Patent Application
20240115098
This application claims priority to Japanese patent application no. 2022-163290 filed on Oct. 11, 2022, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
Techniques disclosed in the present specification relate to a cleaning apparatus, such as a floor sweeper, which is also known as a power sweeper.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication H3-84109 discloses a floor sweeper.
Cleaning apparatuses, such as floor sweepers and power sweepers, are used in a variety of areas. For example, such a cleaning apparatus may be used indoors and outdoors. Because the type of refuse brushed up by a main brush differs depending on the area, there is a demand to improve cleaning characteristics of the cleaning apparatus so that it is better able to deal with refuse in a wider range of possible areas of usage.
One non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to disclose techniques for improving the cleaning characteristics of a cleaning apparatus.
In one aspect of the present teachings, a cleaning apparatus, such as a floor sweeper or power sweeper, may comprise: a main body; wheels, which rotate in the state in which they support the main body; a main brush, which is supported in (by) the main body and rotates so as to brush up refuse on a surface-to-be-cleaned; a first dust unit, which is detachable from the main body and into which refuse brushed up by the main brush is dispatched; a second dust unit, which is detachable from the main body and into which refuse brushed up by the main brush is dispatched; and a dust-collecting assembly comprising: a dust-collecting fan; a dust-collecting motor, which rotates the dust-collecting fan; and an outflow port, from which gas that has passed through the dust-collecting fan flows out; and that suctions dust generated by the brushing up performed by the main brush. The first dust unit may have a first passageway, into which gas from the outflow port flows, and the second dust unit may have a second passageway, into which gas from the outflow port flows.
According to the techniques disclosed in the present specification, the cleaning characteristics of a cleaning apparatus can be improved.
As was mentioned above, a cleaning apparatus according to the present teachings may comprise: a main body; wheels, which rotate in the state in which they support the main body; a main brush, which is supported in (by) the main body and rotates so as to brush up refuse on a surface-to-be-cleaned; a first dust unit, which is detachable from the main body and into which refuse brushed up by the main brush is dispatched; a second dust unit, which is detachable from the main body and into which refuse brushed up by the main brush is dispatched; and a dust-collecting assembly comprising: a dust-collecting fan; a dust-collecting motor, which rotates the dust-collecting fan; and an outflow port, from which gas that has passed through the dust-collecting fan flows out; and that suctions dust generated by the brushing up performed by the main brush. The first dust unit may have a first passageway, into which gas from the outflow port flows. The second dust unit may have a second passageway, into which gas from the outflow port flows.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because the dust unit can be selected in accordance with the type of refuse to be cleaned up, the cleaning characteristics of the cleaning apparatus can be improved. In addition, the gas (air, dust, debris, etc.) that has flowed out from the outflow port of the dust-collecting assembly is dispatched to the first passageway of the first dust unit or the second passageway of the second dust unit. By optimizing the first passageway and the second passageway in accordance with the type of refuse to be cleaned up, the cleaning characteristics of the cleaning apparatus can be improved.
In one or more embodiments, the first dust unit may comprise a first container, which is detachable from the main body and into which the refuse is dispatched.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, refuse swept up by the main brush is accommodated in the first container.
In one or more embodiments, the first container may have the first passageway and an air-exhaust port, from which gas (air) that has flowed through the first passageway is discharged to the exterior of the first container.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the gas that has flowed out from the outflow port of the dust-collecting assembly is discharged to the exterior of the first container via the first passageway of the first container and the air-exhaust port. By separating the housing space of the first container, in which refuse is accommodated, and the first passageway, through which gas flows, it is possible to avoid the situation in which gas that has flowed out from the outflow port of the dust-collecting assembly is supplied into the housing space of the first container. In addition, it is possible to avoid the situation in which refuse, which is accommodated in the housing space of the first container, is agitated by the gas that has flowed out from the outflow port of the dust-collecting assembly.
In one or more embodiments, the air-exhaust port may be provided in a side surface of the first container.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the gas that has flowed out from the outflow port of the dust-collecting assembly is discharged sideward of the first container from the air-exhaust port.
In one or more embodiments, the second dust unit may have: a second container, into which the refuse is dispatched; and one or more jet ports, from which gas that has flowed through the second passageway is jetted (forcibly exhausted) into the interior of the second container.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, even if refuse remains in the vicinity of the entrance of the second container, the problem of the refuse remaining is overcome by the gas (air) jetted from the jet port(s). That is, the refuse remaining in the vicinity of the entrance of the second container is transferred to the far side of the second container by the gas jetted from the jet port(s).
In one or more embodiments, the second dust unit may comprise an adapter, which has the second passageway and the jet port(s). The second container may be detachable from the adapter. The adapter may be detachable from the main body.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, even though the structure of the second container may be a structure that would otherwise be difficult to mount directly on the main body, the second container can be easily mounted on the main body via the adapter.
In one or more embodiments, the adapter may have the second passageway and the jet port(s), which jet(s) (exhaust(s)) into the interior of the second container the gas that has flowed through the second passageway.
In one or more embodiments, the adapter may comprise a frame member, which is detachable from the main body, and a jet pipe, which is detachable from the frame member. At least a portion of the second passageway may be provided on the frame member. The jet port(s) may be provided in the jet pipe.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because the frame member of the adapter and the jet pipe are separable, the frame member and the jet pipe are easy to maintain.
