JP7538758B2 - Cleaning system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning system equipped with a charging stand for placing a vacuum cleaner.

Conventional vacuum cleaners include the technologies described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, for example.

Patent document 1 discloses a rechargeable upright vacuum cleaner that includes a motor that generates suction force within the vacuum cleaner body, a dust collection chamber that collects dust, a rechargeable battery, and a floor nozzle. Patent document 1 also includes a charging stand on which the rechargeable upright vacuum cleaner is placed and which charges the battery within the vacuum cleaner body. The charging stand includes a dust collection bag and a suction motor, and when the floor nozzle is fitted into the charging stand, the suction motor starts and sucks dust that has been collected in the dust collection chamber within the rechargeable upright vacuum cleaner through the opening of the floor nozzle into the dust collection bag in the charging stand.

Patent Document 2 discloses a robot vacuum cleaner that travels autonomously on a floor surface. The robot vacuum cleaner includes a first electric blower that sucks up dust on the floor surface, a first dust collection unit that collects the sucked up dust, a storage battery, a rotating brush, and drive wheels. Patent Document 2 also includes a charging stand that connects to the robot vacuum cleaner and charges the storage battery. The charging stand includes a second dust collection unit and a second electric blower, and after connecting to the robot vacuum cleaner, the second electric blower is operated to transfer dust collected in the first dust collection unit to the second dust collection unit.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-84161 JP 2019-166276 A

In the technology described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the suction motor (second electric blower) installed on the charging stand is started to transfer the dust collected in the dust collection chamber of the vacuum cleaner to the dust collection bag (second dust collection unit) installed on the charging stand. Therefore, when dust accumulates in the dust collection bag (second dust collection unit) and the suction force weakens, there is an issue that the dust in the dust collection bag (second dust collection unit) on the vacuum cleaner cannot be sufficiently collected in the dust collection bag (second dust collection unit) installed on the charging stand.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a cleaning system that improves the efficiency of transferring dust from the vacuum cleaner to a charging base that can also collect dust.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a cleaning system comprising a vacuum cleaner having a blower and a dust collecting section that collects dust by the suction force of the blower, and a charging base on which the vacuum cleaner is placed and which has a communicating tube section through which dust collected in the dust collecting section passes or is collected, the dust collecting section being located directly above the communicating tube section when the vacuum cleaner is placed on the charging base and having an openable and closable lid body that communicates with the communicating tube section, and configured such that when the blower is driven with the dust collecting section and the communicating tube section connected, a swirling flow of air flowing from the dust collecting section toward the communicating tube section and an air flow from the communicating tube section toward the dust collecting section are generated in the dust collecting section and the communicating tube section .

The present invention provides a cleaning system that improves the efficiency of dust transfer from the vacuum cleaner to the charging stand.

1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a vacuum cleaner placed on a charging stand according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of switch buttons of an operation switch section. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating other examples of switch buttons of the operation switch section. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the cleaning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cleaning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention taken along a vertical direction. 5 is an operational flowchart of an automatic cleaning mode of a dust collecting unit by automatic operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is an operational flowchart of an automatic cleaning mode of a dust collection unit by manual operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cleaning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention taken along the vertical direction. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cleaning system according to a third embodiment of the present invention, taken along the vertical direction. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cleaning system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, cut along the vertical direction. FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a vacuum cleaner placed on a charging stand according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a control block diagram of a cleaning system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar components are given similar reference numerals and similar descriptions will not be repeated.

The various components of the present invention do not necessarily have to be independent entities, and it is permissible for one component to be made up of multiple members, for multiple components to be made up of one member, for one component to be part of another component, or for part of one component to overlap with part of another component.

Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a vacuum cleaner placed on a charging stand according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A is a diagram showing an example of a switch button of an operation switch section. Figure 2B is a diagram showing another example of a switch button of an operation switch section. In the first embodiment, front, back, left, right, and up and down are defined from the viewpoint of the user performing cleaning.

In FIG. 1, the cleaning system 1 includes a vacuum cleaner 10 and a charging stand 20 that supports the vacuum cleaner 10. The charging stand 20 charges the vacuum cleaner 10 and also collects dust. When the vacuum cleaner 10 is not in use, it is placed on the charging stand 20 to charge it.

The vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a vacuum cleaner body 11, an extension tube 12 having one end connected to the vacuum cleaner body 11, and a suction body 13 having the other end connected to the extension tube. The vacuum cleaner body 11 comprises a motor case 111 that houses a blower 110 that generates suction force, a dust collection section 112 that collects dust sucked in by the suction force of the blower 110, a handle section 113 that is gripped by the user, and a storage battery 114 for supplying power to the blower 110. The handle section 113 comprises an operating switch section 115.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the operation switch unit 115 is provided with an operation control button 1151a for selecting the operation of the blower 110, an automatic cleaning control button 1151b (manual start button) for executing automatic cleaning, an off button 1152 for stopping the operation of the blower 110, and a display unit 1153a for displaying the remaining charge of the storage battery 114, filter maintenance, and the automatic cleaning status of the dust collection unit. In the first embodiment, the operation control button 1151a has two modes, "strong" and "standard." The operation control button 1151a also doubles as the automatic cleaning control button 1151b (manual start button), and pressing and holding the "standard" button for three seconds executes the automatic cleaning described below.

In FIG. 2A, the operation control button 1151a and the automatic cleaning control button 1151b are configured to serve as both buttons, but as shown in FIG. 2B, the operation control button 1151a and the automatic cleaning control button 1151b may be configured separately. In FIG. 2B, the automatic cleaning control button 1151b is configured independent of the operation control button 1151a. Furthermore, in FIG. 2B, a display unit 1153b is provided around the automatic cleaning control button 1151b.

Figure 3 is a control block diagram of the cleaning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. An AC adapter 21 is connected to the charging base 20, and converts alternating current to direct current. A female connector 23 is connected to the AC adapter 21 via a power line 22. The vacuum cleaner 10 has a male connector 116 that connects to the female connector 23 of the charging base 20 when placed on the charging base 20, and a control unit 118 that is connected to the male connector 116 via a power line 117. The control unit 118 has a memory unit that stores a control program required for operating and charging the vacuum cleaner 10, and a central processing unit that executes the control program. In addition, a storage battery 114 and a blower 110 are connected to the control unit 118 and controlled by the control unit 118.

When cleaning the floor, the vacuum cleaner 10 is removed from the charging stand 20. When the operation control button 1151 of the operation switch unit 115 is pressed, the blower 110 starts operating and generates suction force. Dust on the floor is sucked in by the suction body. The suction body 13 is in contact with the sucked dust, and the dust sucked in by the suction body 13 is collected in the dust collection unit 112 via the extension tube 12. The vacuum cleaner 10 of Example 1 is a cyclone type vacuum cleaner, and dust and air are separated by centrifugal separation, and only the air is exhausted from the exhaust port.

After cleaning is completed, the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging base 20 and charging begins. In addition, the first embodiment is characterized in that the dust collected in the dust collection unit 112 of the vacuum cleaner 10 is transferred to a dust container in the charging base 20. This configuration will be described below.

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, cut in the vertical direction. The dust collection unit 112 includes an outer cylinder 1121 that forms the outer shell of the dust collection unit 112, an inner cylinder 1122 housed inside the outer cylinder 1121, an umbrella portion 1123 arranged below the inner cylinder 1122, a convex portion 1124 that protrudes downward from the umbrella portion 1123, and a compression spring 1125 that is arranged between the inner cylinder 1122 and the convex portion 1124 and biases the umbrella portion 1123 and the convex portion 1124 downward. In the first embodiment, the umbrella portion 1123, the convex portion 1124, and the compression spring 1125 form a dust discharge mechanism.

A filter storage chamber 1126 is formed above the outer cylinder 1121. A first filter 1127 that filters out dust contained in the air that has passed through the inner cylinder 1122 is provided below the filter storage chamber 1126, and a second filter 1128 that filters out dust contained in the air that has passed through the first filter 1127 is provided above (downstream of) the first filter 1127.

The blower 110 is disposed above (downstream of) the filter storage chamber 1126, and the filter storage chamber 1126 is connected to the suction port of the blower 110. The vacuum cleaner body 11 is provided with an exhaust port 119 that exhausts the exhaust air of the blower 110 to the outside.

A lid 1129 that opens downward is provided below the dust collection unit 112 (outer cylinder 1121). The lid 1129 is rotatably supported on the dust collection unit 112 (outer cylinder 1121) by a lid hinge 1129a.

An inlet 1121a that communicates with the extension tube 12 is formed above the outer cylinder 1121, and the inlet 1121a is positioned offset from the central axis 120 of the outer cylinder 1121 so that the air flowing in from the inlet 1121a swirls inside the outer cylinder 1121.

