VERTICAL ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANER

Abstract

 A upright electric vacuum cleaner has floor suction device (19) below vacuum cleaner body (10), and gap suction pipe (18) that detachably attached from vacuum cleaner body (10). Floor suction device (19) is connected via floor-side suction passage (26) and gap suction pipe (18) is connected via suction-pipe-side suction passage (28) to common passage (31) that communicates with dust collection part (15) inside vacuum cleaner body (10). Floor-side suction passage (26) of floor suction device (19) communicates with common passage (31) from below. Suction-pipe-side suction passage (28) of gap suction pipe (18) communicates with common passage (31) from above. Connection pipe (30) that communicates with gap suction pipe (18) is detachably disposed on vacuum cleaner body (10) near a junction where floor-side suction passage (26) and suction-pipe-side suction passage (28) join in common passage (31).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to upright electric vacuum cleaners that have a floor suction device below a vacuum cleaner body, and a detachable connection pipe that communicates with a hose.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In general, a upright electric vacuum cleaner in PTL1 is a conventional upright electric vacuum cleaner of this type. This upright electric vacuum cleaner is described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the conventional upright electric vacuum cleaner.

[0003] In the conventional electric vacuum cleaner, the user inserts gap suction pipe 1 to vacuum cleaner body 2, and holds handle 3 provided at an upper part of vacuum cleaner body 2 to clean the floor by sliding floor suction device 4 on the floor surface. To clean a gap, wall, ceiling, and so on, the user detaches gap suction pipe 1 from vacuum cleaner body 2 to clean with gap suction pipe 1.

[0004] Floor suction device 4 and gap suction pipe 1 are connected to dust collection part 5 disposed inside vacuum cleaner body 2. More specifically, floor-side suction passage 7 of floor suction device 4 and suction-pipe-side suction passage 8 of gap suction pipe 2 generally join in common passage 6 that communicates with dust collection part 5.

[0005] However, in the above structure of the electric vacuum cleaner, if dust accumulates near common passage 6 where floor-side suction passage 7 of floor suction device 4 and suction-pipe-side suction passage 8 of gap suction pipe 1 join, dust collection part 5 or floor suction device 4 needs to be detached from vacuum cleaner body 2 in order to remove dust. Accordingly, the operation for removing accumulated dust is troublesome and annoying.

[Citation List]

Patent Literature

[0006] PTL1 Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2007-89762

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A upright electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention includes a vacuum cleaner body, floor suction device, dust collection part, gap suction pipe, common passage, floor-side suction passage, suction-pipe-side suction passage, and connection pipe. The vacuum cleaner body has a motor fan to produce suction airflow. The floor suction device is provided below the vacuum cleaner body, and communicates with the motor fan. The dust collection part is provided in the vacuum cleaner body, and communicates with the floor suction device and the motor fan. The gap suction pipe is detachably attached to the vacuum cleaner body. The common passage is provided inside the vacuum cleaner body, and communicates with the dust collection part. The floor-side suction passage communicates with the dust collection part from the floor suction device via the common passage. The suction-pipe-side suction passage communicates with the dust collection part from the gap suction pipe via the common passage. The connection pipe is provided between the gap suction pipe and the common passage, and communicates with the gap suction pipe and the common passage. A hole that communicates with the connection pipe is provided in the vacuum cleaner body near a position where the floor-side suction passage and the suction-pipe-side suction passage join in the common passage. The connection pipe is detachably attached to the hole in the vacuum cleaner body.

[0008] If dust accumulates in the common passage, suction passage of the floor suction device, or suction passage of the gap suction pipe in this structure, dust near the common passage can be easily removed by detaching the connection pipe from the vacuum cleaner body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] 

Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of a upright electric vacuum cleaner in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an overall perspective view seen from the back of the upright electric vacuum cleaner in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the upright electric vacuum cleaner in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a front view seen from the front of the upright electric vacuum cleaner in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a partially sectional view seen from the back of the upright electric vacuum cleaner in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the upright electric vacuum cleaner in a state that a connection pipe is detached in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a conventional upright electric vacuum cleaner.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0010] A upright electric vacuum cleaner in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of the upright electric vacuum cleaner in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an overall perspective view seen from the back of the upright electric vacuum cleaner in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the upright electric vacuum cleaner in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a front view seen from the front of the upright electric vacuum cleaner in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a partially sectional view seen from the back of the upright electric vacuum cleaner in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the upright electric vacuum cleaner in a state that a connection pipe is detached.

