Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner suction tool and a vacuum cleaner
including the vacuum cleaner suction tool, and particularly to a vacuum cleaner suction
tool whose operability can be further improved, and a vacuum cleaner including the
vacuum cleaner suction tool.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, various technologies for vacuum cleaners have been proposed in order
to improve the operability of a suction tool, which suctions dust and the like, to
realize a high cleaning efficiency. For example, PTL 1 proposes a suction port body
(suction tool) of a canister type cleaner, the suction port body being constituted
by a suction port main body and a universal coupling portion, the universal coupling
portion being constituted by two tubular arm portions, for the purpose of allowing
a user to operate a handle to easily, arbitrarily control an angle of the suction
port body.
[0003] The suction port body is configured such that: a first arm portion out of the two
arm portions is attached to the suction port main body by a first rotary portion so
as to be rotatable in an attack angle direction Y; and a second arm portion out of
the two arm portions is attached to the other end of the first arm portion by a second
rotary portion so as to be rotatable in a left-right direction X. Further, a rotary
surface of the second rotary portion is always inclined to a front side by a predetermined
angle Z. One end of the first arm portion is attached to an upper side of the rotary
surface, and one end of the second arm portion is attached to a lower side of the
rotary surface.
[0004] PTL 2 discloses an upright type surface treating appliance including: a handle having
a longitudinal axis; a surface treating head (suction tool); a support assembly attached
to the handle so as to roll; and a linkage between the handle and the surface treating
head, for the purpose of improving the operability at the time of a surface treatment,
such as cleaning.
[0005] In this surface treating appliance, the support assembly is formed in a ball (sphere)
shape or a roller shape and configured to roll around a rolling axis, and the linkage
is configured to turn the direction of the surface treating head to a different direction
when the support assembly and the handle are rotated around the longitudinal axis.
Citation List
Patent Literature
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0007] However, according to the above conventional technologies, the operability of the
suction tool cannot be adequately improved in some cases.
[0008] For example, the suction tool proposed in PTL 1 is specialized for the canister type
cleaner, for example so that it cannot be directly applied to the upright type cleaner.
[0009] The canister type cleaner is typically configured such that: one end of a suction
hose is attached to a cleaner main body; one end of a connecting tube is attached
to the other end of the suction hose; and the suction tool is attached to the other
end of the connecting tube. A grip portion is provided at one end side of the connecting
tube (that is, at a side connected to the other end of the suction hose).
[0010] Therefore, the user grips the grip portion to operate the suction tool via the connecting
tube. Thus, the operability is improved by including the arm portion constituted by
the first arm portion and the second arm portion. In the upright type cleaner, the
cleaner main body is located at a part corresponding to the connecting tube. Therefore,
even in a case where the configuration of PTL 1 is directly applied to the upright
type cleaner, the user operates so as to swing the cleaner main body that is large
in weight and volume, so that the operability cannot be practically improved.
[0011] According to the surface treating appliance proposed in PTL 2, the suction tool (surface
treating head) is caused to turn by causing the rolling axis of the ball-shaped or
roller-shaped support assembly to be tilted in an upper-lower direction. Therefore,
a turning radius becomes large. On this account, the user has to largely twist the
handle to cause the suction tool to turn in a small radius. In this case, a load on
a wrist of the user tends to become heavy. In a case where it is required to turn
the suction tool in a small radius, it is hard to say that the operability can be
adequately improved.
[0012] The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and an object of the
present invention is to provide a suction tool capable of further improving the operability
of a vacuum cleaner regardless of the type of the vacuum cleaner, and a vacuum cleaner
including this suction tool.
Solution to Problem
[0013] To solve the above problem, a vacuum cleaner suction tool according to the present
invention includes: a suction tool main body including a lower surface on which a
suction port is formed; a connecting tube portion connected to a rear portion of the
suction tool main body; and a traveling wheel portion provided at the connecting tube
portion, wherein: the connecting tube portion is constituted by at least a first connecting
tube including one end connected to an upper side of the rear portion of the suction
tool main body and a second connecting tube coupled to the other end of the first
connecting tube so as to be rotatable in an axial direction thereof; and the wheel
portion is constituted by at least a pair of left and right wheels and a wheel supporting
body including both ends that rotatably support the wheels, respectively, the vacuum
cleaner suction tool further comprising a wheel attaching portion by which the wheel
supporting body is attached to a lower portion of the second connecting tube so as
to incline using a middle portion of the wheel supporting body as a fulcrum.
[0014] According to the above configuration, the wheel supporting body is attached to a
lower part of the second connecting tube of the connecting tube portion by the wheel
attaching portion so as to be able to incline. With this, the wheel portion provided
at the lower surface of the second connecting tube practically, three-dimensionally
inclines by the swinging of a coupled part where the suction tool main body and the
first connecting tube are coupled to each other, the rotation of a coupled part where
the first connecting tube and the second connecting tube are coupled to each other,
and the inclination of the wheel supporting body (wheel portion) by the wheel attaching
portion. Therefore, by the inclination of the wheel portion, the suction tool main
body can be caused to easily turn via the connecting tube portion. On this account,
the operability of the suction tool can be improved.
[0015] The above vacuum cleaner suction tool may be configured such that the wheel attaching
portion is attached to a position along a lower surface of the second connecting tube
such that the wheel portion is rotatable about an attachment axis that is an axis
inclined to a front side along a front-rear direction of the connecting tube portion.
[0016] The above vacuum cleaner suction tool may be configured such that the wheel attaching
portion includes a torsion spring member configured to bias the second connecting
tube, having been inclined in accordance with an inclination of the wheel supporting
body, toward a direction opposite to an inclination direction of the second connecting
tube.
[0017] The above vacuum cleaner suction tool may be configured such that an attachment axis
angle θ1 that is an angle of the attachment axis relative to a cleaned surface is
an acute angle.
[0018] The above vacuum cleaner suction tool may be configured such that in a case where
a surface at which the second connecting tube coupled to the first connecting tube
rotates is referred to as a rotary surface, the first connecting tube and the second
connecting tube are coupled to each other such that a rotary surface angle θ0 that
is an angle of the rotary surface relative to the cleaned surface is an acute angle
larger than the attachment axis angle θ1.
[0019] The above vacuum cleaner suction tool may be configured such that in a case where
a center of rotation of the second connecting tube relative to the first connecting
tube is referred to as a rotation axis, a direction of the rotation axis and a direction
of the attachment axis intersect with each other.
[0020] The above vacuum cleaner suction tool may be configured such that: a rotation axis
angle θ2 that is an angle of the rotation axis relative to the cleaned surface is
within a range from 5° to 45°; and the attachment axis angle θ1 is within a range
from 5° to 45°.
[0021] The above vacuum cleaner suction tool may be configured such that: the connecting
tube portion further includes a third connecting tube connected to a second end of
the second connecting tube so as to swing in the front-rear direction; and a position
of the wheel attaching portion at the second connecting tube is located in front of
a position of a swinging axis of the third connecting tube.
[0022] The above vacuum cleaner suction tool may be configured such that a relative position
of the wheel portion relative to the suction tool main body is changeable such that:
when the vacuum cleaner suction tool is used, that is, when the vacuum cleaner suction
tool is attached to a vacuum cleaner to suction dust, a center axis of the vacuum
cleaner is located on or behind the wheel portion; and when the vacuum cleaner suction
tool is stored, the center axis of the vacuum cleaner is located between the suction
tool main body and the wheel portion.
[0023] The above vacuum cleaner suction tool may be configured such that the wheel portion
includes a lever mechanism configured to be operated to change a position of the wheel
portion relative to the suction tool main body.
