Suction Port Body For Electric Vacuum Cleaner, And Electric Vacuum Cleaner

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application, being filed under 35 U.S.C. 119 in accordance with the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-093141 filed Jun. 6, 2023 entitled Suction Port Body For Electric Vacuum Cleaner, And Electric Vacuum Cleaner, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a suction port body for an electric vacuum cleaner, and an electric vacuum cleaner.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hitherto, there has been provided a floor suction tool for an electric vacuum cleaner, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2010-148661. The floor suction tool has a suction port in a bottom surface of a main body case. A rotary brush, which is rotated by a drive source, is arranged inside the main body case so as to face the suction port. Further, the floor suction tool includes an illuminating part for illuminating an area ahead is provided to an upper surface of the main body case.

The floor suction tool for an electric vacuum cleaner according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2010-148661 described above has a structure including a flip-up shutter. The illuminating part is provided at a top portion of the main body case, which has an upwardly protruding curved shape. With the configuration described above, there arises a problem in that the illuminating part, which is provided at the top portion of the main body case having the upwardly protruding curved shape, becomes an obstacle to downsizing the floor suction tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the present invention has an object to achieve a suction port body for an electric vacuum cleaner, which can be downsized while including a light source, and an electric vacuum cleaner including the suction port body.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, there is provided a suction port body, including: a case body having a curve-shaped portion being curved so as to protrude upward and a suction port in a bottom surface; a pipe portion that is provided at rear of the curve-shaped portion and is configured to allow communication between a suction source and the suction port; and a light source arranged so as to radiate light to a front side of the case body, wherein the light source is located in front of the pipe portion and at rear of a top portion of the curve-shaped portion.

As described above, in the suction port body for an electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, the light source is provided at a position at the rear of the top portion of the curve-shaped portion of the case body, which is curved so as to protrude upward, and in front of the pipe portion located at the rear of the curve-shaped portion. In this manner, in the suction port body for an electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, the light source can be provided by using a space defined between the curve-shaped portion and the pipe portion. Thus, according to the present invention, the suction port body for an electric vacuum cleaner, which can be downsized while including the light source, can be achieved in comparison to a case in which the light source is provided at a top portion of the curve-shaped portion that protrudes upward or the light source is provided in front of the curve-shaped portion as in the related art.

The electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes the suction port body according to the present invention.

The electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes the suction port body according to the present invention as described above. Thus, the electric vacuum cleaner including the suction port body, which is downsized while including the light source, can be achieved.

According to the present invention, the suction port body for an electric vacuum cleaner and the electric vacuum cleaner, which are achieved by solving the problem described above, can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for illustrating an electric vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view for illustrating a main part of the electric vacuum cleaner illustrated in FIG. 1 when viewed from a side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for illustrating a suction port body of the electric vacuum cleaner illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view for illustrating the suction port body illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for illustrating a covering case of the suction port body illustrated in FIG. 3 when viewed from a back surface side.

FIG. 6 is a plan view for illustrating the suction port body illustrated in FIG. 3 with the covering case removed.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view for illustrating the suction port body illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view for illustrating the suction port body illustrated in FIG. 3 when viewed from a side.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view for illustrating the suction port body illustrated in FIG. 3 with the covering case removed, in which components of a light-emitting unit are illustrated separately.

FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view for illustrating the suction port body illustrated in FIG. 10 after light sources and a board are mounted in a light-emitting unit arrangement portion.

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view for illustrating the suction port body illustrated in FIG. 11 after a cover is mounted in the light-emitting unit arrangement portion.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Now, an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, after an outline of an overall configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is described, main parts are described further in detail. In the following description, a positional relationship in, for example, an up-and-down direction, a width direction, or a front-and-back direction is described based on a standing state of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 as a reference unless otherwise noted.

Overall Configuration of Electric Vacuum Cleaner 1

As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is a vacuum cleaner having a stick-like (upright) appearance. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 can be, for example, an electric vacuum cleaner which is rechargeable or obtains electric power from an external power source via a power cord. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes a vacuum cleaner main body 10, a handle portion 20, a dust collecting portion 50 (dust collecting device), an extension pipe 70, and a suction port body 100. The stick-like (upright) electric vacuum cleaner 1 including the suction port body 100 is described below as an example. However, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 may be a so-called canister-type electric vacuum cleaner including the suction port body 100 or may be a handy-type electric vacuum cleaner including the suction port body 100.

The vacuum cleaner main body 10 forms a main body of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 and fulfills a function of collecting dust with suction power. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the vacuum cleaner main body 10 includes a drive circuit for driving an electric fan 14 and other electronic components and other components inside a housing 12 that forms a casing. The electric fan 14 sucks air to generate an air stream.

The vacuum cleaner main body 10 includes a battery accommodating portion 15. A battery 15a is accommodated in the battery accommodating portion 15. The battery 15a (battery accommodating portion 15) is provided in an area of the vacuum cleaner main body 10, which is at the rear of a position of the handle portion 20. Further, the battery 15a is provided in the area above the electric fan 14.

A main body suction port 32 for connecting the extension pipe 70 or the suction port body 100 is formed at a lower end of the vacuum cleaner main body 10. The vacuum cleaner main body 10 includes a main body pipe portion 30. The main body pipe portion 30 has the main body suction port 32 at one end and has a discharge port that communicates with an introduction port of the dust collecting portion 50. The main body suction port 32 is formed on a lower side of the vacuum cleaner main body 10 in the up-and-down direction. The battery accommodating portion 15 is arranged side by side with the handle portion 20 in a direction (front-and-back direction) orthogonal to an axial direction (up-and-down direction) of the vacuum cleaner main body 10 when viewed from a side.

