The invention relates to a cleaning device for a small electrical appliance which requires periodical cleaning, such as an electric shaver or an epilation device.

JP 2010 069030 A discloses a cleaning device for a small electrical appliance, comprising a cleaning part configured to clean a cleaned part of the small electrical appliance, and a container for storing cleaning liquid to be supplied to the cleaning part. The cleaning device further comprises detection pins for detecting a level of the cleaning liquid by conduction via the cleaning liquid. The detection pins are disposed so as to hang down in the container.
When being removed from a living body surface by an appliance, such as an electric shaver or an epilation device, body hairs and the like necessarily adhere to a head part of the appliance. Consequently, such an appliance requires periodical cleaning. Conventionally, as a device for performing this kind of cleaning, there has been a cleaning device for a small electrical appliance (e.g., see JP2010-63477A).

The cleaning device in the above-mentioned document includes: a cleaning tub into which the head part is inserted; a container which stores cleaning liquid and has an electrolytic means of electrolyzing the cleaning liquid; a pump mechanism which is configured to supply the cleaning liquid from the container to the cleaning tub; and a drain pipe for returning the cleaning liquid from the cleaning tub to the container. Further, the container includes an electrode plate for detection. The cleaning device is configured to apply a prescribed voltage between an electrode plate of the electrolytic means and the electrode plate for detection, and measure current flowing between those electrode plates through the cleaning liquid. Further, a determination means of the cleaning device is configured to compare the measured current with a prescribed threshold to determine whether or not the cleaning liquid is injected up to a prescribed level in the container.

However, in the conventional cleaning device, because the number of electrode plate for detection is one, the determination means is merely configured to determine a level of the cleaning liquid only about whether the cleaning device is in an available state where the cleaning liquid is injected up to the prescribed level, or an unavailable state where the cleaning liquid is not injected up to the prescribed level. Therefore, the convenience is not high. In addition, conventionally, the cleaning device may be put on an inclined surface or put while a comb, a power supply cord or the like being located between an installation surface and the cleaning device, and accordingly, may be used in a state where a surface of the cleaning liquid in the container is inclined relative to a bottom face of the container. However, the above-mentioned document does not disclose this matter.

Here, a case is considered, where current flowing between electrode plates of the electrolytic means, which are provided for determining the type of cleaning liquid, is used for detecting the level of the cleaning liquid. However, in this case, because bottom ends of the electrode plates are positioned at the same heights, there is fear that, when the surface of the cleaning liquid is inclined relative to the bottom face of the container, a bottom end of one electrode plate is immersed in the cleaning liquid, but a bottom end of the other electrode plate is not immersed in the cleaning liquid. Thus, it is hard to enhance the detection accuracy while the cleaning device is inclined, by merely providing more than two electrode plates for detecting the level of the cleaning liquid.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device for a small electrical appliance, which can reduce influence on detection for a cleaning liquid level, depending on a surface of cleaning liquid in a container being inclined relative to a bottom face of the container and further enhance detection accuracy for the cleaning liquid level, even when the cleaning device is put while being inclined.

A cleaning device for a small electrical appliance, according to the present invention, includes: a cleaning part configured to clean a cleaned part of the small electrical appliance; and a container for storing cleaning liquid to be supplied to the cleaning part. The cleaning device further includes three or more detection pins for detecting a level of the cleaning liquid by conduction via the cleaning liquid. The three or more detection pins are disposed so as to hang down in the container. One detection pin of the three or more detection pins is defined as a common pin which is conducted in common with the other detection pins. The other detection pins are defined as two or more conduction pins for detection. A bottom end of the common pin is disposed below bottom ends of the two or more conduction pins.

In the cleaning device, preferably, one conduction pin of the two or more conduction pins has the lowest bottom end among the bottom ends of the two or more conduction pins. A dimension in a vertical direction from the bottom end of the one conduction pin to the bottom end of the common pin is defined as H1. A distance on a horizontal plane between the one conduction pin and the common pin is defined as L1. An allowable angle, at which the cleaning liquid is allowed to be supplied from the container to the cleaning part and further the cleaned part is allowed to be cleaned at the cleaning part while the cleaning device is inclined, is defined as α. In this case, preferably, the dimension in the vertical direction H1 is set so as to satisfy the following conditional equation: H1 >= L1 × tanα.

The cleaning device, preferably, further includes three or more fixing parts for respectively fixing the three or more detection pins, and the three or more fixing parts are provided above an immersion region where the cleaning liquid is stored.

In the cleaning device, preferably, the three or more detection pins are respectively fixed to the three or more fixing parts by any one of elastically press-inserting, insert molding, and press-inserting in a melted state.

In the cleaning device, preferably, the three or more detection pins are disposed so that a gap is provided between an immersion portion of each detection pin which is immersed in the cleaning liquid, and a peripheral member which is disposed around the each detection pin.

The cleaning device, preferably, further includes: three or more fixing parts for respectively fixing top end sides of the three or more detection pins; and three or more ribs for making the cleaning liquid flow down, which respectively correspond to the three or more fixing parts. In this case, each of the three or more ribs is preferably provided so as to extend downward from a boundary portion between a corresponding fixing part and a detection pin corresponding to the fixing part.

In the cleaning device, preferably, at least a bottom end side of each of the three or more ribs is provided to be in contact with a wall surface of a peripheral member which is disposed around the detection pin corresponding to the fixing part.

In the cleaning device, preferably, the three or more detection pins are disposed so that a distance between the common pin and the closest conduction pin to the common pin, of the two or more conduction pins, is larger than a distance between two adjacent conduction pins, of the two or more conduction pins.