[0024] The above vacuum cleaner suction tool may be configured such that: the third connecting
tube includes a protruding portion configured to rotate about the swinging axis of
the third connecting tube together with swinging of the third connecting tube; and
when the vacuum cleaner suction tool is stored, the inclination movement of the wheel
portion is limited in such a manner that the protruding portion contacts an upper
surface of the wheel supporting body by the swinging of the third connecting tube.
[0025] The above vacuum cleaner suction tool may be configured such that: the lever mechanism
is provided with an engaging portion configured to contact the third connecting tube
by operating the lever mechanism; and a contact part, which contacts the engaging
portion, of the third connecting tube is constituted as an engaged portion having
a shape corresponding to the engaging portion.
[0026] In addition, the present invention also includes a vacuum cleaner including any one
of the above vacuum cleaner suction tools.
[0027] The above object, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention
will be made clear by the following detailed explanation of preferred embodiments
with reference to the attached drawings.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0028] According to the above configuration, the present invention can obtain an effect
of being able to provide a suction tool capable of further improving the operability
of a vacuum cleaner regardless of the type of the vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner
including the suction tool.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0029]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of the configuration of
a vacuum cleaner suction tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the vacuum cleaner suction
tool of Fig. 1 when viewed from front.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a rear view showing the configuration of the vacuum cleaner suction
tool of Fig. 1 when viewed from rear.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a left side view showing the configuration of the vacuum cleaner
suction tool of Fig. 1 when viewed from a left side.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a right side view showing the configuration of the vacuum cleaner
suction tool of Fig. 1 when viewed from a right side.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of the vacuum cleaner suction
tool of Fig. 1 when viewed from above.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the vacuum cleaner suction
tool of Fig. 1 when viewed from below.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional configuration
of the vacuum cleaner suction tool of Fig. 1 in a front-rear direction when viewed
from a left side.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing one example of the configuration
of a wheel attaching portion included in the vacuum cleaner suction tool of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a comparison diagram including a cross-sectional view and a front
view, each showing the detailed configuration of the wheel attaching portion of Fig.
9 and the configuration of a wheel portion.
[Figs. 11A and 11B] Fig. 11A is a schematic diagram for explaining a rotary surface
of a second connecting tube included in the vacuum cleaner suction tool shown in Fig.
1 and an attachment axis of the wheel attaching portion. Fig. 11B is a schematic diagram
for explaining the attachment axis and a rotation axis of the second connecting tube.
[Figs. 12A and 12B] Fig. 12A is a plan view showing a state where the vacuum cleaner
suction tool shown in Fig. 1 turns left. Fig. 12B is a plan view showing a state where
the vacuum cleaner suction tool shown in Fig. 1 turns right.
[Figs. 13A and 13B] Fig. 13A is a comparison diagram including a front view and a
rear view, each showing one example of a spring long hole provided at an attaching
portion main body of the wheel attaching portion shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 13B is a schematic
diagram showing movements of two torsion spring members included in the wheel attaching
portion, when viewed from a rear surface.
[Figs. 14A and 14B] Fig. 14A is a schematic diagram showing a state where the vacuum
cleaner suction tool of Fig. 1 is attached to an upright type vacuum cleaner and used,
when viewed from a left side. Fig. 14B is a schematic diagram showing a state where
the vacuum cleaner suction tool is stored, when viewed from a left side.
[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of major components and shows a state where
a protruding portion of the vacuum cleaner suction tool of Fig. 1 and an upper surface
of a wheel supporting body of the vacuum cleaner suction tool contact each other.
[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is an enlarged view of major components and shows a state where
an engaging portion of a lever mechanism of the vacuum cleaner suction tool of Fig.
1 and an engaged portion of a third connecting tube of the vacuum cleaner suction
tool engage with each other.
[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing one example of the configuration of
the upright type vacuum cleaner to which the vacuum cleaner suction tool of Fig. 1
is applied.
[Fig. 18] Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing one example of the configuration of
a canister type vacuum cleaner to which the vacuum cleaner suction tool of Fig. 1
is applied.
Description of Embodiments
[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in
reference to the drawings. In the following explanations and drawings, the same reference
signs are used for the same or corresponding components, and a repetition of the same
explanation is avoided.
(Embodiment 1)
[0031] First, as Embodiment 1 of the present invention, one example of a specific configuration,
use, and the like of a vacuum cleaner suction tool will be specifically explained.
In the following explanations, for convenience sake, unless otherwise noted, the vacuum
cleaner suction tool is simply abbreviated as a "suction tool".
[Entire Configuration of Suction Tool]
[0032] As shown in Figs. 1 to 8, a suction tool 10 according to the present embodiment includes
a suction tool main body 11, a connecting tube portion 12, a wheel portion 13, and
a wheel attaching portion 14.
[0033] As shown in an entire perspective view of Fig. 1, a front view of Fig. 2, and a plan
view of Fig. 6, the suction tool main body 11 has a long thin flat plate shape. As
shown in side views of Figs. 4 and 5 in addition to Figs. 1 and 6, the connecting
tube portion 12 is connected to a rear side of a longitudinal-direction middle portion
of the suction tool main body 11. In the suction tool 10 of the present embodiment,
a side where the suction tool main body 11 is located is referred to as a "front"
side, and an opposite side that is a side where the wheel portion 13 is located is
referred to as a "rear" side. A left-right direction of the suction tool 10 is defined
as a left-right direction when facing front.
[0034] As shown in a bottom view of Fig. 7, the suction tool main body 11 includes a suction
port 111 located at a front side of a lower surface thereof. The suction port 111
is a rectangular opening located along a longitudinal direction of the suction tool
main body 11. As shown in a cross-sectional view of Fig. 8 in addition to Fig. 7,
a rotary brush 112 is provided inside the suction port 111. The rotary brush 112 has,
for example, a columnar shape and is configured to be rotatable by a brush rotation
mechanism, not shown. The brush rotation mechanism may use a motor as a driving source
or may use an air turbine as a driving source.
[0035] As shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 8 in addition to Fig. 7, a pair of rear wheels 15 and
a pair of front wheels 16 are provided at the lower surface of the suction tool main
body 11. As also shown in a rear view of Fig. 3, the rear wheels 15 are located at
a rear portion of the suction tool main body 11 so as to be close to the connecting
tube portion 12. As shown in Fig. 7, the front wheels 16 are located in front of and
outside the rear wheels 15 so as to be close to the suction port 111. The suction
tool main body 11 can move on a cleaned surface by the rear wheels 15 and the front
wheels 16.
[0036] As shown in Figs. 1 and 4 to 8, the connecting tube portion 12 is connected to a
rear portion of the suction tool main body 11. In the present embodiment, the connecting
tube portion 12 is constituted by a first connecting tube 21, a second connecting
tube 22, and a third connecting tube 23.
[0037] The first connecting tube 21 includes: a first end (one end of the first connecting
tube 21) connected to an upper side of a rear portion of the suction tool main body
11; and a second end (the other end of the first connecting tube 21) connected to
the second connecting tube 22. The first end of the first connecting tube 21 may be
able to swing relative to the suction tool main body 11 in a front-rear direction
as shown in Fig. 1 or may be fixed so as not to be able to swing. The second connecting
tube 22 includes: a first end (one end of the second connecting tube 22) coupled to
the second end of the first connecting tube 21 so as to be rotatable around an axial
direction; and a second end (the other end of the second connecting tube 22) connected
to the third connecting tube 23.
[0038] The third connecting tube 23 includes: a first end (one end of the third connecting
tube 23) connected to the second end of the second connecting tube 22 so as to be
able to swing in the front-rear direction; and a second end (the other end of the
third connecting tube 23) that is an open end connectable to the vacuum cleaner. As
shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the third connecting tube 23 is provided with a protruding
portion that rotates together with the swinging of the third connecting tube 23.