The handle portion 20 is provided so as to allow a user of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 to grip the vacuum cleaner main body 10. The handle portion 20 may have any appropriate shape, for example, a circular shape, an oval shape such as an elliptical or oblong shape, a polygonal shape, or a bar-like shape. In this embodiment, the handle portion 20 has an oval shape. Further, the handle portion 20 defines a handle opening portion 22 that allows insertion of a hand. The handle opening portion 22 is formed so that its length in the up-and-down direction is larger than its length in the front-and-back direction. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 is configured to allow a user to grip the vacuum cleaner main body 10 by, for example, insertion of fingers except for a thumb into the opening portion defined by the handle portion 20. The handle portion 20 is provided to an upper part of the vacuum cleaner main body 10. Further, the handle portion 20 is located on a front side of the vacuum cleaner main body 10. A positional relationship between the handle portion 20 and the battery 15a is now described in detail. The battery 15a is arranged so as to overlap the handle opening portion 22 and fall within a range extending from an upper end of the handle opening portion 22 to a lower end of the handle opening portion 22 when viewed in the front-and-back direction. Further, external gas exhaust ports of the vacuum cleaner main body 10 are formed on a rear side of the vacuum cleaner main body 10 so as to be separate apart from each other in a right-and-left direction.

The dust collecting portion 50 is a portion in which dust and debris sucked by the electric vacuum cleaner 1 are collected. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the dust collecting portion 50 is provided so as to be continuous with the vacuum cleaner main body 10. The dust collecting portion 50 may be an appropriate one such as a so-called paper bag type dust collecting portion or a so-called cyclone-type dust collecting device. In this embodiment, the dust collecting portion 50 is formed of a cyclone-type dust collecting device. Specifically, the dust collecting portion 50 introduces air from a dust-collecting-portion inflow port 58 formed in an outer cylinder 52. After a swirling airflow is formed inside the outer cylinder 52, dust can be collected during an air discharging process. A so-called single-stage or multi-stage separation system may be employed for the dust collecting portion 50. In this embodiment, a single-stage separation system is employed for the dust collecting portion 50. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the dust collecting portion 50 includes the outer cylinder 52 (dust cup) and a structural body 54. A dust collecting space 56 is defined between the outer cylinder 52 and the structural body 54.

The extension pipe 70 is a cylindrical member that removably connects the vacuum cleaner main body 10 and the suction port body 100 to each other. The extension pipe 70 has one end that is shaped so as to be insertable into the main body suction port 32 of the main body pipe portion 30 of the vacuum cleaner main body 10 and another end that is shaped so as to be connectable to the suction port body 100. When the vacuum cleaner main body 10 and the suction port body 100 are connected to each other through intermediation of the extension pipe 70, a series of passages (air passages) can be defined. The passages communicate with each other and extend from the suction port body 100 to the vacuum cleaner main body 10.

The suction port body 100 is connected directly to the main body suction port 32 of the vacuum cleaner main body 10 or indirectly to the main body suction port 32 through intermediation of the extension pipe 70. The suction port body 100 has a suction port 120 and a pipe portion 150. The suction port 120 is formed in a bottom surface. Further, the pipe portion 150 is connectable to the main body suction port 32 or the extension pipe 70. Characteristic parts of the suction port body 100 are described later in detail.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 generally has the configuration described above. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 has characteristic structures in the dust collecting portion 50 and the suction port body 100. Now, the suction port body 100 is described further in detail.

Suction Port Body 100

Subsequently, a configuration of the suction port body 100 is described in detail with reference to, for example, FIG. 3 to FIG. 12. The suction port body 100 allows dust to be introduced from an outside. When a suction force generated by the electric fan 14 acts, air and dust can be sucked from the outside. As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the suction port body 100 includes a case body 110 and the pipe portion 150 (joint portion). Further, as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the suction port body 100 includes a rotary cleaning body 160, a drive unit 170, and a power transmission mechanism 180 inside the case body 110. The suction port body 100 includes, in addition to the configurations described above, a light-emitting unit 200.

The case body 110 is a portion to be placed on a floor at the time of cleaning. The case body 110 has a shape that is elongated in the right-and-left direction with respect to the front-and-back direction in which the case body 110 is operated by a user at the time of cleaning. As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 3, the case body 110 includes a main body case 112 and a covering case 114. The case body 110 includes, for example, a suction space 116, an accommodating portion 118, and a communicating portion 140 in an internal space defined by the main body case 112 and the covering case 114. The case body 110 includes, in addition to the above-mentioned space and portions, a light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 for mounting the light-emitting unit 200 described later in detail. Further, the case body 110 includes a bumper 115 on a front side (front surface side). The bumper 115 mitigates a shock generated when the case body 110 collides against other objects such as a wall surface.

The main body case 112 is a member that forms a bottom-side portion of the case body 110. The main body case 112 is a member that has the suction port 120 and forms a bottom-side portion of the suction space 116 and the accommodating portion 118. The suction port 120 is formed of an opening in the main body case 112. The suction port 120 is an opening that is elongated in the width direction (right-and-left direction) of the main body case 112 (case body 110). An opening shape of the suction port 120 may be any appropriate shape. In this embodiment, the suction port 120 has a rectangular opening shape. Further, the main body case 112 has a curve-shaped portion 126. The curve-shaped portion 126 is a portion that covers an area corresponding to the suction space 116 defined inside the case body 110, in which the rotary cleaning body 160 is arranged.

The covering case 114 is a member that is provided so as to cover at least a part of the main body case 112 described above. As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the covering case 114 includes a first covering-case forming portion 122, a second covering-case forming portion 123, and a third covering-case forming portion 124.

The first covering-case forming portion 122 mainly forms a portion of the covering case 114 on one side in the right-and-left direction of the case body 110. In this embodiment, the first covering-case forming portion 122 covers, for example, an area adjacent to the suction space 116 in the right-and-left direction on a front side of the case body 110 or an area corresponding to the accommodating portion 118 defined inside the case body 110.

The second covering-case forming portion 123 forms a portion located in a center in the right-and-left direction. The second covering-case forming portion 123 covers at least light sources 210 of the light-emitting unit 200.

The third covering-case forming portion 124 is not an indispensable configuration. The third covering-case forming portion 124 forms a portion of the covering case 114 on another side in the right-and-left direction (on a side opposite to the first covering-case forming portion 122).

