UPRIGHT FLOOR SURFACE TREATING APPARATUS
In a vacuum cleaner which is an example of an upright floor surface treating apparatus, a suction nozzle is provided forward relative to a lower portion of a body section such that an angle of a lower surface (Su) is changed, and a handle is attached to an upper portion of the body section. A steering wheel which determines a movement direction (M) is provided relative to the lower portion of the body section, and the handle and the steering wheel are coupled together by means of a steering coupling section including a handle shaft, a steering wheel adjustment shaft and a rotation transmission section. In this configuration, without using a complicated configuration, a direction of the suction nozzle can be easily changed without moving the entire body section.
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The present invention relates to a floor surface treating apparatus such as an upright cleaner, a carpet washing apparatus, or a floor surface washing apparatus.
BACKGROUND ARTAn upright floor surface treating apparatus typically includes a vertical body section at an upper portion thereof, a holding section such as a handle at the upper portion thereof, and a floor surface treating section pivotally mounted to a lower portion of the body section to perform a floor surface treating. Typically, wheels (or rotary members such as rollers) are attached behind a lower surface of the body section. During use, a user holds and manipulates the handle, thereby enabling the floor surface treating apparatus to perform the floor surface treating on a desired location on the floor surface by the wheels. The body section is typically configured to be held in a substantially upright state with respect to the floor surface treating section. Therefore, during non-use, the floor surface treating apparatus can rest in the substantially upright state. When the floor surface treating apparatus is carried, the floor surface treating apparatus can be moved on the floor surface by the wheels in a state where the floor surface treating section is upwardly apart from the floor surface by moving down the handle like the use state, while keeping the floor surface treating apparatus in a fixed state.
As one example of the floor surface treating apparatus, a vacuum cleaner (suction cleaner) is shown in
As described above, since the upright cleaner 610 is constructed such that the suction nozzle 613 is directly coupled to the cleaner body 611, it has advantages as follows as compared to a canister cleaner. While the canister cleaner is used in a state in which a cleaner body and a suction nozzle are coupled together by means of a hose, an extension pipe, or the like, the upright cleaner 610 is constructed such that the cleaner body 610 and the suction nozzle 613 have a substantially unitary structure. Because of this, the upright cleaner 610 is superior to the canister cleaner in maneuverability. In addition, in the upright cleaner 610, typically, the suction nozzle 613 includes a rotary brush, which enables the upright cleaner 610 to produce a high duct-collecting capability. Therefore, the upright cleaner 610 is preferably used to clean a carpet, etc.
During use of the upright cleaner 610 having the above typical configuration, the user may move the suction nozzle 613 via the cleaner body 611 at the lower portion while holding the handle 614 at the upper portion. This enables the user to manipulate the entire upright cleaner 610 merely by substantially holding the handle 614.
To move the upright cleaner 610 forward and backward, the user has only to move an arm holding the handle 614 forward and backward while walking forward and backward. Thus, its manipulation is relatively easy. However, when changing a direction of the upright cleaner 610, it is not easy to manipulate the upright cleaner 610.
To be specific, when a pivot around which the upright cleaner 610 is turned is a pivot P0, the pivot P0 is, as shown in
It is supposed that in this positional relationship, an angle with which the direction of the suction nozzle 613 is changed is a movement angle ψ and the degree to which the handle 613 is displaced laterally when the direction of the suction nozzle 613 is changed (direction crossing the direction in which the upright cleaner 610 is moving) is a displacement amount WL. To enable the user to change the movement angle ψ, the user cannot realize the displacement amount WL corresponding to the movement angle ψ unless the user moves the handle 614 laterally to a great degree as shown in
The suction nozzle 613 is adapted to suction the floor surface to collect dusts. Therefore, during use of the upright cleaner 610, a negative pressure for suctioning the floor surface is always generated on the lower surface of the suction nozzle 613. This negative pressure might become a resistance to the movement of the suction nozzle 613. If the floor surface is a carpet, the lower surface of the suction nozzle 613 is subjected to a substantial resistance even when the lower surface of the suction nozzle 613 contacts piles of the carpet. In addition to this, when the carpet piles are scraped up with the rotary brush being rotated, the lower surface of the suction nozzle 613 is subjected to a greater resistance.
To move the upright cleaner 610 forward and backward, the user moves the arm under a shoulder. Therefore, the user tends to exert a force in the arm. By comparison, to change the direction of the upright cleaner 610, the user must move the arm forward and backward while moving the arm rightward and leftward. Because of this, a greater force is needed in the case where the direction of the upright cleaner 610 is changed than in the case where the arm is moved only forward and backward. This degrades maneuverability of the upright cleaner 610 when the direction of the upright cleaner 610 is changed.
To solve this, conventionally, techniques for improving the maneuverability of the upright cleaner have been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a vacuum cleaner which improves maneuverability. This vacuum cleaner includes a lower base, a cylindrical motor housing rotatably mounted to the lower base, and a universal joint mounted to the motor housing. In accordance with this configuration, by twisting a handle of the vacuum cleaner, an upper body can be twisted in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction. This twist manipulation can bend the lower base in a rightward direction or in a leftward direction.
Patent Literature 2 discloses a surface treating apparatus which improves maneuverability. As one example of the surface treating apparatus, a vacuum cleaner is illustrated. This vacuum cleaner includes a roller assembly positioned at a base portion of a body, and a link mechanism positioned between a handle and a cleaner head. The link mechanism and the cleaner head are coupled together by means of a pivot shaft around which the cleaner head is pivotable in a rightward direction or in a leftward direction. The link mechanism is configured to turn the cleaner head in a new direction by rotating the roller assembly and the handle around a lengthwise axis of the handle.
- Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei 9-503398 (Translation of PCT Application) (International Publication No: WO95/01748)
- Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No. 4077823 (corresponding international publication No. WO2004/014211)
However, through careful study of the prior art technique, the present inventors found out a possibility that maneuverability of an upright floor surface treating apparatus cannot be improved well depending on its shape, and a configuration of the upright floor surface treating apparatus becomes complex.
