The present invention relates to suction tools for electric cleaners and electric cleaners using same for sweeping the floor.
A conventional suction tool for an electric cleaner has multiple brush groups with different charges in triboelectric series in the suction tool for an electric cleaner, and produces negative ions by rotating these brush groups as they rub each other. These generated negative ions adsorb to dust on a cleaning surface, such as floor, and are then vacuumed up by the suction tool for an electric cleaner to collect dust. An electric cleaner configured in this way is proposed typically in PTL 1.
The conventional suction tool for an electric cleaner disclosed in PTL 1 is described below with reference to
However, conventional suction tool for electric cleaner 40 has room for improvement with respect to durability of brushes 42 and 44 of brush groups 43 and 45. An inventor finds that the following point causes a disadvantage related to durability of brushes 42 and 44 of brush groups 43 and 45.
More specifically, conventional suction tool for electric cleaner 40 produces negative ions by mutual contact of brushes 44 of brush group 45 and brushes 42 of brush group 43. Therefore, a contact area of brushes 42 and brushes 44 are large. This makes both brushes 42 and brushes 44 wear away and wear out, or entangled and torn off, degrading durability of brushes 42 and 44. PTL1 Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2005-305194
A suction tool for an electric cleaner of the present invention includes a suction tool main body with a suction inlet, a rotary brush rotatably provided inside the suction tool main body, a brush body provided protruding from an outer periphery of the rotary brush, and a friction body rotatably provided so as to come into contact with the brush body.
This structure improves durability by reducing a contact area of the brush body and the friction body, and also stably supplies negative ions to a cleaning surface.
A suction tool for an electric cleaner in exemplary embodiments of the present invention is described below with reference to drawings. In the description below, same reference marks are given to same or equivalent components.
The suction tool for an electric cleaner is shortly indicated as a suction tool in the following description. Also in the following description, the side of arrow C in
As shown in
One end of extension pipe 30 is connected to hose 31, and the other end of extension pipe 30 is connected to suction tool 1 typically via movable pipe 6. Hand control unit 34 that the user uses for selecting an operation mode (e.g., strong, medium, or weak suction power and power off) for operating electric blower 33 is provided at an end of hose 31 to the side of one end of extension pipe 30. Hand control unit 34 has a control circuit (not illustrated) for controlling electric blower 33 based on the operation mode selected by the user.
As shown in
Rotary brush 7 is rotatably supported by suction tool main body 1a in suction inlet 15 of suction tool main body 1a. Multiple brush bodies 8 configured with a material (e.g., nylon) listed in the positive side of the triboelectric series are spirally disposed on an outer peripheral face of rotary brush 7. Board 9 made of a material (e.g., resin fluoride) listed in the negative side of the triboelectric series is provided on a front inner wall of bottom part 5 of suction tool main body 1a. Brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 and board 9 are disposed such that they come into contact as rotary brush 7 rotates.
In addition, as shown in
As shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
A length of friction body 10 in the longitudinal direction is set shorter than the total length of rotary brush 7 in the longitudinal direction. Friction body 10 may be provided in multiple pieces (e.g., 2 to 3 pieces) relative to the longitudinal direction of rotary brush 7. This reduces a contact area (length in the longitudinal direction) of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 and friction bodies 10 to reduce a load applied to brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 for improving operability of suction tool 1.
Still more, a strip-like plate 11 made of a material (e.g., fluoride resin) listed in the negative side of the triboelectric series may be provided protruding from the surface of friction body 10 along the longitudinal direction of friction body 10. This prevents a continuous contact of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 and friction body 10, and thus improves durability of friction body 10. In addition, the rotation force of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 can be reliably transmitted to friction body 10 via plate 11 protruding from friction body 10. This increases the number of rotations of friction body 10 and generation of negative ions.
A material that easily carries positive charge, such as wool and Teflon® can be used as a material listed in the positive side of the triboelectric series in this exemplary embodiment, in addition to nylon. A material listed in the negative side of the triboelectric series that easily carries negative charge, such as vinyl chloride, can be used as a material listed in the negative side of the triboelectric series in this exemplary embodiment, in addition to fluoride resin.
