of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101 with itsdust cover 113 removed. A left side and a right side inFIG. 5 are respectively defined as a front side and a rear side of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101. An upper side and a lower side inFIG. 6 are respectively defined as a left side and a right side of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101. - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , theelectric vacuum cleaner 101 includes amain body 103 having anelectric fan 102, and one end of a connection hose (not shown) is inserted into asuction port 104 provided at a front end of themain body 103. The connection hose is an elongated tubular member with at least a part thereof having a bellows shape. Though not shown, a suction member is attached to the other end of the connection hose. When a cleaning operation is performed, the suction member is moved along a floor surface with theelectric fan 102 in themain body 103 being driven. Thus, dust on the floor surface is sucked together with air from the suction member. The air sucked from the suction member flows through the connection hose into themain body 103 from thesuction port 104. A plurality ofwheels 106 are provided at lower positions of themain body 103. Thewheels 106 are rolled along the floor surface, whereby themain body 103 is moved along the floor surface. - One feature of the
electric vacuum cleaner 101 is that a commercially available disposable filter 40 (not shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 ) such as a paper pack and a cyclonic dust collecting apparatus 107 (not shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 ) which is capable of swirling the air sucked from thesuction port 104 to separate dust from the air by a centrifugal force and capture the dust are selectively mounted in theelectric vacuum cleaner 101. With this arrangement, a user is permitted to mount either thedust collecting apparatus 107 or thedisposable filter 40 according to user's preference. Therefore, theelectric vacuum cleaner 101 is more convenient to use. - A
fan accommodating chamber 108 in which theelectric fan 102 is accommodated is defined in a rear portion of themain body 103, and adust collecting chamber 109 in which thedust collecting apparatus 107 or thedisposable filter 40 is accommodated is defined in a front portion of themain body 103. When theelectric vacuum cleaner 101 is not in use, anelectric cord 110 for power supply to theelectric vacuum cleaner 101 from the outside is accommodated in a wound state in a left side portion of thefan accommodating chamber 108. - The
dust collecting chamber 109 has a top opening, which is covered with adust cover 113. Thedust cover 113 is attached pivotally to themain body 103 at its rear edge. Thedust collecting chamber 109 is covered and uncovered by pivoting the dust cover 113 (inFIG. 5 , thedust cover 113 is opened). Afront wall 109A defining a front face of thedust collecting chamber 109 has a generallyround opening 114 which communicates with thesuction port 104. Theopening 114 is oriented slightly upward with respect to a vertical plane, i.e., inclined forward toward the upper side. A generallyannular packing 117 is attached to a peripheral edge of theopening 114. - An
engagement member 41 for fixing thedisposable filter 40 when thedisposable filter 40 is accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109 is provided on an upper front portion of the dust collecting chamber 109 (at a front edge of the top opening) pivotally about a laterally extending pivot shaft (not shown). Theengagement member 41 includes a laterally extendingbase 42, a pair ofengagement projections 43 projecting rearward from laterally opposite ends of thebase 42, and anoperation portion 44 projecting upward from a transversely middle portion of thebase 42, and theseportions engagement member 41 is biased clockwise as seen inFIG. 5 by a resilient member such as a spring. Where thedisposable filter 40 is not fixed, theengagement member 41 is kept at a position (initial position) shown inFIG. 5 .Claws 43A for hooking an upper edge of thedisposable filter 40 respectively project from lower surfaces of theengagement projections 43. -
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with thedisposable filter 40 mounted therein. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , thedisposable filter 40 includes a generallyrectangular cardboard base 40A and apaper bag filter 40B having an open portion fixed to a rear face of thecardboard base 40A. Thecardboard base 40A has a generallyround inlet 45 provided in a center portion thereof as corresponding to theopening 114. A rear side of theinlet 45 is covered with thepaper filter 40B. - Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, a pair of
guide members 46 for guiding laterally opposite edges of thecardboard base 40A when thedisposable filter 40 is mounted in and demounted from thedust collecting chamber 109 project from laterally opposite edges of thefront wall 109A of thedust collecting chamber 109 as extending vertically. A pair ofstoppers 47 for preventing rearward displacement of a lower edge of thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 when thedisposable filter 40 is mounted in thedust collecting chamber 109 project from a front edge of a bottom of thedust collecting chamber 109. - When the
disposable filter 40 is to be accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109, the pair ofengagement projections 43 are first retracted from a disposable filter (cardboard base) insertion path by pulling theoperation portion 44 forward and pivoting theengagement member 41 counterclockwise as seen inFIG. 5 . In this state, thedisposable filter 40 is inserted into thedust collecting chamber 109 from the upper side through the top opening, and the laterally opposite edges of thecardboard base 40A are slid downward along the pair ofguide members 46. After the lower edge of thecardboard base 40A is thus brought into abutment against a bottom portion of thedust collecting chamber 109 in front of the pair ofstoppers 47, a force applied to theengagement member 41 is released, and theengagement member 41 is pivoted toward the initial position (clockwise as seen inFIG. 5 ), whereby theclaws 43A of therespective engagement projections 43 are engaged with an upper edge of thecardboard base 40A. As a result, thecardboard base 40A is pressed against the packing 117 by a force applied forward by theengagement projections 43. Thus, a front peripheral edge of theinlet 45 of thecardboard base 40A is pressed against the packing 117, whereby a gap between theopening 114 and theinlet 45 is sealed. - When the
electric vacuum cleaner 101 is driven (theelectric fan 102 is driven) with thedisposable filter 40 mounted therein, the air sucked from the suction member flows into themain body 103 through the connection hose and thesuction port 104 thereby to be introduced into thepaper filter 40B of thedisposable filter 40 from theopening 114 through theinlet 45. When the air introduced into thepaper filter 40B passes through thepaper filter 40B, the dust entrained in the air is captured by thepaper filter 40B. -
FIG. 8 is a front view of thedust collecting apparatus 107 to be mounted in theelectric vacuum cleaner 101.FIG. 9 is a right side view of thedust collecting apparatus 107. - Referring to