As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 9, the curve-shaped portion 126 is a portion having an upwardly protruding curved shape. A portion indicated by a black dot in FIG. 9 corresponds to a top portion T of the curve-shaped portion 126. The curve-shaped portion 126 is provided at a position corresponding to the suction space 116 defined inside the case body 110, in which the rotary cleaning body 160 is arranged. The curve-shaped portion 126 is formed so as to extend in the right-and-left direction (width direction) in the case body 110. The curve-shaped portion 126 is formed so as to be curved in an arc-like shape when the case body 110 is viewed from a side.

The suction space 116 communicates with the outside via the suction port 120 on a bottom surface side. Thus, the suction space 116 allows dust and air to be sucked from the suction port 120 and flow thereinto. The suction space 116 extends in the right-and-left direction of the case body 110 and has a size that allows accommodation of the rotary cleaning body 160. The rotary cleaning body 160 is accommodated in the suction space 116 so as to be rotatable about its axial position. The suction space 116 communicates with the communicating portion 140. The communicating portion 140 is arranged in a middle in the right-and-left direction (in a substantially center in the right-and-left direction in this embodiment) and at the rear of the suction space 116. The communicating portion 140 has a communicating port 140a at an end (on a side opposite to the pipe portion 150) of the communicating portion 140. The communicating port 140a allows communication between the communicating portion 140 and the suction space 116.

Similarly to the suction space 116, the accommodating portion 118 is a hollow space that is defined inside the case body 110 when the main body case 112 and the covering case 114, which are described above, are combined with each other. The accommodating portion 118 is defined at a position away from the suction space 116 in a longitudinal direction or at a position at the rear of the suction space 116. For example, the drive unit 170, the power transmission mechanism 180, and a support portion 190 (support portion 190a), which are described later in detail, are accommodated in the accommodating portion 118.

As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 is a portion of the case body 110, in which the light-emitting unit 200 described later in detail is arranged. The light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 is defined by combining the main body case 112 and the covering case 114. More specifically, the covering case 114 is formed so that a large part of the first covering-case forming portion 122 and the third covering-case forming portion 124 does not cover the curve-shaped portion 126 of the main body case 112. Meanwhile, the covering case 114 is mounted so that at least a part of the curve-shaped portion 126 of the main body case 112 is covered with the second covering-case forming portion 123 at a position corresponding to the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130.

In this embodiment, the light-emitting unit 200 is arranged in a middle (center in the illustrated example) of the main body case 112 in its longitudinal direction (width direction). As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the second covering-case forming portion 123 of the covering case 114 has a raised portion 125 so as to correspond to the light-emitting unit 200. The raised portion 125 is formed at a position corresponding to the middle of the case body 110 in the longitudinal direction so as to be raised in a direction away from the first covering-case forming portion 122. Thus, the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 for mounting the light-emitting unit 200 is defined in the middle of the covering case 114 in the longitudinal direction (width direction) between the first covering-case forming portion 122 and the third covering-case forming portion 124. Further, the raised portion 125 has a shape being open toward the front side (front-surface side).

Further, at least a part of the covering case 114 has a light-shielding property. More specifically, the covering case 114 has a light-shielding property at least in a portion which forms the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130. In this embodiment, the first covering-case forming portion 122 has a light-shielding property at least in a portion covered by the raised portion 125 (second covering-case forming portion 123). Further, the second covering-case forming portion 123 has a light-shielding property at least in a portion that forms the raised portion 125. Further, the main body case 112 (case body 110) includes a transmitting portion 134 as at least a part thereof. The transmitting portion 134 allows light from the light-emitting unit 200 (light sources) to be transmitted therethrough. The light sources of the light-emitting unit 200 are inclined so that their optical axes extend toward the bottom surface. This is because, when the optical axes pass through the main body case 112, it is preferred that the main body case 112 allow easy transmission of light.

As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 includes a base portion 132. The base portion 132 is provided at a position at the rear of the top portion T of the curve-shaped portion 126 inside the covering case 114. The base portion 132 functions as a base for supporting the light-emitting unit 200 described later in detail from below. The base portion 132 can be formed by, for example, raising an area of the main body case 112, which is located at the rear of the top portion T of the curve-shaped portion 126, or arranging a separately prepared member on the area. In this embodiment, the base portion 132 is formed by raising a portion of the main body case 112. The base portion 132 is arranged at a position lower than the top portion T of the curve-shaped portion 126.

As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 includes a protruding portion 130b provided through the base portion 132. The protruding portion 130b is formed of, for example, a screw or a pin. The protruding portion 130b is provided through the base portion 132 so as to protrude upward from the suction space 116 side of the main body case 112. Further, the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 includes a boss portion 130d having a protruding shape. The boss portion 130d is provided at a position on the second covering-case forming portion 123, which corresponds to the protruding portion 130b. The boss portion 130d has a recessed portion 130c into which the protruding portion 130b can be inserted. The case body 110 is formed by coupling the main body case 112 and the covering case 114 with each other at the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 through intermediation of a coupling structure including the protruding portion 130b and the boss portion 130d. Further, when components of the light-emitting unit 200 are mounted inside the case body 110 around the protruding portion 130b, positioning accuracy for the components of the light-emitting unit 200 can be improved.

As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 9, the communicating portion 140 is a space that is defined inside the case body 110 so as to communicate with the suction space 116 described above. The communicating portion 140 is provided in a middle in the right-and-left direction (width direction) of the suction space 116 and communicates with the suction space 116. In this embodiment, the communicating portion 140 is provided in a substantially center in the right-and-left direction of the suction space 116 and communicates with the suction space 116. Further, the communicating portion 140 communicates with the pipe portion 150 via the communicating port 140a. Thus, the communicating portion 140 functions as a space for allowing the communication between the suction space 116 and the pipe portion 150. At least a part of the light-emitting unit 200 is located in front of the communicating port 140a.

The pipe portion 150 is provided at a position on a back side (rear side) of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 with respect to the case body 110 so as to communicate with the communicating portion 140. The pipe portion 150 is a portion (joint portion) that functions as a joint to which the extension pipe 70 is connected. The pipe portion 150 is mounted so as to be rotatable within a predetermined rotation range (in at least one of the front-and-back direction and the right-and-left direction) with respect to the case body 110. More specifically, the joint portion to which the pipe portion 150 is connected pivots in the right-and-left direction with respect to the case body 110, and the pipe portion 150 rotates in the front-and-back direction with respect to the joint portion.