The operation and effect of the suction tool for an electric cleaner as configured above are described below.
First, as shown in
At this point, if drive unit 13 for rotating rotary brush 7 is an electric motor, drive unit 13 is also activated by activating electric blower 33. Power of drive unit 13 is transmitted to rotary brush 7 via belt 14, and rotary brush 7 rotates. The rotating direction of rotary brush 7 is counterclockwise when seeing suction tool 1 from the left side face of suction tool 1, which is indicated by arrow C in
By the rotation of rotary brush 7, brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 come into contact with friction body 10, and friction body 10 then rotates by drive force of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7. Since rotary brush 7 rotates counterclockwise, as described above, friction body 10 will rotate clockwise. The rotation of friction body 10 can be confirmed through window 3 provided on top part 2 of suction tool main body 1a.
Brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 also come into contact with friction body 10 or strip-like plate 11 provided on friction body 10 and board 9. Brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 listed in the positive side of the triboelectric series thus make contact and rub friction body 10 or plate 11 listed in the negative side of the triboelectric series, provided on friction body 10 and board 9. As a result, negative ions are generated by friction between brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 and friction body 10 or plate 11 provided on friction body 10 and board 9.
Brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 that rotate counterclockwise via drive unit 13 flick out generated minus ions toward the front of suction tool main body 1a. Negative ions are thus scattered on the cleaning surface, such as floor. Since plate 11 of friction body 10 and board 9 are provided facing the longitudinal direction of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7, negative ions are spread in front of suction tool main body 1a in a wide range in the longitudinal direction of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7. This enables reliable discharge of negative ions produced by contact of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7, and friction body 10 or board 9 to the cleaning surface in one direction (toward front of suction tool main body 1a).
The exemplary embodiment improves durability of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 and friction body 10, and also achieves suction tool for an electric cleaner 1 and electric cleaner 100 using this suction tool for reliably supplying negative ions to the cleaning surface.
The exemplary embodiment refers to an example of producing negative ions by contact of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7, and friction body 10 or plate 11 provided on friction body 10 and board 9. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, either friction body 10 or board 9 may not be provided. This simplifies the structure of suction tool 1, enabling cost reduction. In addition, a load applied to brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 can be reduced to improve ease of operation of suction tool 1.
Still more, the exemplary embodiment refers to an example of providing plate 11 on friction body 10. However, only friction body 10 may be provided. This simplifies the structure of friction body 10, enabling cost reduction. In this case, friction body 10 may have an oval shape, in addition to cylindrical shape, or friction body 10 may be provided with multiple concaves around friction body 10 like a gear. This reliably transmits the rotation of rotary brush 7 to friction body 10.
Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment refers to an example of a flat plate for board 9 in the drawing. However, board 9 may have, for example, an uneven face with which brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 makes contact. This uneven face may also be provided along the rotating face of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7.
The suction tool for an electric cleaner in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention differs from the suction tool for an electric cleaner in the first exemplary embodiment at a point that a friction body is detachably held by the suction tool main body using the holding part. Other structure is basically the same as that in the first exemplary embodiment.
Therefore, the exemplary embodiment is described below with reference mainly to a drawing of the holding part of the suction tool for an electric cleaner, the first exemplary embodiment, and
Same as the first exemplary embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In addition, as shown in
Friction body 10 is placed facing suction inlet 15 on middle part 4 with window-like hole (not illustrated) at its front to cover an upper portion of bottom part 5 of suction tool main body 1. As shown in
One end of shaft 12 has insert 20, and the other end of shaft 12 has holder 21 that is longer than the length of insert 20. Insert 20 of shaft 12 is held by being inserted into a holding hole (not illustrated) formed with bottom part 5 and top part 2 configuring suction tool main body 1a. On the other hand, rotation stopper 16 is provided on a part of holder 21 of shaft 12. Rotation stopper 16 of holder 21 is fitted into receiver 17 provided on bottom part 5 of suction tool main body 1a, and is sandwiched by holding part 18 (
Antislip part 22 to which antislip processing, such as knurling and coating, is applied is preferably provided near end 12a of shaft 12 to the side of holder 21. This further improves handling by user's hand, such as removal of friction body 10, so as to facilitate cleaning of friction body 10.
