JP2013128533A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner that can solidify dust and reduce the size of a dust collection chamber.
A dust collection chamber 15 for collecting dust separated by a dust separation unit 14, a humidification opening 22 opened in the dust collection chamber 15, a compression means 23 for compressing dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber 15, and a humidification Humidification means 32 communicating with the opening 22 and dust heating means 27 for heating the dust compressed by the compression means 23 are provided. The humidification means 32 supplies the moisture to the dust collecting chamber 15 and also heats the dust. Since the means 27 is configured to heat the dust compressed by the compression means 23, the dust compressed like ironing is solidified. On the other hand, the compressed dust is heated by the dust heating means 27 to evaporate and dry the moisture, so that the growth of mold and bacteria contained in the dust can be suppressed.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a dust collection chamber of a vacuum cleaner.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called cyclonic vacuum cleaner, which has a swirling component in sucked air and separates and removes dust from an air stream by centrifugal force, has attracted attention. In this type of vacuum cleaner, an intake passage for allowing dust-containing air to flow into the interior from the outside, an electric blower that generates intake air in the intake passage, and air containing dust that has passed through the intake passage are swirled into dust. There are provided a swirling chamber that separates into air, a dust collecting chamber that collects and separates dust separated from the swirling chamber, and a compression means that compresses the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). reference).

  In such a cyclonic vacuum cleaner, the dust containing air is swirled in the swirl chamber by the suction force generated by the electric blower to separate the dust, and the dust moves to the dust collection chamber and accumulates, Air is exhausted from the swirl chamber and the dust collection chamber. The compressing means compresses the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber until the next cleaning.

JP 2007-222614 A JP 2002-51950 A

  However, in the conventional compression means, there is a limit to the compression of dust even if the pressurizing action of the compressing means is increased, and when the pressurizing action of the compressing means is released to suck the dust again, the compressing means is compressed. Since dust, especially coarse dust such as fibers, returns to its original state so as to spring back, and the volume of dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber increases, it is necessary to enlarge the dust collection chamber, which narrows the dust collection chamber space. Had problems. Moreover, since fine dust and coarse dust are not collected only by the pressurizing action of the compression means, there is a problem that fine dust is scattered when the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber is discarded.

  In addition, if the dust is moist (has a lot of water), the dust will adhere to the compression means, and when the dust collected in the dust collection chamber is discarded, the dust remains in the dust collection chamber, and the Had the problem of growing and becoming unsanitary.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and is a vacuum cleaner that solidifies the dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber to reduce the size of the dust collection chamber and prevent dust from being scattered, thereby maintaining the sanitary condition of the dust collection chamber. I will provide a.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electric blower that generates suction force, a dust separation unit that is installed upstream of the electric blower and separates air containing dust sucked by the electric blower, and the dust A dust collecting chamber for storing the dust separated by the separation unit, a humidifying opening opened in the dust collecting chamber, a compressing means for compressing the dust stored in the dust collecting chamber, and a moisture communicating with the humidifying opening. A humidifying unit; and a dust heating unit that heats the dust compressed by the compression unit, wherein the humidifying unit supplies moisture from the humidification port to the dust collection chamber, and the dust heating unit includes the compression unit. The dust compressed in the means is configured to be heated.

According to such an invention, air containing dust is separated by the dust separator by the suction force generated by the electric blower, and the separated coarse dust and fine dust are collected in the dust collecting chamber. The compressing means compresses the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber. At the same time, the humidifying means supplies moisture from the humidifying port to the dust collecting chamber, and the dust heating means heats the dust compressed by the compression means, so that the compressed dust like ironing is solidified.

  Since the vacuum cleaner of the present invention solidifies the dust collected in the dust collection chamber, the dust collection chamber can be reduced in size, and the dust scattering can be suppressed when the dust collected in the dust collection chamber is discarded. .