In the present invention, by providing the above configuration, even while the surface of the cleaning liquid is inclined relative to a bottom face of the container, it is possible to more easily secure electrically conduction between the common pin and the conduction pins for detection via the cleaning liquid, compared with the case where the number of conduction pin for detection is one. Furthermore, in the present invention, by providing the above configuration, even while the surface of the cleaning liquid is inclined relative to the bottom face of the container, it is possible to more easily secure the electrically conduction via the cleaning liquid, compared with the case where bottom ends of the common pin and the conduction pin for detection are positioned at substantially the same heights. In other words, the cleaning device of the present invention can easily reduce influence on detection for the cleaning liquid level, depending on the surface of the cleaning liquid inclined relative to the bottom face of the container. Therefore, the cleaning device of the present invention can more easily enhance detection accuracy for the level of the cleaning liquid in the container, even when the cleaning device is put while being inclined.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further details. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings where:

• Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-section view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment;
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning device according to the embodiment, in a state where a small electrical appliance is attached to the cleaning device;
• Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section view of the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cleaning device according to the embodiment, in a state where part of the cleaning device is pulled up;
• Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a base and parts around the base in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a cleaning part and parts around the cleaning part in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 7 is a transverse cross-section view of the cleaning device according to the embodiment, in a state where a lateral cover is removed;
• Fig. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-section view of the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cleaning device according to the embodiment, in a state where a top-face cover, a support block, the lateral cover and a front cover are removed;
• Fig. 10 is a plan view of the cleaning device according to the embodiment, in a state where the top-face cover and the support block are removed;
• Fig. 11 is a cross-section view taken along line N-N of Fig. 10;
• Fig. 12 is a cross-section view taken along line L-L of Fig. 10;
• Fig. 13 is a lateral view of a cleaning tray in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 14 is a plan view of the cleaning tray in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the cleaning tray in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a container and a filter frame in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 17 is a partially-broken perspective view of the container and the filter frame in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 18A is a vertical cross-section view of the container and the filter frame in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 18B is a transverse cross-section view of the container and the filter frame in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 19A is a plan view of the filter frame in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 19B is a back view of the filter frame in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 19C is a lateral view of the filter frame in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 19D is a bottom view of the filter frame in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 20A is a partially-broken back view of the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 20B is a partially cross-section view taken along line K-K of Fig. 10;
• Fig. 20C is a bottom view of the base and parts around the base in the cleaning device according to the embodiment;
• Fig. 20D is a cross-section view taken along line J-J of Fig. 20C;
• Fig. 21A is a schematic cross-section view of the container in the cleaning device according to the embodiment, in a state where a surface of cleaning liquid is horizontal relative to a bottom face of the container;
• Fig. 21B is a schematic cross-section view of the container in the cleaning device according to the embodiment, in a state where the surface of the cleaning liquid is inclined relative to the bottom face of the container;
• Fig. 22 is a schematic cross-section view of one example of a container in the cleaning device according to the embodiment, where arrangement of detection pins is changed, in a state where the surface of the cleaning liquid is inclined relative to the bottom face of the container;
• Fig. 23 is a schematic lateral view of a detection pin and parts around the detection pin, in a variation of the cleaning device according to the embodiment; and
• Fig. 24 is a schematic lateral view of a detection pin and parts around the detection pin, in another variation of the cleaning device according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, a cleaning device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to drawings. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a cleaning device 1 according to the present embodiment is for cleaning a blade head Ea of a small electrical appliance E that is a reciprocating electric shaver. The cleaning device 1 is provided in an upper face thereof with an opening part 20, through which the blade head Ea is inserted while the small electrical appliance E is inverted.

As shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, the cleaning device 1 includes inside thereof, a cleaning tray 5a, a container 7 for storing cleaning liquid, a pump P for circulating the cleaning liquid between the container 7 and the cleaning tray 5a, and a heater unit H and a motor fan F for drying the blade head Ea after cleaning. Further, the cleaning device 1 includes a support part S that is disposed on the upper rear side of the cleaning device 1. The support part S includes a connecting part for electrically connecting the small electrical appliance E and the cleaning device 1.

In the cleaning device 1, the container 7 containing the cleaning liquid is set. The blade head Ea of the small electrical appliance E is disposed in the cleaning tray 5a through the opening part 20 of the cleaning device 1. The electrically connection between the small electrical appliance E and the cleaning device 1 is completed by the connecting part of the support part S. When being activated in this state, the pump P starts supplying of the cleaning liquid stored in the container 7 into the cleaning tray 5a. Here, the cleaning tray 5a includes an overflow weir 54, and accordingly, cleaning liquid, which overflows the overflow weir 54, is returned into the container 7 that is disposed below the cleaning tray 5a. During the cleaning, the blade head Ea of the small electrical appliance E can be activated by power supply and transmission of signals through the above-mentioned connecting part. Therefore, it is possible to perform the cleaning of the blade head Ea more quickly and effectively.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the blade head Ea corresponds to a cleaned part E1, and the cleaning tray 5a of the cleaning device 1 corresponds to a cleaning part 5 that is configured to clean the cleaned part E1.

Next, each part of the cleaning device 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. The cleaning device 1 further includes: a bottom plate 11; a base 12 that is vertically movable with respect to the bottom plate 11; a support frame 13 that is disposed on the base 12; and the cleaning tray 5a of which four side upper edges are supported by an upper edge of the support frame 13. The cleaning device 1 further includes: a top-face cover 2 that includes the opening parts 20; a support block 6 to which the connecting part is attached; a lateral cover 15 for covering a lateral face; and a front cover 16 that is disposed on a front face.

As shown in Fig. 5, the bottom plate 11 is provided with two guide posts 110 and 110 that are respectively erected from both right and left sides of the bottom plate. The base 12 is vertically movable along the guide posts 110. Further, a pushing-up rod 111 is disposed in each guide post 110 of the bottom plate 11. The pushing-up rod 111 is provided with a spring 112. The base 12 is biased upward by the pushing-up rod 111. On the base 12, a switch plate 31 is disposed slidably in the lateral direction.