In one or more embodiments, the jet port(s) may jet (forcibly exhaust) gas (air) to (at) a lower portion of an entrance of the second container.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, even if refuse remains at the lower portion of the entrance of the second container, the refuse that remains at the lower portion of the entrance of the second container is transferred (blown) to the far side of the second container by the gas jetted from the jet port(s).
In one or more embodiments, a plurality of the jet ports may be provided spaced apart in the prescribed direction.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because a plurality of the jet ports is provided, the problem of refuse remaining is effectively overcome.
In one or more embodiments, the second container may be mounted on a frame, which is detachable from the adapter.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the second container is mounted on the adapter via the frame.
In one or more embodiments, the jet pipe may be elongated in a left-right direction, which is parallel to a rotational axis of the wheels.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the jet pipe, which is elongated in the left-right direction, is mounted on the frame member.
In one or more embodiments, a plurality of the jet ports may be provided spaced apart in the left-right direction.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because a plurality of the jet ports is provided in the left-right direction, the problem of refuse remaining is effectively overcome.
In one or more embodiments, an opening, which is connected to a lower-end portion of the second passageway provided in the interior of the frame member, may be provided at one-end portion of the jet pipe. The other-end portion of the jet pipe may be closed up.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the gas that has flowed through the second passageway of the frame member flows into the interior of the jet pipe from the opening at one-end portion of the jet pipe and is jetted from (through) the jet ports.
In one or more embodiments, an insertion part, which extends in the left-right direction, may be provided in the interior of the frame member. The jet pipe may be mounted on the frame member by being inserted into the insertion part from (through) an opening at the other-end portion of the insertion part.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the jet pipe is smoothly mounted on the frame member.
In one or more embodiments, the second container may have a bag-like mesh part and a window part (window), which is provided at (on) an upper portion of the mesh part.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because the second container comprises the mesh part, sufficient air permeability of the second container is ensured. For example, if the air permeability of the second container were instead poor, there is a possibility that the refuse stored in the interior of the second container will adversely flow in reverse toward the side of the main brush from (through) the entrance of the second container owing to the gas being jetted from the jet ports. That is, if the air permeability of the second container were to be poor, there is a possibility that the gas that was jetted into the interior of the second container from (through) the jet ports will be bounced back by the inner surfaces of the second container, and thereby refuse stored in the interior of the second container will be adversely thrust out forward of the second container. Because sufficiently air permeability of the second container is ensured by the mesh part, the situation can be avoided in which refuse stored in the interior of the second container is adversely thrust out from the second container. In addition, by providing the window part at (on) the upper portion of the mesh part, the user of the cleaning apparatus can visually confirm (inspect) the content of the interior of the second container via (through) the window part.
In one or more embodiments: an opening may be provided at a portion of the second container; and the opening of the second container may be opened/closed by a fastener, such as, e.g., a zipper.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the size of the opening of the second container is adjustable by the fastener. By moving the fastener to adjust the size of the opening of the second container, the air permeability of the second container can be adjusted. For example, if the air permeability of the second container has become poor for any reason, refuse stored in the interior of the second container might adversely flow in reverse toward the main brush side from (through) the entrance of the second container owing to the gas jetted from the jet ports. That is, as was explained above, if the air permeability of the second container is poor, there is a possibility that the gas that was jetted into the interior of the second container from the jet ports will be bounced back by the inner surfaces of the second container, and thereby refuse stored in the interior of the second container will be adversely thrust out forward of the second container. However, by suitably adjusting the air permeability of the second container using the fastener (e.g., partially or completely unzipping a zipper), it is possible to avoid the situation in which refuse stored in the interior of the second container is adversely thrust out from the second container.
Embodiments according to the present disclosure are explained below, with reference to the drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. The structural elements of the embodiments explained below can be combined where appropriate. In addition, there are also situations in which some of the structural elements are not used.
In the embodiments, positional relationships among parts will be explained using the terms “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “up,” and “down.” Each of these terms indicates a relative position or a direction, using the center of a cleaning apparatus 1 as a reference.
Cleaning Apparatus
As shown in
The main body 2 respectively supports the handle 5, the main brushes 6, the side brush 7, the interface unit 9, and the hard dust unit 100. The main body 2 comprises a front cover 2F, a left-side cover 2L, a right-side cover 2R, a top cover 2T, a battery cover 2B, and a side-brush cover 2S. The front cover 2F is disposed at a front portion of the main body 2. A handle 2H is provided on the front cover 2F. The user of the cleaning apparatus 1 can manually grip the handle 2H and drag the cleaning apparatus 1, stand it up, or the like. The left-side cover 2L is disposed at a left portion of the main body 2. The right-side cover 2R is disposed at a right portion of the main body 2. The top cover 2T is connected to each of the upper portion of the front cover 2F, the upper portion of the left-side cover 2L, and the upper portion of the right-side cover 2R. The battery cover 2B opens and closes an opening, which is provided at (in) a center portion of the top cover 2T. The battery cover 2B opens and closes the opening at the center portion of the top cover 2T. The battery cover 2B is fixed to the top cover 2T by a latch 2A. The side-brush cover 2S holds the side brush 7.