[0011] In Figs. 1 to 6, motor fan chamber 12 with built-in motor fan 11 for producing suction airflow is disposed below vacuum cleaner body 10. Cord reel 14 where power supply cord 13 is housed is provided at the center of vacuum cleaner body 10 above this motor fan 11. Dust collection part 15 for collecting dust is disposed above this cord reel 14.

[0012] Carrying handle 16 is provided at an upper end of vacuum cleaner body 10. Gap suction pipe 18 with operation handle 17 is disposed at the upper back of the vacuum cleaner body 10. Gap suction pipe 18 can be attached to and detached from vacuum cleaner body 10. Floor suction device 19 is attached below vacuum cleaner body 10 in a uprightly and horizontally oscillatable manner, and communicates with motor fan 11. Dust collection part 15 communicates with floor suction device 19 and motor fan 11.

[0013] In Fig. 3, attachment dent 20 is formed in gap suction pipe 18. A locking mechanism is formed such that fitting protrusion 23 of handle lever 22 fits into attachment dent 20 in gap suction pipe 18 when gap suction pipe 18 is inserted to connection opening 21 in vacuum cleaner body 10. With this locking mechanism, fitting protrusion 23 is locked to aforementioned attachment dent 20 so that vacuum cleaner body 10 holds gap suction pipe 18. Handle lever 22 is unlocked by pressing unlocking lever 24 provided on the top face of vacuum cleaner body 10.

[0014] In Figs. 3 and 5, floor-side suction passage 26, where dust entering from suction inlet 25 of floor suction device 19 passes, communicates with open hole 27 of dust collection part 15 via common passage 31, described later, from suction inlet 25 of floor suction device 19.

[0015] On the other hand, suction-pipe-side suction passage 28, where dust vacuumed from gap suction pipe 18 passes, communicates with open hole 27 of dust collection part 15 via hose 29 and connection pipe 30 that mutually communicate and common passage 31, described later, from gap suction pipe 18. In other words, connection pipe 30 is provided between gap suction pipe 18 and common passage 31, and communicates with gap suction pipe 18 and common passage 31.

[0016] Common passage 31 where both floor-side suction passage 26 and suction-pipe-side suction passage 28 join is provided inside vacuum cleaner body 10.

[0017] In Figs. 5 and 6, hole 33 that communicates with hole 32 of connection pipe 30 is formed near common passage 31 in vacuum cleaner body 10, and a passage inside connection pipe 30 communicates with common passage 31.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, claw (hook) 34 is formed on connection pipe 30. This claw 34 is fitted to a fitting part 8 (not illustrated) formed on an inner wall of hole 33 of vacuum cleaner body 10 so that connection pipe 30 is attached to hole 33 of vacuum cleaner body 10 in a detachable manner.

[0019] With the above structure, if dust vacuumed from suction inlet 25 of floor suction device 19 and passing floor-side suction passage 26 or dust vacuumed from gap suction pipe 18 and passing vacuum-pipe-side suction passage 28 is clogged near common passage 31, dust clogged inside or near common passage 31 can be removed from hole 33 provided near common passage 31 by detaching connection pipe 30 from vacuum cleaner body 10, without detaching dust collection part 15 or floor suction device 19 from vacuum cleaner body 10. Accordingly, dust can be removed without troublesome operation, facilitating dust removal.

[0020] In the above description, hole 33 that communicates with connection pipe 30 is provided near common passage 31. More effectively, in particular, hole 33 may be provided at the diagonally upward right relative to a junction where floor-side suction passage 26 and suction-pipe-side suction passage 28 join in common passage 31, as shown in Fig. 5. In other words, hole 33 that communicates with connection pipe 30 may be provided at a position other than the junction in common passage 31. By providing hole 33 at a position that avoids a turbulent flow at the airflow junction of different passages in this way, clogging of dust can be suppressed.