Specifically, a vacuum cleaner 510 of
In the vacuum cleaner 510, 520 having the above configuration, by twisting a handle 514, 524 at an upper portion (see W1 or W2 in
In the vacuum cleaner 510, 520, an external force for twisting the handle 514, 524 during changing of the direction, and the associated stress tends to concentrate on a pivot 513a, 523a. Because of this, a portion near the pivot 513a, 523a is required to have a strength which can withstand the external force and the stress. To realize a higher strength, a particular structure or a particular material are required, which might make the configuration of the cleaner complex. In particular, in the case of the vacuum cleaner 520, the cleaner body 521 and the suction nozzle 523 are coupled together via the roller assembly 522 by means of a support shaft 527 of the link mechanism. For this reason, the external force and the stress tend to concentrate on the link mechanism and the support shaft 527.
Furthermore, in the vacuum cleaner 520 including the roller assembly 522, a suction fan and a motor (suction motor) for actuating the suction fan are accommodated into the roller assembly 522. For example, in a configuration in which a rotary brush is provided inside of the suction nozzle 523, the roller assembly 522 is coupled to the suction nozzle 523 via the link mechanism. Therefore, for a structural reason, the suction motor cannot be used as a motor for actuating the rotary brush. Because of this, there is a need for a motor for rotating the rotary brush, inside of the suction nozzle 523. That is, in a case where the surface treating apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 2 is a cleaner, a two-motor configuration is inevitably employed. This makes the configuration of the cleaner more complex.
The present invention has been developed to solve the above stated problem, and an object of the present invention is to further improve maneuverability of an upright floor surface treating apparatus while avoiding making its configuration complex.
Solution to ProblemTo solve the above described problem, an upright floor surface treating apparatus of the present invention comprises a columnar body section; a floor surface treating section having a lower surface facing a floor surface which is a treated target and mounted to a lower portion of the body section; and a holding section provided at an upper portion of the body section and held by a user; a steering wheel which is provided on the lower portion of the body section in a location at which the steering wheel is able to contact the floor surface and determines a movement direction of the floor surface treating section, according to its angle; and a steering coupling section which is provided in the body section between the holding section and the steering wheel and changes the angle of the steering wheel according to a manipulation of the holding section, independently of the body section and the floor surface treating section.
In the above configuration, the steering coupling section may include: a rotary shaft rotatably mounted to the body section, the holding section being fastened to an upper end of the rotary shaft; and a rotation transmission section for coupling a lower end of the rotary shaft to the steering wheel to change the angle of the steering wheel according to a rotational position of the rotary shaft.
In the above configuration, the steering coupling section may include: a wheel angle adjusting section for adjusting the angle of the steering wheel in response to an electric signal received as an input; and an angle adjusting signal generating section for converting a manipulation of the holding section into the electric signal input to the wheel angle adjusting section.
In the above configuration, the steering wheel may be mounted to the body section in such a manner that an outer peripheral surface of the steering wheel is apart from the floor surface with the body section being in an upright state, while the outer peripheral surface of the steering wheel is in contact with the floor surface with the body section being in a slanted state in which the body section is slanted in a rearward direction in the movement direction, with respect to the upright state.
A specific configuration of the upright floor surface treating apparatus of the present invention is not limited. As a typical example, there is a vacuum cleaner.
The above and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Advantageous Effects of the InventionAs described above, in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to further improve maneuverability of an upright floor surface treating apparatus while avoiding making its configuration complex.
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described in repetition.
Embodiment 1 Overall Configuration of Vacuum CleanerAn overall configuration of an upright vacuum cleaner which is an exemplary floor surface treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
As shown in
The body casing section 11 and the body dust collecting section 12 constitute a body section of the vacuum cleaner 10A. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
A lower surface of the dust collecting body portion 121 faces an air exhaust cover 126. A suction motor 223 (indicated by a broken line in
The body dust collecting section 12 is mounted to the body casing section 11, thereby constructing the body section of the vacuum cleaner 10A as described above. The body section has a shape in which a substantially forward half portion (body dust collecting section 12) has a cylindrical shape and a substantially rearward half portion has a rectangular cylinder shape. Therefore, the body section has a column shape in which forward surface is protrusively curved, and a rearward surface is substantially flat.
As shown in
As shown in
The suction nozzle 13 is coupled to the body dust collecting section 12 via a suction hose 133. Specifically, as shown in
The other end (upstream end) of the suction hose 133 is coupled to a hose connector 136 positioned on a side surface (at a right side in
The hose connector 136 can disconnect the suction nozzle 13 from the nozzle hose 137. In the disconnected state, a suction extension pipe 134 or a gap nozzle 135 is connectable to the hose connector 136. That is, in a state in which the suction hose 133 is separated from the suction nozzle 13, the suction hose 133 constitutes a sub-suction section different from the suction nozzle 13. The suction extension pipe 134 and the gap nozzle 135 are connectable to the suction hose 133 and therefore constitute a sub-suction section together with the suction hose 133.
During non-use, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In the present embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Each cover member 151 not only covers the steering wheel 15 from above but also supports a rolling shaft 153 of the steering wheel 15. A wheel support shaft 154 is rotatably attached to an upper portion of the cover member 151 such that the wheel support shaft 154 is rotatable with respect to the body casing section 11. The wheel support shaft 154 extends in a direction substantially conforming to a straight line connecting the nozzle support shaft 13a to the rolling shaft 153. Since the steering wheel 15 is rotatably attached to the body casing section 11 via the wheel support shaft 154 and the cover member 151, the angle of the steering wheel 15 with respect to the body casing section 11 can be changed.
In the vacuum cleaner 10A shown in
Although in the present embodiment, the body section includes the body casing section 11 and the body dust collecting section 12 which are separable from each other, they may have a unitary structure. Although the body section has a columnar shape in which its front surface is a substantially curved surface and its rear surface is a substantially flat surface, the shape of the body section is not limited to this. The body section may have a substantially rectangular cylinder shape, but may have a columnar shape in which its cross-section decreases in size gradually in an upward direction. The body section may be provided with a recess or a convex portion on a side surface thereof so long as it entirely has a columnar shape.
Although in the present embodiment, the suction nozzle 13 has a substantially flat plate shape, the shape of the suction nozzle 13 is not limited to this. The suction nozzle 13 may have a semi-spherical shape, a casing shape, etc., so long as it has the lower surface Su. Although in the present embodiment, the handle 14 is provided as a holding section, the shape of the holding section is not limited to this, but a known holding section other than the handle 14 may be used.