The two wheels 3 and the castor 4 are configured to rotatably support the main body 2. The wheels 3 are fixed (non-turnable) wheels, and the castor 4 is a caster (i.e. pivotably 360°). The rotational axis of each of the wheels 3 extends in the left-right direction. The wheels 3 and the castor 4 rotate when they are in contact with the surface-to-be-cleaned and the cleaning apparatus 1 travels (is moved) across the surface-to-be-cleaned. The wheels 3 include a left wheel 3L and a right wheel 3R. The left wheel 3L is mounted at a rear-left portion of the main body 2. The right wheel 3R is mounted at a rear-right portion of the main body 2.
The handle 5 is coupled to a rear portion of the main body 2. By manually grasping the handle 5, the user can cause the cleaning apparatus 1 to travel forward or in reverse. When the main body 2 is pushed forward by the user via the handle 5, the wheels 3 and the castor 4 rotate. The handle 5 is foldable.
The two main brushes 6 are supported on the main body 2 in a rotatable manner. The main brushes 6 oppose the surface-to-be-cleaned. The main brushes 6 rotate so as to brush up refuse (e.g., dust, debris, chips, etc.) from the surface-to-be-cleaned. The rotational axis of each of the main brushes 6 extends in the left-right direction. The two main brushes 6 are disposed in the front-rear direction, i.e. one in front of the other. More specifically, the main brushes 6 include a front main brush 6F and a rear main brush 6B, which is disposed more rearward than the front main brush 6F. Refuse on the surface-to-be-cleaned is brushed up, e.g., by being sandwiched between the rotating front main brush 6F and the rotating rear main brush 6B.
The side brush 7 is supported on the main body 2 in a rotatable manner. The side brush 7 opposes the surface-to-be-cleaned. The side brush 7 rotates so as to transfer (sweep, move) refuse on the surface-to-be-cleaned to the main brushes 6. The rotational axis of the side brush 7 extends in the up-down direction. The side brush 7 is disposed at a right-end portion of the main body 2. A roller 14 is disposed upward of the side brush 7. The roller 14 is supported on the main body 2 in a rotatable manner. The rotational axis of the roller 14 extends in the up-down direction. The roller 14 protrudes forward from the right-end portion of the main body 2. For example, when the right portion of the main body 2 is moved along a wall, the roller 14 comes into contact with the wall before the main body 2 comes into contact with the wall. The roller 14 can rotate in the state in which it is in contact with the wall. The roller 14 prevents or at least reduces the possibility of contact of the main body 2 with the wall.
The interface unit 9 comprises one or more manipulatable parts (e.g., buttons, switches, dials, etc.), which can be manually operated by the user, and an output part (e.g., a display, lights, etc.), which provides information to the user. The interface unit 9 is mounted on the handle 5.
The hard dust unit 100 is detachable from the main body 2. The hard dust unit 100 is mounted at (on) a rear portion of the main body 2. The hard dust unit 100 comprises a hard container 8, which is configured to store refuse that has been swept up by the main brushes 6. More specifically, refuse that has been brushed up by the main brushes 6 is dispatched (transferred, moved) to the hard container 8 of the hard dust unit 100. When the hard dust unit 100 has been removed from the main body 2, a soft dust unit 200, which is described below, is mountable on a rear portion of the main body 2.
In addition, the cleaning apparatus 1 comprises a front flap 10, a left-side flap 11, a right-side flap 12, and a rear flap 13. The front flap 10, the left-side flap 11, the right-side flap 12, and the rear flap 13 each is disposed so as to oppose the surface-to-be-cleaned. Each of the front flap 10, the left-side flap 11, the right-side flap 12, and the rear flap 13 has a plate shape. Each of the front flap 10, the left-side flap 11, the right-side flap 12, and the rear flap 13 is made of rubber or another type of elastomeric material. It is noted that the left-side flap 11, the right-side flap 12, and the rear flap 13 each may be made of a synthetic resin (polymer). An upper-end portion of each of the front flap 10, the left-side flap 11, the right-side flap 12, and the rear flap 13 is fixed to the main body 2. An upper-end portion of each of the front flap 10, the left-side flap 11, the right-side flap 12, and the rear flap 13 opposes the surface-to-be-cleaned. The front flap 10 is disposed more forward than the main brushes 6. The left-side flap 11 is disposed more leftward than the main brushes 6. The right-side flap 12 is disposed more rightward than the main brushes 6. The rear flap 13 is disposed more rearward than the main brushes 6. The front flap 10, the left-side flap 11, the right-side flap 12, and the rear flap 13 each blocks the scattering of the dust on the surface-to-be-cleaned around the main body 2 caused by the rotation of the main brushes 6.
The front flap 10 extends in the left-right direction more forward than the main brushes 6. As shown in
The rear flap 13 extends in the left-right direction more rearward than the main brushes 6. As shown in
As shown in
A housing member 15 is provided in the interior of the main body 2. The housing member 15 defines a battery chamber 16. Battery-mounting parts 18 are provided in the interior of the battery chamber 16. The battery packs (battery cartridges) 17 are respectively mounted on the battery-mounting parts 18. The battery packs 17 are detachable from the battery-mounting parts 18. The battery cover 2B is disposed so as to cover an upper portion of the battery chamber 16. By opening the battery cover 2B, the user can mount and demount the battery packs 17 on and from the battery-mounting parts 18 via an opening, which is provided in the top cover 2T. In the embodiment, two of the battery-mounting parts 18 are provided in the left-right direction. One battery pack 17 is mounted on each battery-mounting part 18. Two of the battery packs 17 are disposed in the battery chamber 16. The battery packs 17 are general-purpose batteries that can be used as the power supply of various types of electrical equipment. For example, the battery packs 17 are designed/configured to be used as the power supply of a power tool. The battery packs 17 can be used as the power supply of electrical equipment other than a power tool. For example, the battery packs 17 can be used as the power supply of a cleaning apparatus different from the cleaning apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The battery packs 17 comprise lithium-ion batteries. The battery packs 17 are rechargeable batteries. The battery-mounting parts 18 have a structure identical to the battery-mounting parts of power tools.