The rotary cleaning body 160 is a member that is accommodated in the suction space 116 described above and is supported rotatably about a support shaft extending in the right-and-left direction (width direction) of the case body 110. More specifically, one end of the support shaft of the rotary cleaning body 160 is rotatably supported by the first support portion 190a of the support portions 190 described later in detail, and another end of the support shaft is rotatably supported by a second support portion 190b. Further, when receiving motive power generated by the drive unit 170 through intermediation of the power transmission mechanism 180, which is described later in detail, the rotary cleaning body 160 becomes rotatable in the suction space 116. In this manner, the rotary cleaning body 160 is supported rotatably with respect to the case body 110.

The drive unit 170 serves as a drive source for the rotary cleaning body 160. The drive unit 170 includes an electric motor and can output rotational motive power from an output shaft 170a. The drive unit 170 is accommodated in the space serving as the accommodating portion 118. More specifically, the drive unit 170 is accommodated in the space (accommodating portion 118) that is located at the rear of the suction space 116 and on one side in the right-and-left direction (width direction) with respect to the communicating portion 140 when the suction port body 100 is seen in plan view. The drive unit 170 is accommodated so that the output shaft 170a protrudes substantially in parallel to the rotary support shaft of the rotary cleaning body 160.

As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the power transmission mechanism 180 is a mechanism for transmitting motive power from the drive unit 170 to the rotary cleaning body 160. The power transmission mechanism 180 is accommodated in a part of the space (accommodating portion 118) defined on one side in the right-and-left direction (width direction) with respect to the suction space 116 when the suction port body 100 is seen in plan view. The power transmission mechanism 180 includes an output-side pulley 182, a driven-side pulley 184, and a belt 186.

The output-side pulley 182 is a pulley connected to the output shaft 170a of the drive unit 170, which protrudes toward the accommodating portion 118. The output-side pulley 182 is rotatable integrally with the output shaft 170a. The output-side pulley 182 is formed of a toothed pulley on a peripheral portion. The toothed pulley has teeth extending in an axial direction. The output-side pulley 182 is accommodated in an area of the accommodating portion 118, which is located on a rear side of the case body 110 (suction port body 100).

The driven-side pulley 184 is a pulley that is connected directly or indirectly to the rotary cleaning body 160. The driven-side pulley 184 is rotatable integrally with the rotary cleaning body 160. The driven-side pulley 184 is formed of a toothed pulley on a peripheral portion around which the belt 186 is wound. The toothed pulley has teeth extending in the axial direction. The driven-side pulley 184 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 118 so as to be adjacent to the suction space 116 in the right-and-left direction (width direction). Thus, the driven-side pulley 184 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 118 so as to be away from the output-side pulley 182 to the front side of the case body 110 (suction port body 100).

The belt 186 is formed of a toothed endless belt. The belt 186 is wound around the output-side pulley 182 and the driven-side pulley 184. Further, teeth of the belt 186 are meshed with the teeth of the output-side pulley 182 and the teeth of the driven-side pulley 184. Thus, when the drive unit 170 is actuated, the power transmission mechanism 180 transmits the rotational motive power output from the output shaft 170a of the drive unit 170 to the rotary cleaning body 160 through intermediation of the output-side pulley 182, the belt 186, and the driven-side pulley 184. In this manner, the rotary cleaning body 160 can be rotated.

The support portions 190 support the rotary cleaning body 160 inside the case body 110 so that the rotary cleaning body 160 is rotatable. More specifically, the support portions 190 include the first support portion 190a and the second support portion 190b. The first support portion 190a supports the rotary cleaning body 160 on one side in the axial direction. The second support portion 190b supports the rotary cleaning body 160 on another side in the axial direction. Each of the first support portion 190a and the second support portion 190b includes a bearing. The bearings allow the support shaft of the rotary cleaning body 160 to be rotatably supported. The third covering-case forming portion 124 has a portion that covers the second support portion 190b arranged in the main body case 112. In view of weight reduction, however, the third covering-case forming portion 124 is not required to include a portion that covers the second support portion 190b.

The light-emitting unit 200 emits light toward the front side of the case body 110 to thereby irradiate an area ahead of the case body 110. As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 to FIG. 12, the light-emitting unit 200 is mounted to the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 of the case body 110. The light-emitting unit 200 includes, for example, the light sources 210, a board 220, a cover 230, a guide portion 250, and a fixing tool 260 as its components.

The light sources 210 emit light along with energization, and are, for example, LEDs or light bulbs. In this embodiment, LEDs are provided as the light sources 210. The light sources 210 are mounted on a front surface of the board 220. The light sources 210 are arranged on the base portion 132 so that their optical axes extend forward (to a front surface side). In this embodiment, the light sources 210 are arranged on the base portion 132 in the following manner. Specifically, the board 220 carrying the light sources 210 mounted thereon is oriented so that the light sources 210 face forward, and the board 220 is provided upright on the base portion 132 so as to be located at the rear of the protruding portion 130b. Further, only one light source 210 may be provided, or a plurality of, for example, three or more light sources 210 may be provided. In this embodiment, two light sources 210 are provided. The light sources 210, 210 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (right-and-left direction) of the case body 110. Further, the light sources 210, 210 are arranged so as to be symmetric with respect to a line that perpendicularly passes through a center of the case body 110 in the longitudinal direction.

As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the light sources 210 are mounted on the front surface of the board 220 as described above. The board 220 has connectors 222 on its back side. The board 220 has an engaged portion 224 in its upper end under a state in which the board 220 is provided upright on the base portion 132. The engaged portion 224 is a portion to be engaged with the guide portion 250. The engaged portion 224 may have any shape or structure as long as the engaged portion 224 can be engaged with the guide portion 250. In this embodiment, the engaged portion 224 is formed of a rectangular cutout.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the light sources 210 are arranged in the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 while being mounted on the board 220 as described above. Thus, the light sources 210 are provided so as to be able to irradiate an area ahead of the case body 110 with light via an opening portion 130a. Further, the light sources 210 are arranged in the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 between the main body case 112 and the covering case 114. Further, the light sources 210 are arranged at positions above the suction space 116. The light sources 210 are located in front of the pipe portion 150. The light sources 210 are arranged on the base portion 132. Thus, the light sources 210 are located at the rear of the top portion of the curve-shaped portion 126. The light sources 210 are arranged so that their optical axes are inclined toward the bottom surface.