In the vacuum cleaner 10A of
A specific configuration of the nozzle support shafts 13a for supporting the suction nozzle 13 on the body section is not particularly limited to this. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the suction nozzle 13 is pivotally supported on the body section by means of a pair of right and left nozzle support shafts 13a in locations at which the lower portion of the body section is sandwiched. Alternatively, single nozzle support shaft 13a may penetrate the lower portion of the body section or nozzle support shafts 13a having a mechanical configuration like a bearing mechanism instead of shafts may be used.
Any configuration of the nozzle support shaft 13a may be used, so long as it is provided at the lower portion of the body section, and pivotally supports the suction nozzle 13 in a direction to change the angle of the lower surface Su with respect to the direction in which the body section extends. In a case where the floor surface treating apparatus is other than the vacuum cleaner 10A, known configurations may be used as a treating section support shaft corresponding to the nozzle support shaft 13a, so long as it can pivotally support the floor surface treating section.
A specific configuration of the cover member 151 and a specific configuration of the stopper 152 provided at the steering wheel 15 are not particularly limited. Although in the present embodiment, the cover member 151 covers an entire of a substantially upper half portion of the steering wheel 15, for example, the cover member 151 may cover only an upper surface of the steering wheel 15 with its side surface being exposed. Although in the present embodiment, the stopper 152 has the flat plate shape, for example, a front portion of the cover member 151 may have a block-like form and a floor surface contact surface corresponding to the stopper 152 may be provided in a portion of the front portion of the cover member 151. A length of the stopper 152 is suitably set depending on conditions such as a location at which the steering wheel 15 is mounted to the body casing section 11, and is not limited to a particular length.
[Configuration of Steering Coupling Section]Next, a specific configuration of the steering coupling section 60A in the vacuum cleaner 10A will be specifically described with reference to
As described above, the handle shaft 16 and the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 constitute the steering coupling section 60A. In addition to these, as shown in
Specifically, as shown in
Each of the cam member 162 and the arm members 163, 164 has an elongate plate shape. The lower end of the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 is fastened to one end (rear end) of the cam member 162, while one ends of the arm members 163 and 164 are mounted to the other end (front end) of the cam member 162. The other ends of the arm members 163 and 164 are mounted to the stoppers 152 of the cover members 151, respectively. Each cover member 151 serves to cover the corresponding steering wheel 15 from above, and constitutes the rotation transmission section 160 for coupling the lower end of the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 to the corresponding steering wheel 15 via the cam member 162 and the arm members 163 and 164.
When a positional relationship among the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, the cam member 162, the arm members 163 and 164 and the steering wheels 15 is seen, the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 extends vertically inside of the body casing section 11 and the rear end of the cam member 162 is fastened to the lower end of the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, as shown in
When ends of the arm members 163 and 164 which are attached to the front end of the cam member 162 are referred to as inner ends, and ends of the arm members 163 and 164 which are attached to the stoppers 152 are referred to as outer ends, preferably, the inner ends and the outer ends are attached to the front end of the cam member 162 and to the stoppers 152 in such a manner that protruding portions are inserted into openings, for example. For example, as shown in
As described above, the steering wheels 15 are covered with the cover members 151 from above, the stoppers 152 are provided at the front end portions of the cover members 151, respectively, and the outer ends of the arm members 163 and 164 are attached to the stoppers 152, respectively. The cover members 151 support the rolling shafts 153 of the steering wheels 15, and the wheel support shafts 154 are provided at upper surfaces thereof, respectively. In a state where the wheel support shafts 154 are attached to the body casing section 11, the cover members 151 and the steering wheels 15 are rotatable around the wheel support shafts 154 as indicated by an arrow R3.
The pair of steering wheels 15 are arranged in one row along the direction perpendicular to the movement direction M of the suction nozzle 13 at the lower portion of the body casing section 11. Specifically, as schematically shown at the left side in
Since two or more steering wheels 15 may be provided, for example, steering wheels 15-2 indicated by broken lines are provided at the inner side and adjacently to the pair of steering wheels 15-1. In this way, four steering wheels 15 may be provided. Or, a steering wheel 15-3 indicated by one-dotted line may be provided at the middle between the steering wheels 15-1. In this way, three steering wheels 15 may be provided. Or, the steering wheels 15-1˜15-3 may be provided, and thus, five steering wheels 15 may be provided.
In the above configuration, in a state in which the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, the cam member 162, the arm members 163 and 164, and the steering wheels 15 are coupled, the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 and the cam member 162 are coupled together in a fixed state, while the front end of the cam member 162, the inner ends of the arm members 163 and 164, the stoppers 152, and the outer ends of the arm members 163 and 164 are coupled together in an incompletely fixed state, the pair of steering wheels 15 are rotatably mounted to the lower portion of the body casing section 11.
When the user performs an operation for twisting the handle 14, a position change in the handle 14 caused by the twist action (rotation) is transmitted to the handle shaft 16 and to the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161. As shown in
Since the pair of steering wheels 15 are arranged along the direction perpendicular to the movement direction M, a direction of the twist manipulation of the handle 14 can correspond with a change in the direction of the suction nozzle 13. This makes it possible to avoid that the user feels difficulty in the manipulation for changing the direction of the suction nozzle 13. In the configuration in which, the plurality of steering wheels 15 are arranged in one row, if the angles of all of the steering wheels 15 are changed to allow the steering wheels 15 to be directed in the same direction, by the user's manipulation of the handle 14, the movement direction M of the suction nozzle 13 can be effectively restricted by the plurality of steering wheels 15.
In the present embodiment, the mounting structures of the cam member 162, the arm members 163 and 164, and the stoppers 152 are the insertion configuration as shown in
The specific configurations of the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, the cam member 162, and the arm members 163 and 164 are not particularly limited, but shapes, dimensions, materials, etc., which are known in the field in which similar mechanisms are used, may be suitably used depending on the specific configuration, use, etc., of the vacuum cleaner 10A. As will be described later in Embodiment 2 or 3, the configuration of the steering coupling section 60A is not limited to the configuration having the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, the cam member 162, and the arm members 163 and 164.
