JP4900520B1 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner capable of detecting that a predetermined amount or more of dust has accumulated in a dust collecting container with a simple structure.
In a vacuum cleaner, a dust collecting container that collects dust separated from dust-containing air sucked by an air flow generated by operation of an electric blower, a transmitter that emits a signal, and a transmitter that emits a signal A reflection unit that reflects the signal, and a reception unit that receives the signal reflected by the reflection unit, and a predetermined amount or more in the dust collecting container based on the intensity of the reception signal received by the reception unit Dust detecting means for detecting the accumulation of dust, and the reflection portion is provided in a structure provided inside the dust collecting container.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner.

  In a vacuum cleaner, the user discharges the dust collected in the dust collection container to the outside of the dust collection container when the dust collection amount in the dust collection container is visually confirmed and it is determined that the dust collection is more than a predetermined amount. It is common that. Therefore, if the user neglects to check the amount of dust collected and does not discharge the dust remaining in the dust collection container, the dust will accumulate excessively in the dust collection container, resulting in a decrease in dust collection capacity or There is a risk of increasing the load on the blower.

  Therefore, in a conventional vacuum cleaner, a predetermined amount of dust accumulated in the dust collecting container is detected by a light sensor (light receiving unit) that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit, and a predetermined amount of dust is stored in the dust collecting container. When detecting that dust has accumulated, there has been known one that notifies a user to that effect. For example, the device described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit facing each other outside the dust collecting container, and the light receiving unit is emitted from the light emitting unit and passes through the side wall of the dust collecting container. Light that enters the dust container and passes through the side wall on the opposite side of the dust container is received.

Japanese Patent No. 3729726

  However, in the conventional vacuum cleaner shown in Patent Document 1, the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the optical sensor for detecting dust are arranged outside the dust collecting container so as to face each other with the dust collecting container interposed therebetween. Yes. For this reason, it is necessary to provide the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the optical sensor, members and wiring for holding them at predetermined positions on the outer periphery of the dust collecting container, and there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated.

  Further, as shown in Patent Document 1, when a structure such as a shielding plate is provided at a substantially central portion inside the dust collecting container, it is necessary to avoid the structure and transmit the sensor light. The sensor light cannot pass through the center of the dust container. Therefore, particularly when the dust collecting container is substantially cylindrical, the sensor light cannot be incident perpendicularly to the wall surface of the dust collecting container, so that the sensor light is easily refracted, leading to a decrease in dust detection performance. There are also challenges.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a first object is to provide an electric cleaning device that can detect that a predetermined amount or more of dust has accumulated in a dust collecting container with a simple structure. You will get a chance.
The second object is to obtain a vacuum cleaner that achieves the first object and has good dust detection performance.

  In the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, the vacuum cleaner is emitted by the dust collecting container that collects the dust separated from the dust-containing air sucked by the airflow generated by the operation of the electric blower, the transmitter that emits a signal, and the transmitter A reflection unit that reflects the reflected signal and a reception unit that receives the signal reflected by the reflection unit, and a predetermined amount or more in the dust collecting container based on the intensity of the reception signal received by the reception unit And a dust detecting means for detecting the accumulation of the dust, wherein the reflecting portion is provided in a structure provided inside the dust collecting container.

  In the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, it is possible to detect that dust of a predetermined amount or more is accumulated in the dust collecting container with a simple structure.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner main body of the electric vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the dust collection unit of the cleaner body of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the cleaner body of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is aa sectional drawing of the cleaner body of FIG. 4 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is bb sectional drawing of the cleaner body of FIG. 5 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is cc sectional drawing of the cleaner body of FIG. 5 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 5 of the cleaner body which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is dd sectional drawing of the cleaner body of FIG. 8 which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 5 of the cleaner body which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is ee sectional drawing of the cleaner body of FIG. 10 which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 5 of the cleaner body which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the dust collected in the dust collecting container of the cleaner body of FIG. 12 which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is ff sectional drawing of the cleaner body of FIG. 12 which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner main body of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a top view of the cleaner body of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is gg sectional drawing of the cleaner body of FIG. 16 which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is hh sectional drawing of the cleaner body of FIG. 17 which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the cleaner body which does not apply this invention.