The cover 230 allows the light emitted from the light sources 210 to be transmitted therethrough. More specifically, as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, the cover 230 includes a light exit portion 232, a base connecting portion 234, and a boss engaging portion 240.

The light exit portion 232 is formed in a plate-like shape that allows the opening portion 130a of the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 to be closed. The light exit portion 232 allows the light emitted from the light sources 210 to be transmitted therethrough. In this embodiment, the light exiting portion 232 is formed of a transparent plate member.

The base connecting portion 234 is a portion connected to the base portion 132. The base connecting portion 234 includes a protruding-portion engaging portion 236 and a base engaging portion 238. The base connecting portion 234 has a hook-like shape bent in an L-like shape, which is formed by a combination of the protruding-portion engaging portion 236 and the base engaging portion 238, when viewed from a side.

The protruding-portion engaging portion 236 is a plate-shaped portion. The protruding-portion engaging portion 236 is connected to the light exit portion 232 at its base end portion and extends in a direction intersecting with the light exit portion 232. The protruding-portion engaging portion 236 extends rearward from the light exit portion 232 inside the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 under a state in which the light-emitting unit 200 is mounted. The protruding-portion engaging portion 236 has an insertion hole 236a that allows insertion of the protruding portion 130b provided through the base portion 132. The base engaging portion 238 is a plate-shaped portion that extends from a distal end of the protruding-portion engaging portion 236 (a rear side under a state in which the light-emitting unit 200 is mounted) in a direction intersecting with the protruding-portion engaging portion 236.

The boss engaging portion 240 is a portion that is engaged with the boss portion 130d provided on a top surface side of the light-emitting arrangement portion 130 (on an inner surface of the raised portion 125 of the second covering-case forming portion 123). The boss engaging portion 240 is provided at a position above the protruding-portion engaging portion 236 of the base connecting portion 234 described above. Similarly to the protruding-portion engaging portion 236, the boss engaging portion 240 is a plate-shaped portion. The boss engaging portion 240 is connected to the light exit portion 232 at its base end portion and extends in a direction (rearward) intersecting with the light exit portion 232. The boss engaging portion 240 has a boss engagement hole 242 having a size that allows insertion of the boss portion 130d.

The cover 230 includes the base connecting portion 234 and the boss engaging portion 240 on a back side (rear side) of the light exit portion 232 described above. Further, the base engaging portion 238 described above is bent downward with respect to the protruding-portion engaging portion 236 at a position away from a connecting position (base end portion of the protruding-portion engaging portion 236) between the protruding-portion engaging portion 236 and the light exit portion 232 by a length of the base portion 132 in the front-and-back direction. Thus, as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 8 and FIG. 12, when the base connecting portion 234 is mounted so that the base portion 132 is covered with the protruding-portion engaging portion 236 from above, the base engaging portion 238 is engaged at the rear of the base portion 132. As a result, the base connecting portion 234 is positioned in the front-and-back direction with respect to the base portion 132. Further, the protruding portion 130b provided through the base portion 132 is inserted into the insertion hole 236a of the protruding-portion engaging portion 236. Further, the boss portion 130d protruding downward from the top surface side of the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 is inserted into the boss engagement hole 242 of the boss engaging portion 240. Further, the protruding portion 130b that protrudes upward is inserted through the insertion hole 236a of the protruding-portion engaging portion 236 into the recessed portion 130c of the boss portion 130d and is engaged with the recessed portion 130c. Thus, the base connecting portion 234 and the boss engaging portion 240 are positioned in the front-and-rear direction and the right-and-left direction (width direction). In this manner, the base connecting portion 234 is mounted to the base portion 132. Thus, the light exit portion 232 is installed while being positioned in both of the front-and-back direction and the right-and-left direction by a connecting structure including the base connecting portion 234, the boss engaging portion 240, the base portion 132, and the protruding portion 130b.

The guide portion 250 is provided so as to guide the light generated from the light sources 210 to the cover 230. As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, the guide portion 250 is fixed to the case body 110 while being interposed between the board 220 and the cover 230. Further, the guide portion 250 is fixed while being engaged with the board 220. The guide portion 250 includes light-guiding portions 252 and an engaging portion 256.

Each of the light-guiding portions 252 functions as a light-guiding member that guides the light generated from a corresponding one of the light sources 210 toward the cover 230. The light-guiding portion 252 has a cylindrical shape with openings at one end and another end. Thus, the light-guiding portion 252 guides light introduced from the opening at the one end toward the another end and allows the light to exit from the opening at the another end. Further, the light-guiding portion 252 has a light-shielding property. The light-shielding property allows the light-guiding portion 252 to suppress leakage of the light to the outside while the light is introduced from the one end and reaches the another end. Thus, the light-guiding portions 252 can guide substantially all the light generated from the light sources 210 from the one end to the another end.

Further, each of the light-guiding portions 252 has a length corresponding to a distance between the board 220 and the cover 230 that are arranged so as to be opposed to each other in the front-and-back direction under a state in which the light-emitting unit 200 is mounted in the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130. Thus, when the light-guiding portions 252 are arranged between the board 220 and the cover 230, the light-guiding portions 252 can be provided so that the one end of each of the light-guiding portions 252 is in contact with the front surface of the board 220 and the another end of each of the light-guiding portions 252 is in contact with a back surface (rear surface) of the cover 230. Thus, the light-guiding portions 252 can suppress the occurrence of leakage of light on both of the board 220 side, which serves as a light introduction port, and the cover 230 side, which serves as a light exit port.