[0039] In Fig. 1, a swinging direction of the first connecting tube 21 is shown by an arrow
M4, a rotating direction of the second connecting tube 22 is shown by an arrow M2,
a swinging direction of the third connecting tube 23 is shown by an arrow M3, and
a rotating direction of the below-described wheel attaching portion 14 is shown by
an arrow M1. The suction tool 10 shown in Fig. 1 is in a below-described stored state.
In this state, the third connecting tube 23 swings to be located at a frontmost position.
Therefore, in Fig. 1, the arrow M3 shows that the third connecting tube 23 can swing
only in a rear direction.
[0040] In the present embodiment, the connecting tube portion 12 is constituted by three
tubular members that are the connecting tubes 21, 22, and 23. However, the present
embodiment is not limited to this, and the connecting tube portion 12 may be constituted
by at least two tubular members that are the connecting tubes 21 and 22. According
to need, the connecting tube portion 12 may be constituted by four or more tubular
members or may include a member and the like other than the tubular members. The swinging,
rotations, functions and the like of these connecting tubes 21, 22, and 23 will be
described later.
[0041] The wheel portion 13 is provided at the connecting tube portion 12 and allows the
suction tool 10 to travel in cooperation with the rear wheels 15 and the front wheels
16 provided at the lower surface of the suction tool main body 11. As shown in Figs.
1 and 3 to 7, in the present embodiment, the wheel portion 13 is constituted by a
pair of left and right wheels 31, a wheel supporting body 32, and a lever mechanism
33.
[0042] The wheels 31 are respectively supported by both ends of the wheel supporting body
32 so as to be rotatable. A specific shape of the wheel 31 is not especially limited
and may be a known shape. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3,
6, and 7, the wheel 31 has such a shape that a diameter thereof decreases in a direction
from an inner portion thereof supported by the wheel supporting body 32 toward an
outer portion thereof. In other words, the shape of the wheel 31 is a shape having
a substantially parabolic cross section.
[0043] In a case where the wheel 31 has the above shape, a middle part of the outer portion
of the wheel 31 projects from the inner portion of the wheel 31. Therefore, even if
the suction tool 10 is inclined when the suction tool 10 is turned as described later,
a peripheral surface of the projecting part of the wheel 31 contacts the cleaned surface
to rotate. On this account, since the wheel 31 can adequately travel on the cleaned
surface even in an inclined state, the operability of the suction tool 10 can be improved.
[0044] As especially shown in Figs. 3 and 7, the wheel supporting body 32 has a long thin
flat plate shape, and a longitudinal length of the wheel supporting body 32 is shorter
than that of the suction tool main body 11. As described above, a pair of wheels 31
are respectively supported by both ends of the wheel supporting body 32 so as to be
rotatable. A middle portion of the wheel supporting body 32 is attached to the connecting
tube portion 12 via the wheel attaching portion 14. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the
wheel supporting body 32 is basically located so as to be perpendicular to an extending
direction (front-rear direction) of the connecting tube portion 12. However, when
in use (when the suction tube 10 is attached to the vacuum cleaner, and the vacuum
cleaner suctions dust), the wheel supporting body 32 can be inclined relative to the
connecting tube portion 12 as described later.
[0045] When the suction tool 10 is not used, especially when the suction tool 10 is stored,
the lever mechanism 33 limits the swinging of the third connecting tube 23 and the
inclination movement of the wheel portion 13. Specifically, in a use state, the third
connecting tube 23 has typically swung backward (has fallen). In a case where the
third connecting tube 23 is caused to swing forward from the use state to change the
stored state as shown in Fig. 1, the lever mechanism 33 is pushed up in conjunction
with the swinging of the third connecting tube 23. With this, the swinging of the
third connecting tube 23 is limited, and the inclination movement of the wheel portion
13 is also limited. One example of the specific configuration of the lever mechanism
33 and the limitation of the inclination of the wheel portion 13 will be described
later.
[0046] In the present embodiment, the wheel portion 13 is constituted by the wheels 31,
the wheel supporting body 32, and the lever mechanism 33. However, the present embodiment
is not limited to this. The wheel portion 13 may be constituted by at least the wheels
31 and the wheel supporting body 32. As described above, the lever mechanism 33 is
provided to limit the inclination movement of the wheel supporting body 32. However,
the wheel portion 13 may include a mechanism, a member, or the like other than the
lever mechanism 33 in order to limit the inclination movement of the wheel supporting
body 32, and may include a component other than the wheels 31, the wheel supporting
body 32, and the lever mechanism 33.
[0047] The wheel attaching portion 14 is provided to attach the wheel supporting body 32
to the connecting tube portion 12. In the present embodiment, since the wheel attaching
portion 14 is provided at a lower surface of the second connecting tube 22, the wheel
supporting body 32 (that is, the wheel portion 13) is attached to the second connecting
tube 22 of the connecting tube portion 12. The wheel supporting body 32 is configured
to be able to incline by the wheel attaching portion 14 using the middle portion thereof
as a fulcrum (pivot). One example of the specific configuration will be described
later.
[0048] More specific configurations, such as a material, a size, and parts, of the suction
tool main body 11, the connecting tube portion 12, and the wheel portion 13 are not
especially limited, and configurations known in the field of vacuum cleaners can be
suitably used. For example, each of the suction tool main body 11 and the connecting
tube portion 12 may be configured by assembling known resin molded products, and the
rotary brush 112 may have a known configuration in which resin brush bristles are
planted on a tubular body that is a resin molded product. The wheel portion 13 may
also be configured by assembling known resin molded products. A pair of wheels 31
may be made of an elastic material, such as rubber.
[Detailed Configuration of Wheel Attaching Portion]
[0049] Next, a more detailed configuration of the wheel attaching portion 14 will be specifically
explained in reference to Figs. 9 and 10 in addition to Fig. 8.
[0050] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the wheel attaching portion 14 is constituted by at least
torsion spring members 41A and 41B, an attaching portion main body 42, an attachment
shaft portion 43, and a shaft portion fastening member 44.
[0051] The torsion spring member 41A is located at a rear part of the wheel attaching portion
14, and the torsion spring member 41B is located at a front part of the wheel attaching
portion 14. The torsion spring members 41A and 41B are torsion coil springs (torsion
springs) that are the same in shape as each other. A spring main body 410 of each
of the torsion spring members 41A and 41B is configured such that a steel wire turns
in a coil shape. Both ends of the spring main body 410 are arms 411 and 412, each
of which is the steel wire that extends linearly without turning.
[0052] A first arm 411 that is one of the arms 411 and 412 is an arm that is located at
one end of the spring main body 410 and extends in a tangential direction from a circular
outer periphery of the spring main body 410. As shown in a lower diagram of Fig. 10,
the first arm 411 is exposed from the attaching portion main body 42 so as to be rotatable.
The first arm 411 contacts an outer periphery of the second connecting tube 22 and
basically moves in accordance with the rotation of the second connecting tube 22.
A second arm 412 is an arm that is located at the other end of the spring main body
410 and extends in a winding direction (coil axial direction). The second arm 412
serves as a stopper that limits a rotation range of the torsion spring member 41A
or 41B in a state where the second arm 412 is accommodated in the attaching portion
main body 42. This point will be described in detail together with the explanation
of the use state of the suction tool 10.
[0053] As shown in Fig. 9 and an upper diagram of Fig. 10, the attaching portion main body
42 is formed in a tubular shape and is integrally fixed to the middle portion of the
wheel supporting body 32. The torsion spring members 41A and 41B are accommodated
in the attaching portion main body 42. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and the upper and
middle diagrams of Fig. 10, the torsion spring member 41A is accommodated in a rear
surface part of the attaching portion main body 42, and the torsion spring member
41B is accommodated in a front surface part of the attaching portion main body 42.