In the vacuum cleaner 10 of the first embodiment, the central axis 12a of the extension tube 12, the central axis 120 of the outer cylinder 1121, and the central axis 110a of the blower 110 are all oriented in the same direction.

On the other hand, the charging stand 20 includes a cylindrical portion 201 that is recessed downward, a conical portion 202 disposed below the cylindrical portion 201, and a dust container accommodating portion 204 that is formed below the conical portion 202 and communicates with the conical portion 202 via a lower surface connecting portion 203. In the first embodiment, the cylindrical portion 201 and the conical portion 202 form a communicating tube portion 200. The communicating tube portion 200 has a circular or D-shaped shape when viewed from above. When the communicating tube portion 200 is D-shaped, a flat surface is located on the lid hinge 1129a. The lower surface connecting portion 203 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and its diameter is formed larger than the outer diameter of the umbrella portion 1123, so that dust accumulated under the umbrella portion 1123 is sent to the dust container 205 without clogging. That is, the communicating tube portion 200 of the first embodiment has the function of passing the dust collected in the dust collection portion 112 and sending it to the dust container 205.

Inside the dust container housing 204, there is a dust container 205 that receives dust from the dust collection unit 112. The dust container housing 204 is also provided with an openable door 206 as indicated by the dashed line, and the dust container 205 can be removed from the charging stand 20 by opening the openable door 206. A sealing member (not shown) is provided between the dust container housing 204 and the openable door 206, making the inside of the dust container housing 204 an airtight space.

The connection between the dust collection unit 112 and the charging base 20 is provided with a connection seal member 207 to maintain airtightness. This connection seal member 207 may be provided on either the charging base 20 side or the dust collection unit 112 side.

The dust collection unit 112 is located directly above the communicating cylinder 200 when the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging base 20. When the dust collection unit 112 and the charging base 20 are connected, the lid 1129 is unlocked and opens toward the cylindrical portion 201 with the lid hinge 1129a as a fulcrum. When the lid 1129 opens, the dust accumulated in the dust collection unit 112 falls toward the cylindrical portion 201 by gravity. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the umbrella portion 1123 and the convex portion 1124 slide toward the charging base 20 side due to the action of the compression spring 1125 that urges the umbrella portion 1123 and the convex portion 1124 downward, pushing the dust attached to the inside and around the umbrella portion 1123 and the convex portion 1124 downward toward the cylindrical portion 201.

Furthermore, in Example 1, the blower 110 is driven to discharge the dust collected in the dust collection unit 112. In conventional vacuum cleaners, a suction blower is provided on the charging base side to suck out the dust collected on the vacuum cleaner side, but Example 1 is characterized in that the blower on the vacuum cleaner side is used to discharge the dust on the charging base side. Next, the operation of discharging dust on the charging base side will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 5 is an operation flowchart of the automatic cleaning mode of the dust collection unit by automatic operation according to Example 1 of the present invention. In Example 1, automatic cleaning means driving the blower 110 while the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging base.

When cleaning is completed and the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20, the control unit 118 starts the automatic cleaning mode of the dust collection unit 112 (step S501).

Next, the control unit 118 executes detection control of charging the storage battery 114 (step S502) and detects whether charging the storage battery 114 is being performed (step S503). If the control unit 118 determines that charging the storage battery 114 is being performed (Yes in step S503), it continues charging the storage battery 114 (step S504). If the control unit 118 determines that charging the storage battery 114 is not being performed (No in step S503), it repeats the operation from step S502. The control unit 118 determines whether the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20 depending on whether charging the storage battery 114 is being performed in step S503. In other words, if at least charging is being performed on the storage battery 114, it determines that the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20.

Whether the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20 may be determined using a mechanical ground sensor (not shown) provided on the suction body 13 in addition to the charging state of the storage battery 114 described above. The ground sensor is a detection means that prevents the rotating brush (not shown) provided on the suction body 13 from operating when it is separated from the floor. As shown in FIG. 1, when the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20, the suction body 13 is configured to be grounded, so that the ground sensor of the suction body 13 can detect the ground. In other words, when the storage battery 114 is charged and the ground sensor can determine that the suction body 13 is grounded, it can be determined that the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20. This makes it possible to reliably determine that the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20 even when the power line 22 and the female connector 23 are removable from the charging stand 20.