FIGS. 8 and 9 , a generallyround air inlet 50 through which air is introduced into thedust collecting apparatus 107 is provided in a front face of thedust collecting apparatus 107, and atubular inlet pipe 51 projects forward from theinlet 50. A front edge of theinlet pipe 51 is inclined forward toward the upper side as corresponding to the inclination of theopening 114. - The
dust collecting apparatus 107 includes ahollow casing 52 in which the air is swirled, afilter 54 which permits passage of air to be discharged from anair outlet port 53 provided in a rear face of thecasing 52 and captures dust entrained in the air, and afilter holder 55 which surrounds the outer periphery of thefilter 54 to hold thefilter 54. Thefilter 54 is composed of, for example, a urethane-containing material.Attachment members 56 for pivotally attaching thefilter holder 55 to thecasing 52 respectively project downward from laterally opposite portions of a lower surface of thefilter holder 55. Fixingmembers 57 for pivotally fixing theattachment members 56 of thefilter holder 55 respectively project downward from laterally opposite ends of a rear lower edge of thecasing 52. - In this embodiment, it is possible to hold tissue paper between the
casing 52 and the filter holder 55 (immediately upstream of the filter 54) and press a peripheral portion of the tissue paper held between thecasing 52 and thefilter holder 55 by ametal press frame 58 extending along the outer periphery of thecasing 52. Thepress frame 58 has a left end portion bent rightward and a right end portion bent leftward. The left and right end portions of thepress frame 58 respectively serve aspivot shafts 63 of thepress frame 58. Thepress frame 58 is pivotally attached to thecasing 52 and thefilter holder 55 with its left end portion (left pivot shaft 63) pivotally attached to theleft attachment member 56 and theleft fixing member 57 and with its right end portion (right pivot shaft 63) pivotally attached to theright attachment member 56 and theright fixing member 57. -
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion A inFIG. 8 . - As shown in
FIG. 10 , theattachment members 56 provided on thefilter holder 55 each include a pair ofclamp portions clamp portions cylindrical pivot shafts 59 which project toward each other coaxially from lower portions of opposed surfaces thereof. - The fixing
members 57 provided on thecasing 52 each include aninsertion portion 57A inserted between the pair ofclamp portions attachment member 56, and a through-hole portion 57B through which thepivot shaft 63 of thepress frame 58 extends. Theinsertion portion 57A has a through-hole 60 laterally extending through a lower end portion thereof. Theinsertion portion 57A is inserted between the pair ofclamp portions attachment member 56, whereby thepivot shaft 59 of theleft clamp portion 56A is inserted into the through-hole 60 from the left side and thepivot shaft 59 of theright clamp portion 56B is inserted into the through-hole 60 from the right side. Thus, thefilter holder 55 can be pivotally attached to thecasing 52. - The through-
hole portion 57B has a through-hole 61 laterally extending through a lower portion thereof. Of the pair ofclamp portions clamp portion 56A adjacent to the through-hole portion 57B has aninsertion hole 62 opening toward the through-hole portion 57B. Thepivot shaft 63 of thepress frame 58 extends through the through-hole 61 with a distal end thereof inserted in theinsertion hole 62. Thus, thepivot shaft 63 is pivotally held by the through-hole 61 and theinsertion hole 62. With this attaching arrangement, thepivot shaft 63 is engaged with both thecasing 52 and thefilter holder 55. Therefore, thepivot shaft 63 is hardly disengaged, so that a robust structure can be provided. - Since the
pivot shaft 63 is inserted through the through-hole 61 into theinsertion hole 62, the pivot shaft attaching operation can be easily performed as compared with a case in which thepivot shaft 63 is attached with the use of a fixing member such as an E-ring. - Further, the end portion of the
pivot shaft 63 is inserted in theinsertion hole 62 and, therefore, even if the end portion is formed with burrs, the burrs are not exposed outside. This makes the attaching arrangement safer. - While the attaching arrangement associated with the
left attachment member 56 and theleft fixing member 57 has been described with reference toFIG. 10 , the attaching arrangement associated with theright attachment member 56 and theright fixing member 57 has substantially the same structure. - When the dust collected in the dust collecting apparatus 107 (in the casing 52) is to be removed, the
dust cover 113 is opened, then thedust collecting apparatus 107 is taken out of thedust collecting chamber 109, and thecasing 52 is opened by pivoting thefilter holder 55 about thepivot shafts 59 of theattachment members 56. In this state, the dust can be easily removed from thecasing 52. Further, thefilter 54 is detached from thefilter holder 55 to remove dust adhering to thefilter 54. - Where the
dust collecting apparatus 107 is used with the tissue paper held between thecasing 52 and the filter holder 55 (immediately upstream of the filter 54) and with the peripheral portion of the tissue paper pressed by thepress frame 58, the air flowing through thecasing 52 to theair outlet port 53 passes through the tissue paper before passing through thefilter 54. Therefore, the dust entrained in the air is mostly captured by the tissue paper. In this case, when the dust collected in the dust collecting apparatus 107 (in the casing 52) is to be removed, thecasing 52 is opened by pivoting thefilter holder 52. Thus, the dust in thecasing 52 can be easily removed. Further, the peripheral portion of the tissue paper is released by pivoting thepress frame 58. Thus, the tissue paper can be removed to be discarded. With this arrangement, the dust hardly adheres to thefilter 54, so that the need for removing the dust from thefilter 54 is obviated to improve the convenience. - Referring again to
FIGS. 8 and 9 , thecasing 52 includes afront member 52A defining a front portion thereof and arear member 52B defining a rear portion thereof. Thefront member 52A and therear member 52B are bonded (e.g., fuse-bonded) to each other. More specifically, thefront member 52A and therear member 52B respectively have abonding rib 64A projecting from the entire rear outer peripheral edge of thefront member 52A and abonding rib 64B projecting from the entire front outer peripheral edge of therear member 52B for bonding thefront member 52A and therear member 52B to each other. A predetermined fuse-bonding process is performed with thebonding ribs bonding ribs front member 52A and therear member 52B. - In this embodiment, laterally opposite lower edge portions of the
bonding rib 64A of thefront member 52A are extended downward to define a pair oflegs 65. With this arrangement, when thedust collecting apparatus 107 is demounted from theelectric vacuum cleaner 101 and placed on a floor surface for cleaning thedust collecting apparatus 107, thedust collecting apparatus 107 can be held upright by the pair oflegs 65 and other portions of the casing 52 (theattachment members 56 and the fixing members 57). Therefore, thedust collecting apparatus 107 is prevented from falling down to scatter the dust out of thedust collecting apparatus 107. Thus, the removal of the dust from thedust collecting apparatus 107 is facilitated. - In this embodiment, lower end portions of the