External view of the electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention Longitudinal sectional view showing the main part configuration during operation of the vacuum cleaner Longitudinal sectional view showing the main configuration after cleaning of the electric vacuum cleaner The perspective view which showed the principal part structure of the same vacuum cleaner Cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the vacuum cleaner Correlation diagram of time and temperature showing temperature change of electric blower of the vacuum cleaner Relationship diagram between relative humidity and moisture absorption rate of moisture absorbing / releasing material at equilibrium of the vacuum cleaner The longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed the principal part structure in the standing stowage state immediately after completion | finish of the cleaning of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 2 of this invention

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric blower that generates a suction force, a dust separation unit that is installed upstream of the electric blower and separates air containing dust sucked by the electric blower, and the dust separation unit. A dust collection chamber for collecting the collected dust, a humidification opening opened in the dust collection chamber, a compression means for compressing the dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber, a humidification means communicating with the humidification opening, and generating moisture. Dust heating means for heating the dust compressed by the compression means, the humidifying means supplies moisture from the humidification opening to the dust collection chamber, and the dust heating means is compressed by the compression means. It is configured so as to heat the dust.

  According to such an invention, air containing dust is separated by the dust separator by the suction force generated by the electric blower, and the separated coarse dust and fine dust are collected in the dust collecting chamber. The compressing means compresses the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber. At the same time, the humidifying means supplies moisture from the humidification opening to the dust collecting chamber as in ironing, and the dust heating means heats the dust compressed by the compression means, so that the compressed dust is further compressed.

  More specifically, compressed dust, particularly animal fibers and plant fibers absorb water and dissociate hydrogen bonds. On the other hand, the chemical fiber absorbs moisture slightly and the glass transition temperature is lowered. Furthermore, the compressed dust rises in temperature and promotes hydrogen bond dissociation of the dust. On the other hand, the chemical fiber also rises in temperature and softens. As a result, the compressed dust becomes soft and easy to move, and is compressed accordingly. At that time, fine dust mixed or entangled with coarse dust is taken into the compressed dust.

  After that, when the heating capacity of the dust heating means declines and the compressed dust is cooled by heat dissipation, the animal fibers and plant fibers are hydrogen-bonded again, and the chemical fibers are hardened and solidified as they are. To do. That is, since the dust is solidified in a compressed state, the dust collection chamber can be reduced in size, and when dust collected in the dust collection chamber is discarded, scattering of dust can be suppressed.

According to the second invention, in particular, the humidifying means of the first invention comprises a moisture absorbing / releasing material in which the relative humidity and the moisture absorption rate are substantially directly proportional to each other, and a humidifying container incorporating the moisture absorbing / releasing material. By reducing the relative humidity in the humidification container by the heat of the, the moisture absorbent material generates wet steam,
Thereafter, the electric blower stops, the temperature of the humidifying container decreases, and the relative humidity in the humidifying container increases, whereby the moisture absorbing / releasing material absorbs moisture from the surrounding air.

  And when cleaning starts, since an electric blower will heat a humidifier, the relative humidity in a humidification container will fall, and a moisture absorption / release material will generate wet steam. Further, the humidifying means supplies wet steam from the humidification opening to the dust collecting chamber, and the dust heating means heats the dust compressed by the compression means, so that the compressed dust is absorbed and heated to be ironed. Compress further. Thereafter, the compressed dust whose temperature has risen releases the moisture vapor that has absorbed moisture, but when the temperature of the humidifying container decreases, the moisture absorption / release material absorbs this moisture vapor. As a result, the humidity of the dust collecting chamber is lowered and the compressed dust is sufficiently dried, so that the growth of mold and bacteria contained in the dust is suppressed. Further, when the dust is dried, the hydrogen bond dissociation of the dust becomes difficult, so that the dust is solidified sufficiently.

  In the third invention, in particular, the dust heating means of the first invention has one end arranged close to the outer surface of the dust collecting chamber that is pressed by the compression means, and the other end is an exhaust path through which exhaust from the electric blower flows. Due to the construction of the exposed heat receiving portion, the heat of the exhaust gas that has passed through the electric blower is conducted through the heat receiving portion to the outer wall of the dust collection chamber that is pressed by the compression means. In particular, since the heat receiving portion only faces the exhaust path, there are few restrictions on installation, and the dust heating means that can arrange the exhaust path also in the vicinity of the dust collection chamber can be reduced in size. Further, since the heat receiving portion takes heat of the exhaust, the temperature of the exhaust is lowered, and the user's dissatisfaction with the high-temperature exhaust can be solved.