  The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts, and redundant description thereof will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 to FIG. 7 relate to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire vacuum cleaner, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main body of the vacuum cleaner, and FIG. The perspective view which shows the state which removed the dust collecting unit of the vacuum cleaner main body of a vacuum cleaner, FIG. 4 is a top view of the vacuum cleaner main body of an electric vacuum cleaner, FIG. 5 is sectional drawing of aa of the vacuum cleaner main body of FIG. 6 is a bb sectional view of the cleaner body of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cc sectional view of the cleaner body of FIG.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The vacuum cleaner 1 is provided with a suction port body 2 having a suction port for air containing dust and dust (dust-containing air) on the floor surface. One end of a hollow cylindrical suction pipe 3 is connected to the suction port body 2. On the other end side of the suction pipe 3, there is provided a handle in which an operation switch for controlling the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 is arranged. Further, one end of a flexible bellows-shaped suction hose 5 is connected to the other end of the suction pipe 3 via a connection pipe 4 that is bent halfway.

  A vacuum cleaner body 6 is connected to the other end of the suction hose 5. 2 to 4 show the appearance of the cleaner body 6. FIG. The other end of the suction hose 5 is connected to a hose connection portion 7 provided at the front end portion of the cleaner body 6. On one side surface of the cleaner body 6, a suction air passage 11 that communicates with the hose connection portion 7 is provided. The upper side of the cleaner body 6 is formed in an inclined shape such that the front side is lower and the rear side is higher. The upper part formed in an inclined shape in this way is a dust collection unit housing portion 6a in which a dust collection unit 8 described later is detachably mounted and housed.

  In addition, on the rear side of the cleaner body 6, an electric blower housing portion 6 b that houses an electric blower 9 described later is provided. Further, a control circuit board, a power cord cord reel, and the like are accommodated in the cleaner body 6. Wheels 10 are attached to both sides of the rear portion of the cleaner body 6. The vacuum cleaner body 6 is energized when the power cord is connected to an external power source, and the electric blower 9 is driven to perform a suction operation. The suction port body 2, the suction pipe 3, the connection pipe 4, the suction hose 5, and the suction air path 11 constitute a part of a suction path for allowing dust-containing air to flow from the outside to the inside of the cleaner body 6. .

  The dust collection unit 8 is mounted and accommodated in the dust collection unit accommodation portion 6a along the upper side of the cleaner body 6. At this time, the dust collection unit 8 extends from the cleaner main body 6 and is predetermined in a state where almost half of the lower side of the dust collection unit 8 is covered by the housing member 12 disposed on the outer periphery of the dust collection unit 8. Is housed in a position. The cleaner body 6 in a state where the dust collection unit 8 is accommodated in the dust collection unit accommodation portion 6a will be described with reference to FIGS. The dust collection unit 8 includes a dust collection container 13 including a substantially cylindrical swivel part 13a and a dust collection part 13b. In addition, the dust collection unit 8 is provided with an inlet 14 for taking in dust-containing air into the dust collection container 13 through the suction air passage 11. The swivel part 13a of the dust collecting container 13 swirls the dust-containing air that has flowed from the inlet 14, and separates air and dust (dust). And the dust collection part 13b captures the dust (dust) separated from the dust-containing air by the swivel part 13a.

  Inside the dust collecting container 13, a substantially cylindrical discharge pipe 15 is disposed substantially concentrically with respect to the substantially cylindrical shape of the dust collecting container 13. The discharge pipe 15 includes a mesh member 15a on a part of its side wall, and the mesh member 15a constitutes a communication portion 16 that communicates the dust collecting container 13 and the discharge pipe 15. Further, the dust collection unit 8 has a filter 17 that collects fine dust that cannot be removed by the swivel unit 13a and the like, and a discharge port 18 that discharges air from which dust is separated from the dust-containing air by the swivel unit 13a and the like. Is provided.

  Furthermore, a gap is formed in the dust collecting container 13 from the side wall or bottom wall of the discharge pipe 15 toward the inner wall of the dust collecting container 13 and between the dust collecting container 13 and the inner wall. A partition wall 19a arranged in a state is provided. Then, the revolving part 13a and the dust collecting part 13b of the dust collecting container 13 are partitioned by the partition wall 19a. Further, the partition wall 19a suppresses air from flowing from the swivel unit 13a to the dust collection unit 13b, and prevents dust accumulated in the dust collection unit 13b from being re-scattered into the swivel unit 13a.