Each of the battery-mounting parts 18 has a pair of guide rails and a terminal block, which is disposed between the guide rails. Each of the guide rails extends in the up-down direction. The guide rails are disposed spaced apart in the left-right direction. The battery-mounting parts 18 guide the battery packs 17 in the up-down direction when mounting and demounting the battery packs 17. The user of the cleaning apparatus 1 can mount the battery packs 17 on the battery-mounting parts 18 and demount (remove) the battery packs 17 from the battery-mounting parts 18. The user can mount the battery packs 17 on the battery-mounting parts 18 by inserting the battery packs 17 into the battery-mounting parts 18 from above in the state in which the battery cover 2B is open. The battery packs 17 are inserted into the battery-mounting part 18 while being guided by the guide rails of the battery-mounting parts 18. By mounting the battery packs 17 on the battery-mounting parts 18, the terminals of the battery packs 17 and the terminal blocks of the battery-mounting parts 18 are electrically connected. The user can demount the battery packs 17 from the battery-mounting parts 18 by moving the battery packs 17 upward.
The cleaning apparatus 1 comprises a controller 19, a cleaning motor 20, a filter unit 21, a dust-collecting assembly 22 that includes a dust-collecting fan 24 and a dust-collecting motor 25, and a filter motor 26. Each of the cleaning motor 20, the dust-collecting motor 25, and the filter motor 26 is preferably an inner-rotor-type brushless motor.
The controller 19 controls each of the cleaning motor 20, the dust-collecting motor 25, and the filter motor 26. The controller 19 comprises a circuit board, on which a plurality of electronic parts is installed. Illustrative examples of the electronic parts installed on the circuit board include: a processor, such as a CPU (central-processing unit); nonvolatile memory, such as ROM (read-only memory) and storage; volatile memory, such as RAM (random-access memory); transistors; and resistors. As shown in
The cleaning motor 20 generates motive power, which rotates the main brushes 6 and the side brush 7. The motive power generated by the cleaning motor 20 is transmitted to the main brushes 6 via a main power-transmission mechanism 27. As shown in
The rotation of the front pulley 27F is transmitted to the side brush 7 via a side power-transmission mechanism 28. The side power-transmission mechanism 28 comprises a pulley 28C and a belt 28T. The belt 28T is wrapped around the pulley 28C and the side brush 7. When the front pulley 27F rotates and the belt 28T rotates, the side brush 7 rotates. Thus, in the embodiment, the front main brush 6F, the rear main brush 6B, and the side brush 7 each rotates in a synchronized manner owing to the single cleaning motor 20.
The dust-collecting assembly 22 suctions dust generated by the brushing up performed by the main brushes 6. When the main brushes 6 are rotating and sweeping up refuse, there is a possibility that dust, etc. will be suspended upward of the main brushes 6 or that dust will be suspended in the interior of the hard container 8. The dust-collecting assembly 22 suctions the dust suspended upward of the main brushes 6 and in the interior of the hard container 8. The dust-collecting assembly 22 suctions dust via the filter unit 21. The filter unit 21 is disposed so as to face the interior of the hard container 8.
The dust-collecting assembly 22 is disposed more leftward than the center of the cleaning apparatus 1 in the left-right direction. The dust-collecting assembly 22 comprises a dust-collecting member 23, which is supported on at least a portion of the main body 2, and the dust-collecting fan 24 and the dust-collecting motor 25, which are housed in the dust-collecting member 23. The dust-collecting member 23 is disposed more leftward than the center of the main body 2 in the left-right direction. The dust-collecting member 23 has an inflow port 50 and an outflow port 29. The inflow port 50 faces rearward. The inflow port 50 is connected to a front surface of the filter unit 21. The outflow port 29 faces rearward. The outflow port 29 is disposed more rearward and leftward than the inflow port 50. The outflow port 29 is connected to the hard container 8.
The dust-collecting motor 25 rotates the dust-collecting fan 24. Suction force is generated at the inflow port 50 in response to rotation of the dust-collecting fan 24. A rear surface of the filter unit 21 faces the interior of the hard container 8. The inflow port 50 is connected to a front surface of the filter unit 21. By generating suction force at the inflow port 50, dust suspended in the interior of the hard container 8 adheres to the filter unit 21. The gas (air) that has flowed from the rear surface of the filter unit 21 into the filter unit 21 flows into the inflow port 50 via the front surface of the filter unit 21. The gas that has flowed into the inflow port 50 flows through the interior of the dust-collecting member 23 so as to pass through the dust-collecting fan 24. The gas that has flowed through the interior of the dust-collecting member 23 so as to pass through the dust-collecting fan 24 flows out from the outflow port 29. The gas that has flowed out from the outflow port 29 is dispatched to the hard container 8.