The light-guiding portions 252 are provided so as to correspond to the light sources 210. As described above, in this embodiment, two light sources 210, 210 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Thus, in this embodiment, two light-guiding portions 252, 252 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to the distance between the light sources 210, 210. In this embodiment, the light-guiding portions 252, 252 are arranged in parallel so that a distance corresponding to a width (length in the right-and-left direction) of the base portion 132 is defined between the light-guiding portions 252, 252. The light-guiding portions 252, 252 are connected to each other through intermediation of a light-guide connecting portion 254 on the light introduction port side. The light-guide connecting portion 254 may have any appropriate shape or configuration as long as the light-guide connecting portion 254 can connect the light-guiding portions 252, 252 to each other. In this embodiment, the light-guide connecting portion 254 has a plate-like shape.

The engaging portion 256 is provided so as to allow the guide portion 250 to be engaged with the board 220. As described above, the engaged portion 224 is formed in an upper end portion of the board 220. Hence, the engaging portion 256 is engaged with the engaged portion 224. More specifically, the engaging portion 256 is formed of a piece-like member that extends from the light-guide connecting portion 254 toward the board 220 and is engaged with the engaged portion 224 under a state in which the light-emitting unit 200 is mounted in the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130.

The engaging portion 256 includes a piece-like portion 256a and engaging protrusions 256b. The piece-like portion 256a is inserted into the rectangular cutout that forms the engaged portion 224 from the front side to the rear side. The engaging protrusions 256b protrude from a distal end of the piece-like portion 256a in a direction intersecting with a direction of extension of the piece-like portion 256a. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 256 includes the engaging protrusions 256b, 256b protruding to both of right and left sides with respect to the piece-like portion 256a. Thus, the engaging portion 256 allows the guide portion 250 to be engaged with the board 220 by insertion of the piece-like portion 256a into the engaged portion 224 from the front surface side toward the back surface side of the board 220 and also through an engagement structure formed by engaging the engaging protrusions 256b, 256b on the back surface side of the board 220.

The guide portion 250 is formed by connecting the light-guiding portions 252, 252 through intermediation of the light-guide connecting portions 254 on the light introduction port side. The light-guide connecting portion 254 has a plate-like shape. The light-guide connecting portion 254 is arranged in surface contact with the front surface of the board 220 under a state in which the light-emitting unit 200 is mounted in the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130. In this embodiment, the light-guide connecting portion 254 is arranged in surface contact with the front surface of the board 220 while being held in a gap defined by the board 220 that is provided upright in the up-and-down direction and a back surface of the base portion 132 that is formed so as to extend in the up-and-down direction. Further, when the engaging portion 256 is engaged with the engaged portion 224 of the board 220 in the above-mentioned manner, the guide portion 250 can be engaged with the board 220. Thus, the guide portion 250 is arranged while being positioned in the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 based on the board 220 and the light-guide connecting portion 254 arranged in surface contact with the board 220. Further, the base connecting portion 234 and the boss engaging portion 240 of the cover 230 are arranged between the light-guiding portions 252, 252 under a state in which the light-emitting unit 200 is mounted in the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130. Thus, the guide portion 250 and the cover 230 are arranged in the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 while being positioned with respect to each other also by the base connecting portion 234 and the boss engaging portion 240.

The fixing tool 260 connects the main body case 112 and the covering case 114 to each other at the light-emitting unit arrangement portion 130 to thereby fix the cover 230. The fixing tool 260 is formed of a combination of the protruding portion 130b and the boss portion 130d, which are described above. When a pin or a screw, which corresponds to the protruding portion 130b, is inserted into the insertion hole 236a formed in the protruding-portion engaging portion 236 of the cover 230, the fixing tool 260 can fix the cover 230 while positioning the cover 230. Further, when the boss portion 130d is inserted into the boss engagement hole 242 formed in the boss engaging portion 240 of the cover 230 and the protruding portion 130b is engaged with the recessed portion 130c, the fixing tool 260 can fix the cover 230 while positioning the cover 230.

Actions and Effects

Now, effects and other advantages of the suction port body 100 and the electric vacuum cleaner 1 including the suction port body 100 are described.

Suction Port Body 100 and Electric Vacuum Cleaner 1 According to First Aspect of the Present Invention

(1-1) A suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes: a case body 110 having a curve-shaped portion 126 being curved so as to protrude upward and a suction port 120 in a bottom surface; a pipe portion 150 that is provided at rear of the curve-shaped portion 126 and is configured to allow communication between a suction source and the suction port 120; and a light source 210 arranged so as to radiate light to a front side of the case body 110. The light source 210 is located in front of the pipe portion 150 and at rear of a top portion of the curve-shaped portion 126.

In the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 described above, the light source 210 is provided at a position at the rear of the top portion of the curve-shaped portion 126 of the case body 110, which is curved so as to protrude upward, and in front of the pipe portion 150 located at the rear of the curve-shaped portion 126. In this manner, in the suction port body 100, the light source 210 can be provided by using a space defined between the curve-shaped portion 126 and the pipe portion 150. Thus, according to the suction port body 100 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the suction port body 100, which can be downsized while including the light source 210, can be achieved in comparison to a case of adopting a configuration in which the light source 210 is provided at a top portion of the curve-shaped portion 126 that protrudes upward or the light source 210 is provided in front of the curve-shaped portion 126 as in the related art.

(1-2) As described above, in the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to Item (1-1), the case body 110 includes: a main body case 112 that has the suction port 120 and defines a suction space 116; and a covering case 114 covering at least a part of the main body case 112, and the light source 210 is arranged between the main body case 112 and the covering case 114.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (1-2), the light sources 210 can be provided without being exposed to the outside of the main body case 112 and the covering case 114, which form the case body 110. Thus, in the suction port body 100, the light sources 210 can be arranged orderly without being exposed to the outside.

(1-3) As described above, it is preferred that the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to Item (1-1) or (1-2) further include: the suction space 116; and a communicating portion 140 that is provided at rear of the suction space 116 and is configured to allow communication between the suction space 116 and the pipe portion 150, wherein the light source 210 is arranged above the suction space 116.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (1-3), the light sources 210 can be arranged by using a space above the suction space 116 located in front of the communicating portion 140.