For example, in the present embodiment, since the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 is configured such that the position change caused by twisting the handle 14 is transmitted to the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 via the handle shaft 16, any kind of shaft may be used so long as it is made of a material having durability or stiffness to the twist force, or has a shape having such durability or stiffness. In a case where the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 has durability or stiffness to the twist force, either the cam member 162 or the arm members 163, 164, or both of them are preferably made of a flexible material or have a shape for allowing for flexibility. This makes it possible to mitigate a difference in a degree of rotation between the wheel support shafts 154 of the steering wheels 15 and the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, due to, for example, a resistance or the like applied from the floor surface 100 to the steering wheels 15.
[Configuration of Steering Wheel]Next, a specific configuration of the steering wheels 15 of the steering coupling section 60A will be described with reference to
A specific shape of the steering wheels 15 will not be particularly limited. Preferably, the outer peripheral surface of the steering wheel 15 is entirely flat, or a peripheral portion of the outer peripheral surface of the steering wheel 15 protrudes more than its center portion. For example, as shown in
A configuration of the wheel 15a having a general form is not particularly limited, and its outer peripheral surface may be entirely flat. The wheel 15b having two protruding portions is not particularly limited, so long as the peripheral portion of the outer peripheral surface protrudes more than its center portion to form the two protruding portions on the outer peripheral surface in the cross-section, and a degree of protrusion is not particularly limited. The wheel 15a and the wheel 15b are each configured such that an entire cross-section taken along the rolling shaft 153 may be made of a single material. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a portion near the rolling shaft 153, i.e., rolling center of the wheel 15a, 15b is made of metal, a portion near the outer peripheral surface may be made of a resin, and its inner portion may be hollow. That is, the shape of the wheel 15a, 15b shown in
The shape of the wheel 15a or the wheel 15b allows a relative location of the rolling shaft 153 of the steering wheel 15 to be maintained higher in a state in which the peripheral portion of the steering wheel 15 contacts the floor surface 100 in a slanted state of the wheel 15a, 15b. That is, as shown in the upper view of
As shown in the left view of
Or, as schematically shown in the right view of
Since the relative location of the rolling shaft 153 is higher in the slanted state of the steering wheel 15, the relative location of the nozzle support shaft 13a can also be made higher. Since the nozzle support shaft 13a is positioned at the rear portion of the suction nozzle 13, the front portion of the suction nozzle 13 can be lowered. As described later, in a state in which the body section is maintained in a substantially horizontal state, reduction of a close contact state between the suction nozzle 13 and the floor surface can be made up for.
Although in the present invention, the specific configuration of the wheel 15a, 15b or the roller 15c for use as the steering wheel 15 is not particularly limited, at least the outer peripheral surface thereof is preferably made of an elastic material. As the elastic material, for example, there are rubber (elastomer) materials such as styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, butyl rubber, urethane rubber, silicon rubber, and fluoro-rubber, or a cork, etc. However, the elastic material is not particularly limited.
The elastic material may be used for at least only the outer peripheral surface. A larger portion of the steering wheel 15 including the outer peripheral surface or the entire of the steering wheel 15 may be made of the elastic material. For example, a portion of the steering wheel 15 for holding the rolling shaft 153 for supporting the steering wheel 15 such that the steering wheel 15 is rotatable may be made of metal or a resin material having high stiffness and the other portion may be made of an elastic material.
As described above, in the case where at least the outer peripheral surface of the steering wheel 15 is made of the elastic material, the floor surface 100 contacts the elastic material surface. Because of this, it is possible to effectively lessen a possibility that the steering wheels 15 slip on the floor surface 100 without depending on a state or a material of the floor surface 100. As a result, maneuverability of the vacuum cleaner 10A can be further improved.
Use Example of Vacuum CleanerNext, a typical example of use of the vacuum cleaner 10A of the present embodiment will be described in conjunction with its basic operation and operation method, with reference to
As shown in the left view of
Since the stoppers 152 which are a portion of the cover members 151 are provided at the front portions of the steering wheels 15, the stoppers 152 contact the floor surface 100 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the steering wheels 15 are apart from the floor surface 100. Since the center axes of the rolling shafts 153 are located obliquely rearward and below relative to the center axes of the nozzle support shafts 13a, the relative locations of the nozzle support shafts 13a with respect to the floor surface 100 are lower as compared to the use state (slanted state of the body section) as will be described later.
A front portion lower surface 13b of the suction nozzle 13 is located at the front portion of the suction nozzle 13. The nozzle support shafts 13a of the suction nozzle 13 are located at the rear portion of the suction nozzle 13. When the relative locations of the nozzle support shafts 13a are relatively lower, the rear portion of the suction nozzle 13 is lowered. Therefore, the front portion lower surface 13b located at the front portion of the suction nozzle 13 is held in a slanted state such that its front portion is upwardly apart from the floor surface with the rear portion being a point of support.
When the user uses the vacuum cleaner 10A, the body section is slanted in a rearward direction as shown in the right view of
The locations of the nozzle support shafts 13a with respect to the floor surface 100 are higher (see difference Df indicated by one-dotted line) in the slanted state than in the upright state. Correspondingly, the rear portion of the suction nozzle 13 having been located lower moves up as indicated by arrow C3 in
More specifically, as shown in
As shown in
Then, the user operates the power supply switch 129 to actuate the suction motor 223 (see
To change the direction of the suction nozzle 13, as shown in
As described above, by merely manipulating the handle 14 to change the direction of the steering wheels 15, the suction nozzle 13 itself can be moved in an oblique direction without changing its angle. Because of this, even when cleaning is carried out toward a wall surface in front, a region to be cleaned can be changed sequentially while maintaining the front portion of the suction nozzle 13 in parallel with the wall surface. Therefore, as compared to a conventional vacuum cleaner, for example, a corner region in a room can be cleaned very easily, and the direction of the suction nozzle 13 itself is not changed in changing the direction. As a result, a resistance applied from, for example, a carpet which is an example of the floor surface 100 can be mitigated when changing the direction.