One end of the switch plate 31 is exposed to the outside from the lateral cover 15. The switch plate 31 is biased toward a side of the one end from a side of the other end of the switch plate 31 by a spring 32. The switch plate 31 includes an engagement part for engaging with a hook part 115 that is provided at an upper end of each guide post 110. When the switch plate 31 is pushed against the biasing of the spring 32, the engagement with the hook part 115 is disengaged, and accordingly, the base 12 is moved upward by receiving biasing of the spring 112. When the base 12 is pushed downward, the switch plate 31 engages with the hook part 115 again, and accordingly, the base 12 is kept in a state of being pushed down.

As shown in Fig. 5, the base 12 is formed by resin molding for example, and includes a cylindrical motor cover part 120 that projects downward. The motor cover part 120 houses a motor M through a motor casing 121. An output shaft of the motor M projects downward from a bottom face of the motor cover part 120 through an M-shaped sealing part 122. As shown in Fig. 12, an impeller 123 is attached to this output shaft. Further, a pump cover 124 is attached around the impeller 123 to cover the impeller 123. A suction port is opened in a central part of the bottom of the pump cover 124. When the impeller 123 is rotated, the cleaning liquid is sucked from the suction port of the pump cover 124, and then supplied to a water supply/discharge port 56 (described later in detail) of the cleaning tray 5a through a connecting pipe 126 that is provided integrally with the motor cover part 120.

The cleaning tray 5a is disposed on the base 12 through the support frame 13. The cleaning tray 5a is formed of soft material, such as rubber, and includes a folded-back part 50 that is provided by an upper edge thereof projecting toward an outer periphery side, and an end thereof being folded downward. A groove 51 is provided in a top-face of the upper edge of the cleaning tray 5a. The top-face cover 2 is assembled to the cleaning tray 5a in a state where the upper edge of the support frame 13 is covered with the folded-back part 50. In this way, as shown in Fig. 8, a back cover 23 provided at a lower edge of the top-face cover 2 is fitted into the groove 51. Therefore, the upper edge of the cleaning tray 5a is compressed between the top-face cover 2 and the support frame 13, and accordingly, this portion is waterproofed.

Also as shown in Figs. 13 to 15, the cleaning tray 5a includes, therein, the overflow weir 54. By the overflow weir 54, the cleaning tray 5a is partitioned into a cleaning space 52 on the front part side of the overflow weir 54, and an overflow part 53 on the rear part side of the overflow weir 54. A rib 55 is provided integrally with a wall face of the overflow weir 54 on the side of the cleaning space 52. In a portion of the cleaning space 52 for housing the blade head Ea of the small electrical appliance E, a position of the blade head Ea in a front-back direction is determined between the rib 55 and a supporting part 36 of a head guide 35 disposed on an inner face of the cleaning tray 5a. Further, plural projected strips 59 are provided on the bottom of the cleaning tray 5a. Due to the projected strips 59, the blade head Ea is supported while slightly floating from the bottom of the cleaning tray 5a.

The cleaning tray 5a is provided at the lowest portion of the cleaning space 52 with the water supply/discharge port 56. The overflow part 53 is provided with two water discharge ports 57 and 58. The water supply/discharge port 56 is connected to the pump P via the connecting pipe 126 provided at the base 12. The respective water discharge ports 57 and 58 are connected to connecting pipes 127 and 128 provided at the base 12. Those connecting pipes 127 and 128 are located directly above the container 7. The cleaning liquid passing through the water discharge ports 57 and 58 is returned to the container 7 via the connecting pipes 127 and 128.

An upper face opening of the water discharge port 57 is at a lower position than that of the water discharge port 58. On the other hand, an upper face opening of the water discharge port 58 is at a higher position than that of the water discharge port 57, and further is at a position farther from the overflow weir 54 than that of the water discharge port 57. For this reason, the water discharge port 57 of the two water discharge ports 57 and 58 is provided to discharge the cleaning liquid for the circulation of the cleaning liquid. The water discharge port 58 is provided as a port for emergency (an auxiliary port) when the water discharge port 57 is clogged with some cause and cannot exert the function, or when the function is reduced. A bottom face of the overflow part 53 is provided as a sloping face that slopes downward toward the water discharge port 57 disposed on one side.

The cleaning tray 5a is provided on one side of a front edge thereof with a wall body 500 formed into a bag-shape. A portion that is surrounded by the wall body 500 is provided for installing a selecting button 29 that is for operation instructions. The selecting button 29 is exposed from the top-face cover 2. When the selecting button 29 is operated by a user, a switch that is provided at a switch substrate 27 (see Fig. 5) is driven via a switch rod 290 (see Fig. 6). In this way, the user can direct an operation of the cleaning device 1 with the selecting button 29. Upon this operation, a display lamp for displaying the operation, which is provided at the switch substrate 27, displays a content corresponding to the directed operation, on the top-face cover 2 via a light guide plate 28. Further, a display lamp for displaying the amount of the cleaning liquid in the container 7 may be also provided.

The top-face cover 2 includes the back cover 23. The back face side of the support block 6 is covered by the back cover 23. The support block 6 and the back cover 23 constitute the support part S. The support block 6 is provided with a plurality of contact parts 39. The plurality of contact parts 39 are respectively individually biased forward by a plurality of springs 37 via a plurality of supporting members 38. The plurality of contact parts 39 are exposed through a front face of the support block 6 so as not to project further than the front face of the support block 6.

A magnet 43 and a yoke 44 for attracting the small electrical appliance E are located above the plurality of contact parts 39. When the blade head Ea is fitted into the cleaning tray 5a, the small electrical appliance E is magnetically attracted to the support part S by the magnet 43, and then terminal parts Eb of the small electrical appliance E come into contact with the plurality of contact parts 39, and further the terminal parts Eb push the plurality of contact parts 39 against the plurality of springs 37, and accordingly, the small electrical appliance E is held by the cleaning device 1 in a state of securing contact pressures. By the terminal parts Eb coming into contact with the plurality of contact parts 39, it becomes a state capable of performing power supply to the small electrical appliance E and transmission of signals from the cleaning device 1 to the small electrical appliance E.