Still more, as shown in
Still more, as shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
The operation and effect of the suction tool for an electric cleaner as configured above is described below. The operation and effect that duplicate with the suction tool for an electric cleaner in the first exemplary embodiment are just briefly described.
First, as shown in
At this point, drive unit 13 configured with an electric motor for rotating rotary brush 7 is also activated. Drive unit 13 simultaneously rotate two rotating brushes 7, for example, via belt 14. When seen from the direction indicated by arrow C in
Brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 listed in the positive side of the triboelectric series come into contact with and are rubbed against function body 10 or plate 11 listed in the negative side of the triboelectric series provided on friction body 10 and board 9 as brush bodies 8 rotate. As a result, negative ions are produced by friction between brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 and friction body 10 or plate 11 provided on friction body 10 and board 9.
Generated negative ions are scattered toward the cleaning surface, such as floor, in front of suction tool main body 1a by brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 that is rotating counterclockwise. Here, plate 11 of friction body 10 and board 9 provided facing the longitudinal direction of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 scatter negative ions over a wide area in front of suction tool main body 1a. Accordingly, negative ions produced by contact of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7 and friction body 10 or board 9 can be reliably discharged to the cleaning surface in one direction (toward the front of suction tool main body 1a). In other words, drive load, such as a friction force against friction body 10, applied to rotary brush 7 can be reduced and negative ions can be efficiently produced by rotating friction body 10.
However, dust or entangled long particles, such as threads or hair, on friction body 10 cannot be completely prevented. Therefore, smooth rotation of friction body 10 cannot be always maintained.
In this exemplary embodiment, friction body 10 is detachably configured using holding part 18 in order to maintain smooth rotation of friction body 10. More specifically, rotary brush 7 is first removed from suction tool 1. Then, buckle 19 is released to remove holding part 18 from suction tool 1. Lastly, friction body 10 is removed via shaft 12. This achieves the suction tool for an electric cleaner and an electric cleaner using this suction tool in which friction body 10 is easily maintained typically by removing dust.
In the exemplary embodiment, the length of holder 21 of shaft 12 is made longer than that of insert 20 of shaft 12, and antislip part 22 is provided on holder 21. This facilitates removal of friction body 10.
Still more, in the exemplary embodiment, rotation stopper 16 for holder 21 of shaft 12 is provided at the side of holding part 18, so as to prevent wear and looseness. This fixes the rotation of shaft 12 and also facilitates attachment and removal of friction body 10.
Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, holding part 18 and buckle 19 are substantially leveled (including the same face) with the inner wall of suction inlet 15, so as to suppress increase of load due to hooking of brush bodies 8 of rotary brush 7. Clogging of dust on the inner wall of suction inlet 15 can also be prevented.
It is apparent that operation and effect same as that in the first exemplary embodiment are achieved in this exemplary embodiment.
It is also apparent that the same effect is achieved by applying the structure of the exemplary embodiments to each other.
In the above exemplary embodiments, the brush bodies of the rotary brush are configured with a material listed in the positive side of the triboelectric series; and the friction body, plate, or board is configured with a material listed in the negative side of the triboelectric series. However, the present invention is not limited to these materials. For example, the brush bodies of the rotary brush may be configured with a material listed in the negative side of the triboelectric series, and the friction body, plate, or board may be configured with a material listed in the positive side of the triboelectric series. In other words, as long as the brush bodies of the rotary brush that come into contact and the friction body, plate, or board are configured with materials with different charges in triboelectric series, the same effect and operation are achievable.
The present invention is effectively applicable to a suction tool for an electric cleaner, such as an electric cleaner for sweeping floor, for which stable supply of negative ions and high durability are demanded.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2010-052718 | Mar 2010 | JP | national |
2010-096805 | Apr 2010 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/JP2011/001371 | 3/9/2011 | WO | 00 | 8/3/2012 |