  An outlet is provided at the rear end of the suction air passage 11, and when the dust collection unit 8 is mounted and accommodated in the dust collection unit accommodation portion 6 a of the cleaner body 6, The outlet and the inlet 14 of the dust collection unit 8 are joined, and the suction air passage 11 and the swivel part 13a of the dust container 13 are communicated. Further, an exhaust air passage 20 is provided on the upper rear side of the cleaner body 6. In a state where the dust collection unit 8 is accommodated in the dust collection unit accommodation portion 6 a, the discharge port 18 of the dust collection unit 8 is connected to the exhaust air passage 20.

  In front of the exhaust air passage 20 inside the cleaner body 6, an electric blower housing portion 6 b in which the electric blower 9 is housed is disposed. The electric blower 9 drives suction of dust-containing air dust into the dust collecting container 13 of the dust collecting unit 8. That is, when the electric blower 9 operates, the air pressure in the electric blower housing portion 6b in which the electric blower 9 is housed decreases. This decrease in the atmospheric pressure propagates from the electric blower housing 6 b to the exhaust air passage 20, the discharge port 18, the dust collecting container 13, and the suction air passage 11. And the fall of this atmospheric pressure finally reaches the suction port body 2 and becomes the air suction force in the suction port body 2.

  Thus, the dust-containing air sucked by the suction port body 2 by the suction force driven by the electric blower 9 reaches the cleaner body 6 through the suction pipe 3, the connection pipe 4 and the suction hose 5. The dust-containing air that has reached the cleaner body 6 flows through the suction air passage 11 of the cleaner body 6 and flows into the swivel part 13 a of the dust collection container 13 from the inlet 14 of the dust collection unit 8. This dust-containing air flows in a substantially tangential direction with respect to the side wall of the swivel portion 13a and becomes a swirling airflow. Then, while forming a forced vortex region in the vicinity of the central axis and a quasi-free vortex region on the outer periphery thereof, it flows downward due to its path structure and gravity. At this time, since centrifugal force acts on dust (dust) in the air, it is pressed against the inner wall of the swivel unit 13a and separated from the air.

  The dust separated from the dust-containing air rides on the descending swirling airflow, travels below the swiveling portion 13a, and is collected by the dust collecting portion 13b. At this time, the partition wall 19a prevents the flow of air (air) from the swivel unit 13a to the dust collection unit 13b, and the re-scattering of dust accumulated in the dust collection unit 13b is suppressed. The air from which the dust (dust) has been removed flows into the discharge pipe 15 from the swivel part 13 a through the communication part 16. The air that has flowed into the discharge pipe 15 is discharged from the discharge port 18 to the exhaust air passage 20 after the fine dust that could not be separated by the swivel unit 13 a is removed by the filter 17. After that, the air is discharged to the outside of the cleaner body 6 through an exhaust air path 20 and an exhaust path including an exhaust port (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 3, a dust detection unit 21 is provided at the approximate center of the inclined surface of the dust collection unit housing 6 a of the cleaner body 6. The dust detection unit 21 includes a transmission unit 21a and a reception unit 21b. A signal that passes through the outer wall of the dust container 13 is transmitted from the transmitter 21a. As this signal, for example, electromagnetic waves such as visible light and infrared rays, and ultrasonic waves are used. The partition wall 19a which is the structure 19 provided inside the dust collecting container 13 of the dust collecting unit 8 is provided with a reflecting portion 22 that reflects a signal emitted from the transmitting portion 21a.

  This reflection part 22 is arrange | positioned in the structure 19 (partition 19a) in the position which opposes the dust detection part 21 in the state in which the dust collection unit 8 was accommodated in the dust collection unit accommodating part 6a. The reflecting portion 22 is provided by being bonded to the structure 19 (partition wall 19a) or painted or printed in a mirror shape. Further, the reflection portion 22 is subjected to antistatic processing (such as applying an antistatic agent). The receiving unit 21b receives the signal reflected by the reflecting unit 22.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a dust collection capacity limit position 24 is preset in the dust collection container 13 at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the dust collection container 13. The dust collection capacity limit position 24 indicates the limit amount of dust accumulated in the dust collection portion 13b of the dust collection container 13. In other words, the dust collection capacity limit position 24 is the dust collection capacity limit position 24 when the dust collection unit 8 is accommodated in the dust collection unit accommodation section 6a and the height of the dust collected in the dust collection section 13b is reached. Then, it is set to a position where the dust collection performance of the vacuum cleaner 1 may be affected. In other words, the dust collection capacity limit position 24 is set to a position that is the limit of the dust collection amount that does not affect the dust collection performance of the vacuum cleaner 1. Accordingly, the dust collection capacity limit position 24 does not necessarily coincide with the position indicating the physical capacity limit of the dust collection portion 13b.