A main-body-detecting plate 42 is disposed in the support part S for coming into contact with the plurality of contact parts 39. When the small electrical appliance E is installed to the cleaning device 1 and the plurality of contact parts 39 are retracted, the main-body-detecting plate 42 is separated from the plurality of contact parts 39, and accordingly, installing of the small electrical appliance E to the cleaning device 1 is detected.

The support block 6 is provided in a lower part thereof with a blowing port 66. A lower edge of the blowing port 66 is placed on a rear upper edge of the cleaning tray 5a. A motor fan F is installed on the back side of the blowing port 66. The motor fan F is provided for sucking air through a sucking port 150 that is positioned at a back face of the cleaning device 1, and sending the air to the blade head Ea through the blowing port 66. Therefore, the blowing port 66 for the motor fan F is directed obliquely downward so as to be capable of drying the blade head Ea by sending the air to the blade head Ea from the upper side. Further, the blowing port 66 is provided with straightening plates 67 for efficiently changing a direction of the sent air.

For heating, a heater unit H is installed on a rear face (lower face) side of the cleaning space 52 of the cleaning tray 5a. The heater unit H includes a heater wire, a heater plate, a heater base, a temperature detector for controlling temperature, and a protection component functioning upon abnormal heating (all those are not shown). The heater unit H transmits heat from the heater wire to the blade head Ea through the heater plate, the cleaning tray 5a and the plural projected strips 59 of the cleaning tray 5a to promote the drying of the blade head Ea after the cleaning.

The cleaning tray 5a and the top-face cover 2 are assembled on the base 12 through the support frame 13, and then the lateral cover 15 and the front cover 16 are attached so as to surround outer peripheries of the cleaning tray 5a and the top-face cover 2. Accordingly, when the base 12 is moved vertically with respect to the bottom plate 11, all members other than the bottom plate 11 and the container 7 detachably installed on the bottom plate 11 are vertically moved integrally with the base 12. This vertically movement is performed for attaching or detaching operation of the container 7 disposed on the bottom plate 11.

Next, the container 7 and a filter frame 8, which is detachably disposed in the container 7, will be described with reference to Figs. 16, 17, 18A, 18B, and 19A to 19D. The container 7 is formed into a cup-shape in which a lateral width of a rear side thereof is set to be smaller than that of a front side thereof. The container 7 has an upper face opened, and is installed on the bottom plate 11. Further, a line 70 for water supply is marked on an inner wall of the container 7. Further, the container 7 is provided on a lower face thereof with a plurality of convex raised parts 76. Accordingly, it is possible to secure stability in a case where the container 7 is located outside the cleaning device 1, and further even when water droplets are adhered on the lower face of the container 7 due to washing with water or the like, it is possible to prevent the water droplets from accidentally moving to a place where the container 7 is located.

The filter frame 8 includes a bottom plate part 80 that almost covers the bottom face of the container 7 (a surface on an inner side of the container 7), and a partition wall 81 that extends upward from a rear part of the bottom plate part 80. Both side edges of the partition wall 81 are in contact with an inner wall face of the container 7. The filter frame 8 is positioned in the container 7 by a projected part 74 for positioning, which is provided at the inner wall of the container 7. By the filter frame 8, the inside of the container 7 is divided into three spaces: two spaces 7a and 7b that are partitioned by the partition wall 81; and a space 7c that is between the bottom face of the container 7 and the bottom plate part 80, which is in a state of slightly floating from the bottom face of the container 7. The bottom plate part 80 is provided on a lower face side thereof with a grid-like rib 85. Further, the bottom plate part 80 is provided with a recess 88. The recess 88 is disposed in a part that is at a rear part of an upper face of the bottom plate part 80, and faces the space 7b. When the filter frame 8 is located in the container 7, it becomes a state where a gap is formed between a front edge of a periphery of the bottom plate part 80 and the inner wall face of the container 7.

Further, a flow dividing part 82 is provided at an upper part of the partition wall 81. The flow dividing part 82 includes: a permeation port 84 that is provided in an inclined face 83 formed at the upper part of the partition wall 81; and a slope 86 that is provided directly below the permeation port 84, and slopes in a reverse direction to the inclined face 83. Further, a filter 89 is disposed on the inclined face 83 of the flow dividing part 82. The filter 89 is configured as a mesh sheet that has holes finer than sizes of body hairs and the like.

Cleaning liquid, which does not flow through the filter 89 and the permeation port 84, flows to the space 7b on the upper face side of the bottom plate part 80, via: the space 7a that is between the partition wall 81 and the inner wall of the container 7; the space 7c that is between the bottom plate part 80 and the bottom face of the container 7; and the gap that is between the front edge of the bottom plate part 80 and the inner wall face of the container 7. On the other hand, cleaning liquid, which does flow through the filter 89 and the permeation port 84, flows into the space 7c along the slope 86. An opening area of the permeation port 84 is set so that the amount of the cleaning liquid, which does flow through the filter 89 and the permeation port 84, is larger than the amount of the cleaning liquid, which flows into the space 7c via the space 7a without flowing through the filter 89 and the permeation port 84.

When cleaning the blade head Ea of the small electrical appliance E, a user first floats the whole from the bottom plate 11 by operating the switch plate 31, and then puts cleaning liquid into the container 7 that houses the filter frame 8, and then installs the container 7 on the bottom plate 11. At this time, the container 7 is guided by guide plates 117 that are provided on the bottom plate 11, and further positioned by positioning projections 116. The positioning projections 116 are fitted into engagement recesses 77 that are provided in an outer wall face of the container 7 (see Figs. 18A and 18B), and accordingly, it is possible to prevent the container 7 from floating.