The filter unit 21 captures foreign matter included in the gas (air) that passes through the filter unit 21. The filter unit 21 is mounted on a rear portion of the main body 2 so as to oppose the inflow port 50. The filter unit 21 comprises a filter holder 21A, a main filter 21B, and a prefilter 21C. The filter holder 21A holds the main filter 21B and the prefilter 21C. The filter holder 21A is detachable from a rear portion of the main body 2. The main filter 21B is, for example, a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. The prefilter 21C includes, for example, one or both of a sponge filter and a cloth filter. The prefilter 21C faces the interior of the hard container 8. The main filter 21B opposes the inflow port 50. Gas in the interior of the hard container 8 passes through the prefilter 21C, then passes through the main filter 21B and flows into the interior of the dust-collecting member 23.
The filter motor 26 is driven to shake off from the filter unit 21 the dust that has adhered to the filter unit 21. As described above, the dust in the interior of the hard container 8 adheres to the filter unit 21 when the dust-collecting fan 24 rotates. The filter motor 26 separates, by imparting vibration to the filter unit 21, the dust that has adhered to the filter unit 21 from the filter unit 21. The dust separated from the filter unit 21 drops down into the interior of the hard container 8.
The main switch 9A is manipulated (manually operated) to start and stop at least the cleaning motor 20. The mode-changing button 9B is manipulated (manually operated) to set the operation mode of the cleaning motor 20 and the dust-collecting motor 25. By pressing the mode-changing button 9B once, a first mode is set in which the cleaning motor 20 and the dust-collecting motor 25 start or stop together. By additionally pressing the mode-changing button 9B once more, a second mode is set, in which the cleaning motor 20 starts or stops with the dust-collecting motor 25 stopped as is. In the state in which the first mode is set, when the upper portion of the main switch 9A is manipulated so as to rotate toward the left side, the cleaning motor 20 and the dust-collecting motor 25 start together; and when the upper portion of the main switch 9A is manipulated so as to rotate toward the right side, the cleaning motor 20 and the dust-collecting motor 25 stop together. In the state in which the second mode is set, when the upper portion of the main switch 9A is manipulated so as to rotate toward the left side, the cleaning motor 20 starts with the dust-collecting motor 25 stopped as is; and when the upper portion of the main switch 9A is manipulated so as to rotate toward the right side, the cleaning motor 20 stops.
The cleaning button 9C is manipulated (manually operated) to start or stop the filter motor 26. When the cleaning button 9C is pressed once, the filter motor 26 starts; and when the cleaning button 9C is additionally pressed once more, the filter motor 26 stops. It is noted that, in the embodiment, in the state in which the dust-collecting motor 25 is being driven, when the cleaning button 9C is manipulated so that the filter motor 26 starts, the dust-collecting motor 25 stops.
The battery-remaining-charge display button 9D is manipulated (manually operated) to display the remaining charge of the battery packs 17 on the display part 9G. The display part 9G comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices. Each of the light-emitting devices is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED: light-emitting diode). As described above, two of the battery packs 17 are provided. The display part 9G comprises: a first display part, which displays the remaining charge of one of the battery packs 17; and a second display part, which displays the remaining charge of the other battery pack 17. The more the remaining charge, the greater the number of the light-emitting devices that are turned ON; and the less the remaining charge, the fewer the number of light-emitting devices that are turned ON. When the battery-remaining-charge display button 9D is pressed once, the light-emitting devices of the display part 9G turn ON; and when the battery-remaining-charge display button 9D is additionally pressed once more, the light-emitting devices of the display part 9G turn OFF.
The front-headlight button 9E is manipulated (manually operated) to turn front headlights 51, which are provided on a front-end portion of the main body 2, ON and OFF. When the front-headlight button 9E is pressed once, the front headlights 51 turn ON; and when the front-headlight button 9E is additionally pressed once more, the front headlights 51 turn OFF.
The strong/weak button 9F is manipulated (manually operated) to adjust the rotational speed of the filter motor 26. In the state in which the filter motor 26 is being driven, when the strong/weak button 9F is pressed once, the rotational speed of the filter motor 26 increases; and when the strong/weak button 9F is additionally pressed once more, the rotational speed of the filter motor 26 decreases.
Hard Dust Unit
The hard dust unit 100 comprises the hard container 8, a latch 31, and two grips 32. The hard container 8 is made of a synthetic resin (polymer) that is rigid, i.e. relatively inflexible. The hard container 8 is detachable from the main body 2. Refuse from the main brushes 6 is dispatched to the hard container 8. The hard container 8 has a housing space 8A, which houses the refuse dispatched from the main brushes 6, and a first passageway 8B, into which gas from the outflow port 29 flows. The refuse from the main brushes 6 is dispatched from (through) an opening, which is provided at a front portion of the housing space 8A, into the housing space 8A. The first passageway 8B is provided at a corner portion of a left-upper portion of the hard container 8. By mounting the hard dust unit 100 on a rear portion of the main body 2, the first passageway 8B and the outflow port 29 are fluidly connected to each other. The gas that has flowed out from the outflow port 29 is supplied to the first passageway 8B. The housing space 8A and the first passageway 8B are partitioned by a partition wall 8C. The flow of refuse in the housing space 8A into the first passageway 8B is blocked (inhibited) by the partition wall 8C. The flow of gas that has flowed out from the outflow port 29 into the housing space 8A is blocked (inhibited) by the partition wall 8C.