  The transmission part 21a, the reception part 21b, and the reflection part 22 of the dust detection part 21 are arranged at the height of the dust collection capacity limit position 24 so as to transmit, receive, and reflect signals. Furthermore, the transmitter 21a and the receiver 21b are arranged at substantially the same position in the vicinity of the cleaner body 6. Therefore, the two signal paths of the transmission path 23a where the signal emitted from the transmission section 21a reaches the reflection section 22 and the reception path 23b where the signal reflected by the reflection section 22 reaches the reception section 21b are dust collection It arrange | positions along the surface parallel to the bottom face of the dust collection part 13b which passes the capacity | capacitance limit position 24. FIG.

  In addition, since the transmission unit 21a and the reception unit 21b are disposed at sufficiently close positions, the transmission route 23a and the reception route 23b can be regarded as being on substantially the same straight line. The transmitting unit 21a, the receiving unit 21b, and the reflecting unit 22 are arranged so that lines extending these two signal paths intersect the central axis of the substantially cylindrical shape of the dust collecting container 13, respectively. Therefore, these two signal paths are paths that enter the wall of the dust collecting container 13 substantially perpendicularly.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the signal transmitted from the transmission unit 21 a of the dust detection unit 21 reaches the reflection unit 22 inside the dust collecting container 13 through the transmission path 23 a. The reflection unit 22 reflects the signal emitted from the transmission unit 21a. When the signal reflected by the reflection unit 22 reaches the reception unit 21b of the dust detection unit 21 through the reception path 23b, the signal is received by the reception unit 21b. At this time, when dust (dust) is present on the transmission path 23a and the reception path 23b, signals on these paths are blocked by the dust, and the intensity of the signal received by the receiving unit 21b is reduced. Therefore, the dust detection unit 21 detects the presence of dust at the dust detection position, that is, the dust collection capacity limit position 24, when the signal intensity received by the reception unit 21b is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  Here, the dust detection unit 21 further includes a reception time detection unit that detects the reception time of the signal in the reception unit 21b, and the dust detection position, that is, the dust collection capacity limit position, based on the detection result of the reception time detection unit. It may be possible to detect whether or not garbage is present at 24. In this case, specifically, the reception time detection unit detects a time when the reception signal strength in the reception unit 21b is equal to or less than a predetermined value. When the reception time detection unit detects that the reception signal intensity at the reception unit 21b is equal to or less than a predetermined value for a predetermined first determination time or more, the dust detection position, that is, the dust collection capacity limit position is detected. 24 detects the presence of garbage.

  As described above, when the state where the reception signal intensity in the reception unit 21b is equal to or lower than the predetermined value continues for the predetermined first determination time or more, it is confirmed that there is dust at the dust detection position (dust collection capacity limit position 24). By detecting the dust, the dust that is being swung by the swivel unit 13a, the dust that passes through the dust detection position in the process of being captured by the dust collection unit 13b, and the dust that has been collected and collected by the dust collection unit 13b. Can be distinguished from each other, so that false detection can be prevented.

  Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 2-5, the display part 25 which performs a display based on the dust detection result of the dust detection part 21 is provided in the position which the user of the upper surface of the cleaner body 6 is easy to visually recognize. . When the dust detection unit 21 detects that the dust has accumulated up to the dust detection position, the display unit 25 displays, for example, lighting so as to notify the user of the fact in the dust collecting container 13. Encourage them to dispose of garbage. As a result, it is possible to prevent the dust collection performance from being deteriorated and the load to the electric blower 9 due to the accumulation of dust in the dust collection container 13 beyond the dust collection capacity limit position 24.

  Here, the display unit 25 is provided on the upper surface of the cleaner body 6. However, other configurations may be used as long as it is possible to notify the user of the dust detection result and prompt the user to dispose of the dust. For example, as a means for notifying the result of dust detection, a display unit may be provided at the hand operating part of the connection pipe 4, or the sound of the waste disposal time is notified by sounding a sound from a speaker built in the cleaner body 6 or the like. You may do it.

  In addition to notifying the user of the dust detection result, the air volume of the electric blower 9 may be controlled based on the dust detection result. For example, when it is detected by the reception time detection unit that the state where the reception signal strength in the reception unit 21b is equal to or less than a predetermined value continues for a predetermined second determination time longer than the first determination time described above, Control is performed to reduce the air volume of the electric blower 9. Thereby, even if a user does not throw away garbage, it is possible to reduce the dust collection performance and to reduce the load on the electric blower 9. Moreover, the effect which alert | reports to the user that garbage has accumulated by the change of an airflow can also be anticipated.