[0054] As shown in the middle diagram of Fig. 10, a spring fixing frame 421 is provided
at a middle portion of the attaching portion main body 42. As shown in Fig. 9, when
inserting the torsion spring members 41A and 41B into the attaching portion main body
42 through both ends of the attaching portion main body 42, the spring fixing frame
421 defines the positions of the torsion spring members 41A and 41B in order to prevent
the torsion spring members 41A and 41B from being inserted into the attaching portion
main body 42 beyond necessity. As described below, the spring fixing frame 421 is
provided with a spring long hole through which the second arm 412 penetrates. With
this, the second arm 412 can serve as the stopper.
[0055] As shown in Fig. 9, the attachment shaft portion 43 has a bolt-like shape or a nail-like
shape. A shaft portion main body 431 has a substantially columnar shape, and a lid
plate 432 is provided at a rear end of the shaft portion main body 431. Therefore,
when viewed from the lid plate 432 located at the rear end, the shaft portion main
body 431 stands in a perpendicular direction. As shown in Fig. 8, in a state where
the attachment shaft portion 43 is inserted in the attaching portion main body 42,
the attachment shaft portion 43 holds the torsion spring members 41A and 41B in the
attaching portion main body 42 so as to penetrate the torsion spring members 41A and
41B.
[0056] As shown in Fig. 9, since the attachment shaft portion 43 is inserted through a rear
part (rear surface part) of the attaching portion main body 42, the lid plate 432
located at the rear end serves as a lid member that closes a rear opening of the attaching
portion main body 42 as shown in Fig. 8 (for convenience sake, in Fig. 8, the reference
sign of the lid plate 432 is not shown). Further, as shown in Fig. 9, a shaft portion
insertion frame 221 projecting downward is provided at a lower portion of the second
connecting tube 22. As shown by a dashed line in Fig. 9, the attachment shaft portion
43 is inserted into the shaft portion insertion frame 221 to be inserted into the
attaching portion main body 42. Therefore, the attachment shaft portion 43 also serves
as a fixing member that fixes the wheel attaching portion 14 to the second connecting
tube 22.
[0057] As shown in Fig. 9, the shaft portion fastening member 44 is constituted by a tip
end fitting part 441 fitted to a tip end of the attachment shaft portion 43 and an
outer periphery attaching part 442 attached to the outer periphery of the second connecting
tube 22. By causing the tip end of the attachment shaft portion 43, having been inserted
into the attaching portion main body 42, to be fitted to the tip end fitting part
441, the attachment shaft portion 43 is fastened so as not to be detached from the
attaching portion main body 42. By attaching the outer periphery attaching part 442
to the second connecting tube 22, the attachment shaft portion 43 and both ends of
the attaching portion main body 42 are fixed to the second connecting tube 22. To
be specific, the rear end (rear surface part) of the attaching portion main body 42
is fixed to the second connecting tube 22 in such a manner that the attachment shaft
portion 43 is inserted into the shaft portion insertion frame 221 as described above,
and the front end (front surface part) of the attaching portion main body 42 is fixed
to the second connecting tube 22 in such a manner that the shaft portion fastening
member 44 to which the tip end of the attachment shaft portion 43 is fitted is attached
to the outer periphery of the second connecting tube 22.
[0058] Since the wheel attaching portion 14 configured as above is provided integrally with
the wheel supporting body 32 of the wheel portion 13, as shown in the lower diagram
of Fig. 10 (that is, a front view of the wheel portion 13), the wheel portion 13 can
be caused to rotate about a central axis S1 (which is shown by a broken line in Fig.
10 and coincides with a central axis of the attachment shaft portion 43 not shown
in Fig. 10) of each of the torsion spring members 41Aand 41B in a direction of the
block arrow M1. Since the central axis S1 that is a rotational center of the wheel
portion 13 is also an axis extending along an attachment direction of the wheel attaching
portion 14, the central axis S1 is hereinafter referred to as an "attachment axis
S1" for convenience of explanation.
[0059] As described above, the second arms 412 of the torsion spring members 41A and 41B
of the wheel attaching portion 14 serve as the stoppers. Therefore, the rotation of
the wheel portion 13 by the wheel attaching portion 14 is not such a complete rotation
that the wheel portion 13 rotates one revolution. That is, the rotation of the wheel
portion 13 by the wheel attaching portion 14 is such a partial rotation that the wheel
portion 13 swings at a position under the second connecting tube 22. Further, as described
below, the torsion spring members 41A and 41B function to bias the second connecting
tube 21, having been inclined in accordance with the inclination of the wheel supporting
body 32 (wheel portion 13), toward a direction opposite to the inclination direction
of the second connecting tube 22 (that is, toward an original position of the second
connecting tube 22).
[0060] More specific configurations of the torsion spring members 41A and 41B, the attaching
portion main body 42, the attachment shaft portion 43, and the shaft portion fastening
member 44 are not especially limited. The torsion spring members 41A and 41B may be
known steel torsion springs. The attaching portion main body 42, the attachment shaft
portion 43, and the shaft portion fastening member 44 may be known resin molded products
as with the wheel portion 13. For convenience sake, the reference numbers of the spring
main bodies 410, first arms 411, and second arms 412 of the torsion spring members
41A and 41B, the shaft portion main body 431 and lid plate 432 of the attachment shaft
portion 43, and the tip end fitting part 441 and outer periphery attaching part 442
of the shaft portion fastening member 44 are shown only in Fig. 9 and are not shown
in Fig. 8 or 10.
[Use State of Suction Tool]
[0061] Next, one example of the use state of the suction tool 10 and a positional relation
between the connecting tube portion 12 and the wheel attaching portion 14 will be
specifically explained in reference to Figs. 11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B. Figs. 11A and
11B are schematic diagrams each showing axes and angles in a state where the suction
tool 10 is placed on a cleaned surface F. The state where the suction tool 10 is placed
in Fig. 11A is the same as that in Fig. 11B. Each of Figs. 11A and 11B shows the use
state that is a state where the third connecting tube 23 has swung backward. In Fig.
11A, a stored state that is a state where the third connecting tube 23 is standing
at a frontmost position is shown by a dashed line. Further, in each of Figs. 12A and
12A, a left diagram shows a state where the suction tool 10 moves straight in the
use state, and a right diagram shows a state where the suction tool 10 turns.
[0062] Since the turning performance of the suction tool 10 of the present embodiment in
a case where the suction tool 10 is attached to the vacuum cleaner is improved, the
operability of the vacuum cleaner can also be improved. In order to improve the turning
performance, the positional relation between the connecting tube portion 12 and the
wheel attaching portion 14 constituting the suction tool 10 is important.
[0063] First, an attached position of the wheel attaching portion 14 will be explained.
The wheel attaching portion 14 is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of a lower
portion of the second connecting tube 22 (that is, to the lower surface of the second
connecting tube 22). As shown in Fig. 11A, the attachment axis S1 (the rotation axis
of the wheel portion 13) that coincides with the attachment direction of the wheel
attaching portion 14 is an axis inclined to a front side along the front-rear direction
of the connecting tube portion 12. The degree of the inclination of the attachment
axis S1 is not especially limited. However, in order to further improve the operability,
it is preferable that the attachment axis S 1 be inclined such that an angle of the
attachment axis S 1 relative to the cleaned surface F becomes an acute angle.