Then, when the user pushes the whole of the cleaning device 1 toward the side of the bottom plate 11, a lower part of the pump P provided at the base 12 is immersed in the cleaning liquid stored in the container 7. Here, a packing 17 is mounted, by a mounting frame 18, to a lower surface of a periphery of the base 12. At this time, the packing 17 is held between a lower face of the base 12 and a flange part 72 that is provided at an upper edge of the container 7 so as to project toward the outer periphery side, and accordingly, this portion is waterproofed.

The user puts the blade head Ea of the small electrical appliance E into the cleaning tray 5a through the opening part 20 of the upper face of the cleaning device 1, and makes the terminal parts Eb of the small electrical appliance E come into contact with the contact parts 39 of the support part S. The cleaning device 1 is connected to an external power supply (not shown) at this state or before this state.

The cleaning device 1 connected to the external power supply starts the cleaning, when the selecting button 29 is operated. Thus, the pump P of the cleaning device 1 is activated and sends the cleaning liquid stored in the container 7 into the cleaning space 52 of the cleaning tray 5a via the connecting pipe 126 and the water supply/discharge port 56. Then, cleaning liquid overflowing the overflow weir 54 of the cleaning tray 5a is returned into the container 7 via the water discharge port 57 and the connecting pipe 127. Therefore, the cleaning liquid is circulated between the container 7 and the cleaning tray 5a. During the cleaning, it is preferred that the cleaning device 1 activates a blade of the blade head Ea through the support part S. In this case, it is possible to perform the cleaning of the blade head Ea more quickly and effectively.

Here, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tray 5a overflows the overflow weir 54, and flows into the overflow part 53, and is returned into the container 7 via the water discharge port 57 and the connecting pipe 127 as described above. The connecting pipe 127 is located directly above the filter 89, and the filter 89 is in the space 7a of the container 7. Therefore, when the cleaning liquid, including body hairs and the like by the cleaning, passes through the filter 89, the body hairs and the like is removed from the cleaning liquid (that is, it becomes filtered cleaning liquid). Then, the filtered cleaning liquid flows to, via the slope 86, the side of the recess 88 that is located in the space 7b. Because a sucking port of the pump P is located on this recess 88, cleaning liquid almost without body hairs and the like, such as filtered cleaning liquid, is sent to the cleaning tray 5a by the pump P again.

Part of the cleaning liquid with body hairs and the like flows down to the space 7a without passing through the filter 89, and then flows into the space 7c that is on the bottom of the container 7. For example, the cleaning liquid with body hairs and the like without passing through the filter 89 flows into the space 7c, located between the lower face of the filter frame 8 and the bottom face of the container 7, from the space 7a located on one side of a rear part of the container 7. Then, this cleaning liquid with the body hairs and the like spreads along the bottom face of the container 7, and then flows into the space 7b from the gap that is between the front edge of the bottom plate part 80 of the filter frame 8 and the front inner wall of the container 7. Here, cleaning liquid sent to the cleaning tray 5a by the pump P mainly includes the cleaning liquid almost without the body hairs and the like described above. Therefore, the amount of the cleaning liquid passing through the space 7c is small, and the flowing speed thereof is considerably low (slow). Furthermore, staying of the cleaning liquid, the body hairs and the like entering the space 7c easily occurs due to, for example, the bottom plate part 80 and the grid-like rib 85 provided on the lower face of the bottom plate part 80. Therefore, the body hairs and the like in the cleaning liquid, entering the space 7c without passing through the filter 89, are easily settled and deposited in the space 7c, and accordingly, the cleaning liquid passing through the space 7c becomes a state where the body hairs and the like are reduced.

After passing through the space 7c, the cleaning liquid passes on the bottom plate part 80 of the filter frame 8 via the front part side of the container 7, and then flows to the recess 88 below which the sucking port of the pump P is opened near the rear part of the container 7. In addition, the bottom plate part 80 is disposed between the sucking port and the body hairs and the like settled and deposited. Therefore, in the cleaning device 1, it is unlikely that the pump P sucks the body hairs and the like and returns those into the cleaning tray 5a again.

The size of the space 7c is normally set so as to be capable of securing the amount of the body hairs deposited by the cleaning operations that are performed several tens times. The user can wash away the deposited body hairs by taking the container 7 out from the cleaning device 1 and removing the filter frame 8. After that, when the user puts new cleaning liquid into the container 7, the cleaning device 1 can obtain initial cleaning capability again. The above-mentioned flange part 72 provided at the upper edge of the container 7 is formed so as to extend toward the outer periphery side. Therefore, when the user allows the opening of the container 7 to turn downward in order to discard old cleaning liquid in the container 7, it is possible to discharge the old cleaning liquid (and body hairs and the like) smoothly. The flange part 72 is provided for securing the rigidity for water stop. However, if it is possible to secure the rigidity by increasing a thickness of a lateral wall of the container 7, the flange part 72 is not required.

When the cleaning is completed and the pump P is stopped, the cleaning liquid remaining in the cleaning space 52 of the cleaning tray 5a is returned into the container 7 by natural falling via the water supply/discharge port 56, the connecting pipe 126 and the pump P (a space between the impeller 123 and the pump cover 124 of the pump P). The impeller 123 is in a state of being immersed in the cleaning liquid stored in the container 7, and further, the cleaning liquid remaining in the cleaning space 52 hardly includes body hairs and the like upon completion of the cleaning. Therefore, although the cleaning liquid passes through the pump P, clogging due to the body hairs and the like hardly occurs. In addition, even when the water discharge port 57 of the overflow part 53 is clogged during the cleaning operation, because the water discharge port 58 is additionally provided, the cleaning liquid hardly overflows the cleaning tray 5a.

The cleaning device 1 according to the present embodiment further includes three detection pins 24 for detecting a level of cleaning liquid, a detection part (not shown), and a determination part (not shown). The detection part is configured to apply a prescribed voltage between two pins of the three detection pins 24 to measure an electric resistance value in a conducted state. The determination part is configured to determine a level of cleaning liquid based on the measured electric resistance value.