  Further, while the dust is sucked into the dust collecting container 13, the dust is likely to adhere to the surface of the reflecting portion 22. This is because fine dust charged at the time of suction tends to adhere to the inner wall surface of the dust collection unit 8 due to static electricity. Due to the dust adhering to the reflecting portion 22, the reflectivity and reflection direction of the signal may change, and the dust detection performance may be deteriorated. Therefore, as described above, by applying antistatic processing to the reflecting portion 22, it is possible to suppress dust from adhering to the surface of the reflecting portion 22, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in dust detection performance.

  In addition, although the structure which gives an antistatic process to the reflection part 22 was employ | adopted here, if the effect which suppresses the dust adhesion to the reflection part 22 as mentioned above is acquired, another structure is employ | adopted. May be. For example, as a means for preventing dust from adhering to the reflection portion 22, an antistatic material is used for the reflection portion 22 itself, and the installation position of the reflection portion 22 is set to a location with a high wind speed in the dust collecting container 13 (high wind speed For example, there is a configuration in which dust is less likely to adhere) and particles are aggregated by giving a charge to the dust. Further, as means for removing the dust adhering to the reflecting portion 22, a structure for increasing the air volume / wind speed in the dust collecting container 13 or removing the adhering dust by reversing the air direction temporarily when the dust is sucked in, or reflecting Examples include a configuration in which the portion 22 is vibrated to remove attached dust. Furthermore, the same effect can be obtained by configuring the entire dust collecting container 13 including the reflection portion 22 with an antistatic material, or preventing the charging of the dust collecting container 13 by grounding the dust collecting container 13. be able to.

  Here, the dust collecting container 13 is attached to the cleaner body 6 in an inclined state. That is, the dust collecting container 13 is mounted and accommodated in the dust collecting unit accommodating portion 6a in a state in which the substantially cylindrical central axis is inclined to the cleaner body 6 side by a predetermined angle from the vertically standing state. ing. And the dust detection part 21 which detects the dust collected in the dust collecting container 13 is the side in which the dust collecting container 13 was inclined only the said predetermined angle from perpendicular | vertical (in the example demonstrated here, in the cleaner main body 6). It is arrange | positioned at the electric blower accommodating part 6b side. With respect to the arrangement of the dust collecting container 13, not only the dust collecting container 13 is tilted as described above, but also the dust collecting container 13 is accommodated in the cleaner body 6 in a vertically standing state. Good.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the cyclone type is adopted as the dust collection method. However, if the vacuum cleaner is configured to allow the detection signal used in the dust detection unit 21 to pass through the dust collection container 13, the cyclone type is used. Not limited to this, other dust collection methods may be adopted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the canister type vacuum cleaner as described above.

  The vacuum cleaner configured as described above is emitted by a dust collecting container that collects dust separated from dust-containing air sucked by an air flow generated by the operation of an electric blower, a transmitter that transmits a signal, and a transmitter. And a receiving unit that receives the signal reflected by the reflecting unit, and a predetermined amount or more of dust is accumulated in the dust collecting container based on the intensity of the received signal received by the receiving unit. And a dust detecting means for detecting this, and the reflecting portion is provided in a partition wall which is a structure provided inside the dust collecting container.

  For this reason, the freedom degree of the position which arrange | positions the transmission part and receiving part of a dust detection part increases, and it detects that dust more than predetermined amount accumulated in the dust collecting container with a simple structure and high precision. be able to.

  In addition, since the signal used for dust detection can be incident substantially perpendicular to the wall surface of the dust collecting container 13, reflection and refraction when the signal enters the wall surface of the dust collecting container 13 are suppressed as much as possible. Waste detection accuracy can be improved.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
8 and 9 relate to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 of the cleaner body, and FIG. 9 is a dd sectional view of the cleaner body of FIG. is there.
In the first embodiment described above, the reflection part that reflects the detection signal transmitted from the transmission part of the dust detection part is provided in the partition wall that is a structure inside the dust collecting container. In Embodiment 2 described here, a compression member that compresses dust accumulated in the dust collecting container is provided as a structure in the dust collecting container, not a partition. And a reflection part is provided in this compression member.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a compression member 19 b that compresses dust (dust) accumulated in the dust collection portion 13 b is extended from the bottom surface of the discharge pipe 15 in the dust collection container 13. The compression member 19 b has a spiral curved surface centered on the cylindrical central axis of the dust collection container 13. The compression member 19b is attached to be rotatable around the central axis. Then, when the spiral curved surface is rotated around the central axis, the dust accumulated in the dust collecting container 13 is pushed out and compressed toward the bottom of the dust collecting container 13 by the screw feeding action by the spiral curved surface.