An air-exhaust port 30 is provided at an upper portion of a left-side surface of the hard container 8. The air-exhaust port 30 is formed so as to fluidly connect the first passageway 8B and the exterior of the hard container 8. The gas that is supplied from the outflow port 29 to the first passageway 8B and has flowed through the first passageway 8B is exhausted from the air-exhaust port 30 to the exterior of the hard container 8.
An engaging groove 8D, which extends in the left-right direction, is formed in the vicinity of the front end of a lower wall of the hard container 8. The latch 31 is mounted in the vicinity of the front end of an upper wall of the hard container 8. The two grips (handles) 32 are formed integrally with the hard container 8. The two grips 32 are disposed in the vicinity of the front end of the upper wall of the hard container 8. In the left-right direction, the latch 31 is disposed between the two grips 32.
The hard container 8 is detachable from the main body 2. As shown in
When the hard dust unit 100 is mounted on the main body 2, the user can manually grip the grips 32. Then, the user engages the engaging shaft 2K of the main body 2 with the engaging groove 8D of the hard container 8. Next, using the engaging shaft 2K as an axis, the user rotates the upper end of the hard container 8 toward the main body 2. Lastly, the user manipulates (manually presses) the latch 31 of the hard container 8 to engage the latch 31 with the engaged part 33 of the main body 2.
Soft Dust Unit
The soft dust unit 200 comprises an adapter 34 and a soft container 35. The adapter 34 is detachable from the main body 2. The adapter 34 is made of a synthetic resin (polymer), preferably a relatively rigid or inflexible polymer. The soft container 35 is detachable from the adapter 34. Refuse brushed up by the main brushes 6 is dispatched to the soft container 35 via the adapter 34.
The adapter 34 comprises: a frame member 42, which is detachable from the main body 2; a latch 39, which is provided at an upper portion of the frame member 42; grips 40 (handles), which are provided at an upper portion of the frame member 42; and a jet pipe 44, which is detachable from the frame member 42. An opening 47, through which refuse brushed up by the main brushes 6 can pass, is provided in the interior of the frame member 42. A lattice part 43 is provided at an upper portion of the opening 47. The lattice part 43 increases the strength of (reinforces) the frame member 42.
An engaging groove 52, which extends in the left-right direction, is formed on a lower wall of the adapter 34. The latch 39 is mounted on an upper wall of the adapter 34. The two grips 40 are provided on an upper wall of the frame member 42. In the left-right direction, the latch 39 is disposed between the two grips 40.
The grips 40 are gripped by the user's hands when mounting the adapter 34 on the main body 2. Specifically, the user manually grips the grips 40 and engages the engaging shaft 2K of the main body 2 with the engaging groove 52 of the adapter 34. Next, using the engaging shaft 2K as an axis, the user rotates the upper end of the adapter 34 toward the main body 2. Lastly, the user manipulates (manually presses) the latch 39 of the adapter 34 and engages the latch 39 with the engaged part 33 of the main body 2.
The adapter 34 has: an inflow port 46, which is connected to the outflow port 29; jet ports 45, which jet (forcibly exhaust or eject) gas (air) into the interior of the adapter 34; and a second passageway 49, which fluidly connects the inflow port 46 and the jet ports 45 to each other. The inflow port 46 is provided at a corner portion of a left-upper portion of a front surface of the frame member 42. The jet ports 45 are provided in the jet pipe 44. The jet pipe 44 is elongated in the left-right direction. The jet ports 45 are provided spaced apart in the left-right direction. The jet ports 45 jet the gas rearward. The jet ports 45 jet the gas toward a lower portion of the entrance of the soft container 35. Refuse that remains at the entrance of the soft container 35 is moved (blown) to the far side of the soft container 35 by the gas jetted from (through) the jet ports 45.
At least a portion of the second passageway 49 is provided in the frame member 42. The second passageway 49 is provided in the interior of a left wall of the frame member 42. In the interior of the left wall of the frame member 42, the second passageway 49 is provided so as to extend in the up-down direction. At least a portion of the second passageway 49 is provided in the interior of the jet pipe 44. An opening, which is fluidly connected to a lower-end portion of the second passageway 49 provided in the interior of the left wall of the frame member 42, is provided in a left-end portion of the jet pipe 44. A right-end portion of the jet pipe 44 is closed up. Gas from the outflow port 29 flows into the second passageway 49 via the inflow port 46. The gas that has flowed through the second passageway 49 is jetted from the jet ports 45 into the interior of the soft container 35.
The jet pipe 44 is detachable from the frame member 42. As shown in
The soft container 35 is a bag-like member; i.e. it is relatively flexible. The soft container 35 is air permeable. The soft container 35 comprises a bag-like mesh part 36 and a window part (window) 41, which is provided at (on) an upper portion of the mesh part 36. The mesh part 36 is composed of a mesh material. The mesh part 36 may be made of a loosely woven cloth. Gas can pass through the mesh part 36, but refuse that has been introduced into the soft container 35 cannot pass through the mesh part 36. The window part 41 is a sheet member made of, for example, a transparent synthetic resin (polymer). The user can visually confirm (inspect) the content of the interior of the soft container 35 via the window part 41.