(1-4) As described above, in the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to any of Items (1-1) to (1-3), it is preferred that the case body 110 include a base portion 132 at rear of the top portion of the curve-shaped portion 126, and, when a light-emitting unit 200 including the light source 210 is arranged on the base portion 132, an optical axis of the light source 210 be inclined so as to extend toward the bottom surface.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (1-4), light can be generated from the light sources 210 at a position elevated by a height of the base portion 132 while the light sources 210 are arranged at the rear of the top portion of the curve-shaped portion 126. Further, the light sources 210 are arranged in the suction port body 100 so that their optical axes are inclined toward the bottom surface side. Thus, the suction port body 100 allows the light generated from the light sources 210 to be radiated toward the bottom surface side.

(1-5) As described above, in the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to any of Items (1-1) to (1-4), it is preferred that the case body 110 include a base portion 132 at rear of the top portion of the curve-shaped portion 126, and the base portion 132 is arranged at a position lower than the top portion.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (1-5), the suction port body 100 allows the light generated from the light sources 210 to be more reliably radiated to the front surface side while the light sources 210 are arranged at a position as low as possible with respect to the curve-shaped portion 126.

(1-6) As described above, it is preferred that the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to any of Items (1-1) to (1-5) further include a light-emitting unit 200 including: a cover 230 that allows transmission of light emitted from the light source 210; and a guide portion 250 configured to guide the light emitted from the light source 210 to the cover 230, wherein the light-emitting unit 200 is fixed to the case body 110 while the guide portion 250 is interposed between a board 220 on which the light source 210 is arranged and the cover 230.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (1-6), the suction port body 100 enables the light generated from the light sources 210 to reliably reach the cover 230 with use of the guide portion 250. Thus, the suction port body 100 enables the light generated from the light sources 210 to reliably exit from the cover 230. Further, the guide portion 250 is installed in the suction port body 100 while being interposed and positioned between the board 220 and the cover 230. Thus, the suction port body 100 can reliably guide the light generated from the light sources 210 to the cover 230.

(1-7) As described above, in the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to any of Items (1-1) to (1-6), it is preferred that the guide portion 250 and the board 220 be fixed to each other through intermediation of an engagement structure.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (1-7), the guide portion 250 can be arranged while being positioned based on the board 220. Thus, the suction port body 100 has high positioning accuracy for the light sources 210 arranged on the board 220 and the guide portion 250. Thus, the suction port body 100 can reliably guide the light generated from the light sources 210 with use of the guide portion 250.

(1-8) As described above, it is preferred that the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to any of Items (1-1) to (1-7) further include: a rotary cleaning body 160 provided rotatably in the suction space 116; a drive unit 170 serving as a drive source for the rotary cleaning body 160; and a power transmission mechanism 180 configured to transmit a drive force from the drive unit 170 to the rotary cleaning body 160, wherein the covering case 114 covers the power transmission mechanism 180.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (1-8), the light sources 210 can be provided by using the covering case 114 that covers the power transmission mechanism 180.

(1-9) As described above, in the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to any of Items (1-1) to (1-8), it is preferred that the case body 110 of the suction port body 100 include a transmitting portion 134 having translucency and light emitted from the light source 210 be transmitted through the transmitting portion 134.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (1-9), the light generated from the light sources 210 can be transmitted through the transmitting portion 134 of the case body 110 to illuminate an area ahead.

(1-10) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes the suction port body 100 of any of the above-mentioned Items (1-1) to (1-9).

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes the suction port body 100 described above. Thus, the suction port body 100 can have a compact configuration while the light sources 210 are provided in the suction port body 100.

Suction Port Body 100 and Electric Vacuum Cleaner 1 According to Second Aspect of the Present Invention

A floor suction tool for an electric vacuum cleaner, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-148661, includes an illuminating part for illuminating an area ahead. The floor suction tool is achieved based on a structure including a flip-up shutter and includes the illuminating part on an upper part of a main body case.

A suction port body such as the related-art floor suction tool described above is more liable to be subjected to a shock from the outside while the suction port body is being carried or used for cleaning. Hence, there is a fear in that such a shock may cause disengagement or misalignment of the illuminating part that has been fixed.

Thus, the present invention has an object to achieve a suction port body including a light-emitting unit with improved shock resistance.

(2-1) A suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes: a case body 110 having a suction port 120 in a bottom surface; a pipe portion 150 configured to allow communication between a suction source and the suction port 120; and a light-emitting unit 200 arranged so as to radiate light to a front side of the case body 110. The light-emitting unit 200 is fixed to the case body 110.

Even when the suction port body 100 having the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (2-1) is subjected to a shock from the outside while being carried or used for cleaning, inconvenience such as the disengagement of the light-emitting unit due to the shock is less liable to occur. Thus, with the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (2-1), the suction port body 100 including the light-emitting unit 200 with improved shock resistance can be achieved.

A configuration of the suction port body 100 according to the second aspect of the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the case body 110 has the curve-shaped portion 126 that protrudes upward. The configuration of the suction port body 100 includes, for example, a configuration in which an upper surface of the case body 110 (main body case 112) is flat and a configuration in which the case body 110 has an upper surface becoming lower from the rear side toward the front side. When the case body 110 (main body case 112) has the upper surface becoming lower from the rear side toward the front side and the drive unit 170 is provided above and diagonally behind the rotary cleaning body 160, lengths of the rotary cleaning body 160 and the drive unit 170 in the front-and-back direction can be reduced in comparison to those in a configuration in which the drive unit 170 is provided directly behind the rotary cleaning body 160. In addition, the optical axes of the light sources 210 can easily be inclined diagonally downward.

(2-2) As described above, in the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to Item (2-1), it is preferred that the light-emitting unit 200 include: a light source 210; a cover 230 that allows transmission of the light emitted from the light source 210; and a guide portion 250 configured to guide the light from the light source 210 to the cover 230. It is preferred that the light-emitting unit 200 be fixed to the case body 110 while the guide portion 250 is interposed between a board 220 on which the light source 210 is arranged and the cover 230.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (2-2), the guide portion 250 configured to guide the light generated from the light sources 210 is interposed and positioned between the board 220 and the cover 230. Thus, even when the suction port body 100 is subjected to a shock from the outside while being carried or used for cleaning, inconvenience such as misalignment or disengagement of the guide portion 250 is less liable to occur. Thus, when the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (2-2), shock resistance can be further improved.