  By compressing the dust collected in the dust collection container 13 by the compression member 19b in this way, a large amount of dust is contained in the dust collection container 13 as compared with the configuration not using the compression member 19b (for example, the configuration of the first embodiment). It becomes possible to accumulate in. In addition, the dust that is aspirated includes extremely small dust, but such fine dust is very light, so when you throw it away, it will scatter and contaminate the surroundings, or adhere to your hands and clothes. There was a problem such as. On the other hand, by providing the compression member 19b as described above, minute dust can be pressed together with other waste, so that scattering at the time of throwing away the waste can be suppressed.

And in this embodiment, the reflection part 22 which reflects the signal which the transmission part 21a of the dust detection part 21 emits is provided in the compression member 19b which is the structure 19 provided in the inside of the dust collecting container 13. Yes.
Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the electric vacuum cleaner configured as described above, the reflecting portion is provided on the compression member which is a structure provided inside the dust collecting container. For this reason, in addition to being able to achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the dust collecting unit can also be used for a vacuum cleaner in which a compression member that is a structure is already provided in the dust collecting container. Without changing the internal shape, that is, without affecting the dust collection capacity, dust collection performance, etc., it is possible to accurately detect that dust has accumulated in the dust collection container by providing a reflective part. .

Embodiment 3 FIG.
10 and 11 relate to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 of the cleaner body, and FIG. 11 is an ee sectional view of the cleaner body of FIG. is there.
In Embodiment 3 described here, a re-scattering prevention member for preventing re-scattering of dust accumulated in the dust collecting container is provided as a structure in the dust collecting container. And a reflection part is provided in this re-scattering prevention member.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a re-scattering preventing member that prevents dust (dust) accumulated in the dust collecting portion 13b from rising from the bottom surface of the discharge pipe 15 in the dust collecting container 13 and scattering. 19c is extended. The re-scattering prevention member 19c is provided so that four pieces protrude radially at 90 ° intervals about the cylindrical central axis of the dust collection container 13 and substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the dust collection container 13. ing.

  The dust sucked into the dust collection unit 8 and centrifuged at the swivel unit 13a is accumulated in the dust collection unit 13b. Here, when the airflow flowing in from the inlet 14 reaches the dust collecting portion 13b and turns, a part of the dust accumulated in the dust collecting portion 13b is wound up, and the dust may be scattered again. Therefore, by installing the re-scattering prevention member 19c as described above in the dust collecting container 13, the swirling of the airflow flowing into the dust collecting part 13b is blocked, and the re-scattering of the dust accumulated in the dust collecting part 13b is suppressed. be able to.

And in this embodiment, the reflection part 22 which reflects the signal which the transmission part 21a of the dust detection part 21 emits in the re-scattering prevention member 19c which is the structure 19 provided in the inside of the dust collecting container 13 is provided. It has been.
Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the electric vacuum cleaner configured as described above, the reflection portion is provided on the re-scattering prevention member which is a structure provided inside the dust collecting container. For this reason, in addition to being able to achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment, it is also possible to collect dust even for a vacuum cleaner in which a re-scattering prevention member that is a structure is already provided in the dust collecting container. Without changing the internal shape of the unit, that is, without affecting the dust collection capacity, dust collection performance, etc., provide a reflective part to accurately detect that dust has accumulated in the dust collection container. Can do.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
12 to 14 relate to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 of the cleaner body, and FIG. 13 is dust in the dust collecting container of the cleaner body of FIG. FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line ff of the cleaner body of FIG.
In the first embodiment described above, the reflection part that reflects the detection signal transmitted from the transmission part of the dust detection part is provided in the partition wall that extends from the discharge pipe. On the other hand, Embodiment 4 demonstrated here provides a reflection part in the communicating part of a discharge pipe.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the dust collection container 13 is provided with a discharge pipe 15 for guiding the air after centrifugal separation from the dust collection container 13 to the exhaust air passage 20. Yes. A reflection portion 22 that reflects a signal emitted from the transmission portion 21 a of the dust detection portion 21 is provided at a portion of the communication portion 16 provided on the side wall of the discharge pipe 15.