[0064] Specifically, an angle of the attachment axis S1 relative to the cleaned surface
F in a state where the suction tool 10 is placed on the cleaned surface F is referred
to as an attachment axis angle θ1 shown in Fig. 11A. It is preferable that the attachment
axis angle θ1 be at least an acute angle (smaller than 90°), and it is more preferable
that the attachment axis angle θ1 be in a range from 5° to 45°. In a case where the
attachment axis angle θ1 is the acute angle, as shown in the right diagrams of Figs.
12A and 12B, the wheel supporting body 32 is inclined by the partial rotation (swinging)
of the wheel portion 13, whose rotational center is the wheel attaching portion 14,
such that one of the wheels 31 is located in front of the other wheel 31. For example,
in the right diagram of Fig. 12A, the wheel supporting body 32 is inclined such that
the left wheel 31 is located at a front side whereas the right wheel 31 is located
at a rear side. In the right diagram of Fig. 12B, the wheel supporting body 32 is
inclined such that the right wheel 31 is located at the front side whereas the left
wheel 31 is located at the rear side.
[0065] Here, as described above, the wheel supporting body 32 rotates about the attachment
axis S1 of the wheel attaching portion 14. Therefore, relative to the connecting tube
portion 12, the wheel supporting body 32 inclines planarly (two-dimensionally) such
that the left or right wheel 31 moves to the front side and also inclines sterically
(three-dimensionally) such that the wheel 31 located at the front side is located
at a lower side whereas the wheel 31 located at the rear side is located at an upper
side. For example, in the right diagram of Fig. 12A, the left wheel 31 moves to the
front side, and the wheel supporting body 32 inclines, and in the right diagram of
Fig. 12B, the right wheel 31 moves to the front side, and the wheel supporting body
32 inclines.
[0066] As shown in Figs. 12A and 12B, when the suction tool 10 is viewed from above (that
is, in a plan view shown in Fig. 6), relative to the wheel supporting body 32, one
of the left and right wheels 31 located at the wheel supporting body 32 moves to the
front side, and the connecting tube portion 12 inclines in the same direction as the
moved wheel 31. For example, in the right diagram of Fig. 12A, in a case where the
left wheel 31 moves to the front side, and the wheel supporting body 32 inclines,
the connecting tube portion 12 inclines to the left side. In the right diagram of
Fig. 12B, in a case where the right wheel 31 moves to the front side, and the wheel
supporting body 32 inclines, the connecting tube portion 12 inclines to the right
side.
[0067] Here, the wheel portion 13 is attached to the second connecting tube 22 via the wheel
attaching portion 14, and the second connecting tube 22 is coupled to the first connecting
tube 21 so as to be rotatable. Therefore, in accordance with the inclination of the
wheel supporting body 32 (wheel portion 13), the second connecting tube 22 rotates
while inclining. In accordance with this rotation of the second connecting tube 22,
the first connecting tube 21 swings, and the movement of the second connecting tube
22 is transferred to the suction tool main body 11. As a result, for example, in the
right diagram of Fig. 12A, the suction tool main body 11 turns left, and in the right
diagram of Fig. 12B, the suction tool main body 11 turns right, so that the operability
of the suction tool 10 can be improved.
[0068] From a viewpoint of a user, as shown in Fig. 1 or 6, first, the user causes the third
connecting tube 23 to swing (fall) backward to some extend from a state where the
third connecting tube 23 is standing (a state where the third connecting tube 23 swings
to be located at the frontmost position). Thus, the user changes the state of the
suction tool 10 to the use state as shown in the left diagrams of Figs. 12A and 12B.
At this time, the wheel supporting body 32 (wheel portion 13) is substantially parallel
to the suction tool main body 11. However, the user tries to cause the suction tool
main body 11 to turn from this state. At this time, the user lightly twists the grip
portion of the vacuum cleaner. With this, as shown in the right diagrams of Figs.
12A and 12B, the wheel supporting body 32 inclines first. Then, the inclination movement
of the wheel supporting body 32 is transferred to the second connecting tube 22 via
the wheel attaching portion 14. With this, the second connecting tube 22 rotates while
inclining. Therefore, this three-dimensional movement is further transferred to the
suction tool main body 11 via the first connecting tube 21. As a result, the suction
tool main body 11 turns in the inclination direction of the second connecting tube
22. Therefore, the user can easily operate the suction tool 10.
[0069] As shown in the right diagrams of Figs. 12A and 12B, when the suction tool main body
11 turns, one end of the suction tool main body 11 and one of the wheels 31 of the
wheel portion 13 get close to each other at a side toward which the suction tool main
body 11 turns. Since Fig. 12A shows a left turn, the left end of the suction tool
main body 11 and the left wheel 31 get close to each other. Since Fig. 12B shows a
right turn, the right end of the suction tool main body 11 and the right wheel 31
get close to each other. In other words, in a case where the wheel portion 13 moves
such that the wheel 31 located opposite to the side toward which the suction tool
main body 11 turns moves backward, the suction tool main body 11 turns in a desired
direction.
[0070] In the present embodiment, in addition to the definition of the inclination of the
wheel attaching portion 14 as described above, it is preferable to define the position
of the wheel attaching portion 14 based on the third connecting tube 23. Specifically,
as shown in Figs. 11A and 11B, the third connecting tube 23 can swing in a swinging
direction M3 that is the front-rear direction. Therefore, in a case where a central
axis of the swinging direction M3 is a swinging axis S3, the swinging axis S3 is an
axis located in the left-right direction. Here, it is preferable that the wheel attaching
portion 14 be set based on the swinging axis S3 so as to be located at a position
in front of the swinging axis S3. In a case where the wheel attaching portion 14 is
located at this position, an interval between the wheel portion 13 and the suction
tool main body 11 does not become too large. Therefore, the suction tool main body
11 can be caused to effectively turn by the inclination of the wheel supporting body
32.
[0071] In addition to the definitions of the inclination and position of the wheel attaching
portion 14, it is preferable to define a coupling angle of the second connecting tube
22 relative to the first connecting tube 21. Specifically, as with the definition
of the inclination of the attachment axis S1, in a state where the suction tool 10
is placed on the cleaned surface F, the angle of the second connecting tube 22 relative
to the cleaned surface F is set in a suitable range. With this, the coupling angle
between the first connecting tube 21 and the second connecting tube 22 can be practically
defined.
[0072] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11A, a surface at which the second connecting tube
22 rotates relative to the first connecting tube 21 is referred to as a rotary surface
P0. An angle of the rotary surface P0 relative to the cleaned surface F is referred
to as a rotary surface angle θ0. It is preferable that the rotary surface angle θ0
be an acute angle larger than the attachment axis angle θ1.
[0073] With this, the second connecting tube 22 is coupled to the first connecting tube
21 so as to be inclined to the rear side. Therefore, when the second connecting tube
22 rotates by the inclination of the wheel portion 13, torque generated by the rotation
of the second connecting tube 22 is applied to an obliquely upper side of the first
connecting tube 21. The first connecting tube 21 can swing relative to the suction
tool main body 11 in the front-rear direction (see the swinging direction M4 in Fig.
11A) but does not move in the left-right direction. Therefore, the rotation of the
second connecting tube 22 is effectively transferred to the suction tool main body
11. Thus, the suction tool main body 11 easily turns left or right.
[0074] By the definition of the inclination of the wheel attaching portion 14 and the definition
of the coupling angle between the connecting tubes 21 and 22, a relation between an
inclination state of the second connecting tube 21 and an inclination state of the
wheel attaching portion 14 is also defined. To be specific, both the wheel attaching
portion 14 and the second connecting tube 22 are arranged in the front-rear direction.
However, the wheel attaching portion 14 is inclined such that a rear portion thereof
is located at an upper side, and the second connecting tube 22 is inclined such that
a front portion thereof is located at the upper side.