The control unit 118 detects the remaining charge of the storage battery 114 and determines whether the remaining charge of the storage battery 114 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (step S505). If the remaining charge of the storage battery 114 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount (Yes in step S505), the control unit 118 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the vacuum cleaner 10 was placed on the charging base 20 (since the dust collection unit 112 entered the automatic cleaning start mode) (step S506). This predetermined time is a time that is intentionally set based on the time required for the vacuum cleaner 10 to be placed on the charging base 20, the lid 1129 to open, and dust to fall into the cylindrical portion 201, the time required for the user to leave the vacuum cleaner 10 after it is placed on the charging base 20, etc.

If the remaining charge of the storage battery 114 is less than the predetermined amount (No in step S505) and if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the vacuum cleaner 10 was placed on the charging stand 20 (No in step S506), the operation from step S504 is repeated.

In step S506, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the vacuum cleaner 10 was placed on the charging stand 20 (Yes in step S506), the control unit 118 executes an alarm mode to notify the user that the dust collection unit 112 is performing automatic cleaning (step S507). In the alarm mode of the first embodiment, the display units 1153a and 1153b installed on the operation switch unit 115 of the vacuum cleaner 10 are turned on (see Figures 2A and 2B).

After executing the alarm mode, the control unit 118 drives the blower 110 (step S508) and performs automatic cleaning of the dust collection unit 112.

Here, the automatic cleaning operation of the dust collection section 112 will be explained by returning to FIG. 4. When the blower 110 is driven, air is sucked in through the suction body 13 and the extension tube 12, and the sucked air flows into the outer tube 1121 through the inlet 1121a. The air that flows into the outer tube 1121 becomes a swirling flow, and flows downward along the inner wall of the outer tube 1121, that is, from the dust collection section 112 toward the communicating tube section 200. In other words, the length of the swirling flow axis of the dust collection section 112 is extended by the communicating tube section 200. As a result, compared to when the air swirls only in the dust collection section 112, the distance over which the air swirls as a swirling flow, that is, the number of times it swirls, increases, so that dust moving by centrifugal force is more likely to reach the inner wall surface of the dust collection section 112 or the communicating tube section 200 even if its mass is small. The dust in the dust collection section 112 moves by the swirling flow to the cylindrical section 201 and the conical section 202, and is finally collected in the dust container 205 located below the communicating tube section 200.

The air swirling around the outer tube 1121 changes direction, creating a flow from the communicating tube section 200 toward the dust collection section 112, passing through a mesh filter formed in the umbrella section 1123, and then passing through a mesh filter provided on the outer periphery of the inner tube 1122 to reach the filter storage chamber 1126. The air that flows into the filter storage chamber 1126 passes through the first filter 1127 and the second filter 1128, is sucked into the blower 110, and is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 119. In this way, automatic cleaning of the dust collection section 112 is performed.

Returning to FIG. 5, the control unit 118 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the blower 110 was driven (step S509), and if the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S509), stops the operation of the blower 110 (step S510). If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S509 (No in step S509), the control unit 118 repeats the operations from step S507.

After the blower 510 stops, the control unit 118 cancels the notification mode that notifies the user that automatic cleaning is in progress (step S511). In the first embodiment, the display units 1153a and 1153b installed on the operation switch unit 115 of the vacuum cleaner 10 are turned off (see Figures 2A and 2B).

Through the above steps, automatic cleaning of the dust collection unit 112 is completed. In the above embodiment, cleaning of the dust collection unit 112 is performed automatically when the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20, but it can also be performed manually by the user. The manual mode will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the automatic cleaning mode of the dust collection unit by manual operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the operation of cleaning the dust collection unit by manual operation is referred to as the automatic cleaning mode. Manual operation is the operation of driving the blower 110 by the user's will.

When cleaning is completed and the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20, the control unit 118 starts the manual cleaning mode of the dust collection unit 112 (step S601).

Next, the control unit 118 executes detection control of charging the storage battery 114 (step S602). The control unit 118 determines whether the manual start button (automatic cleaning control button 1151b, 24) of the dust collection unit 112 has been pressed (step S603). In the first embodiment, manual cleaning is started by pressing and holding the "standard" operation control button 1151 of the operation switch unit 115 for three seconds.

When the manual start button (automatic cleaning control button 1151b, 24) of the dust collection unit 112 is pressed (Yes in step S603), the control unit 118 detects whether charging to the storage battery 114 is being performed (step S604).