Since the steering wheels 15 are disposed obliquely rearward relative to the lower portion of the body section in the present embodiment, the configuration of the steering coupling section 60A can be simplified as compared to a configuration in which the steering wheels 15 are provided in forward location. In addition, as shown in
Since the front portion lower surface 13b which is in a foremost location, of the lower surface Su, is the slanted surface, the nozzle support shafts 13a which are the point of support, i.e., rear portion of the suction nozzle 13 move down, so that the front portion of the suction nozzle 13 move up. This allows the front portion lower surface 13b in contact with the floor surface 100 in the slanted state to be apart from the floor surface 100. Since the rotary brush 131 is exposed in the front portion lower surface 13b, it can be held or preserved so as not to contact the floor surface 100 depending on a magnitude of the lower surface inclination angle α, or a location of the rotary brush 131.
As shown in
As shown in
When a vertical location of the nozzle support shaft 13a in the upright state is a height Hs1 as shown in
In a state in which the body section is in the down state, the steering wheels 15 are positioned below the suction nozzle 13 and forward relative to the nozzle support shafts 13a. Therefore, the suction nozzle 13 is maintained in a state in which it is movable by the steering wheels 15. Even in the vertically narrower space, the location of the entire suction nozzle 13 can be lowered by merely placing the body section in the down state. Therefore, the floor surface 100 can be suitably cleaned.
In the vacuum cleaner 10A, the wheels 15a having a general form or the wheels 15b having two protruding portions are more preferable when the body section is used in the down state. Specifically, as shown in
When a positional relationship between the body section, the suction nozzle 13 and the steering wheels 15 in the down state of the body section is seen from the perspective of the handle 14, as shown in
As indicated by dotted line Sx1 in
When the user performs a manipulation for twisting the handle 14 as shown in
In a state in which the handle 14 is not twisted, the locations of the handle 14, the steering wheels 15, and the rear portion of the suction nozzle 13 are relatively lower as indicated by two-dotted lines in
Thereby, the rear portion of the suction nozzle 13 is made higher and the front portion of the suction nozzle 13 is made lower. Therefore, the state shown in
Although in the present embodiment, the steering wheels 15 are placed apart from the floor surface 100 in the upright state to restrict movement of the suction nozzle 13 (vacuum cleaner 10A) during the non-use, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the steering wheels 15 may be locked so as to be unrotatable. In this case, the steering wheels 15 may be locked automatically by a mechanical configuration, an electric configuration, etc., when the body section is switched from the slanted state to the upright state.
If the steering wheels 15 are provided in locations other than the locations behind the lower portion of the body section, the steering wheels 15 may be entirely moved up by a mechanical configuration, an electric configuration, etc., so that they move apart from the floor surface 100.
Furthermore, since the upright state and the slanted state (see
Although in the present embodiment, the steering wheels 15 are provided in locations behind the lower portion of the body section, the locations of the steering wheels 15 are not limited to this, but may be immediately below the lower portion of the body section or forward relative to the lower portion of the body section. For example, in the case where the steering wheels 15 are located forward relative to the lower portion of the body section, extended portions may be provided at the rear portions of the cover members 151 and the arm members 163 and 164 may be mounted to the extended portions, respectively. That is, when the rotation transmission section 160 includes the cam member 162 and the arm members 163 and 164, the portions of the arm members 163 and 164 relative to the cover members 151 may be coupled to the front end of the cam member 162.
Although in the present embodiment, the steering wheels 15 are attached with the cover members 151, respectively, the configuration for protecting or supporting the steering wheels 15 is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, the cover members 151 can protect the steering wheels 15 and serve as connecting members for connecting the rotation transmission section 160 to the steering wheels 15. Since the cover members 151 support the rolling shafts 153 and the wheel support shafts 154 are provided at the upper portions thereof, the steering wheels 15 can be supported on the body casing section 11. This makes it possible to protect the steering wheels 15 and suppress an increase in the number of components. The connecting members connecting the cover members 151 to the rotation transmission section 160, and the support members of the steering wheels 15 may be separate members. Or, the cover members 151 may be omitted, but instead, the steering wheels 15 may be provided with members serving as the connecting members and the support members.
Moreover, in the present embodiment, the rotation transmission section 160 is comprised of the cam member 162 and the arm members 163 and 164. This allows the motion of the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 to be transmitted to the plurality of steering wheels 15 well with a simplified configuration. The configuration of the rotation transmission section 160 is not limited to this. For example, another known configuration can be suitably used so long as it couples the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 to the steering wheels 15 such that the angles of the steering wheels 15 are changed according to the rotational position of the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161.
Three or more steering wheels 15 may be provided instead of the two steering wheels 15 in the present embodiment. Or, instead of the steering wheels 15, rotatable members such as wheels or rollers may be provided to contact the lower surface Su. The steering wheels 15 determine the movement direction M of the suction nozzle 13. When the plural steering wheels 15 are provided, these steering wheels 15 are preferably aligned along the direction perpendicular to the movement direction M. Thus, the twist manipulation of the handle 14 corresponds with the changing direction of the suction nozzle 13, which can avoid a possibility of burdensome manipulation for changing the direction of the suction nozzle 13.
The configuration of the steering coupling section 60A including the rotation transmission section 160 is not limited to the configuration including the handle shaft 16 and the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, so long as the steering coupling section 60A is rotated according to the twist motion (rotation) of the handle 14 by the user's twist manipulation of the handle 14 to a desired angle, and the angles of the steering wheels 15 can be changed according to a change in the rotation of the steering coupling section 60A. For example, the handle shaft 16 may be extended to a location near the steering wheels 15, and the cam member 162 may be directly fastened to the lower end of the handle shaft 16. The handle shaft 16 may be omitted, and the handle 14 may be provided at the upper portion of the body section and directly fastened to the upper end of the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161.
It is sufficient that the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 may be rotatably mounted with respect to the body section (in the present embodiment, the body casing section 11). Therefore, the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 may be entirely accommodated into the body section or an entire or part of it may be exposed on a back surface of the body section.
In the present embodiment, the handle shaft 16 and the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 are rotary shafts which are rotatably mounted to the body section with the handle 14 being fastened to the upper end thereof. For example, when the handle shaft 16 is referred to as a first rotary shaft connected to the handle 14, the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 may be a second rotary shaft. In the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the steering coupling section 60A includes at least a single rotary shaft. For a structural reason of the vacuum cleaner 10A, providing either one of the handle shaft 16 and the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 as the rotary shaft can avoid an increase in the number of components.