[0075] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 11B, in a case where the center of the rotation of the
second connecting tube 22 relative to the first connecting tube 21 is referred to
as a rotation axis S2, a direction of the rotation axis S2 and a direction of the
attachment axis S1 of the wheel attaching portion 14 may intersect with each other.
Further, as shown in Fig. 11B, in a case where an angle of the rotation axis S2 relative
to the cleaned surface F is referred to as a rotation axis angle θ2, the rotation
axis angle θ2 may be an acute angle. It is more preferable that the rotation axis
angle θ2 be in a range from 5° to 45°.
[0076] In a case where the attachment axis S 1 of the wheel attaching portion 14 and the
rotation axis S2 of the second connecting tube 22 intersect with each other, as shown
by the rotating direction M2 in Fig. 11B, the second connecting tube 22 efficiently
rotates while inclining in accordance with the inclination of the wheel portion 13.
Further, the second connecting tube 22 is coupled to the first connecting tube 21,
and the first connecting tube 21 may be fixed to the suction tool main body 11 as
described above, or as shown in Fig. 11A, the first connecting tube 21 may be able
to swing relative to the suction tool main body 11 in the swinging direction M4 about
the swinging axis S4. In other words, when viewed from the first connecting tube 21,
the suction tool main body 11 may be able to swing relative to the first connecting
tube 21 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, both the rotation of the second connecting
tube 22 in the rotating direction M2 and the swinging of the first connecting tube
21 in the swinging direction M4 are transferred to the suction tool main body 11.
As a result, the suction tool main body 11 efficiently turns.
[0077] A positional relation among the attachment axis S1 of the wheel attaching portion
14, the rotation axis S2 of the second connecting tube 22, and the swinging axis S3
of the third connecting tube 23 can be explained as below. To be specific, the attachment
axis S1 and the rotation axis S2 are located on the same plane, and the swinging axis
S3 is perpendicular to this plane. In other words, the swinging axis S3 corresponds
to a normal line of a plane including the attachment axis S 1 and the rotation axis
S2. The swinging axis S3 does not directly intersect with the attachment axis S 1
or the rotation axis S2. Thus, the swinging axis S3 is skew to each of the attachment
axis S1 and the rotation axis S2.
[0078] As above, in the present embodiment, the wheel supporting body 32 is attached to
a lower part of the second connecting tube 22 of the connecting tube portion 12 by
the wheel attaching portion 14 so as to be able to incline. With this, the wheel portion
13 provided at the lower surface of the second connecting tube 22 practically, three-dimensionally
inclines by the swinging of a coupled part where the suction tool main body 11 and
the first connecting tube 21 are coupled to each other, the rotation of a coupled
part where the first connecting tube 21 and the second connecting tube 22 are coupled
to each other, and the inclination of the wheel supporting body 32 (wheel portion
13) by the wheel attaching portion 14. Therefore, by the inclination of the wheel
portion 13, the suction tool main body 11 can be caused to easily turn via the connecting
tube portion 12. On this account, the operability of the suction tool 10 can be improved.
[0079] Further, in the present embodiment, since the wheel attaching portion 14 includes
two torsion spring members 41A and 41B, the suction tool main body 11 can be caused
to stably turn by the inclination of the wheel supporting body 32. This point will
be specifically explained in reference to Figs. 13A and 13B in addition to Figs. 12A
and 12B.
[0080] An upper diagram of Fig. 13A is a front view of the wheel portion 13 when viewed
from front, and a lower diagram of Fig. 13A is a front view of the wheel portion 13
when viewed from rear. In each of the upper diagram and lower diagram of Fig. 13A,
only the attaching portion main body 42 is shown among the components of the wheel
attaching portion 14, and the torsion spring members 41A and 41B, the attachment shaft
portion 43, and the like are not shown. The movements of the torsion spring members
41A and 41B at the time of the left turn, the straight movement, and the right turn
are respectively shown in a left column, a middle column, and a right column in Fig.
13B. An upper diagram of each column shows the torsion spring member 41A located at
the rear side, and a lower diagram of each column shows the torsion spring member
41B located at the front side (see Figs. 8, 9, and 10).
[0081] First, a spring long hole 422 will be explained. As shown in Fig. 13A, the spring
fixing frame 421 is provided inside the attaching portion main body 42 of the wheel
attaching portion 14 as described above. The spring fixing frame 421 is not provided
so as to cover the entire inner periphery of the attaching portion main body 42, and
the spring long hole 422 is formed by cutting out left and right portions of the spring
fixing frame 421. In a case where nothing is accommodated in the attaching portion
main body 42, the spring long hole 422 is a cutout. However, in a case where the torsion
spring members 41A and 41B are accommodated in the attaching portion main body 42,
and the attachment shaft portion 43 is inserted in the attaching portion main body
42, the spring long hole 422 becomes an arc-shaped hole through which the second arms
412 of the torsion spring members 41A and 41B penetrate.
[0082] Next, as shown in Fig. 13B, the movements of the torsion spring members 41A and 41B
when viewed from a rear surface side will be explained. An interval between dashed
lines in Fig. 13B is an interval of the spring long hole 422 in the upper-lower direction.
For convenience sake, the reference sign of the spring long holes 422 is not shown
in Fig. 13B.
[0083] For example, in a case where the suction tool 10 moves straight as shown in the left
diagrams of Figs. 12A and 12B, as shown in the middle column of Fig. 13B (at the time
of the straight movement), each of the first arm 411 of the torsion spring member
41A located at the rear side and the first arm 411 of the torsion spring member 41B
located at the front side projects from the attaching portion main body 42 and is
located at a home position (see the lower diagram in Fig. 10), and each of the second
arms 412 of the torsion spring members 41A and 41B contacts the spring fixing frame
421 located at a lower side in the spring long hole 422. The first arm 411 of the
torsion spring member 41A contacts the outer periphery of a left portion of the second
connecting tube 22, and the first arm 411 of the torsion spring member 41B contacts
the outer periphery of a right portion of the second connecting tube 22.
[0084] In a case where the suction tool main body 11 turns left as shown in the right diagram
of Fig. 12A, as shown in the left column of Fig. 13B (at the time of the left turn),
the second arm 412 of the torsion spring member 41A (upper diagram) located at the
rear side moves from a lower side to an upper side in the spring long hole 422, and
the first arm 411 of the torsion spring member 41A moves from the upper side to the
lower side in accordance with the rotation (left rotation) of the second connecting
tube 22. In this state, the torsion spring member 41A rotates (left rotation) together
with the second connecting tube 22, so that the torque is not generated by the torsion
spring member 41A.
[0085] The first arm 411 of the torsion spring member 41B (lower diagram) located at the
front side moves from the lower side to the upper side in accordance with the rotation
(left rotation) of the second connecting tube 22, and the second arm 412 of the torsion
spring member 41B is located at the home position in the spring long hole 422 without
movement and contacts the spring fixing frame 421 located at the lower side. To be
specific, the second arm 412 of the torsion spring member 41B serves as the stopper,
so that the torque is generated by the torsion spring member 41B. As a result, force
acts on the second connecting tube 22 such that the second connecting tube 22 moves
from the left side to the right side.
[0086] In a case where the suction tool main body 11 turns right as shown in the right diagram
of Fig. 12B, as shown in the right column of Fig. 13B (at the time of the right turn),
the first arm 411 of the torsion spring member 41A (upper diagram) located at the
rear side moves from the lower side to the upper side in accordance with the rotation
(right rotation) of the second connecting tube 22, and the second arm 412 of the torsion
spring member 41A is located at the home position in the spring long hole 422 without
movement and contacts the spring fixing frame 421 located at the lower side. With
this, the torque is generated by the torsion spring member 41A, so that force acts
on the second connecting tube 22 such that the second connecting tube 22 moves from
the right side to the left side. As with the torsion spring member 41A at the time
of the left turn, the torsion spring member 41B rotates (right rotation) together
with the second connecting tube 22, so that the torque is not generated by the torsion
spring member 41B.