  In the fourth invention, in particular, the dust heating means of the first invention starts heating the dust compressed by the compression means after the humidification means starts supplying moisture from the humidification opening to the dust collecting chamber. By comprising, first, the compressed dust, especially animal fibers and plant fibers sufficiently absorb water and dissociate hydrogen bonds. On the other hand, chemical fibers absorb a little moisture and lower the glass transition temperature. Thereafter, the compressed moisture-absorbing dust rises in temperature and dissociates the remaining hydrogen bonds. On the other hand, the chemical fiber also rises in temperature and softens. As a result, the compressed dust becomes very soft and easy to move, and is further compressed.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an external view of a vacuum cleaner showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part configuration during operation of the vacuum cleaner, and FIG. 3 is the end of cleaning of the vacuum cleaner FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part configuration of the vacuum cleaner, FIG. 5 is a correlation diagram of time and temperature showing the temperature change of the electric blower, FIG. 6 shows a relationship diagram between the relative humidity and the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbing / releasing material when the vacuum cleaner is in equilibrium.

  As shown in FIG. 1, wheels 2 and casters 3 are attached to the outside of the cleaner body 1, and the cleaner body 1 can freely move on the floor surface. A suction hose 6 and an extension pipe 8 having a handle 7 are sequentially connected to the suction port 5 provided below the dust collection case 4 installation portion, and a suction tool 9 is attached to the tip of the extension pipe 8. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dust collection case 4 is detachably installed on the cleaner body 1 with the electric blower 10 built-in, and is attached to the cleaner body 1 in the dust collection case 4 inlet side. The intake port 11 communicates with the suction passage 12 that opens the suction port 5, while the vent 13 on the outlet side of the dust collecting case 4 communicates with the electric blower 10. The dust collection case 4 includes a cylindrical dust separation portion 14 that takes in air containing dust and generates a swirling airflow, and a substantially cylindrical dust collection chamber 15 that stores dust.

  The dust separation portion 14 is provided with an intake port 11 that is opened so as to be tangential to the inner peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical outer shape, and a substantially cylindrical exhaust tube 16 that communicates with the vent hole 13 at the approximate center. doing.

  A ventilation portion 17 is formed on the outer peripheral side surface of the exhaust pipe 16 by a filtration filter such as a mesh filter or an etching filter so that coarse dust does not pass through the exhaust pipe 16. In addition, a non-woven fabric filter folded in a pleat shape is disposed as the second dust separating means 18 between the exhaust pipe 16 and the vent hole 13.

  The dust collection chamber 15 is a substantially cylindrical cylinder having an inner diameter substantially equal to that of the dust separation portion 14, and is arranged below the dust separation portion 14 at a position where each central axis is displaced in parallel in the horizontal direction. In addition, a part of the upper end of the dust collection chamber 15 is configured to enter the inside of the dust separator 14 in the height direction.

  That is, the partition wall 19 having a substantially cylindrical shape is provided at a portion where the dust separation unit 14 and the dust collection chamber 15 overlap. The partition wall 19 has an inlet 20 through which air and dust swirling in the dust separator 14 flow into the dust collection chamber 15. The bottom portion of the dust collection chamber 15 is open, and is configured to be closed while ensuring air tightness with an aluminum bottom lid 21 that is pivotally supported. The top surface of the dust collection chamber 15 has a humidification opening 22 open. doing.

  The compressing means 23 is provided with a flat plate-like compression plate 24 that moves up and down in the dust collecting chamber 15, is manually lowered, and is raised by a spring (not shown). The compression plate 24 does not rub against the dust collection chamber 15 and has a gap (for example, 1 to 3 mm) between the compression plate 24 and the dust collection chamber 15 so that dust accumulated during compression does not escape.

  The compression plate 24 has a large number of communicating portions 25 each having a hole (diameter: about 1 to 10 mm) communicating with the upper and lower sides, and an opening / closing means 26 that protrudes in a trapezoidal shape and inserts and removes the humidifying port 22 is formed on the upper surface. Yes. The opening / closing means 26 opens and closes the humidification opening 22 in accordance with the elevation of the compression plate 24.