Further, the suction port body 100 allows the light generated from the light sources 210 to be reliably guided to the cover 230. Thus, the suction port body 100 can suppress occurrence of a failure in light emission through the cover 230, which may be caused along with the disengagement or misalignment of the guide portion 250.

(2-3) As described above, in the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to Item (2-1) or (2-2), it is preferred that the guide portion 250 and the board 220 be fixed to each other through intermediation of an engagement structure.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (2-3), the board 220 and the guide portion 250 can be arranged while being positioned relative to each other. Thus, even when the suction port body 100 is subjected to a shock from the outside while being carried or being used for cleaning, high shock resistance, which makes misalignment between the board 220 and the guide portion 250 or the like to be less liable to occur, can be achieved.

(2-4) As described above, in the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to any of Items (2-1) to (2-3), it is preferred that the case body 110 include a main body case 112, which has the suction port body 120 and defines the suction space 116; and a covering case 114 that covers at least a part of the main body case 112. It is preferred that the cover 230 or the guide portion 250 (the cover 230 in the above-mentioned embodiment) have an insertion hole 236a and the fixing tool 260 (protruding portion 130b) be inserted from the main body case 112 side through the insertion hole 236a to be fixed to the covering case 114.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (2-4), the cover 230 and the guide portion 250 can be positioned about the insertion hole 236a. Thus, even when the suction port body 100 is subjected to a shock from the outside, high shock resistance, which makes misalignment between the board 220 and the guide portion 250 or the like to be less liable to occur, can be achieved. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the insertion hole 236a for allowing the insertion of the protruding portion 130b of the fixing tool 260, which is formed in the cover 230, has been exemplified. However, the insertion hole 236a according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. A configuration corresponding to the insertion hole 236a may be formed in the guide portion 250.

(2-5) As described above, in the suction port body 100 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to any of Items (2-1) to (2-4), it is preferred that the case body 110 of the suction port body 100 include a transmitting portion 134 having translucency and the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 200 be transmitted through the transmitting portion 134.

When the suction port body 100 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (2-5), the light generated from the light sources 210 can be radiated toward an area ahead of the case body 110 through the transmitting portion 134 of the case body 110.

(2-6) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes the suction port body 100 of any of the above-mentioned Items (2-1) to (2-5).

When the electric vacuum cleaner 1 has the configuration as described in the above-mentioned Item (2-6), the electric vacuum cleaner 1 with high shock resistance, which includes the suction port body 100 with the light-emitting unit 200, can be achieved.

In the suction port body 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention, the case body 110 includes the curve-shaped portion 126 that protrudes upward. However, the drive unit 170 may be provided above and diagonally behind the rotary cleaning body 160, and the case body 110 (main body case 112) may have the upper surface becoming lower from the rear side toward the front side.

(3-1) Specifically, in order to solve the same problem as the problem to be solved according to the above-mentioned first aspect, the suction port body 100 according to a third aspect of the present invention includes: a case body 110 that has an upper surface becoming lower from a rear side toward a front side and a suction port 120 formed in a front part of a bottom surface; a pipe portion 150 configured to allow communication between a suction source and the suction port 120; a light source 210 configured to radiate light to the front side of the case body 110; a rotary cleaning body 160 provided rotatably in the case body 110; a drive unit 170A serving as a drive source for the rotary cleaning body 160; and a power transmission mechanism configured to transmit a drive force from the drive unit 170A to the rotary cleaning body. The drive unit 170A is arranged above and diagonally behind the rotary cleaning body 160. Thus, lengths of the rotary cleaning body 160 and the drive unit 170A in the front-and-back direction can be reduced in comparison to those in a configuration in which the drive unit 170 is provided directly behind the rotary cleaning body 160. Thus, the optical axes of the light sources 210 can easily be inclined diagonally downward while downsizing of the suction port body 100 is achieved.

(3-2) Further, the above-mentioned Item (3-1) may include at least one of the above-mentioned Items (1-2), (1-3), and (1-6) to (1-9).

Modification Examples

The exemplification described in the above-mentioned embodiment is merely one example of the present invention. Thus, for example, the configurations according to the above-mentioned Items (1-1) to (1-10) and (2-1) to (2-6) may be different from those exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiment without departing from a gist of the present invention. Further, the suction port body and the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention may include other configurations in addition to or in place of the configurations included in the above-mentioned Items (1-1) to (1-10) and (2-1) to (2-6). More specifically, modification examples described below are conceivable.

In the embodiment described above, the light-guiding portions 252 of the guide portion 250, each having a passage linearly extending from one end toward another end, have been described as an example. However, the light-guiding portions 252 are not limited to those described above. A passage extending from one end toward another end of each of the light-guiding portions 252 of the guide portion 250 may have a bent shape.

In the embodiment described above, the configuration in which the cover 230 fixed to the case body 100 has been exemplified. However, the configuration according to the present invention is not limited to that described above. The guide portion 250 or the board 220 may be fixed to the case body 110.

In the embodiment described above, the guide portion 250 and the board 220 that are fixed to each other through intermediation of the engagement structure including the guide portion 250 and the board 220 have been exemplified. However, the fixing of the guide portion 250 and the board 220 is not limited to that described above. For example, the suction port body 100 may be configured so that the guide portion 250 is fixed to the board 220 with use of, for example, a screw or an adhesive.

The present invention is not limited to, for example, the embodiment or the modification examples described above. Other embodiments are possible based on the teaching and the spirit of the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims. The components of the embodiment described above may be suitably selected and used in combination. Suitable ones of the components of the embodiment and suitable ones of the components described in Means for Solving the Problem or components that embody suitable ones of the components described in Means for Solving the Problem may be used in suitable combination. Also for the combinations, the right is intended to be acquired, for example, in an amendment to or a divisional application of this application.

Industrial Applicability

The present invention is suitably applicable to all electric vacuum cleaner including the suction port body.

Suction Port Body For Electric Vacuum Cleaner, And Electric Vacuum Cleaner

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Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)