Hereinafter, the three detection pins 24 of the present embodiment will be described specifically. As shown in Figs. 20A to 20D, the three detection pins 24 (24a, 24b, 24c) are disposed so as to hang down in a space between an inner wall face on the rear side in the container 7 and an outer periphery of the motor cover part 120. In other words, each detection pin 24 is disposed so as to hang down in the space 7b of the container 7. A bottom end of each detection pin 24 is disposed below the line 70 for water supply marked on the inner wall of the container 7. For this reason, the bottom of each detection pin 24 is immersed into the cleaning liquid almost without body hairs and the like, stored in the container 7.

Note that, Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing. Therefore, for convenience, in the drawing, the three detection pins 24 are illustrated so as to be disposed on the front side of the container 7. However, as shown in Figs. 20A to 20D, those pins 24 are actually disposed in the space between the inner wall face on the rear side in the container 7 and the outer periphery of the motor cover part 120.

Because the cleaning liquid has conductivity, any two of the three detection pins 24 can be electrically connected via the cleaning liquid. The detection part and the determination part of the cleaning device 1 determines a level of the cleaning liquid stored in the container 7 based on an electric resistance value measured when any two of the three detection pins 24 can be electrically conducted with each other. Specifically, the cleaning device 1 detects the level of the cleaning liquid, utilizing a change of the electric resistance value in a case where no cleaning liquid exists between the detection pins 24a and 24b, or in a case where no cleaning liquid exists between the detection pins 24a and 24c (for example, a change that the electric resistance value become larger than a prescribed value). For this reason, the detection pin 24a is defined as a so-called common pin 25 that is used in common in the conducted state, and further the other two pins 24b and 24c are defined as conduction pins 26 for detection, each of which is to be electrically conducted with the common pin 25 via the cleaning liquid.

The top end sides of the three detection pins 24 are respectively fixed to three fixing parts 129 that are provided integrally with the base 12. A bottom end of each fixing part 129 is disposed above the line 70 for water supply. In other words, each fixing part 129 is provided above an immersion region (outside the immersion region) where the cleaning liquid is stored in the container 7. Therefore, in the cleaning device 1, the cleaning liquid in the container 7 is hardly adhered on the three fixing parts 129, a portion (a boundary portion) between each detection pin 24 and a fixing part 129 corresponding to the each detection pin 24, and the like, and it is possible to prevent staying of the cleaning liquid from occurring at the three fixing parts 129, the boundary portion, and the like. Accordingly, the cleaning device 1 can prevent erroneous detection of the cleaning liquid level due to staying of the cleaning liquid at the boundary portion and the like.

The three detection pins 24 are respectively fixed to the three fixing parts 129 by elastically press-inserting, press-inserting in a melted state, or formation of the base 12 through resin-molding in a state where the three detection pins 24 are inserted (by insert molding). In this way, in the cleaning device 1, a gap hardly occurs at a portion (boundary portion) between each fixing part 129 and a corresponding detection pin 24, and accordingly, it is possible to prevent staying of cleaning liquid from occurring at this boundary portion. Therefore, the cleaning device 1 can prevent erroneous detection of the cleaning liquid level due to staying of the cleaning liquid at the boundary portion.

Furthermore, each detection pin 24 is disposed so as to be separated from a wall surface of a peripheral member, which is disposed around the each detection pin, by a prescribed dimension C1 or more (see Fig. 20D). Examples of the wall surface of the peripheral member include an inner wall face of the container 7, an outer peripheral face of the motor cover part 120, and the like. In this way, in the cleaning device 1, the gap with the prescribed dimension C1 or more is provided between the wall surface and an immersion portion of each detection pin 24, which is immersed in the cleaning liquid, and accordingly, it is possible to prevent staying of the cleaning liquid due to surface tension and the like from occurring at the gap. In other words, in plan view, the gap at which no staying of the cleaning liquid due to the surface tension occurs is provided between the wall surface and the immersion portion of each detection pin 24. In this way, the cleaning device 1 can prevent erroneous detection of the cleaning liquid level due to staying of the cleaning liquid occurring between the immersion portion and the wall surface. Note that, the prescribed dimension C1 in the present embodiment is about 8 mm for example. However, this dimension may be set appropriately depending on a component member and a shape of each detection pin 24 or each wall surface, or the present or absence of surface treatment. For this reason, the dimension is not limited to the above value.

In addition, as shown in Figs. 1, 20A to 20D, 21A and 21B, portions positioned in the container 7, of the three detection pins 24, have different vertical lengths. Specifically, the detection pin 24a has the longest length, and the detection pin 24b has the shortest length, and the detection pin 24c has a length that is shorter than the length of the detection pin 24a but longer than the length of the detection pin 24b. In the container 7, vertical positions of bottom ends of the three detection pins 24 are different from each other. Specifically, a bottom end of the detection pin 24a is at the lowest position, and a bottom end of the detection pin 24b is at the highest position and further below the line 70 for water supply, and a bottom end of the detection pin 24c is disposed above the bottom end of the detection pin 24a but below the bottom end of the detection pin 24b. In other words, the bottom end of the common pin 25 is disposed closer to the bottom face of the container 7 than the bottom ends of the other two conduction pins 26 for detection.

For this reason, the cleaning device 1 can measure the cleaning liquid level in two steps, for example: when the residual amount of the cleaning liquid is somewhat small; and when the residual amount thereof is smaller than the amount required for circulating the cleaning liquid to perform the cleaning (cleaning operation) (that is, when it becomes impossible to perform the cleaning). Specifically, the cleaning device 1 is configured to detect a state where a liquid surface of the cleaning liquid (a cleaning liquid surface W) is below the position of the bottom end of the detection pin 24b (below a cleaning liquid surface W1 in Fig. 21A), namely, a state where the residual amount of the cleaning liquid is somewhat small although the cleaning can be performed. Further, the cleaning device 1 is configured to detect a state where the cleaning liquid surface W becomes lower than the level in the former state and is below the position of the bottom end of the detection pin 24c (below a cleaning liquid surface W2 in Fig. 21A), namely, a state where the residual amount thereof is smaller than the amount required for circulating the cleaning liquid to perform the cleaning (a state where it is impossible to perform the cleaning). In this way, because the cleaning device 1 can measure the cleaning liquid level in two steps, the convenience of the level detection can be easily improved.