respective legs 65 are extended to the same level as the lowermost ends of the other portions (theattachment members 56 and the fixingmembers 57 of the casing 52), whereby theinlet 50 of thedust collecting apparatus 107 is oriented generally horizontally with thedust collecting apparatus 107 held upright by the pair oflegs 65. With this arrangement, the dust is prevented from being scattered out of thedust collecting apparatus 107 from theinlet 50 with thedust collecting apparatus 107 held upright by the pair oflegs 65. Therefore, the removal of the dust from thedust collecting apparatus 107 is further facilitated. With thedust collecting apparatus 107 held upright by the pair oflegs 65, theinlet 50 of thedust collecting apparatus 107 is not necessarily required to be oriented generally horizontally, but may be oriented upward (or obliquely upward). - In this embodiment, a cleaning device 66 (e.g., a brush) to be used for cleaning the
dust collecting apparatus 107 is retained on rear faces of thelegs 65. With this arrangement, thecleaning device 66 is not retained on a wall of thedust collecting chamber 109, but retained on thedust collecting apparatus 107. Therefore, when thedisposable filter 40 is mounted in thedust collecting apparatus 107, damage to thepaper filter 40B of thedisposable filter 40 is prevented which may otherwise occur when thepaper filter 40B is brought into contact with thecleaning device 66 retained on the wall of thedust collecting chamber 109. - Since parts of the
bonding ribs 64A are extended to define the pair oflegs 65, simple structures can be provided for keeping thedust collecting apparatus 107 upright and for retaining thecleaning device 66 on thedust collecting apparatus 107, as compared with a case in which the legs are provided as separate members. - The
inlet 50 is provided in a front face of the casing 52 (front member 52A), and theinlet pipe 51 projects forward from theinlet 50. Acyclonic flow path 67 is defined by a partition wall in thecasing 52. More specifically, the air entering thecasing 52 from theinlet 50 is swirled clockwise about an anteroposteriorly extendingswirl axis 68 as seen from the front side along thecyclonic flow path 67 and indicated by an arrow inFIG. 8 . A terminal end of thecyclonic flow path 67 communicates with adust collecting portion 69 spreading immediately upstream of the air outlet port 53 (in front of the air outlet port 53). - The dust entrained in the air flowing into the
casing 52 from theinlet 50 passes through an outer portion of the cyclonic flow path 67 (a radially outward portion about the swirl axis 68) by a centrifugal force when the air is swirled along thecyclonic flow path 67. A generallycylindrical filter 70 is disposed along theswirl axis 68 in thecasing 52. Thefilter 70 is, for example, a mesh filter prepared by combining metal wires into mesh. A rear end of thefilter 70 faces toward a portion of thedust collecting portion 69 immediately upstream of theair outlet port 53. With this arrangement, the dust entrained in the air swirled along thecyclonic flow path 67 is swirled in the outer portion of thecyclonic flow path 67 and, therefore, guided into thedust collecting portion 69 without passing through thefilter 70. A part of the air (from which the dust is separated) swirled in an inner portion of the cyclonic flow path 67 (adjacent to the swirl axis 68) passes through thefilter 70, and flows inside thefilter 70 to be guided to the portion immediately upstream of theair outlet port 53. Therefore, the dust entrained in the air flowing into thecasing 52 from theinlet 50 is separated by the centrifugal force and captured by thedust collecting portion 69, while the air from which the dust is separated is guided through thefilter 70 toward theair outlet port 53. Thus, the dust can be advantageously captured. - A
cover 71 which covers a front portion of thefilter 70 is openably attached to the front face of the casing 52 (front member 52A). With thecover 71 being opened to uncover the front portion of thefilter 70, thefilter 70 is drawn forward for cleaning thereof. The casing 52 (front member 52A) has arib 72 projecting forward from the front face thereof on a lateral side (right side) of theinlet 50. Therib 72 vertically extends (in the direction of the insertion of the dust collecting apparatus 107), and its distal edge extends to the vicinity of the front edge of theinlet pipe 51. Ahandle 73 to be held when thedust collecting apparatus 107 is mounted and demounted is provided on an upper side of thecasing 52 as extending anteroposteriorly. -
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with thedust collecting apparatus 107 to be mounted therein.FIG. 12 is a sectional view of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101 taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with thedust collecting apparatus 107 mounted therein. - Referring to
FIGS. 11 and 12 , thedust collecting apparatus 107 is inserted into thedust collecting chamber 109 from the upper side through the top opening with thedust cover 113 being opened. That is, thedust collecting apparatus 107 is slid vertically downward (diametrically of the inlet 50) with respect to thedust collecting chamber 109 thereby to be accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109. A distance between the pair ofengagement projections 43 of theengagement member 41 is greater than the outer diameter of theinlet pipe 51 of thedust collecting apparatus 107. When thedust collecting apparatus 107 is inserted into thedust collecting chamber 109, theinlet pipe 51 is passed between the pair ofengagement projections 43 as indicated by a one-dot-and-dash line inFIG. 11 . With this arrangement, when thedisposable filter 40 is accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109, thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 is fixed by the pair ofengagement projections 43. When thedust collecting apparatus 107 is accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109, theinlet pipe 51 of thedust collecting apparatus 107 is prevented from interfering with the pair ofengagement projections 43 which are adapted to fix thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40. Therefore, either thedust collecting apparatus 107 or thedisposable filter 40 can be properly mounted. - With the
dust collecting apparatus 107 mounted in thedust collecting chamber 109, the gap between theopening 114 and the front edge of theinlet pipe 51 is sealed, as shown inFIG. 12 , by pressing the front edge of theinlet pipe 51 against the packing 117. As described above, theopening 114 is oriented slightly upward with respect to the vertical plane, i.e., inclined forward toward the upper side, and the front edge of theinlet pipe 51 is also inclined forward toward the upper side as corresponding to the inclination of theopening 114. Therefore, even if thedust collecting apparatus 107 is inserted vertically downward into thedust collecting chamber 109, the interference between the peripheral edge of theopening 114 and theinlet pipe 51 can be prevented. - FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams respectively illustrating states of the packing 117 deformed when the
dust collecting apparatus 107 is mounted and when thedisposable filter 40 is mounted. Particularly,FIG. 13 (a) illustrates a portion B inFIG. 7 on an enlarged scale to show the packing 117 deformed when thedisposable filter 40 is mounted, andFIG. 13 (b) illustrates a portion C inFIG. 12 on an enlarged scale to show the packing 117 deformed when thedust collecting apparatus 107 is mounted. - The packing 117 is composed of an elastic material such as rubber, and includes a