  The communicating portion 25 has a diameter of about 1 to 3 mm because dust cannot be compressed if the hole is large. When the compression plate 24 is raised and stored in the upper part of the dust collection chamber 15, the opening / closing means 26 closes the humidification opening 22.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust passage 29 communicates with an exhaust outlet (not shown) from the downstream side of the electric blower 10. One end of the dust heating means 27 forms a flat plate-shaped heating section 28 that heats by placing the bottom lid 21, and the other end faces a plurality of heat receiving fins 30 facing the exhaust passage 29 through which the exhaust that has passed through the electric blower 10 flows. It comprises the heat receiving part 31 provided with.

  Further, the structure of the dust heating means 27 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. One end of the dust heating means 27 forms a heating portion 28 that heats the bottom lid 21 and the other end is exhausted through the electric blower 10. The heat receiving part 31 includes a plurality of heat receiving fins 30 facing the flowing exhaust passage 29. The exhaust passage 29 is formed in a substantially L shape so that the exhaust is bent, and the heat receiving portion 31 is provided at a position where the exhaust is bent.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the humidifying means 32 includes 1 g of a moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 made of, for example, 20 g of silica gel B type (a moisture releasing material that repeats moisture absorption and desorption according to the surrounding humidity). The hygroscopic material 34 is inserted in two rows, and is held by being pressed against the surface of the humidifying container 33 on the electric blower 10 side by the position restriction of the net 35.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the arc-shaped side surface of the humidifying container 33 that comes into contact with the electric blower 10 is fixed to a wide range through a heat transfer paint in which aluminum or silver powder is kneaded on the outer surface of the electric blower 10. Has been. Further, the space on the side where the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 is not clogged in the humidifying container 33 communicates with the humidifying port 22 provided in the upper part of the dust collecting chamber 15 via the humidifying passage 36.

The operation of the cyclonic vacuum cleaner configured as described above will be described.
Due to the suction action generated by the driven electric blower 10, dust on the floor of the house (3 g / day at standard home, 7 g / day at overload) is sucked from the suction tool 9, and the dust collecting case 4 is a suction hose. 6. Air containing dust that has passed through the extension pipe 8 is introduced, the dust is centrifuged, and fine dust is filtered and stored. The filtered air is exhausted from an exhaust outlet (not shown) downstream of the electric blower 10.

  In particular, the operation of the dust collection case 4 will be described in detail with reference to experimental results. First, the spring of the compression means 23 raises the compression plate 24 and stores it in the upper part of the dust collecting chamber 15, and the opening / closing means 26 enters the humidification opening 22 and closes the humidification passage 36. The air containing dust flowing in from the air inlet 11 due to the suction action of the electric blower 10 enters the inlet 20 while turning the dust separator 14 obliquely downward from the air inlet 11, and then the abbreviation of the dust separator 14. It flows through the center to the ventilation part 17.

  That is, although the dust separation unit 14 and the dust collection chamber 15 are displaced in parallel, a centrifugal swirl airflow that forms an elliptical orbit similar to a general cyclone airflow can be formed. At that time, the dust flows into the dust collecting chamber 15 from the inlet 20 due to the centrifugal force generated by the swirl, and enters the bottom of the dust collecting chamber 15 in the order of fine dust (such as soil and sand) and coarse dust (such as cotton dust) from the bottom. Accumulate.

  On the other hand, the dust that has not jumped into the dust collection chamber 15 is blocked by the ventilation portion 17, and again enters the centrifugal swirl airflow, jumps into the dust collection chamber 15 from the inlet 20, and accumulates on the bottom surface of the dust collection chamber 15.

  Air containing fine dust such as lint passes through the ventilation portion 17, but fine dust is filtered by the second dust separation means 18, and the clean air passes through the second dust separation means 18. Then, the electric blower 10 is guided.

At the same time, as shown in FIG. 6, when the vacuum cleaner main body 1 operates “strongly”, the electric blower 10 has a cooling action by the passing air (about 2 m ³ / min), and conversely, power consumption built in the electric blower 10. The temperature rises by about 25K by subtracting from room temperature due to the heating action caused by the temperature rise of a motor (not shown) of about 900W.