[0087] As above, these two torsion spring members 41A and 41B apply to the second connecting
tube 22, repulsive force by which the second connecting tube 22 inclined in the revolution
direction in accordance with the left or right turn returns to an original state (in
the front-rear direction). Therefore, the suction tool 10 can return to a straight
movement state immediately after the left or right turn. On this account, the suction
tool 10 can be prevented from wobbling by its own weight. As a result, the operability
of the suction tool 10 can be further improved.
[Stored State of Suction Tool]
[0088] Next, one example of the configuration by which the state of the suction tool 10
is changed from the use state to the stored state will be specifically explained in
reference to Figs. 14A, 14B, 15, and 16.
[0089] According to the suction tool 10 of the present embodiment, not only the operability
when in use but also the operability when switching between the stored state and the
use state is improved. Specifically, each of Figs. 14A and 14B shows an example in
which the suction tool 10 according to the present embodiment is attached to a main
body portion 51 of an upright type vacuum cleaner. As shown in Fig. 14A, when the
suction tool 10 is used, a center axis Cb of the suction tool 10 shown by a chain
double-dashed line is located on the wheel portion 13. As shown in Fig. 14B, when
the suction tool 10 is stored, the center axis Cb of the suction tool 10 is located
between the suction tool main body 11 and the wheel portion 13. The center axis Cb
of the suction tool 10 when the suction tool 10 is used may be located behind the
wheel portion 13.
[0090] Since the main body portion 51 is located at the rear side in the use state, the
center of gravity is located in the vicinity of the wheel portion 13 or behind the
wheel portion 13. With this, the user can easily incline the wheel portion 13, and
as a result, the operability improves. In contrast, in order to realize the stored
state, the user just moves the main body portion 51 to the front side. Thus, the center
of gravity moves to the front side of the center of gravity when in use. With this,
the main body portion 51 can be placed immediately above the suction tool 10 to be
stabilized. Therefore, the upright type vacuum cleaner can be stably stored. Even
in a state where the suction tool 10 is connected to, for example, the connecting
tube of a canister type vacuum cleaner, the same change in the center of gravity as
above occurs. On this account, in a case where the center of gravity of the suction
tool 10 is changeable, the switching between the stored state and the use state becomes
easy, so that the operability can be further improved.
[0091] It is preferable that the wheel portion 13 incline (swing) as little as possible
in the stored state. In the present embodiment, the wheel portion 13 includes the
lever mechanism 33 that contacts a part of the third connecting tube 23 to be able
to engage with the part of the third connecting tube 23. Specifically, as shown in
Fig. 14A, the lever mechanism 33 is located at a lower side in the use state. At this
time, since the engagement between the lever mechanism 33 and the third connecting
tube 23 is canceled, the third connecting tube 23 swings backward, and the protruding
portion 231 of the third connecting tube 23 rotates to the front side in accordance
with the swinging of the third connecting tube 23.
[0092] As shown in Fig. 14B, in order to realize the stored state, the third connecting
tube 23 swings to the front side, so that the lever mechanism 33 is pushed up in conjunction
with the swinging of the third connecting tube 23. At this time, as shown in Fig.
15, an engaging portion 331 of the lever mechanism 33 can engage with an engaged portion
232 located at an outer periphery of a swing portion of the third connecting tube
23. Further, as shown by a broken line in Fig. 14B, the protruding portion 231 of
the third connecting tube 23 rotates from the front side to the lower side. With this,
as shown in Fig. 15, the protruding portion 231 contacts an upper surface 32a of the
wheel supporting body 32. Thus, the inclination movement of the wheel portion 13 can
be limited.
[0093] The contact of the protruding portion 231 will be specifically explained. As described
above, the third connecting tube 23 can swing relative to the second connecting tube
22 in the front-rear direction (the swinging direction M3; see Fig. 11A). The protruding
portion 231 is provided so as to rotate about the swinging axis S3 (see Figs. 11A
and 11B) of the third connecting tube 23 together with the swinging of the third connecting
tube 23. Since the swinging axis S3 extends in the left-right direction, the protruding
portion 231 rotates in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the suction tool
10 is stored, the third connecting tube 23 is caused to swing to the front side as
shown in Fig. 15. With this, the protruding portion 231 contacts the upper surface
32a of the wheel supporting body 32. Thus, the inclination of the wheel portion 13
(wheel supporting body 32) is limited by the friction between the protruding portion
231 and the upper surface 32a.
[0094] As above, in a case where the suction tool 10 includes the lever mechanism 33 and
the protruding portion 231 of the third connecting tube 23, the contact between the
protruding portion 231 and the wheel portion 13 is canceled in the use state. Therefore,
in a case where the second connecting tube 22 (and the third connecting tube 23) is
caused to rotate about the rotation axis S2, the wheel portion 13 changes in position
relative to the suction tool main body 11 so as to incline.
[0095] In other words, in a case where the second connecting tube 22 is caused to rotate
about the rotation axis S2 in the use state, the attached position of the wheel portion
13 does not change, but the wheel 31 located at the same side as the side toward which
the second connecting tube 22 is rotated about the rotation axis S2 gets close to
the suction tool main body 11, and the wheel 31 located at the opposite side gets
away from the suction tool main body 11.
[0096] In the stored state, since the third connecting tube 23 and the lever mechanism 33
engage with each other, the swinging of the third connecting tube 23 is limited. In
addition, since the protruding portion 231 of the third connecting tube 23 contacts
the wheel portion 13, the inclination movement of the wheel portion 13 is limited.
[0097] Further, as shown in Fig. 16, the present embodiment may be configured such that:
an engaging portion 332 that engages with the second connecting tube 22 is provided
at the lever mechanism 33; and an engaged portion 222 that engages with the engaging
portion 332 is provided at the second connecting tube 22. In the example shown in
Fig. 16, the engaging portion 332 having a convex shape is provided at a part of the
lever mechanism 33, and the engaged portion 222 having a hook shape corresponding
to the engaging portion 332 is provided at the second connecting tube 22. With this,
by operating the lever mechanism 33, the lever mechanism 33 engages with not only
the third connecting tube 23 but also the second connecting tube 22, so that both
the third connecting tube 23 and the second connecting tube 22 are fixed. As a result,
the contact state between the upper surface 32a of the wheel supporting body 32 and
the protruding portion 231 is stably maintained, so that the limitation of the inclination
movement of the wheel portion 13 can be stably maintained as long as the lever mechanism
33 is not operated.
[Modification Example]
[0098] The suction tool 10 according to the present embodiment includes the third connecting
tube 23 as the tubular member constituting the connecting tube portion 12. However,
the present invention is not limited to this, and the third connecting tube 23 may
not be included in the suction tool 10. As described above, the second connecting
tube 22, the wheel portion 13, and the wheel attaching portion 14 significantly contribute
to the operability of the suction tool 10 in the use state, and the first connecting
tube 21 is the tubular member that couples the second connecting tube 22 and the suction
tool main body 11. Therefore, the third connecting tube 23 is not an essential component
of the connecting tube portion 12.
[0099] The specific configuration of the wheel attaching portion 14 is not limited to the
configuration constituted by the torsion spring members 41A and 41B, the attaching
portion main body 42, the attachment shaft portion 43, and the shaft portion fastening
member 44 explained in the present embodiment and may be a configuration by which
the wheel portion 13 is attached to the lower portion of the second connecting tube
22 such that the wheel portion 13 can three-dimensionally incline. The attaching portion
main body 42 of the wheel attaching portion 14 is integrally provided at the middle
portion of the wheel supporting body 32. However, the attaching portion main body
42 may be provided separately from the wheel supporting body 32.