The soft container 35 is mounted on the adapter 34 via a frame 60. The frame 60 is detachable from the adapter 34. The frame 60 is made of a metal. It is noted that the frame 60 may instead be made of a synthetic resin (polymer), preferably a rigid or hard polymer. The frame 60 comprises a main-body frame 61, a pair of hooks 37, and a grip frame 38. A front-end portion of the soft container 35 is fixed to the main-body frame 61. The hooks 37 are hooked into recessed portions provided on upper portions of the frame member 42. The grip frame 38 is connected to an upper portion of the main-body frame 61. The grip frame 38 extends from the upper portion of the main-body frame 61 rearward toward the upper side. The grip frame 38 is gripped by the user. The user manually grips the grip frame 38, inserts the hooks 37 into the recessed portions provided at the upper portions of the adapter 34, and thereby can mount the soft container 35 on the adapter 34.
The soft container 35 is mounted on the frame 60 in a detachable manner. An opening is provided at a front portion of the soft container 35. Refuse from the main brushes 6 is dispatched (moved, swept) into the interior of the soft container 35 via the opening 47 of the adapter 34 and an opening provided in the front portion of the soft container 35.
Effects
As explained above, in the embodiment, the cleaning apparatus 1 comprises: the main body 2; the wheels 3, which rotate in the state in which they support the main body 2; the main brushes 6, which are supported on the main body 2 and rotate so as to brush up refuse on the surface-to-be-cleaned; the hard dust unit 100, which is the first dust unit and is detachable from the main body 2, and into which refuse brushed up by the main brushes 6 is dispatched; the soft dust unit 200, which is the second dust unit and is detachable from the main body 2, and into which refuse brushed up by the main brushes 6 is dispatched; and the dust-collecting assembly 22 comprising: the dust-collecting fan 24; the dust-collecting motor 25, which rotates the dust-collecting fan 24; and the outflow port 29, from which gas that has passed through the dust-collecting fan 24 flows out; and that suctions dust generated by the brushing up performed by the main brushes 6. The hard dust unit 100 has the first passageway 8B, into which gas from the outflow port 29 flows. The soft dust unit 200 has the second passageway 49, into which gas from the outflow port 29 flows.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because the dust unit can be selected in accordance with the type of refuse to be swept up, the cleaning characteristics of the cleaning apparatus 1 can be improved. In addition, the gas (air) that has flowed out from (through) the outflow port 29 of the dust-collecting assembly 22 is dispatched to the first passageway 8B of the hard dust unit 100 or the second passageway 49 of the soft dust unit 200. By optimizing the first passageway 8B and the second passageway 49 in accordance with the type of refuse to be swept up using the first or second dust unit 100, 200, the cleaning characteristics of the cleaning apparatus 1 can be improved.
In the embodiment, the hard dust unit 100 comprises the hard container 8, which is the first container and is detachable from the main body 2, and into which the refuse is dispatched.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, refuse from the main brushes 6 is stored in the hard container 8.
In the embodiment, the hard container 8 has the first passageway 8B and the air-exhaust port 30, from which gas that has flowed through the first passageway 8B is discharged (exhausted) to the exterior of the hard container 8.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the gas that has flowed out from (through) the outflow port 29 of the dust-collecting assembly 22 is discharged (exhausted) to the exterior of the hard container 8 via the first passageway 8B of the hard container 8 and the air-exhaust port 30. By separating the housing space 8A of the hard container 8, in which refuse is stored, and the first passageway 8B, through which gas flows, it is possible to avoid the situation in which gas that has flowed out from the outflow port 29 of the dust-collecting assembly 22 is supplied into the housing space 8A of the hard container 8. Thus, it is possible to avoid the situation in which refuse, which is stored in the housing space 8A of the hard container 8, is agitated by the gas (air) that has flowed out from (through) the outflow port 29 of the dust-collecting assembly 22.
In the embodiment, the air-exhaust port 30 is provided in the side surface of the hard container 8.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the gas that has flowed out from (through) the outflow port 29 of the dust-collecting assembly 22 is discharged sideward of the hard container 8 from the air-exhaust port 30.
In the embodiment, the soft dust unit 200 has: the soft container 35, which is the second container, into which the refuse is dispatched; and the jet ports 45, from (through) which gas (air) that has flowed through the second passageway 49 is jetted into the interior of the soft container 35.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, even if refuse remains in the vicinity of the entrance of the soft container 35, the problem of the refuse remaining is overcome by the gas jetted from the jet ports 45. That is, any refuse remaining in the vicinity of the entrance of the soft container 35 is transferred (blown) to the far side of the soft container 35 by the gas jetted from (through) the jet ports 45.
In the embodiment, the soft dust unit 200 comprises the adapter 34, which has the second passageway 49 and the jet ports 45. The soft container 35 is detachable from the adapter 34. The adapter 34 is detachable from the main body 2.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, even though the structure of the soft container 35 is a structure that might otherwise be difficult to mount directly on the main body 2, the soft container 35 can be easily mounted on the main body 2 via the adapter 34.
In the embodiment, the adapter 34 has the second passageway 49 and the jet ports 45, which jet (forcibly exhaust) into the interior of the soft container 35 the gas that has flowed through the second passageway 49.