  When cleaning is completed, the electric blower 10 is stopped, and the compression means 23 manually lowers the compression plate 24 to compress the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 15 to make it compact. At the same time, the opening / closing means 26 moves away from the humidification opening 22 and opens the humidification passage 36. The electric blower 10 is not cooled by the passing air, and further rises in temperature due to the residual heat (heat capacity) of the motor built in the electric blower 10 and eventually rises by about 35K. That is, the electric blower 10 continues to rise in temperature by about 25K or more for about 0.5 hours after the end of cleaning.

  At the same time, the inner outer wall surface of the humidifying container 33 is heated from the electric blower 10 through the heat transfer paint to increase the temperature, and the temperature of the internal space of the humidifying container 33 increases from about 20 ° C. to about 50 ° C. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the relative humidity around the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 decreases from 60% to 14%, and 3.2 g (20 g × 16) of steam with a difference of 16% from the equilibrium moisture absorption rate of 23% to 7%. %) Is dehumidified (if time is open to the atmosphere).

  However, in actuality, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 takes time to release moisture, and since the moistened moisture vapor is accumulated around the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34, the relative humidity around the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 is 14. %, And immediately rises. Therefore, the humidifying means 32 releases 0.2 to 0.6 g according to normal experiments.

  Subsequently, the high-humidity, high-temperature air containing the steam released from the moisture-absorbing / releasing material 34 is converted into the net 35 by the humidity difference between the humidifying container 33 and the dust collection chamber 15 (mass transfer of vapor molecules) and natural convection. Then, it passes through the humidifying passage 36 and flows into the dust collecting chamber 15 from the humidifying port 22. The relative humidity of the dust collection chamber 15 is increased by about 80 to 91%, and the temperature is increased by about 1 to 3K.

  Next, high-humidity air accumulates in the dust-collecting chamber 15 through the ring-shaped gap between the dust-collecting chamber 15 and the compression plate 24 and the communication portion 25, and the dust 3 g compressed in the compression plate 24 (one day in a standard household). Therefore, the dust absorbs about 0.1 to 0.3 g from the high-humidity air that permeates through the gap between the dust itself. In particular, in the case of coarse animal fibers (hair, wool) and vegetable fibers (cotton), hydrogen bonds are dissociated by slightly absorbed moisture, and the chemical fibers have their glass transition point lowered by absorbed moisture.

  On the other hand, the exhaust gas that has passed through the operating electric blower 10 flows through the exhaust passage 29, heats the heat receiving fins 30, and conducts heat to the heating unit 28 through the main body of the dust heating means 27. Since the heating unit 28 heats 3 g of compressed dust through the bottom lid 21, the hydrogen bonds remaining due to the temperature increase are further dissociated from the coarse animal fibers (hair, wool) and plant fibers (cotton). It becomes soft and the chemical fiber softens as the temperature rises. As a result, the compressibility of the coarse dust is improved, and the coarse dust that is deformed and stretched is entangled with each other.

  In particular, when the exhaust gas is bent into a substantially L shape, the flow is disturbed and the heat transfer rate is improved. In addition, the exhaust passage 29 can be disposed in the vicinity of the bottom lid 21, so that the heat receiving portion 31 and the dust heating means 27 are arranged. The main body can be miniaturized. Further, since the heat receiving portion 31 is only exposed to the exhaust passage 29, there are few restrictions on installation, and the heat receiving portion 31 takes heat of the exhaust, so that the temperature of the exhaust gas is lowered and the user is not satisfied with the high temperature exhaust gas. Can be resolved.

  Further, fine dust (mud, sand, etc.) increases in weight, becomes soft when moisture is absorbed, bonds to each other, and entangles with deformed coarse dust, so that the fine dust becomes large and heavy eventually. In addition, once high humidity air enters the dust collection chamber 15, a part of the air escapes from the inlet 20 to the dust separation unit 14, but the dust collected in the dust collection chamber 15 and compressed by the compression plate 24 is still sufficient. Can absorb moisture.

  And when 2 hours or more pass after completion | finish of cleaning, the electric blower 10 and the humidification means 32 will fall in temperature to room temperature vicinity by the thermal radiation to air | atmosphere. At that time, the temperature around the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 is also lowered, and the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 is switched from the moisture releasing action to the moisture absorbing action for taking moisture away from the air in the dust collecting chamber 15 and the dust separating portion 14. Since the original moisture absorption state is restored over time (approximately 1 day), a water tank for moisture release is unnecessary.