If the manual start button (automatic cleaning control button 1151b, 24) of the dust collection unit 112 is not pressed (No in step S603), the operation from step S602 is repeated.

When the control unit 118 determines that charging of the storage battery 114 is being performed (Yes in step S604), it continues charging the storage battery 114 (step S605). When the control unit 118 determines that charging of the storage battery 114 is not being performed (No in step S604), it notifies that charging cannot be started (step S606) and repeats the operations from step S602. The means for notifying that charging cannot be started is, for example, blinking the charging mark (battery mark) in FIG. 2.

The control unit 118 determines whether the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20 based on whether charging of the storage battery 114 is being performed in step S604. In other words, if charging of the storage battery 114 is being performed, it determines that the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20.

The control unit 118 detects the remaining charge of the storage battery 114 and determines whether the remaining charge of the storage battery 114 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (step S607). If the remaining charge of the storage battery 114 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount (Yes in step S607), the control unit 118 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the vacuum cleaner 10 was placed on the charging base 20 (since the manual cleaning start mode of the dust collection unit 112 was entered) (step S608). This predetermined time is a time that is intentionally set based on the time required for the vacuum cleaner 10 to be placed on the charging base 20, the lid 1129 to open, and dust to fall into the cylindrical portion 201, the time required for the user to leave the vacuum cleaner 10 after it is placed on the charging base 20, etc.

If the remaining charge of the storage battery 114 is less than the predetermined amount (No in step S607) or if a predetermined time has not elapsed since the vacuum cleaner 10 was placed on the charging stand 20 (No in step S608), the system notifies the user that the system is in the preparation mode (step S609), and then repeats the operations from step S605. In the preparation mode, for example, the display units 1153a and 1153b flash (see Figures 2A and 2B).

In step S608, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the vacuum cleaner 10 was placed on the charging stand 20 (Yes in step S608), the control unit 118 executes an alarm mode that notifies the user that the dust collection unit 112 is cleaning (step S610). In the alarm mode of the first embodiment, the display units 1153a and 1153b installed on the operation switch unit 115 of the vacuum cleaner 10 are turned on (see Figures 2A and 2B).

After executing the alarm mode, the control unit 118 drives the blower 110 (step S611) and cleans the dust collection unit 112.

The cleaning operation of the dust collection unit 112 is the same as the automatic cleaning described using Figure 4, so a detailed description will be omitted.

The control unit 118 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the blower 110 was driven (step S612), and if the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S612), stops the operation of the blower 110 (step S613). If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S612 (No in step S612), the control unit 118 repeats the operation from step S610.

After the blower 510 stops, the control unit 118 cancels the notification mode that notifies the user that the dust collection unit 112 is cleaning (step S614). In the first embodiment, the display units 1153a and 1153b installed on the operation switch unit 115 of the vacuum cleaner 10 are turned off (see Figures 2A and 2B).

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the dust in the dust collection section 112 of the vacuum cleaner 10 is transferred to the charging base 20 side by utilizing a swirling flow, so that the dust can be transferred to the charging base 20 regardless of the dust collection state on the charging base 20 side. Also, according to the first embodiment, the dust collection section 112 and the communication tube section 200 communicate with each other, increasing the number of air swirls, so that even fine dust can be collected from the dust collection section 112. Also, according to the first embodiment, a blower for sucking up dust from the dust collection section 112 of the vacuum cleaner 10 is not required on the charging base 20 side, so that manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cleaning system according to the second embodiment of the present invention cut in the vertical direction. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

The difference between Example 2 and Example 1 is the configuration of the charging stand 20.

In the first embodiment, a dust container accommodating section 204 was provided below the cone section 202, but in the second embodiment, the dust container 205 is eliminated, and the communicating tube section 200 doubles as the dust container.

Dust that falls from the dust collection section 112 passes through the cylindrical section 201 that forms the communicating tube section 200 and accumulates in the conical section 202.

The communicating tube portion 200 can be detached from the charging base 20 at the detachable portion 208, and by removing the communicating tube portion 200 from the charging base 20, dust that has accumulated in the communicating tube portion 200 can be disposed of.

When disposing of the dust that has accumulated in the communicating tube portion 200, a bag may be placed inside the communicating tube portion 200, the dust may be collected in the bag, and the collected dust may be disposed of together with the bag.