Further, for example, the bottom end of the detection pin 24b may be at substantially the same vertical position as a top end of the pump cover 124, and the bottom end of the detection pin 24c may be slightly above a bottom surface of the motor cover part 120, or be at substantially the same vertical position as the bottom surface. Therefore, the cleaning device 1 can prevent the motor M from rotating idly when it becomes impossible to perform the cleaning.

Here, when the cleaning device 1 is installed on a substantially horizontal installation surface, the cleaning liquid surface W becomes substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the container 7, as shown in Fig. 21A. However, the cleaning device 1 may be not always installed on such a substantially horizontal installation surface. That is, the cleaning device 1 may be installed in a state where the bottom plate 11 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, such that the cleaning device 1 is put on an inclined installation surface, or is put on an installation surface while a power supply cord, a comb or the like is accidentally located between the bottom plate 11 and the installation surface.

When the cleaning device 1 is installed in the state where the bottom plate 11 is inclined, the cleaning liquid surface W becomes a state of being inclined relative to the bottom surface of the container 7, as shown in Fig. 21B for example. Note that, in Fig. 21B, a state where the cleaning liquid surface W is inclined relative to the horizontal plane is illustrated in order to facilitate understanding, but, the bottom surface of the container 7 is actually inclined relative to the horizontal plane due to a power supply cord, a comb or the like being accidentally located. When a cleaning liquid surface W3 is inclined relative to the bottom surface of the container 7, regarding a height in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the container 7, a position of an intersection P1 of the detection pin 24a and the cleaning liquid surface W3 becomes below an intersection P2 of the detection pin 24b and the cleaning liquid surface W3 and an intersection P3 of the detection pin 24c and the cleaning liquid surface W3. When a cleaning liquid surface W4 is inclined relative to the bottom surface of the container 7, a position of an intersection P4 of the detection pin 24a and the cleaning liquid surface W4 becomes below an intersection P5 of the detection pin 24c and the cleaning liquid surface W4. In other words, when the cleaning liquid surface W is inclined relative to the bottom surface of the container 7, a position of an intersection of the common pin 25 and the cleaning liquid surface W becomes closer to the bottom surface of the container 7 than a position(s) of an intersection(s) of the conduction pin(s) 26 and the cleaning liquid surface W.

Here, the cleaning device 1 includes the two or more conduction pins 26 for detection, and the bottom end of one conduction pin 26 (detection pin 24c) of the conduction pins 26 is provided to be disposed below the bottom end of the other conduction pin 26 (detection pin 24b). Therefore, in the cleaning device 1, in the state where the cleaning liquid surface W is inclined relative to the bottom surface of the container 7, even if a part of the two or more conduction pins 26 is in a state of not being immersed in the cleaning liquid, the other part of the two or more conduction pins 26 can be made to be in a state of being immersed. In other words, when the cleaning liquid surface W is inclined relative to the bottom surface of the container 7, the detection pin 24c is provided so as to more easily come into contact with the cleaning liquid (so as to be more easily immersed in the cleaning liquid), compared with the detection pin 24b.

For this reason, in the cleaning device 1, when the cleaning liquid surface W is inclined relative to the bottom surface of the container 7, it is possible to more easily secure electrically conduction between the common pin 25 and the conduction pins 26 for detection via the cleaning liquid, compared with the case where the number of conduction pin for detection is one. Accordingly, even when being inclined as described above, the cleaning device 1 can easily reduce influence on detection for the cleaning liquid level, depending on inclination of the cleaning liquid surface W, and enhance detection accuracy for the level of the cleaning liquid in the container 7.

Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 21A and 21B, the bottom end of the detection pin 24a (common pin 25) is provided to be disposed below the bottom ends of the other detection pins 24b and 24c (conduction pins 26), and accordingly, the common pin 25 can more easily come into contact with the cleaning liquid (be immersed in the cleaning liquid), compared with the conduction pins 26, when the cleaning liquid surface W is inclined relative to the bottom surface of the container 7. Therefore, it is possible to give a margin to the level detection even when the cleaning device 1 is put while being inclined, and suppress a reduction of the detection accuracy depending on the degree of inclination of the bottom plate 11 relative to the horizontal plane. In other words, even when the cleaning device 1 is put while being inclined, it is possible to more easily secure the state where the common pin 25 is immersed in the cleaning liquid, compared with the conduction pins 26, and easily reduce influence on the number of times of use due to the degree of the inclination.

In addition, an inclined angle (an allowable angle α) is set, which is allowed when the cleaning liquid surface W is inclined relative to the bottom surface of the container 7. The allowable angle α is set as a limit value of the inclined angle at which the cleaning liquid is allowed to be supplied from the container 7 to the cleaning tray 5a and further the cleaned part E1 is allowed to be cleaned at the cleaning tray 5a (cleaning part 5) for example.

A difference (dimension H1) in a vertical direction between the bottom end of the conduction pin 26 (detection pin 24c), which has the lowest bottom end among the bottom ends of the two or more conduction pins 26, and the bottom end of the detection pin 24a is set based on the allowable angle α.

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 21B, when a distance on a horizontal plane between the detection pin 24c and the common pin 25 is defined as L1, the dimension H1 in the vertical direction is set to a value or more obtained by multiplying the distance L1 by the tangent of the allowable angle α (tanα) (that is, H1 >= L1 × tanα). In other words, the dimension H1 of the extended portion of the pin is set to be substantially equal to or more than a height of a virtual right-angled triangle, which has a bottom side on a horizontal plane passing through the bottom end of the detection pin 24c and has an acute angle that is the allowable angle α and has the height along the common pin 25.