By comparison, by providing both of the handle shaft 16 and the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 as the rotary shaft in combination, the steering coupling section 60A can be incorporated into the existing upright vacuum cleaner 10A without substantially changing its configuration. In this case, without conducting a design change adapted to a complex configuration, maneuverability of the vacuum cleaner 10A can be improved.
Moreover, although in the present embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 10A is exemplarily described as a floor surface treating apparatus, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to any kind of an upright apparatus having a floor surface treating section which performs treating on a floor surface. For example, as another examples of the floor surface treating apparatus, there are a floor surface polishing apparatus in which a floor surface treating section includes a polishing pad for polishing a floor surface, a floor surface coating apparatus in which a floor surface treating section coats a liquid such as wax or a paint on a floor surface, a carpet washing apparatus in which a floor surface treating section washes a carpet which is the floor surface, etc.
As described above, the upright floor surface treating apparatus of the present invention comprises a columnar body section, a floor surface treating section having a lower surface facing a floor surface of a treated target and mounted to lower portion of the body section, a holding section provided at an upper portion of the body section and held by a user, steering wheels provided at the lower portion of the body section in locations at which the steering wheels are able to contact the floor surface and configured to determine a movement direction of the floor surface treating section by the angles of the steering wheels, and a steering coupling section provided at the body section between the holding section and the steering wheels and configured to change the angle of the steering wheel according to a manipulation of the holding section, independently of the body section and the floor surface treating section.
In accordance with this configuration, the holding section and the steering wheels are coupled together by means of the steering coupling section provided at the columnar body section. By the user's manipulation of the holding section, the angles of the steering wheels can be changed via the steering coupling section without a need to move the body section. This allows the user to change the direction of the floor surface treating section without feeling that a great force must be exerted to manipulate the holding section. The floor surface treating apparatus has only to include the steering coupling section for coupling the holding section and the steering wheels together without additionally providing a manipulation member, etc. Therefore, it is possible to avoid that the configuration of the floor surface treating apparatus becomes complex. Thus, maneuverability of the upright floor surface treating apparatus can be improved, and its configuration does not become complex.
In the above upright floor surface treating apparatus, an example of the steering coupling section may include a rotary shaft which is rotatably mounted to the body section and is fastened with the holding section at an upper end thereof, and a rotation transmission section for coupling a lower end of the rotary shaft to the steering wheels to change the angles of the steering wheels according to a rotational position of the rotary shaft.
In accordance with this configuration, since the steering coupling section includes the rotary shaft and the rotation transmission section, a motion for rotating the holding section is transmitted to the steering wheels and thereby the angles of the steering wheels can be changed. Because of this, without using a complex configuration, maneuverability of the floor surface treating apparatus can be improved. Since the floor surface treating section pivotally mounted to the body section can be supported by treating section support shafts (described later), etc., at right and left sides of the body section, a mounting stiffness of the floor surface treating section with respect to the body section can be improved.
In the above upright floor surface treating apparatus, one or a plurality of steering wheels may be provided. In this case, all of the steering wheels are preferably arranged in one row along the direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the floor surface treating section.
In accordance with this configuration, the plurality of steering wheels allow the floor surface treating apparatus to move easily on the floor surface. Since the plurality of steering wheels are arranged along the direction perpendicular to the movement direction, the direction of the manipulation of the holding section can conform to the changing direction of the floor surface treating section. This makes it avoid that the user feels difficulty in the manipulation for changing direction. If the angles of all of the plurality of steering wheels arranged in one row are changed such that the steering wheels are oriented in the same direction by the user's manipulation of the holding section, the movement direction of the floor surface treating section can be restricted effectively by the steering wheels.
In the above configuration, preferably, the rotation transmission section includes a cam member fastened at one end to a lower end of the rotary shaft and arm members for coupling the other end of the cam member to the steering wheels.
In accordance with this configuration, since the motion of the rotary shaft can be transmitted well to the plurality of steering wheels with a combination of the cam member and the arm members, maneuverability of the upright floor surface treating apparatus can be improved with a simple configuration.
In the above configuration, preferably, the steering wheels may be provided with cover members for supporting rolling shafts of the steering wheels with the steering wheels being covered with the cover members from above, and the arm members may couple forward portions or rearward portions of the cover members in the movement direction to the other end of the cam member.
In accordance with this configuration, since the cover members cover the steering wheels, the steering wheels can be protected. In addition, the cover members serve as connecting members for connecting the rotation transmission section to the steering wheels. Thus, protection of the steering wheels and suppressing an increase in the number of components can be achieved.
In the above upright floor surface treating apparatus, preferably, the steering wheels are attached (mounted) to the body section in such a manner that in an upright state of the body section, the outer peripheral surfaces of the steering wheels are apart from the floor surface, while in a state where the body section is slanted in a rearward direction of the movement direction, with respect to the upright state, the steering wheels are in contact with the floor surface. Specifically, in the case of providing the cover members covering the steering wheels, front portions of the cover members may be protruded forward to form stoppers.
In accordance with this configuration, in the upright state of the body section, the steering wheels are apart from the floor surface. This prevents the floor surface treating section from moving inadvertently. By comparison, when the user slants the body section while holding the holding section, the steering wheels contact the floor surface, thereby allowing the floor surface treating section to be movable. In this way, by merely placing the body section in the upright state or slanting the body section, switching between non-use state and use state is enabled. As a result, maneuverability of the upright floor surface treating apparatus can be further improved.
In the above configuration, more preferably, the floor surface treating apparatus may further comprise treating section support shafts which are provided at the lower portion of the body section and support the floor surface treating section such that the floor surface treating section is pivotable in a direction to change an angle of the lower surface with respect to the extending direction of the body section, and the steering wheels are provided at the lower portion of the body section in locations rearward in the movement direction relative to the floor surface treating section.
