FIELD
[0001] Embodiments according to the present invention relate to an electric vacuum cleaner.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A known canister-type electric vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body and a rotatable
handle provided at the front end portion of the cleaner body.
Prior Art Document
Patent Document
SUMMARY
Problems to be solved by Invention
[0004] When the cleaner body is stored in a standing position, the handle of the cleaner
body may hang down and interfere with storage. In addition, when the cleaner body
is used in an inverted position (turned upside down) with respect to the wheels that
support the cleaner body, the handle of the cleaner body may hang down and hinder
running.
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric vacuum
cleaner that can store its movable handle in a non-problematic position even when
the cleaner body is set to the standing position or is used in the inverted position.
Means for solving Problem
[0006] To achieve the above object, an electric vacuum cleaner includes: a body housing
provided with a handle storage recess; a handle that is provided on the body housing
and is configured to move between a storage position in which the handle is entered
the handle storage recess and a use position in which the handle is released from
the handle storage recess; and a handle holding mechanism that holds the handle being
in the storage position in the handle storage recess.
[0007] It may be desired that the handle holding mechanism is configured to hold the handle
being in the storage position in the handle storage recess even when the body housing
is in a standing position.
[0008] It may be desired that the handle holding mechanism is configured to hold the handle
being in the storage position in the handle storage recess even when the body housing
is in an inverted position.
[0009] It may be desired that the handle is swingably provided on the body housing.
[0010] It may be desired that the handle is provided in such a manner that the handle is
configured to be linearly moved in a direction of approaching or moving away from
the body housing.
[0011] It may be desired that the handle holding mechanism includes an elastic member that
generates force to move the handle to the storage position.
[0012] It may be desired that the handle holding mechanism includes a concave member and
a convex member that are provided in the handle and the handle storage recess to be
interdigitated with each other.
[0013] It may be desired that any one of the concave member and the convex member is provided
in the handle storage recess.
[0014] It may be desired that the handle holding mechanism includes a hook mechanism that
moves by its own weight to be hooked on the handle before the handle is released from
the handle storage recess by its own weight.
[0015] It may be desired that the hook mechanism is provided in the handle storage recess.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a station and an electric vacuum cleaner according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the station and the electric vacuum cleaner
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a handle of the electric vacuum
cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention is pulled out.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a handle holding mechanism of the electric vacuum
cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is another cross-sectional view of the handle holding mechanism of the electric
vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is still another cross-sectional view of the handle holding mechanism of the
electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Embodiments of an electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will
be described by referring to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6.
[0018] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views of a station and an electric vacuum cleaner
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present
embodiment can be connected to and stored in a station 2 (Fig. 1), and also can be
used in the state of being separated from the station 2 (Fig. 2).
[0020] Fig. 1 shows a configuration in which the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is connected
to the station 2. This configuration is called a storage configuration of the electric
vacuum cleaner 1. Fig. 2 shows a configuration in which the electric vacuum cleaner
1 is disconnected from the station 2. This configuration is called a use configuration
of the electric vacuum cleaner 1.
[0021] The electric vacuum cleaner 1 is a so-called cordless type. Although the electric
vacuum cleaner 1 is a so-called canister type, the electric vacuum cleaner 3 is not
limited to this type but may be configured as an upright type, a stick type, or a
handy type.
[0022] The station 2 has a function of charging the electric vacuum cleaner 1, a function
of collecting the dust collected using the electric vacuum cleaner 1, and a function
of accumulating the collected dust. The station 2 is placed at an arbitrary place
in a room.
[0023] A user separates the cleaner body 7 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 from the station
2 (Fig. 2), and cleans the surface to be cleaned by running the electric vacuum cleaner
1 on the surface to be cleaned or by holding the electric vacuum cleaner 1 when moving
in the room. Afterward, the user returns (connects) the cleaner body 7 to the station
2 and stores it (Fig. 1). When the cleaner body 7 is connected to the station 2, the
station 2 charges the cleaner body 7 while collecting the dust accumulated inside
the electric vacuum cleaner 1 in a timely manner. That is, every time the electric
vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to the station 2 after being used for cleaning, the
station 2 collects the dust collected by the electric vacuum cleaner 1 so as to empty
the electric vacuum cleaner 1.
[0024] The frequency of collecting the dust from the electric vacuum cleaner 1 to the station
2 may not be each time the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to the station 2.
The station 2 may collect dust from the electric vacuum cleaner 1 every plural number
of times the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to the station 2. For example,
the station 2 may collect dust from the electric vacuum cleaner 1 once a week on the
premise that electric vacuum cleaner 1 is used once a day, i.e., the station 2 may
collect dust from the electric vacuum cleaner 1 every seven times of the use of the
electric vacuum cleaner 1.
[0025] The electric vacuum cleaner includes: the cleaner body 7 that can travel on the surface
to be cleaned; and a tubular part 8 that is attachable to and detachable from the
cleaner body 7. The tubular part 8 is fluidly connected to the cleaner body 7.
[0026] The cleaner body 7 includes: a body housing 11; a pair of wheels 12 provided on the
respective right and left sides of the body housing 11; a primary dust container 13
detachably attached to the body housing 11; a handle 14 provided on the body housing
11; a primary electric blower 15 accommodated in the body housing 11; a cleaner controller
16 mainly for controlling the primary electric blower 15, and a rechargeable battery
17 for storing power to be supplied to the primary electric blower 15.
[0027] The cleaner body 7 drives the primary electric blower 15 by the power stored in the
rechargeable battery 17. The cleaner body 7 acts negative pressure to be generated
using the primary electric blower 15 to the tubular part 8. The electric vacuum cleaner
1 sucks on dust-containing air from the surface to be cleaned through the tubular
part 8, separates dust from the dust-containing air, collects and accumulates the
dust after separation, and exhausts the dust-removed clean air.
[0028] In the front of the body housing 11, a connection port 18 is provided as a suction
port of the cleaner body 7. The connection port 18 is a coupling joint to which the
tubular part 8 can be attached, and from which the tubular part 8 can be detached.
The connection port 18 fluidly connects the tubular part 8 to the primary dust container
13. The connection port 18 may be provided at a portion other than the front portion
of the body housing 11, for example, may be provided on the side face or the top face
of the body housing 11.
[0029] The cleaner body 7 according to the present embodiment is connected to the station
2 in a position in which the front of the body housing 11 is directed upward. This
position in which the front of the body housing 11 is directed upward is referred
to as a storage position of the cleaner body 7 or a storage position of the electric
vacuum cleaner 1. The cleaner body 7 is connected to the station 2 by being lowered
down from above. The cleaner body 7 connected to the station is detached from the
station 2 by being lifted up (elevated). The position in which the connection port
18 is directed upward is also referred to as a standing position of the cleaner body
7.
[0030] In the use configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, the cleaner body 7 is
directed such that the front of the body housing 11 faces the traveling direction,
i.e., the forward direction. Such a position in which the cleaner body 7 can move
on the cleaning target region by traveling on the surface to be cleaned is referred
to as a use position (Fig. 2) of the cleaner body 7. The cleaner body 7 in the use
position grounds the wheels 12 on the surface to be cleaned, and supports the body
housing 11 such that body housing 11 can travel.
[0031] The wheels 12 support the cleaner body 7 such that the cleaner body 7 can travel.
The cleaner body 7 is supported by casters (not shown) in addition to the pair of
wheels 12.
[0032] The primary dust container 13 accumulates the dust to be sucked into the electric
vacuum cleaner 1. The primary dust container 13 separates, collects, and accumulates
the dust from the dust-containing air flowing into the cleaner body 7 while sending
the dust-removed clean air to the primary electric blower 15.
[0033] The handle 14 is used when a user carries the cleaner body 7. The handle 14 is arched
in the width direction of the body housing 11.
[0034] The primary electric blower 15 sucks in air from the primary dust container 13 so
as to generate negative pressure (i.e., suction vacuum pressure).
[0035] The cleaner controller 16 includes a microprocessor (not shown) and a storage device
(not shown) for storing, for example, parameters and various operation programs to
be executed by the microprocessor. The storage device stores various settings (arguments)
related to a plurality of preset operation modes. The operation modes are related
to the output of the primary electric blower 15. Different input values (i.e., input
values of the primary electric blower 15 and current values flowing to the primary
electric blower 15) are set for each operation mode. Each operation mode is associated
with an input received using the tubular part 8. The cleaner controller 16 alternatively
selects an arbitrary operation mode corresponding to the input received using the
tubular part 8 from the preset operation modes, and reads out the selected operation
mode from the storage device so as to drive the primary electric blower 15 on the
basis of the settings of the operation mode having been read out.
[0036] The rechargeable battery 17 supplies power to the primary electric blower 15 and
the cleaner controller 16. The rechargeable battery 17 is electrically connected to
a pair of charging electrodes 19 provided on the cleaner body 7.
[0037] The tubular part 8 sucks in dust-containing air from the surface to be cleaned by
the negative pressure that acts from the cleaner body 7, and leads the dust-containing
air to the cleaner body 7. The tubular part 8 is provided with: a connecting tube
21 detachably connected as a joint to the cleaner body 7; a dust collecting hose 22
fluidly connected to the connecting tube 21; a hand operation tube 23 fluidly connected
to the dust collecting hose 22; a grip 25 protruding from the hand operation tube
23; an input unit 26 provided on the grip 25; an extension tube 27 detachably connected
to the hand operation tube 23; and a cleaner head 28 detachably connected to the extension
tube 27.
[0038] The connecting tube 21 is a joint detachable from the connection port 18. The connecting
tube 21 is fluidly connected to the primary dust container 13 through the connection
port 18.
[0039] The dust collecting hose 22 is a long, flexible, and substantially cylindrical hose.
One end (i.e., the rear end in this case) of the dust collecting hose 22 is fluidly
connected to the connecting tube 21. The dust collecting hose 22 is fluidly connected
to the primary dust container 13 through the connecting tube 21.
[0040] The hand operation tube 23 relays the dust collecting hose 22 and the extension tube
27. One end (i.e., the rear end in this case) of the hand operation tube 23 is fluidly
connected to the other end (i.e., the front end in this case) of the dust collecting
hose 22. The hand operation tube 23 is fluidly connected to the primary dust container
13 through the dust collecting hose 22 and the connecting tube 21.
[0041] The grip 25 is a portion to be gripped by a user's hand for operating the electric
vacuum cleaner 1. The grip 25 protrudes from the hand operation tube 23 in an appropriate
shape that can be readily grasped by the user's hand.
[0042] The input unit 26 includes switches corresponding to the respective operation modes.
For example, the input unit 26 includes: a stop switch 26a corresponding to the operation
of stopping the primary electric blower 15; a start switch 26b corresponding to the
operation of starting the primary electric blower 15; and a brush switch 26c corresponding
to power supply to the cleaner head 28. The stop switch 26a and the start switch 26b
are electrically connected to the cleaner controller 16. A user of the electric vacuum
cleaner 1 can operate the input unit 26 to alternatively select one of the operation
modes of the primary electric blower 15. The start switch 26b also functions as a
selecting switch of the operation modes during operation of the primary electric blower
15. Each time the cleaner controller 16 receives an operation signal from the start
switch 26b, the cleaner controller 16 switches the operation mode in order of strong
→ medium → weak → strong → medium → weak → .... Instead of the start switch 26b, the
input unit 26 may be individually provided with a strong operation switch (not shown),
a medium operation switch (not shown), and a weak operation switch (not shown).
[0043] The extension tube 27 has a telescopic structure in which a plurality of tubular
bodies are overlaid, and is expandable and contractable. A joint structure is provided
at one end (i.e., the rear end in this case) of the extension tube 27, and this joint
structure is attachable to and detachable from the other end (i.e., the front end
in this case) of the hand operation tube 23. The extension tube 27 is fluidly connected
to the primary dust container 13 through the hand operation tube 23, the dust collecting
hose 22, and the connecting tube 21.
[0044] The cleaner head 28 can run or slide on the surface to be cleaned such as a wooden
floor and a carpet, and includes a suction port 31 on its bottom face opposed to the
surface to be cleaned in a running state or a sliding state. In addition, the cleaner
head 28 includes: a rotatable brushbar (roller brushbar, rotatable brush, brush roller)
32 disposed at the suction port 31; and an electric motor 33 for driving the brushbar
32. A joint structure is provided on one end (i.e., the rear end in this case) of
the cleaner head 28, and this joint structure is attachable to and detachable from
the other end (i.e., the front end in this case) of the extension tube 27. The cleaner
head 28 is fluidly connected to the primary dust container 13 through the extension
tube 27, the hand operation tube 23, the dust collecting hose 22, and the connecting
tube 21. That is, the cleaner head 28, the extension tube 27, the hand operation tube
23, the dust collecting hose 22, the connecting tube 21, and the primary dust container
13 is a suction-air passage from the suction port 31 to the primary electric blower
15. Each time the electric motor 33 receives the operation signal from the brush switch
26c, the electric motor 33 alternately repeats the operation start and the operation
stop.
[0045] When the start switch 26b is operated, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 starts up the
primary electric blower 15. For example, when the start switch 26b is operated in
the state where the primary electric blower 15 is stopped, first, the electric vacuum
cleaner 1 starts the primary electric blower 15 in the strong operation mode. When
the start switch 26b is operated again in the strong operation mode, the electric
vacuum cleaner 1 drives the primary electric blower 15 in the medium operation mode.
When the start switch 26b is operated three times, the electric vacuum cleaner 3 drives
the primary electric blower 15 in the weak operation mode. In this manner, every time
the start switch 26b is operated, the above-described mode switching is repeated.
The strong operation mode, the medium operation mode, and the weak operation mode
are predetermined operation modes. The input value to be set for the strong operation
mode is the largest, and the input value to be set for the weak operation mode is
the smallest. The primary electric blower 15 having started up sucks in air from the
primary dust container 13 so as to reduce the pressure inside of the primary dust
container 13 into a negative pressure.
[0046] The negative pressure inside the primary dust container 13 passes sequentially through
the connection port 18, the connecting tube 21, the dust collecting hose 22, the hand
operation tube 23, the extension tube 27, and the cleaner head 28 so as to act on
the suction port 31. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 sucks in the dust on the surface
to be cleaned together with the air using the negative pressure acting on the suction
port 31. The primary dust container 13 separates, collects, and accumulates the dust
from the inhaled dust-containing air, and sends the air having been separated from
the dust-containing air to the primary electric blower 15. The primary electric blower
15 discharges the air sucked in from the primary dust container 13 to the outside
of the cleaner body 7.
[0047] The station 2 is installed at an arbitrary place on the surface to be cleaned. The
station 2 includes a platform 41 connectable to the cleaner body 7, and a dust collection
part 42 integrally provided with the platform 41. The station 2 further includes a
dust transfer tube 43 to be connected to the primary dust container 13 of the electric
vacuum cleaner 1 in the storage configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner 1.
[0048] The platform 41 has substantially the same width dimension as that of the dust collection
part 42, and protrudes to the front of the dust collection part 42 so as to spread
in a rectangular shape. The platform 41 has a shape and size that can accommodate
the cleaner body 7 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 in plan view.
[0049] The platform 41 has charging terminals 45 connectable to the cleaner body 7. When
the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to the station 2, the charging terminals
45 contact the charging electrodes 19 of the cleaner body 7 and are electrically connected
to the charging electrodes 19.
[0050] The platform 41 has a bulge 46 that is disposed to be close to and along the side
face of the cleaner body 7 in the storage configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner
1.
[0051] The dust collection part 42 is disposed behind the platform 41. The dust collection
part 42 is a box formed in an appropriate shape such that the dust collection part
42 can be placed on the surface to be cleaned integrally with the platform 41. The
dust collection part 42 extends upward above the platform 41. The dust collection
part 42 has an appropriate shape that does not interfere with the cleaner body 7 connected
to the platform 41.
[0052] The dust collection part 42 includes: a housing 47; a secondary dust container 48
that collects the dust to be discharged from the primary dust container 13 through
the dust transfer tube 43 and accumulates the collected dust; a secondary electric
blower 49 accommodated in the dust collection part 42 and fluidly connected to the
secondary dust container 48; a station controller 51 mainly for controlling the secondary
electric blower 49; and a power cord 52 for feeding power from a commercial AC power
supply to the dust collection part 42.
[0053] The top plate of the platform 41 and the housing 48 is an integral molding of resin.
[0054] The secondary dust container 48 is fluidly connected to the dust transfer tube 43.
The secondary dust container 48 separates, collects, and accumulates the dust from
the dust-containing air flowing from dust transfer tube 43, and sends the dust-removed
clean air to the secondary electric blower 49. The secondary dust container 48 is
detachably mounted on the left side (i.e., right side as viewed from the front) of
the dust collection part 42 and exposed to the appearance of the station 2.
[0055] The secondary electric blower 49 sucks in air from the secondary dust container 48
so as to generate negative pressure (i.e., suction vacuum pressure), and transfers
the dust from the primary dust container 13 to the secondary dust container 48. The
secondary electric blower 49 is accommodated in the right side (i.e., left part as
viewed from the front) of the dust collection part 42.
[0056] The station controller 51 includes: a microprocessor (not shown); and a storage device
(not shown) for storing, for example, parameters and various operation programs to
be executed using the microprocessor. The station controller 51 executes drivability
control of the secondary electric blower 49 and charge control of the rechargeable
battery 17 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1.
[0057] The dust transfer tube 43 is connected to the primary dust container 13 in the storage
configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner 1. The dust transfer tube 43 is an air
passage for transferring the dust collected using the electric vacuum cleaner 1 to
the secondary dust container 48. When the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to
the station 2, the dust transfer tube 43 is connected to the primary dust container
13 and fluidly connects the primary dust container 13 to the secondary dust container
48.
[0058] The dust transfer tube 43 is connected to the suction side of the secondary dust
container 48. The negative pressure to be generated using the secondary electric blower
49 acts on the dust transfer tube 43 through the secondary dust container 48.
[0059] The dust transfer tube 43 includes: an inlet connected to the primary dust container
13 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1; and an outlet connected to the secondary dust
container 48. The dust transfer tube 43 extends rearward from the inlet disposed at
the platform 41 so as to reach the inside of the dust collection part 42, and bends
and extends upward inside the dust collection part 42 so as to reach the outlet disposed
at the side of the secondary dust container 48.
[0060] The charging terminals 45 and the inlet of the dust transfer tube 43 are provided
on the platform 41 side by side.
[0061] When the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to (i.e., returned to) the station
2, the charging electrodes 19 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 are electrically connected
to the charging terminals 45 of the station 2 and the dust transfer tube 43 of the
station 2 is connected to the primary dust container 13. Thereafter, the station 2
starts charging the rechargeable battery 17 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1. Additionally,
the station 2 starts the secondary electric blower 49 in a timely manner. The secondary
electric blower 49 having been started up sucks in air from the secondary dust container
48 and reduces the pressure inside of the secondary dust container 48 into a negative
pressure.
[0062] The negative pressure inside the secondary dust container 48 acts on the primary
dust container 13 through the dust transfer tube 43. The station 2 sucks in the dust
accumulated in the primary dust container 13 together with air using the negative
pressure acting on the primary dust container 13. The secondary dust container 48
separates, collects, and accumulates the dust from the sucked air, and sends the dust-separated
air to the secondary electric blower 49. The secondary electric blower 49 discharges
the clean air sucked from the secondary dust container 48 to the outside of the station
2.
[0063] Note that the station 2 may be a simple stand that does not have the charging function
of the rechargeable battery 17 or the function of collecting dust from the primary
dust container 13. In addition, the station 2 may be a charging stand having only
the charging function of the rechargeable battery 17. Further, the station 2 may be
a dust station having only the function of collecting dust from the primary dust container
13.
[0064] Next, the handle 14 of the cleaner body 7 according to the embodiment of the present
invention will be described.
[0065] Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the state where the handle of the electric
vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention is pulled out.
[0066] As shown in Fig. 3, the cleaner body 7 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according
to the present embodiment includes the pair of wheels 12.
[0067] The respective wheels 12 are disposed at the right and left ends of the rear half
of the cylindrical structure of the body housing 11 so as to be concentric with the
rear half of the cylindrical structure of the body housing 11. The diameter of each
wheel 12 is larger than the height of the body housing 11 in the vertical direction
(this height corresponds to the diameter of the rear half of the cylindrical structure).
In the side view of the cleaner body 7, i.e., when viewed from the direction of the
rotation centerline of the wheels 12, the wheels 12 cover the rear end of the body
housing 11. Thus, even when the cleaner body 7 is in a state where the body housing
11 is turned upside down (i.e., front and rear of the housing 11 is inverted), the
cleaner body 7 can ground the wheels 12 on the surface to be cleaned. The body housing
11 can be turned upside down (i.e., front and rear of the housing 11 can be inverted)
around the rotation centerline of each wheel 12 without causing its rear end to interfere
with the surface to be cleaned. The cleaner body 7 is provided with a first auxiliary
wheel (not shown) that supports the cleaner body 7 in cooperation with the wheels
12 when the front side (top side) of the cleaner body 7 is directed upward. The connecting
tube 21 is provided with a second auxiliary wheel (not shown) that supports the cleaner
body 7 in cooperation with the wheels 1 when the rear side (bottom side) of the cleaner
body 7 is directed upward.
[0068] Fig. 3 shows the cleaner body 7 in the position in which the front side (rear side)
faces upward.
[0069] The cleaner body 7 includes: the body housing 11 having a handle storage recess 11a;
the handle 14 that is provided on the body housing 11 and can be moved between the
storage position (Fig. 2) where it has entered the handle storage recess 11a and the
use position (Fig. 3) where it has come out of the handle storage recess 11a; and
a handle holding mechanism 61 that holds the handle 14 being in the storage position
in the handle storage recess 11a.
[0070] The handle storage recess 11a is provided at the front edge of the top side of the
body housing 11. The handle storage recess 11a extends so as to follow the shape of
the front edge of the top side of the body housing 11.
[0071] In the use position (i.e., recumbent position) of the cleaner body 7, the use position
in which the handle storage recess 11a of the body housing 11 is directed upward is
referred to as the first use position (i.e., prone position or face-down position).
The use position in which the handle storage recess 11a of the body housing 11 is
directed downward is referred to as the second use position (i.e., inverted position,
supine position, or face-up position). In the first use position, the cleaner body
7 supports the body housing 11 using the wheels 12 and first auxiliary wheel (not
shown) with the top side (top face) of the body housing 11 directed upward. In the
second use position, the cleaner body 7 supports the body housing 11 using the wheels
12 and second auxiliary wheel (not shown) with the bottom side (bottom face) of the
body housing 11 directed upward.
[0072] The handle 14 is bridged between the right and left wheels 12 in an arch. When the
handle 14 is not in use, the handle 14 is housed in the handle storage recess 11a
of the body housing 11 (storage state of the handle 14 as shown in Fig. 2). When being
used, the handle 14 is pulled out of the handle storage recess 11a (the use state
of the handle 14 as shown in Fig. 3).
[0073] The handle 14 is swingably provided on the body housing 11. The swinging centerline
of the handle 14 extends in the width direction (right-left direction) of the body
housing 11 or the cleaner body 7. In other words, the handle 14 moves around the swinging
centerline extending in the width direction of the body housing 11 so as to be pulled
and raised from the handle storage recess 11a.
[0074] The shape of the handle 14 matches the shape of the front edge of the arcuate front
half of the body housing 11. The handle 14 reaches the rear end of the cleaner body
7 when being pulled out most.
[0075] In the first use position in which the cleaner body 7 is placed on the horizontal
plane and the handle storage recess 11a is directed upward, the handle 14 can be moved
to the rear of the cleaner body 7 substantially passing directly above the cleaner
body 7.
[0076] The handle 14 may be provided so as to be linearly movable in the direction of approaching
or moving away from the body housing 11, for example, in the vertical direction in
the first use position (i.e., the direction of passing through the top side and the
bottom side or the direction of passing through the top face and the bottom face).
In other words, the handle 14 may slide in the direction of approaching or moving
away from the body housing 11. In this case, the handle 14 is pulled out of or enters
the handle storage recess 11a.
[0077] In the storage configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, the cleaner body 7
takes the storage position (standing position). In the use configuration of the electric
vacuum cleaner 1, the cleaner body 7 turns over from the first use position with the
handle storage recess 11a directed upward to the second use position with the handle
storage recess 11a directed downward through the standing position, and turns over
from the second use position to the first use position through the standing position.
Such behavior (position change) of the cleaner body 7 may cause the handle 14 to be
released from or housed in the handle storage recess 11a if no restraining force is
applied to the handle 14. Under the assumption that no restraining force is applied
to the handle 14, for example, in the case of changing the position of the cleaner
body 7 from the first use position with the handle storage recess 11a directed upward
to the standing position, the handle 14 is released from the handle storage recess
11a so as to hang on the top side of the cleaner body 7 due to its own weight and
the inertia force caused by this position change and thereby hinders the movement
or running of the cleaner body 7. Under the assumption that no restraining force is
applied to the handle 14, when the cleaner body 7 is stored in the station 2 in the
standing position (Fig. 1), the handle 14 is released from the handle storage recess
11a by its own weight and hangs down on the top side of the cleaner body 7 so as to
impair the appearance of the electric vacuum cleaner 1. Further, under the assumption
that no restraining force is applied to the handle 14 in the second use position (inverted
position) with the handle storage recess 11a directed downward, the handle 14 is released
from the handle storage recess 11a so as to hang down toward the surface to be cleaned
and thereby hinders the movement or running of the cleaner body 7. For example, if
the handle 14 hangs down (like bowing) in the traveling direction (i.e., forward direction)
in the second use position (i.e., inverted position), there is a possibility that
the handle 14 collides so as to hit a step in the traveling direction. If the handle
14 hits a step in the traveling direction, the cleaner body 7 is naturally obstructed
from running.
[0078] For this reason, the cleaner body 7 includes the handle holding mechanism 61. When
the body housing 11 is in the standing position, the handle holding mechanism 61 holds
the handle 14 being in the storage position in the handle storage recess 11a. In addition,
when the body housing 11 is in the inverted position, the handle holding mechanism
61 holds the handle 14 being in the storage position in the handle storage recess
11a. Further, when the body housing 11 is in the middle position between the standing
position and the inverted position, the handle holding mechanism 61 holds the handle
14 being in the storage position in the handle storage recess 11a.
[0079] The handle holding mechanism 61 includes: an elastic member 62 that generates force
to move the handle 14 from the use position to the storage position; concave-convex
portions 63 that are provided on the handle 14 and the handle storage recess 11a so
as to be interdigitated with each other; and a hook mechanism 64 that swings by its
own weight so as to be hooked on the handle 14 before the handle 14 comes out of the
handle storage recess 11a by its own weight.
[0080] Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 are cross-sectional views of the handle holding mechanism of the
electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0081] As shown in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, the handle holding mechanism 61 of the electric vacuum
cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes the concave-convex portions
63 and the hook mechanism 64 in addition to the elastic member 62.
[0082] Fig. 4 illustrates the relationship between the handle holding mechanism 61 and
the handle 14 of the cleaner body 7 in the first use position. Fig. 5 illustrates
the relationship between the handle holding mechanism 61 and the handle 14 of the
cleaner body 7 in the standing position. Fig. 6 illustrates the relationship between
the handle holding mechanism 61 and the handle 14 of the cleaner body 7 in the second
use position.
[0083] The handle 14 is swingably supported by the body housing 11 of the cleaner body 7
via a handle shaft 14a.
[0084] The elastic member 62 is, for example, a torsion spring. When the handle 14 comes
out from the storage position and moves to the use position, the elastic member 62
deforms due to this movement so as to store elastic energy. When the force acting
on the handle 14 (i.e., force for moving the handle 14 from the storage position to
the use position) decreases or is lost, the elastic member 62 consumes the stored
elastic energy so as to generate the force to move the handle 14 from the use position
to the storage position.
[0085] The elastic member 62 may be provided directly on the handle shaft 14a that is provided
so as to match the swinging centerline of the handle 14. Additionally or alternatively,
the elastic member 62 may indirectly transfer the power to and from the handle 14
via the power transmission mechanism 66. The power transmission mechanism 66 is, for
example, a cam mechanism, a link mechanism, or a speed reduction mechanism in which
a plurality of gears (not shown) are meshed. The elastic member 62 may be a coil spring
or a rubber elastic body depending on the power transmission mechanism 66.
[0086] One of the concave-convex portions 63 is provided in the handle storage recess 11a,
and the other of the concave-convex portions 63 is provided in the handle 14. The
concave-convex portions 63 according to the present embodiment include: a convex member
67 provided on the handle storage recess 11a; and a concave member 68 provided on
the handle 14. When the handle 14 enters the handle storage recess 11a and reaches
the storage position, the concave member 68 and the convex member 67 interdigitate
with each other so as to hinder the movement of the handle 14. One of the concave-convex
portions 63, for example, the convex member 67 may be provided so as to be able to
approach and move away from the concave member 68. In this case, for example, it is
preferred that the handle holding mechanism 61 includes a coil spring (not shown)
for generating spring force in the direction in which the convex member 67 is interdigitated
with the concave member 68. In other words, the convex member 67 is provided so as
to be able to protrude and retract from the inner wall face of the handle storage
recess 11a. It is preferred that the protruding and retracting direction of the convex
member 67 intersects the moving direction of the handle 14.
[0087] The hook mechanism 64 is provided in the handle storage recess 11a. The handle storage
recess 11a is provided with a base 69 for supporting the hook mechanism 64. The handle
14 includes a hook receiver 71 that is hooked the hook mechanism 64. The hook mechanism
64 is provided so as to be movable and constantly hangs down with its hook opened
upward by its own weight. On the one hand, the hook mechanism 64 can hook on the hook
receiver 71; on the other hand, when the cleaner body 7 is in the first use position,
the hook mechanism 64 hangs down to unhook or moved away from the hook receiver 71
due to its own weight. Further, the hook mechanism 64 is hooked on the hook receiver
71 in the process in which the cleaner body 7 moves from the first use position to
the standing position. When the hook mechanism 64 hooks on the hook receiver 71, the
handle 14 is held in the handle storage recess 11a. Further, when the cleaner body
7 is in the process of moving from the standing position to the second use position
and when the cleaner body 7 is in the second use position, the hook mechanism 64 maintains
the state of hooking on the hook receiver 71. The hook mechanism 64 is supported by
the base 69 and can rotate at least 180 degrees about the hook receiver 71. In Fig.
4 to Fig. 6, the gravitational acceleration acting on the hook mechanism 64 is indicated
by the solid arrow G.
[0088] The hook mechanism 64 may include a weight 72 for increasing its own weight. Further,
the hook mechanism 64 may have a hook shape of a so-called fishhook. In this case,
the hook mechanism 64 may be provided with a plurality of hooks that includes: a first
hook (not shown) for holding the handle 14 in the standing position; and a second
hook (not shown) for holding the handle 14 in the inverted position.
[0089] It is sufficient that the handle holding mechanism 61 includes at least one of the
elastic member 62, the concave-convex portions 63, and the hook mechanism 64. When
the handle 14 can be held in the handle storage recess 11a against the weight of handle
14, it is not required that the handle holding mechanism 61 includes all of the elastic
member 62, the concave-convex portions 63, and the hook mechanism 64, but it is sufficient
that the handle holding mechanism 61 includes any one of them (62, 63, and 64) or
a combination of two or more of them (62, 63, and 64).
[0090] As described above, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment
includes the handle holding mechanism 61 that holds the handle 14 being in the storage
position in the handle storage recess 11a. Consequently, even if the cleaner body
7 is erected (standing position) or is used upside down (i.e., used in the inverted
position), the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can prevent the handle 14 from being released
from the handle storage recess 11a. That is, in the electric vacuum cleaner 1, the
handle 14 neither hinders storage by hanging down nor hinders running by being caught
on a step on the surface to be cleaned.
[0091] In addition, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes
the elastic member 62 that generates force to move the handle 14 to the storage position.
Consequently, when storing the handle 14, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can automatically
store the handle 14 by the restoring force of the elastic member 62 without intentionally
moving the handle 14 to the handle storage recess 11a.
[0092] Further, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes
the concave-convex portions 63 that are provided in the handle 14 and the handle storage
recess 11a so as to be interdigitated with each other. The concave-convex portions
63 prevents the handle 14 from being released from the handle storage recess 11a by
its simple structure. In other words, in the electric vacuum cleaner 1, the handle
14 does not hang down so as to hinder storage or running.
[0093] Moreover, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment can dispose
any one of the concave member 68 and the convex member 67 in the handle storage recess
11a and can dispose the other in the handle 14. Consequently, the electric vacuum
cleaner 1 can improve the holding force of the handle 14 without impairing manufacturability.
[0094] Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes
the hook mechanism 64 that moves by its own weight so as to be hooked on the handle
14. Consequently, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can reliably hold the handle 14 depending
on the position change of the cleaner body 7. In other words, in the electric vacuum
cleaner 1, the handle 14 neither obstructs storage nor hinders running by hanging
down.
[0095] As described above, according to the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment,
even if the cleaner body 7 is set in the standing position or is used in the inverted
position, the movable handle 14 can be stored at a non-problematic position.
[0096] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented
by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions.
Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the
embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the
inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such
forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
Reference Signs List
[0097]
- 1
- electric vacuum cleaner
- 2
- station
- 7
- cleaner body
- 8
- tubular part
- 11
- body housing
- 11a
- handle storage recess
- 12
- wheel
- 13
- primary dust container
- 14
- handle
- 14a
- handle shaft
- 15
- primary electric blower
- 16
- cleaner controller
- 17
- rechargeable battery
- 18
- connection port
- 19
- charging electrode
- 21
- connecting tube
- 22
- dust collecting hose
- 23
- hand operation tube
- 25
- grip
- 26
- input unit
- 26a
- stop switch
- 26b
- start switch
- 26c
- brush switch
- 27
- extension tube
- 28
- cleaner head
- 31
- suction port
- 32
- brushbar
- 33
- electric motor
- 41
- platform
- 42
- dust collecting part
- 43
- dust transfer tube
- 45
- charging terminal
- 46
- bulge
- 47
- housing
- 48
- secondary dust container
- 49
- secondary electric blower
- 51
- station controller
- 52
- power cord
- 61
- handle holding mechanism
- 62
- elastic member
- 63
- concave-convex portion
- 64
- hook mechanism
- 66
- power transmission mechanism
- 67
- convex member
- 68
- concave member
- 69
- base
- 71
- hook receiver
- 72
- weight