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the communication tube portion 200 also serves as a dust container, so that the configuration of the charging stand 20 can be simplified.

Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cleaning system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, cut in the vertical direction. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

The difference between Example 3 and Example 1 is the configuration of the charging stand 20.

In the first embodiment, the dust container accommodating section 204 is provided below the conical section 202, but in the third embodiment, the dust container 205 and the conical section 202 are eliminated, and the communicating tube section 200 is formed only by the cylindrical section 201, and the communicating tube section 200 also serves as the dust container.

Dust that falls from the dust collection section 112 accumulates at the bottom of the communicating tube section 200 (cylindrical section 201).

The communicating tube portion 200 (cylindrical portion 201) can be attached and detached from the charging base 20 by the detachment portion 208, and by removing the communicating tube portion 200 (cylindrical portion 201) from the charging base 20, dust that has accumulated in the communicating tube portion 200 (cylindrical portion 201) can be disposed of.

When disposing of the dust that has accumulated in the communicating tube portion 200 (cylindrical portion 201), a bag may be placed inside the communicating tube portion 200 (cylindrical portion 201), the dust may be collected in the bag, and the collected dust may be disposed of together with the bag.

According to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the communicating tube portion 200 also serves as a dust container, so that the configuration of the charging stand 20 can be simplified and the volume of the dust container can be increased.

Next, Example 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cleaning system according to Example 4 of the present invention cut in the vertical direction. The same components as those in Example 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

The difference between Example 4 and Example 1 is the configuration of the vacuum cleaner 10A. In the vacuum cleaner 10 of Example 1, the central axis 12a of the extension tube 12, the central axis 120 of the outer cylinder 1121, and the central axis 110b of the blower 110 were all oriented in the same direction.

In the vacuum cleaner 10A of the fourth embodiment, the central axis 12b of the extension tube 12 and the central axis 110b of the blower 110 face in the same direction (front-to-back direction), and these central axes 12b, 110b are perpendicular to the central axis 120 of the outer cylinder 1121. The central axis 120 of the outer cylinder 1121 faces in the up-down direction.

In FIG. 9, a cyclone section 130 that communicates with the inner cylinder 1122 is formed above the outer cylinder 1121. A ventilation passage 123 that extends in the front-to-rear direction is formed above the cyclone section 130 and communicates with the intake port of the blower 110. The central axis 110b of the blower 110 is perpendicular to the central axis 120 of the outer cylinder 1121.

A filter 131 is provided between the cyclone section 130 and the ventilation passage 123. The cyclone section 130 functions as a first filter, and the filter 131 arranged downstream of the cyclone section 130 functions as a second filter.

An inlet 1121a that communicates with the extension tube 12 is formed above the outer tube 1121, and the inlet 1121a is positioned offset from the central axis 120 of the outer tube 1121 so that the air flowing in from the inlet 1121a swirls inside the outer tube 1121. The extension tube 12 is connected so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction of the vacuum cleaner 10A.

The central axis 12b of the extension tube 12 is perpendicular to the central axis 120 of the outer tube 1121. In the configuration of FIG. 9, the central axis 12b of the extension tube 12 and the central axis 110b of the blower 110 face in the same direction (front-to-back direction), and these central axes 12b, 110b are perpendicular to the central axis 120 of the outer tube 1121. The extension tube 12 may be removed when it is placed on the charging stand 20.

The configuration of the charging stand 20 is the same as in Example 1.

When the dust collection unit 112 and the charging stand 20 are connected, the lid 1129 is unlocked and opens toward the cylindrical part 201 with the lid hinge 1129a as a fulcrum. When the lid 1129 opens, the dust that has accumulated in the dust collection unit 112 falls toward the cylindrical part 201 by gravity. The umbrella part 1123 and the convex part 1124 are provided with a compression spring 1125 that biases them downward, so that the action of this compression spring 1125 pushes the dust that has adhered around the umbrella part 1123 and the convex part 1124 downward toward the cylindrical part 201.

Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the blower 110 is driven to discharge the dust collected in the dust collection unit 112. Next, the operation of discharging the dust to the charging base side will be described.

When the blower 110 is driven, air is sucked in through the suction body 13 and the extension tube 12, and the sucked air flows into the outer cylinder 1121 through the inlet 1121a. The air that flows into the outer cylinder 1121 becomes a swirling flow and flows downward along the inner wall of the outer cylinder 1121, that is, from the dust collection section 112 toward the communicating cylinder section 200. The dust in the dust collection section 112 moves to the cylindrical section 201 and the conical section 202 by the swirling flow, and is finally stored in the dust container 205. The air that swirls around the outer cylinder 1121 changes direction and generates a flow from the communicating cylinder section 200 toward the dust collection section 112, passes through a mesh filter formed in the umbrella section 1123, and further passes through a mesh filter provided on the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 1122 to reach the cyclone section 130.

In the cyclone section 130, the air that has been centrifuged in the outer tube 1121 and passed through the inner tube 1122 is divided into multiple flows, and then the dust contained in the air is centrifuged at multiple locations. The centrifuged air is then passed through a filter 131 to filter out the dust contained in the air. The air that has passed through the filter 131 is then sucked into the blower 110 and exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 119. In this manner, automatic cleaning of the dust collection section 112 is performed.

According to Example 4, the same effect as in Example 1 can be obtained even if the shape of the vacuum cleaner 10A is changed.

Next, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11. Fig. 10 is an external perspective view of a vacuum cleaner placed on a charging stand according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a control block diagram of a cleaning system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The difference between Example 5 and Example 1 is that the automatic cleaning control button and display are provided on the charging base 20.

In FIG. 10, the charging stand 20 is provided at the front upper portion with an automatic cleaning control button 24 and a display unit 25. The other configuration is the same as that in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 11, a display unit 25 is arranged around the automatic cleaning control button 24 provided on the charging stand 20. A female connector 27 is connected to the automatic cleaning control button 24 (manual start button) and the display unit 25 via a power line 26.

The vacuum cleaner 10 is provided with a male connector 121 that connects to the female connector 27 of the charging base 20 when placed on the charging base 20. The male connector 121 is connected to the control unit 118 via a power line 122.

When cleaning is completed and the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20, automatic cleaning of the dust collection section is performed by the automatic operation shown in FIG. 5. During automatic cleaning, a signal from the control unit 118 is sent to the display unit 25 via the power line 122, the male connector 121, the female connector 27, and the power line 26, and the display unit 25 lights up.

When performing automatic cleaning of the dust collection unit by manual operation as shown in FIG. 6, the automatic cleaning control button 24 installed on the charging base 20 is pressed. Information that the automatic cleaning control button 24 (manual start button) has been pressed is transmitted to the control unit 118 via the power line 26, the female connector 27, the male connector 121, and the power line 122, and the automatic cleaning of the dust collection unit by manual operation as shown in FIG. 6 is performed. During automatic cleaning, a signal from the control unit 118 is transmitted to the display unit 25 via the power line 122, the male connector 121, the female connector 27, and the power line 26, and the display unit 25 is turned on.

According to Example 5, in addition to the effects of Example 1, the charging base 20 is provided with a display unit 25, which improves visibility of the automatic cleaning state. Furthermore, in Example 5, the charging base 20 is provided with an automatic cleaning control button 24, which improves operability when performing manual operation when performing automatic cleaning of the dust collection unit.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various modifications. The above-described embodiment has been described in detail to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to having all of the configurations described.

1... cleaning system, 10, 10A... electric vacuum cleaner, 11... vacuum cleaner body, 12... extension tube, 12a, 12b... central axis of extension tube, 13... suction mouth body, 110... blower, 110a, 110b... central axis of blower, 111... motor case, 112... dust collection section, 1121... outer tube, 1121a... inlet, 1122... inner tube, 1123... umbrella section, 1124... convex section, 1125... compression spring, 1126... filter storage chamber, 1127... first filter, 1128... second filter, 1129... lid, 1129a... lid hinge, 113... handle section, 114... storage battery, 115... operation switch section, 1151...operation control button, 1152...off button, 1153a, 1153b...display unit, 116...male connector, 117...power line, 118...control unit, 119...exhaust port, 120...center line of outer cylinder 1121, 121...male connector, 122...power line, 123...ventilation path, 20...charging stand, 21...AC adapter, 22...power line, 23...female connector, 24...automatic cleaning control button, 25...display unit, 200...communicating cylinder portion, 201...cylindrical portion, 202...conical portion, 203...bottom connection portion, 204...dust container storage portion, 205...dust container, 206...opening and closing door, 207...connection seal member.

Claims (13)

A cleaning system including a vacuum cleaner having a blower and a dust collecting unit that collects dust by the suction force of the blower, and a charging stand on which the vacuum cleaner is placed and which has a communicating tube part through which the dust collected in the dust collecting unit passes or is collected,
the dust collection unit is located directly above the communication tube when the vacuum cleaner is placed on the charging base, and includes an openable and closable cover that communicates with the communication tube;
This cleaning system is characterized in that, when the blower is driven while the dust collecting unit and the communicating tube unit are connected to each other, a swirling flow of air flowing from the dust collecting unit to the communicating tube unit, and an air flow from the communicating tube unit to the dust collecting unit are generated in the dust collecting unit and the communicating tube unit. The cleaning system according to claim 1 ,
The cleaning system according to claim 1, further comprising: a dust container disposed on the charging base and connected to the communication tube portion. The cleaning system according to claim 2 ,
A cleaning system, wherein the charging base is provided with an opening/closing door for removing the dust container from the charging base. A cleaning system including a vacuum cleaner having a blower and a dust collecting unit that collects dust by the suction force of the blower, and a charging stand on which the vacuum cleaner is placed and which has a communicating tube part through which the dust collected in the dust collecting unit passes or is collected,
the dust collection unit is located directly above the communication tube when the vacuum cleaner is placed on the charging base, and includes an openable and closable cover that communicates with the communication tube;
The blower is driven in a state in which the dust collecting section and the communication tube section are in communication with each other,
A cleaning system, wherein the communicating tube portion is composed of a cylindrical portion and a conical portion disposed below the cylindrical portion. The cleaning system according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 ,
The dust collection unit includes a dust discharge mechanism,
The dust discharge mechanism is composed of an umbrella portion and a compression spring,
A cleaning system, characterized in that, when the vacuum cleaner is placed on the charging base, the lid opens and the umbrella portion slides toward the charging base. In claim 5 ,
the charging stand includes a dust container communicating with the communication tube portion,
A bottom connection portion is formed between the communication tube portion and the dust container,
A cleaning system, characterized in that the underside connection portion is cylindrical and the diameter of the underside connection portion is larger than the outer diameter of the umbrella portion. A cleaning system including a vacuum cleaner having a blower and a dust collecting unit that collects dust by the suction force of the blower, and a charging stand on which the vacuum cleaner is placed and which has a communicating tube part through which the dust collected in the dust collecting unit passes or is collected,
the dust collection unit is located directly above the communication tube when the vacuum cleaner is placed on the charging base, and includes an openable and closable cover that communicates with the communication tube;
The blower is driven in a state in which the dust collecting section and the communication tube section are in communication with each other,
The vacuum cleaner includes a storage battery and a control unit that controls the blower.
The control unit determines whether or not the vacuum cleaner is placed on the charging stand by determining whether or not charging of the storage battery is being performed. A cleaning system including a vacuum cleaner having a blower and a dust collecting unit that collects dust by the suction force of the blower, and a charging stand on which the vacuum cleaner is placed and which has a communicating tube part through which the dust collected in the dust collecting unit passes or is collected,
the dust collection unit is located directly above the communication tube when the vacuum cleaner is placed on the charging base, and includes an openable and closable cover that communicates with the communication tube;
The blower is driven in a state in which the dust collecting section and the communication tube section are in communication with each other,
The vacuum cleaner includes a suction body that sucks dust, a storage battery, and a control unit that controls the blower,
The suction body has a ground sensor that detects ground contact,
The control unit determines whether the vacuum cleaner is placed on the charging stand by determining whether charging of the storage battery is being performed and whether the ground sensor detects grounding. A cleaning system according to claim 7 or 8 ,
The cleaning system is characterized in that the control unit detects that charging of the storage battery is being performed and then drives the blower when it determines that the remaining charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. A cleaning system according to claim 7 or 8 ,
The cleaning system, wherein the control unit, when determining that the remaining charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, drives the blower after a predetermined time has elapsed. A cleaning system according to claim 7 or 8 ,
The cleaning system is characterized in that the vacuum cleaner or the charging stand is provided with a display unit that notifies the user that the blower is operating. A cleaning system according to claim 7 or 8 ,
A manual start button is provided for manually operating the blower,
The cleaning system is characterized in that the control unit detects that charging of the storage battery is being performed after the manual start button is pressed, and drives the blower if it determines that the remaining charge of the storage battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. 13. The cleaning system of claim 12 ,
A cleaning system, wherein the manual start button is provided on an operation switch section of the vacuum cleaner or on the charging stand.

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