cylindrical base 117A fitted in theopening 114, acylindrical portion 117B projecting from a rear face of thebase 117A, an annular resilientlydeformable portion 117C projecting radially outward from a rear edge of thecylindrical portion 117B, and anannular projection 117D projecting rearward from a junction between thecylindrical portion 117B and the annular resilientlydeformable portion 117C, and theseparts annular projection 117D has a convexly curved cross section (generally arcuate cross section). - When the
disposable filter 40 is mounted, as shown inFIG. 13 (a), theannular projection 117D bites the inner periphery of theinlet 45 of thedisposable filter 40, and the front surface of thecardboard base 40A (the peripheral edge of the inlet 45) abuts against the entire rear surface of the annular resilientlydeformable portion 117C, whereby the annular resilientlydeformable portion 117C is pressed forward to be resiliently deformed. On the other hand, theinlet pipe 51 of thedust collecting apparatus 107 has substantially the same size as theinlet 45 of thedisposable filter 40 or a greater size than theinlet 45 of thedisposable filter 40. When thedust collecting apparatus 107 is mounted, as shown inFIG. 13 (b), the front edge of theinlet pipe 51 abuts against the rear surface of the annular resilientlydeformable portion 117C, whereby the annular resilientlydeformable portion 117C is pressed forward to be resiliently deformed. With this arrangement, when either thedust collecting apparatus 107 or thedisposable filter 40 is mounted, the peripheral edge of theinlet 45 or the front edge of theinlet pipe 51 is pressed with a sufficient resilient force by the packing 117. Therefore, the air is advantageously prevented from leaking from the peripheral edge of theinlet 45 or the front edge of theinlet pipe 51, thereby improving the dust collecting efficiency. - The
annular projection 117D has a convexly curved cross-section and, therefore, even if the peripheral edge of theinlet 45 or the front edge of theinlet pipe 51 interferes with theannular projection 117D when thedust collecting apparatus 107 or thedisposable filter 40 is slid into thedust collecting chamber 109, theannular projection 117D rides over theannular projection 117D along the convexly curved surface. Therefore, thedust collecting apparatus 107 or thedisposable filter 40 can be properly mounted. - FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) are diagrams illustrating a variation of the packing 117. Particularly,
FIG. 14 (a) is a rear view of a packing 217 according to the variation, andFIG. 14 (b) is a sectional view of the packing 217 as seen along a line G-G inFIG. 14 (a). - Referring to FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), the packing 217 according to this variation is composed of an elastic material such as rubber. Like the packing 117 according to the aforesaid embodiment, the packing 217 includes a
cylindrical base 217A fitted in theopening 114, acylindrical portion 217B projecting from a rear face of thebase 217A, an annular resilientlydeformable portion 217C projecting radially outward from a rear edge of thecylindrical portion 217B, and anannular projection 217D projecting rearward from a junction between thecylindrical portion 217B and the annular resilientlydeformable portion 217C, and theseparts annular projection 217D has a convexly curved cross section (generally arcuate cross section). - A feature of the packing 217 according to this variation is that an upper edge portion of the annular resiliently
deformable portion 217C projects further outward (upward) than the other portion of the annular resilientlydeformable portion 217C to define aguide portion 217E. Theguide portion 217E is curved to be inclined forward toward the upper side. - This arrangement provides the same effects as the packing 117 according to the aforesaid embodiment. In addition, when the
dust collecting apparatus 107 or thedisposable filter 40 is mounted, the front edge of theinlet pipe 51 of thedust collecting apparatus 107 inserted from the upper side or thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 can be slid along the curved rear surface of theguide portion 217E thereby to be properly guided toward the annular resilientlydeformable portion 217C. Therefore, either thedust collecting apparatus 107 or thedisposable filter 40 can be properly mounted. -
FIG. 15 is a plan view of anelectric vacuum cleaner 101A according to a first variation of the second embodiment with itsdust cover 113 removed. - The
electric vacuum cleaner 101A is characterized in that the pair ofguide members 46 are used instead of theengagement member 41 of the second embodiment as the fixing member for fixing thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40. Therefore, theelectric vacuum cleaner 101A has substantially the same construction as the second embodiment, except that theengagement member 41 is omitted and the pair ofguide members 46 each have a modified shape. Hence, like components will be denoted by like reference characters, and no explanation will be given thereto. - Referring to
FIG. 15 , rear end portions of the respective guide members 46 (aleft guide member 46L and aright guide member 46R) projecting rearward from the laterally opposite edges of thefront wall 109A of thedust collecting chamber 109 are bent generally perpendicularly toward each other. That is, theleft guide member 46L has arear end portion 48L bent rightward, and theright guide member 46R has arear end portion 48R bent leftward. - When the
disposable filter 40 is to be accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109, thedisposable filter 40 is inserted into thedust collecting chamber 109 from the upper side through the top opening, and the laterally opposite edges of thecardboard base 40A are slid downward along the pair of guide members 46 (along front surfaces of the respectivebent portions cardboard base 40A is thus brought into abutment against the bottom portion of thedust collecting chamber 109 in front of the pair ofstoppers 47, thedust cover 113 is closed. Thedust cover 113 has an engagement member (not shown) provided on an interior surface thereof (which faces toward thedust collecting chamber 109 when thedust cover 113 is closed) for fixing the upper edge of thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40. When thedust cover 113 is closed, the upper edge of thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 is pressed forward by the engagement member. With thedust cover 113 thus closed, thecardboard base 40A is pressed against the packing 117 by a force applied forward by the engagement member. Thus, the peripheral edge of theinlet 45 provided in the front face of thecardboard base 40A is pressed against the packing 117, whereby the gap between theopening 114 and theinlet 45 is sealed. - In this variation, a distance between distal ends of the respective