  At that time, the compressed dust is also deprived of moisture and dried, but the coarse animal fibers (hair, wool) and plant fibers (cotton) are stretched, deformed and moved again at the new position. Hydrogen bonds and the chemical fiber stretches and deforms and hardens in a deformed state. The fine dust is tight like mud. As a result, the compressed dust is hard to return to the original state like ironing and solidifies.

  Therefore, even if the compression means 23 is released, the volume of the solidified dust hardly returns to the original, so that a large amount of dust can be stored in the dust collection chamber 15 and the dust collection chamber 15 can be made compact. . Furthermore, when the bottom lid 21 is opened and the solidified dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 15 is discarded, there is an effect that dust scattering can be suppressed.

In addition, since the compressed dust is repeatedly absorbed and released every time the cleaning operation is performed, the moisture content of the dust does not increase significantly, and the growth of bacteria, molds, etc. is suppressed, and the generation of odors can be prevented. At the same time, it is possible to make it difficult for dust to adhere to the dust collection chamber 15.

  As described above, with such a configuration, after the electric blower 10 is stopped, the compressing means 23 compresses the dust, the humidifying means 32 humidifies, and the dust heating means 27 heats the compressed dust. Coarse dust is easily deformed and its compressibility is improved, such as debris, coarse dust is easily deformed and compressibility is improved, and the deformed and elongated coarse dust is entangled and compressed even if the compression means 23 is released. The volume of the dust is almost never restored. As a result, the dust collection chamber 15 can be greatly reduced in size by improving the dust compressibility, and dust can be prevented from being scattered when the accumulated dust is discarded.

(Embodiment 2)
The electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 2 of this invention is demonstrated.
FIG. 8: shows the longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed the principal part structure in the standing stowed state immediately after completion | finish of cleaning of the vacuum cleaner which shows Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that the dust heating means 37 is provided in the cleaner body 1 so as to be in contact with the outer surface side of the bottom cover 21 and is made of aluminum and has a heat capacity that is in direct contact with the bottom cover 21. 38, and a heat generating unit 39 and a temperature detecting unit 40 that are electric heaters embedded in the heat storage unit 38.

  Further, the compression means 23 is provided with a position detection unit 41 including a limit switch that detects the raising / lowering state of the compression plate 24. In particular, the heat generating portion 39 is controlled by a control means (not shown) of the cleaner body 1 so that the position detecting portion 41 is energized at the same time as detecting the lowering of the compression plate 24.

  Further, the control means is provided with a time measuring means (not shown), and when the control means stops the electric blower 10, the control means starts the measurement, and after the preset time has elapsed, the control means turns on the heat generating portion 39. Control to stop energization of the. And when cleaning starts, since the electric blower 10 heats the humidification container 33, the relative humidity in the humidification container 33 falls.

  When cleaning is completed, the control unit stops the electric blower 10 and the compression unit 23 manually lowers the compression plate 24 to compress dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 15 to make it compact. At the same time, the opening / closing means 26 is separated from the humidifying opening 22 to open the humidifying passage 36 and the position detecting unit 41 detects the lowering of the compression plate 24. Therefore, the control means immediately energizes the heat generating part 39 to start the heat generation. The bottom lid 21 and the heat storage unit 38 are heated.

  At this time, when the temperature detection unit 40 detects that the upper limit temperature (for example, 40 ° C.) has been exceeded, the control unit stops energizing the heat generating unit 39, and the temperature detection unit 40 falls below the lower limit temperature (for example, 36 ° C.). When detecting that, the control means starts energizing the heat generating portion 39. That is, the control means controls the temperature of the heat generating portion 39 between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature.

  Next, since the relative humidity in the humidifying container 33 is lowered, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 releases wet steam, and high-humidity air containing wet steam passes through the humidifying passage 36 and is collected from the humidifying port 22. It flows into the dust chamber 15. The compressed dust, particularly animal fibers and plant fibers, absorbs wet steam sufficiently and dissociates most of the hydrogen bonds. On the other hand, the chemical fiber absorbs a little wet steam and the glass transition temperature is lowered.