  Depending on the configuration of the dust collection unit 8, the dust collection capacity limit position 24 may be set at a height position where the communication portion 16 (discharge pipe 15) is located. For example, when the dust collection unit 8 is tilted and attached to the cleaner body 6, the dust accumulates from below the dust collection container 13 due to gravity, and the upper surface of the accumulated dust is against the bottom surface of the dust collection container 13. And has a tilt. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, even if the upper end portion of the dust in the dust collection container 13 is located above the lower end of the discharge pipe 15, the dust accumulated in the dust collection container 13 is still in the discharge pipe 15. It will be in the situation where the communication part 16 is not applied.

  Therefore, even if the dust collection capacity limit position 24 is set to a height position applied to the discharge pipe 15, the dust collection unit 21 is disposed on the side where the dust collection container 13 is inclined from the vertical, so that the inside of the dust collection container 13 It is possible to prevent the dust from blocking the communication part 16 and hindering the inflow of air from the swivel part 13a to the discharge pipe 15, and the influence on the dust collection performance can be avoided. For this reason, the dust collection capacity limit position 24 can be set to a height position applied to the discharge pipe 15. This embodiment can be mainly used in the above cases. In this case, it can be said in a broad sense that the discharge pipe 15 is also a structure provided in the dust collecting container.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the partition wall 19a that divides the swivel portion 13a and the dust collection portion 13b extends from the bottom surface of the discharge pipe 15, and the discharge pipe 15 is disposed in the swivel section 13a.

  By providing the reflection portion 22 in the communication portion 16 of the discharge pipe 15 in this way, dust that has a property of being easily attached to the communication portion 16 such as hair or the like when sucking in large dust that does not enter the dust collection portion 13b. Even when dust is collected in a place other than the dust collecting portion 13b, such as when the air is sucked in, the dust detecting portion 21 can appropriately detect the dust.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
15 to 18 relate to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner main body, FIG. 16 is a top view of the vacuum cleaner main body, and FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line gg of the vacuum cleaner main body of FIG. 16, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line hh of the vacuum cleaner main body of FIG.
The first embodiment described above is provided with a housing member that is disposed on the outer periphery of the dust collection unit attached to the cleaner body and that holds the bottom half of the dust collection unit in a covered state. On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment described here, this accommodating member is not provided.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the reflection unit 22 that reflects the signal emitted from the transmission unit 21 a of the dust detection unit 21 is provided in the structure 19 in the dust collection container 13. Therefore, unlike the prior art, there is no need to dispose the transmitter 21 a and the receiver 21 b of the dust detector 21 opposite to both sides of the dust container 13, and the transmitter on the same side outside the dust container 13. Both 21a and the receiving part 21b can be arrange | positioned. For this reason, in this embodiment, the accommodating member is not provided.

  This point will be described with reference to FIG. 19 in addition to FIGS. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view (corresponding to FIG. 17) of a cleaner body to which the present invention is not applied. As shown in FIG. 19, when the present invention is not applied, the transmitting unit 21a and the receiving unit 21b of the dust detection unit 21 are opposed to each other and the transmitting unit 21a reaches the receiving unit 21b as in the prior art. It is necessary that the signal path 23 penetrates the dust collecting container 13. Therefore, since a member for supporting the transmitting part 21a or the receiving part 21b is required on the outer periphery of the dust collecting container 13, it is necessary to provide the housing member 12 that covers the lower outer periphery of the dust collecting container 13.

  In particular, when the dust collection container 13 has a substantially cylindrical shape, in order to improve dust detection accuracy, a signal used for dust detection may be incident on the wall surface of the dust collection container 13 substantially perpendicularly. preferable. For this purpose, it is necessary for the signal used for dust detection to pass through the approximate center of the dust collection container 13, and the transmitter 21 a and the receiver 21 b are opposed to each other across the approximate center of the dust collection container 13. Need to be arranged. For this reason, in order to support the transmission part 21a or the receiving part 21b in the position arrange | positioned as mentioned above, the accommodating member 12 which covers the lower outer periphery of the dust collecting container 13 is needed.