bent portions inlet pipe 51 of thedust collecting apparatus 107, so that theinlet pipe 51 passes between thebent portions dust collecting apparatus 107 is inserted into thedust collecting chamber 109. With this arrangement, when thedisposable filter 40 is accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109, thedisposable filter 40 can be fixed by the pair ofbent portions dust collecting apparatus 107 is accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109, theinlet pipe 51 of thedust collecting apparatus 107 is prevented from interfering with the pair ofbent portions cardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40. Therefore, either thedust collecting apparatus 107 or thedisposable filter 40 can be properly mounted. -
FIG. 16 is a sectional view of anelectric vacuum cleaner 101B according to a second variation of the second embodiment with neither thedust collecting apparatus 107 nor thedisposable filter 40 mounted therein, the sectional view being taken along an anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from a right side.FIG. 17 is a sectional view of adust cover 113 as seen along a line D-D inFIG. 16 . - The
electric vacuum cleaner 101B is characterized in that, when thedust collecting apparatus 107 is not accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109 and thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 is not fixed to theengagement member 41, astopper 80 provided on thedust cover 113 prevents thedust cover 113 from being closed and, when thedust collecting apparatus 107 is mounted in thedust collecting chamber 109 or thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 is fixed to theengagement member 41, thestopper 80 permits thedust cover 113 to be closed. Thus, theelectric vacuum cleaner 101B has substantially the same construction as the second embodiment except for an arrangement associated with thestopper 80. Therefore, like components will be denoted by like reference characters, and no explanation will be given thereto. - Referring to
FIGS. 16 and 17 , thedust cover 113 has anattachment member 81 projecting from a laterally middle front portion of the interior surface thereof for attaching thestopper 80. A laterally extendingrotation shaft 82 is attached to a lower portion of theattachment member 81. Thestopper 80 has an anteroposteriorly elongated shape, and is rotatably retained by therotation shaft 82 at a position slightly forward of a middle portion thereof. A tubular portion of atwist coil spring 83 is fitted around therotation shaft 82. Thestopper 80 is biased clockwise as seen inFIG. 16 by a biasing force of thetwist coil spring 83 by fixing one end of thetwist coil spring 83 to theattachment member 81 and fixing the other end of thetwist coil spring 83 to thestopper 80. Where no external force other than the biasing force from thetwist coil spring 83 acts on thestopper 80, an upper front surface portion of thestopper 80 abuts against a lower surface of afront wall 81A of theattachment member 81 to prevent thestopper 80 from further rotating clockwise from a position shown inFIG. 16 . - When the
dust cover 113 is closed in this state, theoperation portion 44 of theengagement portion 41 is located in the path of a front end of thestopper 80. That is, if an attempt is made to close thedust cover 113 when thedust collecting apparatus 107 is not accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109 and thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 is not fixed to theengagement member 41, the front end of thestopper 80 abuts against the upper edge of theoperation portion 44 of theengagement member 41 to prevent the closing of thedust cover 113. Thestopper 80 has aprojection 80A projecting downward from a lower front end portion thereof. Thus, even if an external force is further applied to thedust cover 113 in a closing direction with the front end of thestopper 80 in abutment against the upper edge of theoperation portion 44, theprojection 80A prevents theoperation portion 44 from forwardly riding over thestopper 80. -
FIG. 18 is a sectional view of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101B taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side with thedisposable filter 40 mounted therein. - When the
disposable filter 40 is mounted, as shown inFIG. 18 , the upper edge of thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 is fixed by the pair ofengagement projections 43, so that theengagement member 41 is located in a position (fixing position) offset counterclockwise from the position shown inFIG. 16 . If an attempt is made to close thedust cover 113 in this state, thedust cover 113 is permitted to be closed without the abutment of the front end of thestopper 80 against the engagement member 41 (operation portion 44). - The rear end of the
stopper 80 is chamfered to be smoothly curved, so that breakage of thepaper filter 40B can be prevented which may otherwise occur when thepaper filter 40B of thedisposable filter 40 accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109 is brought into contact with the rear end of thestopper 80. -
FIG. 19 is a sectional view of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101B taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side when thedust cover 113 is to be closed with thedust collecting apparatus 107 mounted in the cleaner.FIG. 20 is a sectional view of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101B taken along the anteroposterior vertical plane and seen from the right side when thedust cover 113 is completely closed with thedust collecting apparatus 107 mounted in the cleaner. - As shown in
FIG. 19 , when thedust cover 113 is to be closed with thedust collecting apparatus 107 accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109, the casing 52 (an upper edge of thefront member 52A) of thedust collecting apparatus 107 is located in the path of the rear end of thestopper 80. That is, when thedust cover 113 is closed with thedust collecting apparatus 107 accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109, thestopper 80 is rotated counterclockwise as seen inFIG. 19 against the biasing force of thetwist coil spring 83 by an action force from thecasing 52 with the rear end of thestopper 80 in abutment against thecasing 52. - When the
dust cover 113 is closed in the state shown inFIG. 19 , the rear end of thestopper 80 is slid along the surface of thecasing 52 to be lifted upward, whereby thestopper 80 is rotated counterclockwise as seen inFIG. 19 . When thedust cover 113 is completely closed, thestopper 80 is in a state as shown inFIG. 20 . If an attempt is thus made to close thedust cover 113 with thedust collecting apparatus 107 mounted, thestopper 80 is rotated by the action force from thedust collecting apparatus 107, whereby the front end of thestopper 80 is displaced to be brought out of abutment with the engagement member 41 (operation portion 44). Thus, thedust cover 113 is permitted to be closed. - With this arrangement, the
dust cover 113 can be closed when either thedust collecting apparatus 107 or thedisposable filter 40 is mounted. However, when neither thedust collecting apparatus 107 nor thedisposable filter 40 is mounted, thedust cover 113 cannot be closed. Therefore, the start of the operation of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101B is prevented with neither thedust collecting apparatus 107 nor thedisposable filter 40 mounted. Thus, theelectric vacuum cleaner 101B is more convenient to use. - It is noted that the biasing means for applying the biasing force to the
stopper 80 is not limited to thetwist coil spring 83, but any other resilient member may be used as the biasing means. -