After that, the heat generating part 39 raises the temperature of the absorbed dust compressed through the bottom lid 21 and dissociates all remaining hydrogen bonds. On the other hand, the chemical fiber also rises in temperature and softens. As a result, the compressed dust becomes very soft and easy to move, and is further compressed accordingly.

  That is, the first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that after the compressed dust has sufficiently absorbed moisture, the dust absorbed in the compressed state is heated by the dust heating means 37.

  Then, when about 2 hours or more have elapsed after the cleaning is completed, the temperature of the electric blower 10 and the humidifying means 32 is lowered to near room temperature due to heat radiation to the atmosphere. At that time, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 is switched from the moisture releasing action to the moisture absorbing action for removing moisture from the air in the dust collecting chamber 15 and the dust separating section 14, and recovers to the original moisture absorbing state over time. At that time, the compressed dust is also deprived of moisture and dried, but the coarse animal fibers (hair, wool) and plant fibers (cotton) are stretched, deformed and moved again at the new position. Hydrogen bonds and the chemical fiber cures in a stretched or deformed state. The fine dust is tight like mud. As a result, the compressed dust is hard to return to the original state like ironing and solidifies.

  Then, after a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) elapses after the time measuring unit starts measuring, the control unit performs control so as to stop energization of the heat generating portion 39. Therefore, even if the power is forgotten to be turned off, the energization of the heat generating portion 39 is stopped, so that the compressed dust can be cooled and solidified. That is, excessive energization of the heat generating part 39 can be prevented.

  Further, even if the power is turned off during a preset time, the heat storage unit 38 continues to heat the dust compressed through the bottom lid 21 for about 30 minutes with the heat stored in the heat generating unit 39. .

  In addition, since the dust heating means 37 is disposed close to or on the outer surface of the dust collecting chamber 15, the dust heating means 37 can be easily attached.

  In Embodiments 1 and 2, silica gel B is used as the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34, but union Showa High Silica Zeolite DDZ, Nippon Extran Industries Toughtic HU (as shown in FIG. 7). Physical hygroscopic material that has a relatively direct proportional relationship between relative humidity and moisture absorption, such as HASClay made by Toda Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Molecular sieve, aluminum oxide, etc.) can be used.

  As described above, the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention solidifies dust compressed like ironing. As a result, the dust collection chamber can be greatly downsized due to improved dust compressibility, and the dust can be prevented from being scattered when the accumulated dust is discarded. It can be provided and can be applied to a commercial dust collector.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electric blower 14 Dust separation part 15 Dust collection chamber 22 Humidification opening 23 Compression means 27, 37 Dust heating means 29 Exhaust path 31 Heat receiving part 32 Humidification means 33 Humidification container 34 Moisture absorption / release material

Claims (4)

An electric blower that generates a suction force;
A dust separation unit that is installed on the upstream side of the electric blower and separates air containing dust sucked by the electric blower;
A dust collection chamber for storing the dust separated by the dust separation unit;
A humidifying opening opened in the dust collecting chamber;
Compression means for compressing dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber;
Humidification means for generating moisture in communication with the humidification opening;
Dust heating means for heating the dust compressed by the compression means,
An electric vacuum cleaner configured such that the humidifying means supplies moisture from the humidification opening to the dust collecting chamber, and the dust heating means heats the dust compressed by the compression means. The humidifying means comprises a moisture absorbing / releasing material in which the relative humidity and the moisture absorption rate are substantially directly proportional to each other, and a humidifying container incorporating the moisture absorbing / releasing material,
By reducing the relative humidity in the humidifying container by heat from the electric blower, the moisture absorbing / releasing material generates wet steam,
The electric blower is then stopped, the temperature of the humidifying container is lowered, and the relative humidity in the humidifying container is increased, so that the moisture absorbing / releasing material absorbs moisture from the surrounding air. Electric vacuum cleaner. 2. The dust heating means is configured such that one end is disposed close to the outer surface of the dust collecting chamber that is pressed by the compression means, and the other end is constituted by a heat receiving portion facing an exhaust path through which exhaust from the electric blower flows. Electric vacuum cleaner. 2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the dust heating unit is configured to start heating the dust compressed by the compression unit after the humidification unit starts supplying moisture from the humidification port to the dust collecting chamber.