In the embodiment, the adapter 34 comprises the frame member 42, which is detachable from the main body 2, and the jet pipe 44, which is detachable from the frame member 42. At least a portion of the second passageway 49 is provided on the frame member 42. The jet ports 45 are provided in the jet pipe 44.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because the frame member 42 of the adapter 34 and the jet pipe 44 are separable, the frame member 42 and the jet pipe 44 are easy to maintain, e.g., clean.
In the embodiment, the jet ports 45 jet gas to (toward) the lower portion of the entrance of the soft container 35.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, even if refuse remains at the lower portion of the entrance of the soft container 35, the refuse that remains at the lower portion of the entrance of the soft container 35 is transferred (blown) to the far side of the soft container 35 by the gas jetted from (through) the jet ports 45.
In the embodiment, the jet ports 45 are provided spaced apart in the left-right direction, which is parallel to the lower side of the entrance of the soft container 35.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because a plurality of the jet ports 45 is provided in the left-right direction, the problem of refuse remaining in the vicinity of the entrance of the soft container 35 is effectively overcome.
In the embodiment, the soft container 35 is mounted on the frame 60, which is detachable from the adapter 34.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the soft container 35 is mounted on the adapter 34 via the frame 60.
In the embodiment, the jet pipe 44 is elongated in the left-right direction, which is parallel to the rotational axis of the wheels 3.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the jet pipe 44, which is elongated in the left-right direction, is mounted on the frame member 42.
In the embodiment, the jet ports 45 are provided spaced apart in the left-right direction.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because a plurality of the jet ports 45 is provided in the left-right direction, the problem of the refuse remaining is effectively overcome.
In the embodiment, the opening, which is fluidly connected to the lower-end portion of the second passageway 49 provided in the interior of the frame member 42, is provided at one-end portion of the jet pipe 44. The other-end portion of the jet pipe 44 is closed up (sealed).
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the gas that has flowed through the second passageway 49 of the frame member 42 flows into the interior of the jet pipe 44 from the opening at one-end portion of the jet pipe 44 and is jetted from the jet ports 45.
In the embodiment, the insertion part 48, which extends in the left-right direction, is provided in the interior of the frame member 42. The jet pipe 44 is mounted on the frame member 42 by being inserted into the insertion part 48 from (through) the opening at the other-end portion of the insertion part 48.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the jet pipe 44 can be smoothly mounted on the frame member 42.
In the embodiment, the soft container 35 has the bag-like mesh part 36 and the window part 41, which is provided at (on) the upper portion of the mesh part 36.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because the soft container 35 comprises the mesh part 36, sufficient air permeability of the soft container 35 is ensured. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the situation in which refuse, which is stored in the interior of the soft container 35, is adversely thrust out from the soft container 35 via the entrance of the soft container 35. For example, if the air permeability of the soft container 35 is poor (too low), there is a possibility that refuse stored in the interior of the soft container 35 will adversely flow in reverse toward the main brush 6 side from the entrance of the soft container 35 owing to the gas jetted from the jet ports 45. That is, if the air permeability of the soft container 35 is poor, there is a possibility that the gas that was jetted into the interior of the soft container 35 from the jet ports 45 will be bounced back by the inner surfaces of the soft container 35, and thereby refuse stored in the interior of the soft container 35 will be adversely thrust out forward of the soft container 35. However, because the soft container 35 of the present embodiment has sufficient air permeability owing to the mesh part 36, it is possible to avoid the situation in which the gas jetted into the interior of the soft container 35 from the jet ports 45 is bounced back by the inner surfaces of the soft container 35. Consequently, it is possible to avoid the situation in which refuse stored in the interior of the soft container 35 is adversely thrust out from the soft container 35. In addition, by providing the window part 41 at the upper portion of the mesh part 36, the user of the cleaning apparatus 1 can visually confirm (inspect) the content of the interior of the soft container 35 via the window part 41.
As described above, if the air permeability of the soft container 350 is insufficient, there is a possibility that the gas that has jetted into the interior of the soft container 350 from the jet ports 45 will be bounced back by the inner surfaces of the soft container 350, and thereby refuse stored in the interior of the soft container 350 will be adversely thrust out forward of the soft container 350. By adjusting the size of the opening of the soft container 350 using the fastener 300, the air permeability of the soft container 350 is adjusted. By suitably adjusting the air permeability of the soft container 350, it is possible to avoid the situation in which the gas that was jetted into the interior of the soft container 350 from the jet ports 45 is bounced back by the inner surfaces of the soft container 350. Consequently, it is possible to avoid the situation in which refuse stored in the interior of the soft container 350 is adversely thrust out from the soft container 350.
In the embodiment described above, it is assumed that the soft dust unit 200 comprises the adapter 34 and the soft container 35 (350). The adapter 34 and the soft container 35 (350) may be one body (i.e. integral). In the alternative, the adapter 34 may be omitted, and the soft container 35 (350) may be directly mounted on and demounted from the main body 2.
Representative, non-limiting examples of the present invention were described above in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, each of the additional features and teachings disclosed above may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide improved cleaning apparatuses, such as floor sweepers or power sweepers.
Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the above detailed description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of the invention. Furthermore, various features of the above-described representative examples, as well as the various independent and dependent claims below, may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings.
All features disclosed in the description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each other for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter, independent of the compositions of the features in the embodiments and/or the claims. In addition, all value ranges or indications of groups of entities are intended to disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-163290 | Oct 2022 | JP | national |