  In addition, in order to pass a signal used for dust detection through the approximate center of the dust container 13, a structure is not provided in the approximate center of the dust container 13, It is necessary to form a structure disposed substantially in the center with a material that transmits the signal. For this reason, the structure in the dust collection unit 8 will be limited. In particular, when the transmitter 21 a is provided on the electric blower housing 6 b side of the cleaner body 6, it is necessary to provide the housing member 12 on the front side of the cleaner body 6. Visibility when checking the waste inside is significantly reduced.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the signal reflected by the reflecting portion 22 provided on the structure 19 (partition wall 19a) in the dust collecting container 13 is received by the receiving portion 21b and collected. The amount of dust in the dust container 13 is detected. For this reason, both the transmission part 21a and the receiving part 21b are arrange | positioned on the same side out of the dust collecting container 13, and the accommodating member which covers the lower outer periphery of the dust collecting container 13 is not provided.

  Accordingly, since the front side and the upper side of the dust collection container 13 are opened, the user can accumulate in the dust collection container 13 by configuring at least a part of the dust collection container 13 with a material having visible light permeability. The amount of garbage can be seen more clearly. For this reason, it is possible to urge the user's willingness to clean and maintain it. Furthermore, since a housing member that covers the dust collecting container 13 is not required, the structure can be simplified, and the size and weight can be reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum cleaner 2 Suction port 3 Suction pipe 4 Connection pipe 5 Suction hose 6 Vacuum cleaner main body 6a Dust collection unit accommodation part 6b Electric blower accommodation part 7 Hose connection part 8 Dust collection unit 9 Electric blower 10 Wheel 11 Suction air path 12 Housing member 13 Dust collection container 13a Swivel part 13b Dust collection part 14 Inlet 15 Discharge pipe 15a Mesh member 16 Communication part 17 Filter 18 Discharge port 19 Structure 19a Bulkhead 19b Compression member 19c Re-scattering prevention member 20 Exhaust air passage 21 Dust detection Part 21a Transmission part 21b Reception part 22 Reflection part 23 Signal path 23a Transmission path 23b Reception path 24 Dust collection capacity limit position 25 Display part

Claims (11)

A dust collecting container for collecting dust separated from the dust-containing air sucked by the air flow generated by the operation of the electric blower;
A transmission unit that emits a signal; a reflection unit that reflects the signal emitted by the transmission unit; and a reception unit that receives the signal reflected by the reflection unit, and the reception signal received by the reception unit Dust detection means for detecting that a predetermined amount or more of dust has accumulated in the dust container based on strength, and
The said reflection part is provided in the structure provided in the said dust collection container, The vacuum cleaner characterized by the above-mentioned. The dust collecting container includes a swirling unit that swirls the dust-containing air to centrifuge the dust in the dust-containing air, and a dust collecting unit that collects the dust centrifuged by the swirling unit,
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the structure is a partition wall that partitions the swivel unit and the dust collection unit.   2. The re-scattering prevention member that prevents re-scattering of dust accumulated in the dust collecting container by suppressing swirling of an air flow in the dust collecting container. The vacuum cleaner as described in.   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the structure is a compression member that compresses dust accumulated in the dust collection container.   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the structure is a discharge pipe that guides air from which dust is separated from the inside of the dust collecting container to the outside of the dust collecting container. The dust collecting container includes a swirling unit that swirls the dust-containing air to centrifuge the dust in the dust-containing air, and a dust collecting unit that collects the dust centrifuged by the swirling unit,
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the discharge pipe is disposed in the swivel unit.   7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user that the dust detection unit detects that a predetermined amount or more of dust is accumulated in the dust collection container. A vacuum cleaner according to crab.   The dust detection means detects that a predetermined amount or more of dust has accumulated in the dust collecting container when the intensity of the received signal is below a predetermined value for a predetermined first determination time or longer. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the vacuum cleaner is provided.   Controlling to reduce the amount of air generated by the operation of the electric blower when a state where the intensity of the received signal is equal to or less than a predetermined value continues for a predetermined second determination time longer than the first determination time. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 8. The dust collection container has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the central axis of the substantially cylindrical shape is inclined by a predetermined angle from the vertical direction and is accommodated in the cleaner body,
10. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are disposed on a side of the vacuum cleaner body where the dust collecting container is inclined by the predetermined angle from a vertical direction. The electric vacuum cleaner in any one. The dust container has a substantially cylindrical shape,
A line extending a signal path leading to the reflecting part and a line extending a signal path leading to the receiving part where the signal reflected by the reflecting part is extended from the signal emitted from the transmitting part are the center of the substantially cylindrical shape, respectively. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the vacuum cleaner intersects with an axis.

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