FIG. 21 is a sectional view of anelectric vacuum cleaner 101C according to a third variation of the second embodiment with neither thedust collecting apparatus 107 nor thedisposable filter 40 mounted therein, the sectional view being taken along a horizontal plane and seen from an upper side.FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along a line E-E inFIG. 21 with neither the dust collecting apparatus nor the disposable filter mounted in theelectric vacuum cleaner 101C. - The
electric vacuum cleaner 101C is characterized in that, when thedust collecting apparatus 107 is not accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109 and thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 is not fixed to theengagement member 41, astopper 90 provided in thedust collecting chamber 109 prevents thedust cover 113 from being closed and, when thedust collecting apparatus 107 is accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109 or thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 is fixed to theengagement member 41, thestopper 90 permits thedust cover 113 to be closed. Hence, theelectric vacuum cleaner 101C has substantially the same construction as the second embodiment except for an arrangement associated with thestopper 90. Therefore, like components will be denoted by like reference characters, and no explanation will be given thereto. - Referring to
FIGS. 21 and 22 , astopper retainer 91 for retaining thestopper 90 is attached to a right side portion of thefront wall 109A of thedust collecting chamber 109 on the left side of theright guide member 46R. Thestopper 90 is retained pivotally about a laterally extendingrotation shaft 92 attached to thestopper retainer 91. Anengagement projection 93 to be engaged with thestopper 90 projects from a front interior surface portion of thedust cover 113. Thestopper 90 has a vertically elongated shape, and its lower portion is retained pivotally about therotation shaft 92. Thestopper 90 has acolumnar projection 90A provided on a front surface of the lower portion thereof. Acompression coil spring 94 is provided between thestopper retainer 91 and thestopper 90 with its front end abutting against a rear surface of thestopper retainer 91 and with its rear end portion fitted around thecolumnar projection 90A, whereby thestopper 90 is biased counterclockwise as seen inFIG. 22 by a biasing force of thecompression coil spring 94. Where no external force other than the biasing force from thecompression coil spring 94 acts on thestopper 90, a distal edge of arib 90B projecting from a front upper surface portion of thestopper 90 abuts against the rear surface of thestopper retainer 91. Thus, thestopper 90 is prevented from further pivoting counterclockwise from a position as shown inFIG. 22 . - If an attempt is made to close the
dust cover 113 in this state, an upper end of thestopper 90 is located in the path of the lower end of theengagement projection 93. That is, if an attempt is made to close thedust cover 113 when thedust collecting apparatus 107 is not accommodated in thedust collecting chamber 109 and thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 is not fixed to theengagement member 41, the lower end of theengagement projection 93 abuts against an upper end face of thestopper 90 to prevent the closing of thedust cover 113. Thestopper 90 hasprojections 95 projecting upward from front and rear edges of the upper end face thereof. Thus, even if an external force is further applied to thedust cover 113 in a closing direction with the lower end of theengagement projection 93 in abutment against the upper end face of thestopper 90, theprojections 95 prevent theengagement projection 93 from forwardly or rearwardly riding over thestopper 90. -
FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E inFIG. 21 with thedisposable filter 40 mounted in the electric vacuum cleaner 11C. - The
stopper 90 is located in an insertion path along which thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40 is inserted. When thecardboard base 40A is slid downward along theguide members 46 to mount thedisposable filter 40, the front face of thecardboard base 40A is brought into sliding contact with a rear face of thestopper 90. Thus, thestopper 90 is rotated clockwise from a position (initial position) shown inFIG. 22 against the biasing force of thecompression coil spring 94 by an action force from the disposable filter 40 (cardboard base 40A) during the mounting of thedisposable filter 40. With thedisposable filter 40 thus mounted, as shown inFIG. 23 , the entire rear face of thestopper 90 abuts against the front face of thecardboard base 40A of thedisposable filter 40. If an attempt is made to close thedust cover 113 in this state, the closing of thedust cover 113 is permitted without the abutment of the lower end face of theengagement projection 93 against the upper end face of thestopper 90. -
FIG. 24 is a sectional view of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101C taken along the horizontal plane and seen from the upper side with thedust collecting apparatus 107 mounted therein.FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along a line F-F inFIG. 24 with thedust collecting apparatus 107 mounted in theelectric vacuum cleaner 101C. - As described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the
rib 72 extending vertically (in the direction of the insertion of the dust collecting apparatus 107) projects forward from the front face of the dust collecting apparatus 107 (casing 52) on the lateral side (right side) of theinlet 50. Thestopper 90 is located in an insertion path along which therib 72 of thedust collecting apparatus 107 is inserted. When thedust collecting apparatus 107 is slid downward to be mounted, the distal end face (front end face) of therib 72 is brought into sliding contact with the rear face of thestopper 90. Thus, thestopper 90 is rotated clockwise from the position (initial position) shown inFIG. 22 against the biasing force of thecompression coil spring 94 by the action force from the dust collecting apparatus 107 (rib 72) during the mounting of thedust collecting apparatus 107. With thedust collecting apparatus 107 thus mounted, as shown inFIG. 25 , the entire distal end face of therib 72 of thedust collecting apparatus 107 abuts against the rear face of thestopper 90. If an attempt is made to close thedust cover 113 in this state, the closing of thedust cover 113 is permitted without the abutment of the lower end face of theengagement projection 93 against the upper end face of thestopper 90. - With this arrangement, the
dust cover 113 can be closed when either thedust collecting apparatus 107 or thedisposable filter 40 is mounted. However, thedust cover 113 cannot be closed when neither thedust collecting apparatus 107 nor thedisposable filter 40 is mounted. Therefore, the start of the operation of theelectric vacuum cleaner 101C is prevented with neither thedust collecting apparatus 107 nor thedisposable filter 40 mounted. Thus, theelectric vacuum cleaner 101C is more convenient to use. - The biasing means for applying the biasing force to the
stopper 90 is not limited to thecompression coil spring 94, but any other resilient member may be used as the biasing means. - In the embodiments described above, the electric vacuum cleaners have been described, which include the connection hose attached to the main body and are operated by handling the connection hose while dragging the main body. However, the present invention is of course applicable to a so-called upright electric vacuum cleaner.