[0100] Further, in the present embodiment, the lever mechanism 33 is used as a component
(switching unit) configured to switch the state of the suction tool 10 from the use
state to the stored state. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this,
and the switching unit may be a mechanical switching unit or a switching unit configured
to operate by electrical control.
(Embodiment 2)
[0101] In the present embodiment, an upright type vacuum cleaner will be specifically explained
as a vacuum cleaner to which the suction tool 10 explained in Embodiment 1 is applied.
[0102] As shown in Fig. 17, an upright type vacuum cleaner 50 according to the present embodiment
includes the main body portion 51, a handle 52, a handle shaft 53, and the suction
tool 10.
[0103] The main body portion 51 has a substantially columnar shape. A dust chamber is provided
at an upper part of the main body portion 51, and a suction motor and the like, not
shown, are incorporated in a lower part of the main body portion 51. The suction tool
10 is connected to the main body portion 51. The dust and the like suctioned through
the suction tool 10 by the operation of the suction motor are accumulated in the dust
chamber in the main body portion 51. A carrying grip 54 is provided at the upper part
of the main body portion 51, and the user can grip the carrying grip 54 to carry the
upright type vacuum cleaner 50.
[0104] The handle 52 is provided at the upper part of the main body portion 51 via the handle
shaft 53. The handle 52 is a grip portion that is gripped by the user when in use.
The handle 52 is formed in an oval ring shape having a size corresponding to an average
palm size.
[0105] When using the upright type vacuum cleaner 50, the user first pulls out a power supply
cord from the main body portion 51 and inserts a power supply plug of a tip end of
the power supply cord into a power supply outlet. Then, the user operates a power
supply switch to turn on the upright type vacuum cleaner 50. With this, the suction
motor operates to generate suction force at the suction port 111 of the suction tool
10. Therefore, the dust on the floor surface is suctioned to be accumulated in the
dust chamber in the main body portion 51. The user grips the handle 52 to cause the
upright type vacuum cleaner 50 to move on the floor surface. Thus, the user can change
a cleaned area of the floor surface.
[0106] In the present embodiment, the operability of the suction tool 10 is improved. Therefore,
even in a case where the user tries to turn the upright type vacuum cleaner 50 in
a small radius, the user can easily turn the suction tool 10 without largely twisting
the handle 52. Therefore, the load on the wrist of the user can be reduced, and the
operability can be further improved.
[0107] The specific components of the upright type vacuum cleaner 50 shown in Fig. 17, that
is, the components, such as the main body portion 51 and the handle 52, are not especially
limited, and various components known in the field of upright type vacuum cleaners
can be suitably used.
(Embodiment 3)
[0108] Embodiment 2 has explained the upright type cleaner as the vacuum cleaner to which
the suction tool 10 explained in Embodiment 1 is applied. Embodiment 3 will specifically
explain a canister type vacuum cleaner as the vacuum cleaner.
[0109] A canister type vacuum cleaner 60 according to the present embodiment includes a
cleaner main body 61, a suction hose 62, a hand operating portion 63, a suction extension
pipe 64, and the suction tool 10.
[0110] The cleaner main body 61 includes an electric blower, a dust chamber, a power supply
cord, and the like, and one end of the suction hose 62 is detachably connected to
the cleaner main body 61. The hand operating portion 63 is provided at the other end
of the suction hose 62, and one end of the suction extension pipe 64 is detachably
connected to a tip end of the hand operating portion 63. Further, the suction tool
10 is detachably attached to the other end of the suction extension pipe 64. A suction
nozzle 65 is detachably attached to a lower part of the hand operating portion 63.
The suction nozzle 65 can be attached to the tip end of the hand operating portion
63 instead of the suction extension pipe 64.
[0111] The suction motor and the dust chamber are provided inside the cleaner main body
61. The suction force is generated by the operation of the suction motor. Thus, the
suction force is generated at the suction port 111 of the suction tool 10 via the
suction hose 62 and the suction extension pipe 64. The power supply cord is stored
in the cleaner main body 61 so as to be able to be pulled out.
[0112] When using the canister type vacuum cleaner 60, the user first pulls out the power
supply cord from the cleaner main body 61 and inserts the power supply plug of the
tip end of the power supply cord into the power supply outlet. Then, the user operates
the hand operating portion 63 to turn on the cleaner main body 61. With this, the
suction motor operates to generate the suction force at the suction tool 10. Therefore,
the dust on the floor surface is suctioned to be accumulated in the dust chamber in
the cleaner main body 61 through the suction extension pipe 64 and the suction hose
62. The user grips the hand operating portion 63 to cause the suction tool 10 to move
on the floor surface. Thus, the user can change the cleaned area of the floor surface.
When changing the place to be cleaned, the user pulls the suction hose 62 to cause
the cleaner main body 61 to move on the floor surface.
[0113] In the present embodiment, the operability of the suction tool 10 is improved. Therefore,
even in a case where the user tries to turn the suction tool 10 in a small radius,
the user can easily turn the suction tool 10 without largely moving the hand operating
portion 63. Therefore, the load on the wrist of the user can be reduced, and the operability
can be further improved.
[0114] A knob, not shown, is provided at the cleaner main body 61. With this, the user can
lift and carry the cleaner main body 61. In a case where the user would like to clean
not the floor surface but narrow spaces, such as a corner of a room and a space between
pieces of furniture, the suction extension pipe 64 or the suction tool 10 is detached
from the canister type vacuum cleaner 60, and the suction nozzle 65 is attached to
the canister type vacuum cleaner 60. Thus, the user can clean those narrow spaces.
[0115] The specific components of the canister type vacuum cleaner 60 shown in Fig. 18,
that is, the components, such as the cleaner main body 61, the suction hose 62, the
hand operating portion 63, the suction extension pipe 64, and the suction nozzle 65
are not especially limited, and various components known in the field of canister
type vacuum cleaners can be suitably used.
[0116] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications
may be made within the scope of the claims. An embodiment obtained by suitably combining
technical means disclosed in different embodiments and a plurality of modification
examples is included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[0117] From the foregoing explanation, many modifications and other embodiments of the present
invention are obvious to one skilled in the art. Therefore, the foregoing explanation
should be interpreted only as an example and is provided for the purpose of teaching
the best mode for carrying out the present invention to one skilled in the art. The
structures and/or functional details may be substantially modified within the spirit
of the present invention.
Industrial Applicability
[0118] The present invention can be suitably used in the field of vacuum cleaner suction
tools and can also be used widely and suitably in the field of vacuum cleaners using
the suction tools.
Reference Signs List
[0119]
- 10
- vacuum cleaner suction tool
- 11
- suction tool main body
- 12
- connecting tube portion
- 13
- wheel portion
- 14
- wheel attaching portion
- 21
- first connecting tube
- 22
- second connecting tube
- 23
- third connecting tube
- 31
- wheel
- 32
- wheel supporting body
- 32a
- upper surface of wheel supporting body
- 33
- lever mechanism
- 41A, 41B
- torsion spring member
- 111
- suction port
- 222
- engaged portion
- 231
- protruding portion
- 232
- engaged portion
- 331
- engaging portion
- 332
- engaging portion
- Cb
- center axis
- F
- cleaned surface
- P0
- rotary surface
- S1
- attachment axis
- S2
- rotation axis
- S3
- swinging axis
- θ0
- rotary surface angle
- θ1
- attachment axis angle
- θ2
- rotation axis angle