[0021] Furthermore, even if dust passing suction-pipe-side suction passage 28 is clogged, clogged dust remains at the diagonally upward right, and a passage where dust vacuumed from suction inlet 25 of floor suction device 19 can pass is secured at the lower left in common passage 31 because hole 33 is provided at the diagonally upward right relative to the airflow junction in common passage 31. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiment can prevent the worst case of inability to vacuum due to clogged dust in both floor-side suction passage 26 and suction-pipe-side suction passage 28.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 5, passage diameter 38 (cross-sectional area of passage) of common passage 31 is larger than a diameter of floor-side suction passage 26 and a diameter of suction-pipe-side suction passage 28. With this structure, a large volume space can be secured in common passage 31, and a flow rate of air containing dust entering common passage 31 reduces. Accordingly, if a large coarse dust particle is vacuumed, the large coarse dust particle is caught in common passage 31 where the flow rate decreases. As a result, clogging of dust at other parts can be prevented, facilitating maintenance required due to clogged dust.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 6, diameter 39 of connection pipe 30 at a downstream side (side of hole 32) of suction airflow in substantially L-shaped connection pipe 30 is set greater than diameter 40 of connection pipe 30 at an upstream side (side of hose 29) of suction airflow. In this way, the diameter of connection pipe 30 is increased in a stepwise manner in a forward direction of suction airflow. This can particularly prevent clogging of dust at substantially L-shaped bent part 35 of connection pipe 30.

[0024] In Figs. 2 and 3, connection pipe 30 is disposed at the lower back of vacuum cleaner body 10. This shortens distance A from the floor to connection pipe 30 when the user detaches gap suction pipe 18 from vacuum cleaner body 10 for use. As a result, a moment applied to connection pipe 30 becomes small. Accordingly, stability of vacuum cleaner body 10 in the upright state improves, and there is less chance of turnover (falling). The usability thus improves.

[0025] In Fig. 3, connection pipe 30 is formed in a substantially L-shape relative to the longitudinal direction of vacuum cleaner body 10. Opening 36 connected to hose 29 faces upward of vacuum cleaner body 10. This suppresses a rotating range of hose 29, and thus bending durability of hose 29 improves.

[0026] As described above, the upright electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention includes the vacuum cleaner body, floor suction device, dust collection part, gap suction pipe, common passage, floor-side suction passage, suction-pipe-side suction passage, and connection pipe. The vacuum cleaner body has the built-in motor fan for producing suction airflow. The floor suction device is provided below the vacuum cleaner body, and communicates with the motor fan. The dust collection part is provided in the vacuum cleaner body, and communicates with the floor suction device and motor fan. The gap suction pipe is detachably attached to the vacuum cleaner body. The common passage is provided in the vacuum cleaner body, and communicates with the dust collection part. The floor-side suction passage communicates with the dust collection part from the floor suction device via the common passage. The suction-pipe-side suction passage communicates with the dust collection part from the gap suction pipe via the common passage. The connection pipe is provided between the gap suction pipe and the common passage, and communicates with the gap suction pipe and the common passage. The hole that communicates with the connection pipe is provided in the vacuum cleaner body near a junction where the floor-side suction passage and the suction-pipe-side suction passage join in the common passage. The connection pipe is detachably attached to the hole in the vacuum cleaner body.

[0027] With this structure, dust near the common passage can be easily removed by detaching the connection pipe from the vacuum cleaner body if dust accumulates in the common passage, suction passage of the floor suction device, or suction passage of the gap suction pipe.

[0028] Moreover, the upright electrical vacuum cleaner of the present invention has the hole that communicates with the connection pipe at a position other than the junction where the floor-side suction passage and the suction-pipe-side suction passage join in the common passage.

[0029] By avoiding a turbulent flow at the airflow junction of different passages, clogging of dust can be suppressed. In addition, even if dust from the suction-pipe-side suction passage is clogged, clogged dust stays at the diagonally upward right because the hole is provided at the diagonally upward right relative to the junction. A passage for passing dust vacuumed from the suction inlet of the floor suction device can be secured at the lower left of the common passage. As a result, the present invention can prevent the worst case of inability to vacuum due to dust clogged in both floor-side suction passage and suction-pipe-side suction passage.

[0030] Moreover, in the upright electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the passage diameter of the common passage is larger than the diameter of the floor-side suction passage and the diameter of the suction-pipe-side suction passage that communicate with the common passage.

[0031] This secures a larger volume space in the common passage, and thus the flow rate of airflow containing dust entering the common passage is decreased. Dust thus stays in the common passage where the floor rate decreases if a large dust particle is vacuumed. As a result, clogging of dust at other places can be prevented, facilitating maintenance required due to clogged dust.

[0032] Moreover, in the upright electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, a claw is formed on the connection pipe that communicates with the gap suction pipe. The connection pipe is detachably fitted to the vacuum cleaner body with this claw, and disposed at the lower back of the vacuum cleaner body.

[0033] This shortens a distance from the floor to the connection pipe. When the user uses the gap suction pipe, the upright electric vacuum cleaner body stably stands with less chance of turnover. Accordingly, the usability improves.

[0034] Furthermore, in the upright electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the connection pipe that communicates with the gap suction pipe is formed into a substantially L-shape. The diameter of the connection pipe is set greater at the downstream side of the suction airflow than at the upstream side of the suction airflow so that the diameter increases in a stepwise manner in the forward direction of the suction airflow.

[0035] This can prevent clogging of dust in the connection pipe, particularly in the substantially L-shaped bent part.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0036] As described above, the present invention has the detachable connection pipe, and thus clogged dust can be easily removed for better usability. Accordingly, the present invention is broadly applicable to upright electric vacuum cleaners.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0037] 

10

Vacuum cleaner body

11

Motor fan

15

Dust collection part

18

Gap suction pipe

19

Floor suction device

26

Floor-side suction passage

28

Suction-pipe-side suction passage

29

Hose

30

Connection pipe

31

Common passage

33

Hole

34

Claw

35

Bent part

36

Opening

Claims

1. A upright electric vacuum cleaner comprising:

a vacuum cleaner body with built-in motor fan for producing suction airflow;

a floor suction device provided below the vacuum cleaner body, and communicating with the motor fan;

a dust collection part provided in the vacuum cleaner body, and communicating with the floor suction device and the motor fan;

a gap suction pipe that detachably attached to vacuum cleaner body;

a common passage provided in the vacuum cleaner body, and communicating with the dust collection part;

a floor-side suction passage communicating with the dust collection part from the floor suction device via the common passage;

a suction-pipe-side suction passage communicating with the dust collection part from the gap suction pipe via the common passage; and

a connection pipe provided between the gap suction pipe and the common passage, and communicating with the gap suction pipe and the common passage,

wherein

a hole that communicates with the connection pipe is provided in the vacuum cleaner body near a position where the floor-side suction passage and the suction-pipe-side suction passage join in the common passage, and the connection pipe is detachably attached to the hole in the vacuum cleaner body.

2. The upright electric vacuum cleaner of claim 1,
wherein
the hole that communicates with the connection pipe is provided at a position other than the position where the floor-side suction passage and the suction-pipe-side suction passage join in the common passage.

3. The upright electric vacuum cleaner of claim 1,
wherein
a passage diameter of the common passage is larger than a diameter of the floor-side suction passage that communicates with the common passage and a diameter of the suction-pipe-side suction passage that communicates with the common passage.

4. The upright electric vacuum cleaner of claim 1,
wherein
a claw is formed on the connection pipe communicating with the gap suction pipe, and by using the claw, the connection pipe is detachably fitted to the hole and disposed at a lower back of the vacuum cleaner body.

5. The upright electric vacuum cleaner of claim 1,
wherein
the connection pipe communicating with the gap suction pipe is formed into a substantially L-shape, and a diameter of the connection pipe is set greater at a downstream side of suction airflow passing inside the connection pipe than at an upstream side of the suction airflow so that the diameter increases in a stepwise manner in a forward direction of the suction airflow.

Drawing