-
FIG. 26 is a vertical sectional view of an uprightelectric vacuum cleaner 300 to which the present invention is applied, the vertical sectional view being seen from a right side. The uprightelectric vacuum cleaner 300 includes a vertically elongatedmain body 301, ahandle 302 connected to an upper portion of themain body 301, and asuction head 303 projecting from a lower front portion of themain body 301. Anelectric fan 304 is incorporated in a lower portion of themain body 301. A removabledust collecting apparatus 305 is attached to a back side of themain body 301. Thedust collecting apparatus 305 has asuction port 306, acyclonic flow path 307 for swirling air sucked from thesuction port 306 to separate dust from the air by a centrifugal force, adust collecting chamber 308 in which the separated dust is collected, anair outlet port 310 provided in a wall (front wall) of thedust collecting chamber 308 as having a great size, and afilter 311 attached to theair outlet port 310. - The
dust collecting apparatus 305 can be detached from themain body 301 by holding ahandle 312 and pivoting an upper portion of theapparatus 305 rearward about a lower edge of theapparatus 305. -
FIG. 27 is a back view of themain body 301 with thedust collecting apparatus 305 detached. - Referring to
FIGS. 26 and 27 , themain body 301 has aninner wall 313 which is opposed to theair outlet port 310 and thefilter 311 of thedust collecting apparatus 305 when thedust collecting apparatus 305 is attached. Theinner wall 313 is positioned vertically, and includes an upper wall 314 and a lower wall 315. As shown inFIG. 26 , the upper wall 314 is located slightly forward of the lower wall 315 in themain body 301, and the lower wall 315 is stepped slightly rearward with respect to the upper wall 314. The upper wall 314 is opposed to upper portions of theair outlet port 310 and thefilter 311 of thedust collecting apparatus 305, and the lower wall 315 is opposed to lower portions of theair outlet port 310 and thefilter 311 of thedust collecting apparatus 305. The upper wall 314 has a multiplicity ofopenings 316. That is, the upper wall 314 permits passage of air through theopenings 316, but the lower wall 315 does not permit air passage. - An
air flow path 317 is defined in a front portion (on the left side inFIG. 26 ) of themain body 301 partitioned by theinner wall 313, and communicates with alower flow path 318. When theelectric fan 304 performs a sucking operation, the air entering thedust collecting apparatus 305 flows through theair outlet port 310 and thefilter 311 into theflow path 317 from theopenings 316 of the upper wall 314, and is discharged out of themain body 301 through theflow path 318. - In this embodiment, with the
dust collecting apparatus 305 attached to themain body 301, aguide passage 319 is defined between the lower wall 315 of theinner wall 313 of themain body 301 and the portions of theair outlet port 310 and thefilter 311 of thedust collecting apparatus 305 opposed to the lower wall 315. Theguide passage 319 which has a small width increases the flow rate of the air passing through theguide passage 319. When the air flows forward (leftward inFIG. 26 ) from thedust collecting chamber 308 through the lower portions of theair outlet port 310 and thefilter 311, the air swiftly flows upward through theguide passage 319 and smoothly flows into theflow paths openings 316 of the upper wall 314. This is because thenarrow guide passage 319 is provided in front of thefilter 311. - Although the
air outlet port 310 and thefilter 311 are not entirely opposed to theopenings 316 of theinner wall 313, the air flows from thedust collecting chamber 308 through the entireair outlet port 310 and theentire filter 311 toward theinner wall 313 of themain body 301, and is properly discharged out of the electric vacuum cleaner through theflow paths -
FIG. 28 is a right side view of thedust collecting apparatus 305 detached from themain body 301.FIG. 29 is a front view of thedust collecting apparatus 305 with afilter cover 320 being opened. InFIG. 29 , areference numeral 308 denotes the dust collecting chamber. Theair outlet port 310 which has a great size is provided in afront wall 309 of thedust collecting chamber 308. Thefilter cover 320 is attached to a lower side of theair outlet port 310 to be opened pivotally about anaxis 321. Thefilter cover 320 hasribs FIG. 29 ) is held by theribs - Thus, the present invention is applicable to the upright electric vacuum cleaner.
- It should be understood that the present invention be not limited to the embodiments described above, but various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.
- This application corresponds to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-217798 filed with the Japanese Patent Office on Jul. 26, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Claims (20)
1. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising:
a main body including an electric fan incorporated therein; and
a dust collecting apparatus removable from the main body, wherein
the dust collecting apparatus comprises a suction port, a cyclonic flow path for swirling air sucked from the suction port to separate dust from the air by a centrifugal force, a dust collecting chamber in which the separated dust is collected, an air outlet port provided in a wall of the dust collecting chamber for discharging the air sucked from the suction port, and a filter attached to the air outlet port,
the main body has a wall opposed to the wall of the dust collecting chamber and having an opening smaller than the air outlet port in opposed relation to the air outlet port for feeding the air downstream by the electric fan,
the air outlet port has a region opposed to the opening and a region not opposed to the opening, and
a guide passage is provided for guiding air discharged from the region of the air outlet port not opposed to the opening toward the opening.
2. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 , wherein
the dust collecting apparatus has a filter cover abutting against the wall of the main body downstream of the filter, and
the guide passage is defined between the filter cover and the filter.
3. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 2 , wherein
the filter cover has a frame rib which intrudes into the filter in opposed relation to a peripheral edge of the air outlet port.
4. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 3 , wherein
the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus further includes a filter holder which holds the filter, and
the filter cover is provided on the filter holder.
5. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 11 wherein
a portion of the dust collecting chamber of the dust collecting apparatus not opposed to the opening is narrower than a portion of the dust collecting chamber opposed to the opening.
6. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising:
a main body including an electric fan incorporated therein; and
a dust collecting apparatus removable from the main body, wherein
a cyclonic dust collecting apparatus and a disposable dust collecting apparatus are selectively usable as the dust collecting apparatus, the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus comprising a suction port, a cyclonic flow path for swirling air sucked from the suction port to separate dust from the air by a centrifugal force, a dust collecting chamber in which the separated dust is collected, an air outlet port provided in a wall of the dust collecting chamber for discharging the air sucked from the suction port, and a filter attached to the air outlet port, the disposable dust collecting apparatus comprising a mouth cardboard and a filter bag attached to the mouth cardboard, and
the main body has an accommodating portion for accommodating either of the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus and the disposable dust collecting apparatus, the accommodating portion having a fixing member for fixing the disposable dust collecting apparatus when the disposable dust collecting apparatus is accommodated in the accommodating portion.
7. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 6 , wherein
the accommodating portion is provided with a packing which includes an annular resiliently deformable portion which is resiliently deformable in abutment with a peripheral edge of an inlet of the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus when the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus is accommodated in the accommodating portion, and an annular projection which bites an inner peripheral edge of an inlet of the disposable dust collecting apparatus when the disposable dust collecting apparatus is fixed to the fixing member.
8. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 7 , wherein
the annular projection has a convexly curved cross section.
9. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 7 , wherein
the annular resiliently deformable portion is disposed outward of the annular projection, and
the annular resiliently deformable portion has a guide portion formed by outwardly extending at least a part of an outer peripheral portion thereof and having a distal portion curved away from the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus or the disposable dust collecting apparatus accommodated in the accommodating portion.
10. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 9 , wherein
the fixing member has a pair of engagement projections for fixing the disposable dust collecting apparatus, and
an inlet pipe defining the inlet of the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus is inserted between the pair of engagement projections when the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus is accommodated in the accommodating portion.
11. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 10 , wherein
the fixing member includes an engagement member formed with the pair of engagement projections and pivotally retained, and
the disposable dust collecting apparatus is engaged with the pair of engagement projections by pivoting the engagement member when the disposable dust collecting apparatus is fixed to the fixing member.
12. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 10 , wherein
the pair of engagement projections guide opposite edges of the disposable dust collecting apparatus in a direction of insertion of the disposable dust collecting apparatus, the opposite edges being opposed to each other perpendicularly to the insertion direction.
13. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 6 , further comprising:
an accommodating portion cover which openably covers the accommodating portion; and
a stopper which prevents the accommodating portion cover from being closed when the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus is not accommodated in the accommodating portion and the disposable dust collecting apparatus is not fixed to the fixing member, and permits the accommodating portion cover to be closed when the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus is accommodated in the accommodating portion or the disposable dust collecting apparatus is fixed to the fixing member.
14. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 13 , wherein
the stopper is disposed in the accommodating portion, and is displaced from an initial position by an action force from the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus when the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus is accommodated in the accommodating portion and by an action force from the disposable dust collecting apparatus when the disposable dust collecting apparatus is fixed to the fixing member, and
the stopper prevents the accommodating portion cover from being closed when the stopper is located at the initial position, and permits the accommodating portion cover to be closed when the stopper is displaced from the initial position by the action force from one of the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus and the disposable dust collecting apparatus.
15. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 13 , wherein
the stopper is attached to the accommodating portion cover so as to be brought into contact with the fixing member,
if an attempt is made to close the accommodating portion cover when the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus is not accommodated in the accommodating portion and the disposable dust collecting apparatus is not fixed to the fixing member, the stopper is brought into abutment against the fixing member to prevent the closing of the accommodating portion cover,
if an attempt is made to close the accommodating portion cover with the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus accommodated in the accommodating portion, the stopper is displaced by an action force from the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus to permit the closing of the accommodating portion cover without the abutment of the stopper against the fixing member, and
with the disposable dust collecting apparatus fixed to the fixing member, the fixing member is displaced to a fixing position to fix the disposable dust collecting apparatus, thereby permitting the closing of the accommodating portion cover without the abutment of the stopper against the fixing member.
16. An electric vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 6 , wherein
the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus includes a hollow casing prepared by bonding a plurality of components to each other,
the cyclonic flow path for swirling the air sucked from the suction port is provided in the casing,
the components of the casing respectively have bonding ribs projecting from mating portions thereof, and
the casing has a cleaning device retaining portion defined by parts of the bonding ribs for retaining a cleaning device usable for cleaning the cyclonic dust collecting apparatus.
17. A dust collecting apparatus to be removably mounted in an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a hollow casing having a suction port and an air outlet port;
a cyclonic flow path defined in the casing for swirling air sucked from the suction port to separate dust from the air by a centrifugal force;
a dust collecting chamber defined in the casing for collecting the separated dust;
the air outlet port being formed in a wall of the dust collecting chamber as having a great size;
a filter attached to the air outlet port; and
a leg provided integrally with the casing for keeping the casing in a predetermined upright state when the dust collecting apparatus is removed from the electric vacuum cleaner.
18. A dust collecting apparatus as set forth in claim 17 , wherein
the leg keeps the casing upright with the suction port oriented generally horizontally or upward.
19. A dust collecting apparatus as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising:
a filter holder for holding the filter; and
a press frame which presses a peripheral portion of a pre-filter disposed upstream of the filter to hold the pre-filter between the casing and the filter holder.
20. A dust collecting apparatus as set forth in claim 19 , wherein
the press frame has a pair of pivot shafts for pivotally attaching the press frame, and
one of the casing and the filter holder has a pair of through-holes through which the respective pivot shafts extend, and the other of the casing and the filter holder has a pair of insertion holes in which distal end portions of the respective pivot shafts extending through the through-holes are inserted.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2004-217798 | 2004-07-26 | ||
JP2004217798A JP2006034537A (en) | 2004-07-26 | 2004-07-26 | Electric vacuum cleaner and swirling type dust collecting device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060016043A1 true US20060016043A1 (en) | 2006-01-26 |
Family
ID=35655586
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/185,732 Abandoned US20060016043A1 (en) | 2004-07-26 | 2005-07-21 | Electric vacuum cleaner and cyclonic dust collecting apparatus |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060016043A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2006034537A (en) |
CN (2) | CN100362961C (en) |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN100362961C (en) | 2008-01-23 |
CN101002666A (en) | 2007-07-25 |
CN1726858A (en) | 2006-02-01 |
JP2006034537A (en) | 2006-02-09 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MATSUHASHI, HIROMICHI;FUJIYOSHI, TOSHIYUKI;TSUCHIDA, HIDEYA;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:016802/0328 Effective date: 20050630 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |