JP2006296684A - Self-propelled vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner and a self-propelled vacuum cleaner, capable of improving the cleaning efficiency (suction efficiency) by preventing litter and dust from scattering rearward and sideways. <P>SOLUTION: The self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 has an intake 2b on the bottom of a body 2 to face the floor surface, the cleaned surface, for sucking litter and dust. In the vacuum cleaner 1, a back blade 11 and side blades 12 are disposed in contact with the floor surface in the rear and on both sides of the intake 2b for receiving litter and dust without permitting passage of litter and dust. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner that inhale dust and dust on a surface to be cleaned to clean the surface to be cleaned.

  There are two types of electric vacuum cleaners that clean the surface to be cleaned by sucking in dust and dirt on the surface to be cleaned such as the floor surface, etc. There are other types that run. In any vacuum cleaner, dust and dust on the surface to be cleaned are sucked together with external air from the suction port facing the surface to be cleaned by the suction force generated by the electric blower consisting of a motor and a fan, etc. The dust and the dust are separated from the external air and collected by the dust collector, and the cleaned air is exhausted to the outside.

The vacuum cleaner as described above is provided with a rotary cleaning body that rotates around the suction port and scrapes dust and dirt, and is provided so that a blade, a brush, etc. are in contact with the surface to be cleaned in front or rear of the suction port. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2). In addition, two rotary cleaning bodies are provided side by side at the suction port, a sweeping device is provided at the center of the suction port and between the rotary cleaning bodies, and a soft fiber contacting the surface to be cleaned is provided at the tip of the sweeping device. (See, for example, Patent Document 3). Furthermore, a dusting member formed of a material in which a wiping cloth is applied to a soft core material such as a brush or sponge around the suction port, and a plurality of cuts in the lower part, or a sponge-like porous material having a high porosity There is one in which an elastic member made of a material is provided so as to be in contact with a surface to be cleaned (see, for example, Patent Documents 4 and 5).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-90762 JP 2001-149282 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-10143 JP 11-253369 A JP 2000-5108 A

  As disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, if a wall body capable of receiving dust and dust such as a blade or a sweeping device is provided at the rear or center of the suction port, the dust and dust are scattered backward. However, for example, hard dust such as pebbles cannot be prevented from scattering to both sides due to rolling or the like, and the dust may not be sucked from the suction port. In particular, in the case of a self-propelled vacuum cleaner that is often used in situations where there is no human monitoring, generally, even if it runs on the surface to be cleaned and sucks up dust and dirt, it immediately goes to the spot. Since the operation of returning and sucking is not performed, dust and dust remain on the surface to be cleaned. On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Documents 4 and 5, dust and dust of a predetermined size such as a brush, a dusting member, an elastic member, or the like having a gap, a notch, or a gap can be passed around the suction port. If a large wall is provided, dust and dust larger than a predetermined size may not pass through the wall from the front and approach the suction port, and may be left unsucked by being scattered on both sides. In addition, even if dust and dust of a predetermined size or less pass through the wall from the front and approach the suction port, they pass through the wall before being sucked from the suction port and are scattered to the rear and both sides. May be left behind.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to improve the cleaning rate (suction rate) by preventing scattering of dust and dust to the rear and both sides. It is to provide a possible vacuum cleaner and a self-propelled vacuum cleaner.

  In the present invention, in the electric vacuum cleaner that sucks dust and dust from the suction port facing the surface to be cleaned, receiving wall bodies that contact the surface to be cleaned and receive dust and dust are provided at the rear and both sides of the suction port. .

  In this way, dust and dust on the surface to be cleaned can be opened from the front side where the receiving wall body is not provided, and before being sucked from the suction port. Scattering to the rear and both sides can be received and prevented by the receiving wall body, so it is possible to improve the cleaning rate (suction rate) by reducing the amount of dirt and dust left behind from the suction port. It becomes.

  Moreover, in one embodiment of the present invention, the rotary cleaning body that rotates and scrapes dust and dust into the suction port is provided in the suction port provided with the receiving wall bodies on the rear side and both sides as described above. .

  In this way, dust and dust near the suction port can be easily sucked into the suction port by the rotary cleaning body, and the cleaning rate of dust and dust can be further improved. In addition, even if dust and dust are blown off without being swept into the suction port by the rotary cleaning body, they are prevented from scattering back and both sides by the receiving wall body and remain in the vicinity of the suction port. The dust and dust can be easily sucked into the suction port again by the rotary cleaning body.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, a receiving wall body is provided behind the suction port in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction and parallel to the suction port, and the receiving wall bodies are spaced apart from each other on both sides of the suction port. Inclined so as to become wider as it goes forward.

  If it does in this way, dust and dust can be made to approach toward the center of a suction port by the receiving wall provided inclining to the both sides of a suction port, and it can make it easy to suck from a suction port. In addition, when dust and dust are received by the receiving wall provided behind the suction port, the dust and dust are difficult to move sideways along the receiving wall, and the dust and dust are Since the distance to the suction port is constant regardless of the position of the receiving wall body, it is possible to suppress variations in dust and dust suction depending on the position. Furthermore, for example, when hard dust such as pebbles hits the receiving wall provided behind the suction port and is blown off to the side, the dust hits the receiving wall provided on the side of the suction port. Since it is bounced back toward the center front of the suction port, dust and the like can be easily sucked from the suction port.

  Moreover, in one Embodiment of this invention, the receiving wall body provided in the back of a suction inlet and the receiving wall body provided in both sides are provided apart only by the minute clearance which can pass air.

  In this way, conspicuous large dust and dust do not pass through the minute gap between the receiving wall provided behind the suction port and the receiving wall provided on both sides, and air passes. Therefore, while preventing scattering of dust and dust to the rear and both sides, the air pressure inside the receiving wall, that is, the space on the suction port side, is adjusted to affect the progress of the vacuum cleaner. It can be lost.

  Further, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a suction port that sucks dust and dust facing the surface to be cleaned, and a rotating brush that is provided in the suction port and rotates to scrape dust and dust into the suction port; In a self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner that automatically travels and cleans the surface to be cleaned, a blade that touches the surface to be cleaned and receives dust and dirt is perpendicular to the traveling direction in the vicinity of the rear of the suction port. It is provided parallel to the suction port and the rotating brush over the entire width of the suction port, and in the vicinity of the both sides of the suction port, the distance from each other becomes wider toward the front. Slightly inclined and provided with a small gap through which air can pass from a blade provided behind.

  In this way, dust and dust on the surface to be cleaned can approach the suction port from the front where the blade is not provided, and are scattered to the rear and both sides before being sucked from the suction port. It can be received and prevented by the blade. Also, dust and dust can be left in the vicinity of the suction port with a blade and scraped into the suction port with a rotating brush to facilitate suction. Moreover, dust and dust can be drawn toward the center of the suction port by blades provided on both sides of the suction port, and can be easily sucked from the suction port. In addition, when dust and dust are received by the blade provided behind the suction port, the dust and dust are difficult to move sideways along the blade, and the dust and dust are located at any position of the blade. Even in this case, since the distance to the suction port and the rotating brush is constant, it is possible to suppress variations in dust and dust suction depending on the position. Furthermore, if hard dust such as pebbles hits the blade provided behind the suction port and is blown off to the side, the dust hits the blade provided on the side of the suction port and moves forward to the center front of the suction port. Since it is bounced back, dust and the like can be easily sucked from the suction port. Therefore, in a self-propelled vacuum cleaner that is often used in situations where there is no monitoring by humans, it is possible to improve the cleaning rate (suction rate) by reducing the amount of dirt and dust left behind from the suction port. It becomes. In addition, since the blades provided on both sides of the suction port are only slightly inclined from the vertical with respect to the blades provided behind the suction port, there is almost no running resistance of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner, and the rear Since air passes through a minute gap between the blades on both sides and escapes, the air pressure inside the blade, that is, the space on the suction port side is adjusted, and the influence on the running performance of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner Can be eliminated.

  According to the present invention, dust and dust on the surface to be cleaned can approach the suction port from the opened front, and are scattered back and both sides before being sucked from the suction port. Since it can be received and prevented by the stop wall, it is possible to improve the cleaning rate (suction rate) by reducing the amount of dust and dirt left from the suction port.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of a self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner 1. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. The self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner (hereinafter simply referred to as “electric vacuum cleaner”) 1 automatically cleans the floor F by sucking in dust and dust on the floor F to be cleaned. Do.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cover 3 is attached to the upper portion of the main body 2 of the vacuum cleaner 1 so as to be openable and closable. On the upper part of the cover 3, an operation unit 4 including various keys for instructing the vacuum cleaner 1 to start or stop cleaning, and a camera 5 for photographing the surroundings are provided. The camera 5 is immersed in the cover 3 in FIGS. 1 and 2, but protrudes upward at the time of photographing. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a plurality of sensors 6 are provided on each outer peripheral surface of the main body 2. The sensor 6 includes an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a temperature sensor, and the like, and detects a distance to an obstacle such as a surrounding wall, a step, a floor, and an installed object, or detects a person. . The vacuum cleaner 1 travels while avoiding contact with surrounding obstacles based on the output from the sensor 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, one traveling wheel 7 is provided on each side of the center of the bottom of the main body 2. Three driven wheels 8 are provided on the front side (left side in each figure) between the traveling wheels 7, and two driven wheels 8 are provided on the rear side (right side in each figure). Each traveling wheel 7 rotates independently by driving a separate motor (not shown). When each traveling wheel 7 rotates independently, each driven wheel 8 rolls on the floor surface F together with the traveling wheel 7, and the vacuum cleaner 1 travels while changing the direction of the main body 2. At the center of the bottom of the main body 2, a battery mounting portion 2 a (not shown) that is a drive source of the vacuum cleaner 1 is provided.

  One sub-rotating brush 9 is provided on each of the front sides of the bottom of the main body 2. Each sub-rotating brush 9 rotates toward the center of the main body 2 in a plane parallel to the floor surface F by driving a separate motor (not shown). That is, the sub rotary brush 9 on the upper side in FIG. 3 rotates counterclockwise, and the sub rotary brush 9 on the lower side in FIG. 3 rotates clockwise. As the sub-rotating brushes 9 rotate in this way, dust and dust on the floor surface F are collected in the area at the lower center of the main body 2 indicated by hatching in FIG.

  A suction port 2b that faces the floor surface F and sucks dust and dust together with external air is provided behind the bottom of the main body 2. A main rotary brush 10 is installed in the suction port 2b so as to be perpendicular to the traveling (traveling) direction X of the main body 2 and in parallel with the suction port 2b. The main rotating brush 10 is provided with a plurality of rubber blades 10a spirally on the outer peripheral surface, and is parallel to the running direction X and perpendicular to the floor surface F by driving a motor (not shown). Thus, the main body 2 rotates from the front to the rear. That is, in FIG. 2, the main rotating brush 10 rotates counterclockwise. As the main rotating brush 10 rotates in this manner, dust and dust collected in the center by the sub rotating brush 9 are scraped into the suction port 2b. The main rotating brush 10 constitutes an embodiment of the rotating cleaning body and rotating brush in the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in the vicinity of the rear of the suction port 2 b, a rubber blade 11 is disposed over the entire width W of the suction port 2 b perpendicular to the traveling direction X and the main rotating brush. 10 in parallel. In the vicinity of the left and right sides of the suction port 2b, the rubber blades 12 are slightly inclined with respect to the blade 11 so that the distance between them becomes wider toward the front, and are separated from the blade 11 by a minute gap 13. Is provided. In this example, the angle θ formed between each side blade (hereinafter referred to as “side blade”) 12 and the rear blade (hereinafter referred to as “back blade”) 11 is set to about 100 °. . Further, the size of the gap 13 is set to about 2 to 3 mm so that dust and dust of a predetermined size or more that are conspicuous through the air are not allowed to pass. As shown in FIG. 2, each blade 11, 12 is in contact with the floor surface F and receives dust and dust. The blades 11 and 12 constitute an embodiment of the receiving wall body and the blade in the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state where the cover 3 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is opened. The part covered with the cover 3 of the main body 2 is provided with a storage part 2c for storing the electric blower 14 and a mounting part 2d for detachably mounting the dust collector 17. The storage portion 2c and the mounting portion 2d are separated by a partition wall 2e and communicate with each other through a gap and a communication hole (not shown) formed in the partition wall 2e. The electric blower 14 includes a motor 15 and a fan 16, and generates a suction force by rotating the fan 16 by driving the motor 15.

  The dust collector 17 includes a dust box 18 having an intake hole 18a formed on the bottom surface and an exhaust hole 18b formed on the side surface facing the storage portion 2c, and dust and dust having a predetermined size or more that allow air to pass therethrough. The filter 19 is not allowed to pass through, and the filter holder 20 is detachably attached to the dust box 18 so as to cover the exhaust hole 18b while holding the filter 19. The suction hole 18a of the dust box 18 communicates with the suction port 2b (FIG. 3) of the main body 2, and the exhaust hole 18b communicates with the storage portion 2c via the gaps and communication holes of the partition wall 2e and the electric blower 14.

  In addition to the above, the vacuum cleaner 1 is provided with a control circuit that controls each part, a power supply circuit that supplies power to each part, a battery, and the like, but illustration and description thereof are omitted here.

  In the vacuum cleaner 1, when the cover 3 is closed and the operation unit 4 is operated to start the cleaning of the vacuum cleaner 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 automatically avoids obstacles as described above. The sub rotary brush 9 and the main rotary brush 10 are rotated, and the electric blower 14 generates a suction force. Then, the dust and dust on the floor surface F are scraped to the lower center of the main body 2 by each sub-rotating brush 9, scraped into the suction port 2 b by the main rotating brush 10, and the suction force generated by the electric blower 14. Is sucked from the suction port 2b together with external air. Then, the sucked external air, dust and dust flow into the dust box 18 through the intake hole 18a of the dust box 18, and the filter 19 near the exhaust hole 18b of the dust box 18 has a predetermined size or more from the external air. The dust and dust are separated, and the dust and dust are collected in the dust box 18 and the filter 19, and the purified air is exhausted through the exhaust holes 18 b, the partition wall 2 e, the electric blower 14, the storage portion 2 c, and the main body 2 and the cover 3. It is exhausted to the outside through.

  During the cleaning operation, since the blades 11 and 12 are provided at the rear and both sides of the suction port 2b, dust and dust on the floor surface F are opened, that is, the blades 11 and 12 are provided. It is possible to approach the suction port 2b from the front which is not present, and to prevent the blades 11 and 12 from scattering to the rear and both sides before being sucked from the suction port 2b. Further, since the blades 11 and 12 are provided in the vicinity of the suction port 2b and the bag blade 11 is provided over the entire width W of the suction port 2b, dust and dust are left in the vicinity of the suction port 2b by the blades 11 and 12. Thus, the main rotating brush 10 can be easily sucked into the suction port 2b. Further, even if dust and dust are once blown off by the main rotating brush 10 without being scraped into the suction port 2b, they are left in the vicinity of the suction port 2b by the blades 11 and 12, so that dust and dust are again removed from the main rotating brush. 10 can be made to be sucked into the suction port 2b.

  In addition, since the side blades 12 are inclined so that the distance between them increases toward the front, dust or the like having a small mass dances in the space between the main body 2 and the floor surface F. Even if it goes out from the range indicated by the oblique line 3, the dust or the like can be drawn toward the center of the suction port 2 b by the side blades 12 and can be easily sucked from the suction port 2 b. Further, since the back blade 11 is provided perpendicular to the traveling direction X and in parallel with the suction port 2b and the main rotating brush 10, when the dust and dust are received by the back blade 11, the dust and dust are It becomes difficult to move sideways along the back blade 11 and the distance to the suction port 2b and the main rotating brush 10 is constant regardless of the position of the back blade 11 where the dust and dust are located. Variations in suction can be suppressed. Further, for example, when hard dust such as pebbles hits the back blade 11 and is blown off to the side, the dust hits the side blade 12 and bounces back toward the center front of the suction port 2b. It is possible to facilitate the suction from the suction port 2b.

  As a result of the above, when the self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 is used in a situation where there is no monitoring by a human and the dust and dust are left unabsorbed, the dust and dust suction port does not have to be immediately re-sucked. It becomes possible to improve the cleaning rate (suction rate) by reducing the amount of unsucked material from 2b.

  In addition, since the side blade 12 is only slightly inclined from the vertical with respect to the back blade 11, the running resistance of the self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner 1 is hardly reached. Further, since the minute gaps 13 are provided between the back blade 11 and the side blades 12, large dust and dust that stand out from the gaps 13 do not pass, and only substantially air passes and escapes. Thus, the atmospheric pressure of the space inside the blades 11 and 12, that is, on the suction port 2 b side is adjusted while preventing dust and dust from scattering back and both sides. Therefore, it becomes possible to eliminate the influence on the running performance of the self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner 1, such as the blades 11 and 12 making it difficult to advance and turn the main body 2.

  The present invention can adopt various forms other than the embodiment described above. For example, in the above embodiment, the example using the rubber blades 11 and 12 as the receiving wall body is given. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. You may use things, such as a brush in which the braid | blade made from manufacturing, the hair which has rigidity, etc. were collected without gaps. That is, as the receiving wall body, any material can be used as long as it can be received on the suction port side without passing dust and dust.

  Moreover, in the above embodiment, the example which provided the braid | blades 11 and 12 in the back and both sides of the main rotating brush 10 which rotates counterclockwise which does not become the resistance of advance of the vacuum cleaner 1 by the drive of the motor is given. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in addition to this, the motor rotates or rotates counterclockwise that does not become resistance due to the forward force of the vacuum cleaner due to the driving force of the motor or the suction force of the electric blower. You may make it provide receiving wall bodies, such as a braid | blade, in the back and both sides of a rotary cleaning body.

  Furthermore, although the example which applied this invention to the self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner 1 is given in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to a general vacuum cleaner such as a vacuum cleaner or a vacuum cleaner having a suction port body separately from a canister-type main body.

It is a top view of the self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner. It is a bottom view of the self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner. It is a principal part enlarged view in FIG. 3 of the self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner. It is a top view which shows the state which opened the cover of the self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Self-propelled vacuum cleaner 2b Suction port 10 Main rotation brush 11 Back blade 12 Side blade 13 Crevice F Floor
W Width of suction port X Traveling (traveling) direction

Claims (5)

A suction port for sucking dust and dust facing the surface to be cleaned, and a rotating brush provided at the suction port and rotating to scrape dust and dust into the suction port and automatically running In the self-propelled vacuum cleaner that cleans
A blade that contacts the surface to be cleaned and receives dust and dust is provided in the vicinity of the rear of the suction port in parallel with the suction port and the rotating brush over the entire width of the suction port perpendicular to the traveling direction, A minute gap in the vicinity of both sides of the suction port that is slightly inclined from the vertical with respect to the blade provided at the rear so that the distance from each other increases toward the front and through which air can pass from the blade provided at the rear. A self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner characterized by being provided only apart. In a vacuum cleaner that sucks in dust and dirt from the suction port facing the surface to be cleaned,
A vacuum cleaner characterized in that receiving wall bodies are provided on the rear side and both sides of the suction port so as to contact the surface to be cleaned and receive dust and dust. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2,
A vacuum cleaner comprising a rotary cleaning body that rotates and scrapes dust and dust into the suction port. In the vacuum cleaner of Claim 2 or Claim 3,
The receiving wall body is provided behind the suction port in a direction perpendicular to the advancing direction and in parallel with the suction port, and the receiving wall body is disposed on both sides of the suction port as the distance between the receiving wall body is directed forward. A vacuum cleaner characterized by being inclined so as to be wide. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
An electric vacuum cleaner characterized in that the receiving wall body provided behind the suction port and the receiving wall body provided on both sides are separated by a minute gap through which air can pass.

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