Accordingly, when being installed at the allowable angle α or less, the cleaning device 1 can detect, through the detection pins 24a and 24c, a state where it is impossible to perform the cleaning for example, and can suppress a reduction of the detection accuracy depending on the degree of inclination.

Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 21A and 21B, a distance L2 between the common pin 25 and the closest conduction pin 26 (detection pin 24b) to the common pin 25 on the horizontal plane is set to be larger than a distance L3 between two adjacent conduction pins 26 (detection pins 24b and 24c) on the horizontal plane. In other words, the three detection pins 24 are arranged so that a distance between each conduction pin 26 and the common pin 25 is longer than a distance between the two conduction pins 26.

Accordingly, in the cleaning device 1, it is possible to easily increase the electric resistance value in the state where the common pin 25 and each conduction pin 26 are electrically conducted with each other via the cleaning liquid. Therefore, the cleaning device 1 can easily suppress a progression of an electric corrosion (electrochemical corrosion) generating at the detection pins 24 due to the conduction, and suppress decrease in durability performance (deterioration) or decrease in detection accuracy due to the electric corrosion.

The arrangement of the three detection pins 24 is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, as shown in Fig. 22, the bottom end of the detection pin 24b may be provided to be disposed below that of the detection pin 24c. In other words, positions of the detection pins 24b and 24c may be replaced with each other.

Next, a variation according to the present embodiment will be described. A configuration of this variation is similar to that of the above cleaning device 1 except for ribs 9 described later. Hereinafter, the cleaning device 1 not including the ribs 9 is referred to as a first example, and this variation is referred to as a second example. The constituent elements of the second example similar to those of the first example are assigned with same reference numerals, and while the explanation thereof being omitted, characteristics and the like of this variation (the second example) will be explained.

A cleaning device 1 of the second example further includes three ribs 9 for making cleaning liquid flow down, which respectively correspond to three detection pins 24. As shown in Fig. 23, each rib 9 is provided so as to extend downward along a detection pin 24 from an end of a fixing part 129 on a side of a boundary portion between the detection pin 24 and the fixing part 129. Each rib 9 is provided so that one lateral end thereof (a left lateral end face of the rib 9 in Fig. 23) is in contact with the detection pin 24.

Accordingly, even when cleaning liquid is adhered to the boundary portion, this cleaning liquid is easily made to flow down along the lateral end and the like of the rib 9. Therefore, the cleaning device 1 can prevent staying of the cleaning liquid from occurring at the boundary portion, and suppress erroneous detection of the cleaning liquid level due to staying of the cleaning liquid, and easily improve the detection accuracy.

In a case where the rib 9 is provided along the detection pin 24, it is preferred to provide the rib 9 by resin molding or the like such that the detection pin 24 is inserted into a resin member, in order to prevent a gap from generating between the rib 9 and the detection pin 24. It is not limited to the rib 9 provided so as to be along the detection pin 24. The rib 9 may be provided to be inclined so as to be more separated from the detection pin 24 as goes down for example, in order to make cleaning liquid flow down and prevent staying of the cleaning liquid from generating between the rib 9 and the detection pin 24.

Next, another variation (hereinafter, referred to as a third example) will be described. The constituent elements of the third example similar to those of the above-mentioned first and second examples are assigned with same reference numerals, and while the explanation thereof being omitted, characteristics and the like of this variation (the third example) will be explained.

In the third example, as shown in Fig. 24, each rib 9 for making cleaning liquid flow down is provided over between an outer periphery of a motor cover part 120 and a fixing part 129. The almost wholes of lateral ends of each rib 9 are in contact with the motor cover part 120 and the fixing part 129, respectively. Each rib 9 is formed integrally with the motor cover part 120 and the fixing part 129. Further, part of each rib 9, below the boundary portion between the detection pin 24 and the fixing part 129, has an inclined surface that is inclined so as to come closer to a side of the motor cover part 120 as goes down. In other words, each rib 9 is shaped so that the part thereof on the bottom side is more separated from the detection pin 24 as goes down.

Accordingly, the cleaning device 1 can make cleaning liquid adhered to the boundary portion between the detection pin 24 and the fixing part 129 easily flow down along the inclined surface and the like of the rib 9. By making the cleaning liquid easily flow down through the ribs 9, the cleaning device 1 can prevent staying of the cleaning liquid due to surface tension and the like from occurring between the detection pin 24 and the wall surface of the peripheral member. Furthermore, by the part of each rib 9 below the boundary portion being shaped so as to be more separated from the detection pin 24 as goes down, the cleaning device 1 can prevent the cleaning liquid made to flow down from staying between the detection pin 24 and the rib 9.

Therefore, the cleaning device 1 can prevent staying of the cleaning liquid from occurring at the detection pins 24, and suppress erroneous detection of the cleaning liquid level due to staying of the cleaning liquid or the like, and improve the detection accuracy. Note that, each rib 9 may be provided so that a lateral end thereof is in contact with an inner wall surface of the container 7. In addition, it is not limited to the ribs 9, each of which is provided so that the whole of the lateral end thereof is in contact with a peripheral member such as a motor cover part 120 or an inner wall surface of the container 7. For example, each rib 9 may be provided so that only part thereof on the bottom side (such as, only the bottom end) is in contact with the peripheral member.

Note that, the above-mentioned cleaning device 1 according to the present embodiment may include a single common pin 25 and three or more conduction pins 26 for detection, for example. In addition, for example, the detection pins 24 may be formed so as to have the same lengths and shapes, and instead, the bottom ends of the pins may be disposed at different vertical positions by adjusting the projection amounts of the fixing part projecting downward or the like.