In accordance with this configuration, the floor surface treating section is mounted to the body section such that the body surface treating section is pivotable around the treating section support shafts, and the steering wheels are located rearward relative to the lower portion of the body section. By slanting the body section during use, the steering wheels can be located substantially below the treating section support shafts such that the outer peripheral surfaces of the steering wheels are in contact with the floor surface. Also, by placing the body section in the upright state during non-use, the outer peripheral surfaces of the steering wheels can be made apart from the floor surface. Therefore, the user can bring the steering wheels into contact with the floor surface or make them apart from the floor surface in an easy manner by placing the body section in the upright state or slanting the body section with a small force while holding the holding section.
In the configuration in which the stoppers are provided as described above, the user has only to place the body section in the upright state while holding the holding section with a small force to make the steering wheels apart from the floor surface because the floor surface treating section is movable with respect to the body section. When the movable section is a point of support, the holding section located above the body section is a point of effort, and the steering wheels are point of load, a distance from the point of support to the point of effort (holding section) is longer than a distance from the point of support to the point of load (steering wheel). Because of this, the user has only to place the body section in the upright state while holding the holding section with a small force, cover member forward portions protruding near the point of load (steering wheel) move to locations below the steering wheels, so that the steering wheels can be made apart from the floor surface easily. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a complex configuration to make the steering wheels apart from the floor surface and to bring them into contact with the floor surface. Thus, it is possible to effectively avoid that the configuration of the floor surface treating section becomes complex.
In the configuration in which the treating section support shafts are provided, more preferably, the outer peripheral surfaces of the steering wheels are entirely flat, or the peripheral portions of the outer peripheral surfaces protrude more than the center portions.
In accordance with this configuration, locations of the treating section support shafts in the slanted state of the body section are higher than vertical locations of the treating section support shafts in the upright state. In the down state of the body section, the locations of the treating section support shafts can be made closer to the locations of them in the upright state. In the down state of the body section, the steering wheels are located below the floor surface treating section and forward relative to the treating section support shafts, and therefore, the floor surface treating section is maintained to be movable by the steering wheels. Therefore, by merely placing the body section in the down state, the entire floor surface treating section can be lowered even in a vertically narrow space. Thus, the floor surface under furniture such as a bed can be suitably cleaned.
In the configuration in which the outer peripheral surfaces of the steering wheels are entirely flat, or the peripheral portions of the outer peripheral surfaces protrude more than the center portions, the peripheral portions of the steering wheels contact the floor surface by manipulating the handle in the down state, and thereby the treating section support shafts can be pushed up. This can effectively lessen a possibility that the front portion of the floor surface treating section is a little apart from the floor surface in the down state of the body section, and improve a close contact state with respect to the floor surface. As a result, a floor surface treating location can be shifted easily while effectively suppressing degradation of a floor surface treating action.
At least the outer peripheral surfaces of the steering wheels are preferably made of an elastic material.
In accordance with this configuration, since the outer peripheral surfaces made of the elastic material contact the floor surface, it is possible to effectively lessen a possibility that the steering wheels slip on the floor surface. As a result, maneuverability of the upright floor surface treating apparatus can be further improved.
A specific configuration of the upright floor surface treating apparatus of the present invention is not particularly limited. The present invention is applicable to various kinds of floor surface treating apparatuses. As a representative floor surface treating apparatus, there is a vacuum cleaner as described above. The vacuum cleaner having a specific configuration is, for example, such that the body section includes a suction motor and a dust collecting chamber, and the floor surface treating section includes a rotary brush.
Embodiment 2In Embodiment 1, the steering coupling section 60A in the vacuum cleaner 10A includes, the handle shaft 16, the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, the cam member 162 and the arm members 163 and 164. In the present embodiment, an example of another configuration as the steering coupling section will be described with reference to
As shown in
More specifically, a basic configuration of the body casing section 17 is the same as that of the body casing section 11 in Embodiment 1, except that the forward protruding section 117 extending obliquely forward is integrally provided immediately above the casing (corresponding to the body casing section 11) extending vertically, and the handle shaft 16 is attached on an upper surface of a front portion of the forward protruding section 117.
As in the case of the vacuum cleaner 10A, the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 is provided inside the body casing section 17. The forward protruding section 117 is positioned between the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 and the handle shaft 16, and a gear mechanism 165 is accommodated in the forward protruding section 117. The gear mechanism 165 includes, for example, a sector gear fastened to a lower end of the handle shaft 16, an upper end gear fastened to an upper end of the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, and an intermediate gear provided between the sector gear and the upper end gear. In this configuration, when the user performs a manipulation (direction indicated by arrow R1) for twisting the handle 14 in front, a position change in the handle 14 is transmitted via the handle shaft 16 and the gear mechanism 165, to the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, which rotates (direction indicated by arrow R1).
Thus, in the vacuum cleaner 10B of the first example, the body section includes the forward protruding section 117, and a steering coupling section 60B includes the handle shaft 16, the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, the gear mechanism 165 and the rotation transmission section 160.
It is sufficient that the gear mechanism 165 serves as a means (position change transmission section) for coupling the handle shaft 16 and the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 together to transmit the position change in the handle 14. More preferably, the gear mechanism 165 also serves as a means (rotational speed changing section) for increasing/decreasing a speed of the position changing of the handle 14, i.e., a rotation of the handle shaft 16.
For example, when the user twists the handle 14, the handle shaft 16 is rotated to a predetermined angle. By increasing the “speed” of the rotation of the handle shaft 16 by means of a gear change “speed change function” of the gear mechanism 165, the angles of the steering wheels 15 can be changed to a greater degree even when the user twists the handle 14 to a smaller degree (an angle change caused by the twist manipulation is small). Or, by decreasing the “speed” of the rotation of the handle shaft 16 by means of the gear change “speed change function” of the gear mechanism 165, the force required to twist the handle 14 can be lessened. This allows the user to manipulate the handle 14 with “a smaller force”.
As shown in
More specifically, a basic configuration of the body casing section 18 is the same as that of the body casing section 11 in Embodiment 1, except that the upward slant section 118 having an upper surface which is slanted in the forward direction is provided integrally with and immediately above a casing (corresponding to the body casing section 11) extending vertically, and the handle shaft 16 is attached to the upper surface of the upward slant section 118.
As in the case of the vacuum cleaner 10A, the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 is provided inside the body casing section 18. The upward slant section 118 is positioned between the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 and the handle shaft 16. A joint mechanism 166 is mounted inside of the upward slant section 118. The joint mechanism 166 is constructed as, for example, constant speed universal joints configured to contact a downward end surface of the slanted handle shaft 16. When the user performs a manipulation for twisting the handle 14 (direction indicated by arrow R1 in
Thus, in the vacuum cleaner 10C of the second example, the body section includes the upward slant section 118, and a steering coupling section 60C includes the handle shaft 16, the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161, the joint mechanism 166 and the rotation transmission section 160.
In the above stated configurations of the present embodiment, the handle 14 is positioned in a forward portion of the vacuum cleaner 10B or 10C. Because of this, in the case where the user performs cleaning in the state in which the body section is directed substantially horizontally (see
A specific configuration of the gear mechanism 165 and a specific configuration of the joint mechanism 166 are not particularly limited. Any known configuration may be used so long as the rotation of the rotary shaft can be transmitted from coaxially to a different location or the rotation of the rotary shaft can be transmitted in a different direction. The present embodiment is the same as Embodiment 1 in that the steering coupling section 60B, 60C includes the handle shaft 16 and the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 as rotary shafts in a broad sense. The gear mechanism 165 or the joint mechanism 166 is mounted between the handle shaft 16 and the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161. Therefore, when the handle shaft 16 is expressed as a first rotary shaft, the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 can be expressed as a second rotary shaft. Of course, depending on the configuration of the steering coupling section 60B, 60C, rotary shafts other than the handle shaft 16 and the steering wheel adjustment shaft 161 may be provided.
Thus, in the upright floor surface treating apparatus of the present invention, the steering coupling section includes the gear mechanism or the joint mechanism coupled to the lower end of the rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft coupled at the upper end thereof to the gear mechanism or the joint mechanism and coupled at the lower end thereof to the rotation transmission section, and the holding section fastened to the upper end of the rotary shaft is positioned forward in the movement direction relative to the body section.
In accordance with this configuration, since the gear mechanism or the joint mechanism is used as desired, the holding section can be positioned forward relative to the body section without being restricted by the second rotary shaft coupled to the rotation transmission section. Therefore, even when the body section is oriented substantially horizontally to, for example, perform floor surface treating in a vertically narrow space such as a space under furniture or a bed, the holding section can be kept higher. This can reduce a need for the user to significantly bend while holding the holding section. As a result, the maneuverability of the upright floor surface treating apparatus can be further improved.
Since the gear mechanism of the steering coupling section has “a gear change function”, the maneuverability of the upright floor surface treating apparatus can be further improved. For example, if the “speed” of the rotation of the rotary shaft which is caused by manipulation of the holding section increases, an angle change of the secondary rotary shaft can be increased even when an angle change of the rotary shaft is small. Therefore, the angle change of the steering wheels can be increased. Or, if the “speed” of the rotation of the rotary shaft is decreased, the force required to change the angle of the rotary shaft when the user manipulate the holding section can be lessened. This allows the user to manipulate the holding section with “a smaller force”.
Embodiment 3In Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, the vacuum cleaners 10A to 10C include the steering coupling sections 60A to 60C having a mechanical configuration, respectively. By comparison, in the present embodiment, an example of a vacuum cleaner including a steering coupling section having an electric configuration will be described with reference to
As shown in
A specific configuration of the angle adjusting signal generating section 167 and a specific configuration of the wheel angle adjusting section 168 are not particularly limited, but known configurations may be suitably used.
For example, in the case where the manipulation of the handle 14 is twisting of the handle 14 like Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, examples of the angle adjusting signal generating section 167 may include a known dial input device for generating an electric signal corresponding to a position change caused by the twisting (rotation) of the handle 14, a known relay switch device configured to open/close a contact point based on whether or not the position change caused by the twisting (rotation) of the handle 14 exceeds a certain magnitude, a sensor device which detects a position change of a marker provided at a tip end of the handle shaft 16 and generates an electric signal based on a result of the detection, etc. Or, instead of twisting the handle 14, in the case where the handle 14 is attached with a known manipulation section such as a lever or a switch, a known configuration in which the electric signal is generated by manipulating the manipulation section may be used. In this case, the angle adjusting signal generating section 167 includes the manipulation section.
In a case where the steering coupling section 60D includes the rotation transmission section 160 comprised of the cam member 162 and the arm members 163 and 164 like Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, the wheel angle adjusting section 168 may be configured such that a small motor (gear mechanism as desired) is provided at the rear end of the cam member 162 and the front end of the cam member 162 is swung according to the operation of the small motor. In this case, the rotation transmission section 160 and the small motor correspond to the wheel angle adjusting section 168. Instead of the small motor, a known actuator or the like may be used.
Of course, the steering coupling section 60D of the present embodiment may include components other than the angle adjusting signal generating section 167 and the wheel angle adjusting section 168.
As described above, in the upright floor surface treating apparatus of the present invention, the steering coupling section may include a wheel angle adjusting section for adjusting angles of the steering wheels in response to an electric signal received, and an angle adjusting signal generating section for converting a manipulation of the holding section into an electric signal input to the wheel angle adjusting section.
In accordance with this configuration, the steering coupling section having an electric configuration is provided instead of the steering coupling section having a mechanical configuration comprised of a rotary shaft and a rotation transmission section. With this configuration, in the present embodiment, the same advantages as those provided by the mechanical configuration described in Embodiment 2 can be achieved.
Numeral modifications and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the description is to be construed as illustrative only, and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and/or function may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITYThe present invention is suitably used in fields of upright floor surface treating apparatuses such as a vacuum cleaner, a floor surface polishing apparatus, a floor surface coating apparatus and a carpet washing apparatus, each of which includes a floor surface treating section at a lower portion thereof and a holding section such as a handle at an upper portion thereof.
REFERENCE SIGNS LISTS
-
- 10A˜10D vacuum cleaner (floor surface treating apparatus)
- 11 body casing section (body section)
- 12 body duct collecting section (body section, duct collecting chamber)
- 13 suction nozzle (floor surface treating section)
- 13a nozzle support shaft (treating section support shaft)
- 14 handle (holding section)
- 15 steering wheel
- 15a, 15b wheel (steering wheel)
- 15c roller (steering wheel)
- 16 handle shaft (rotary shaft, steering coupling section)
- 60A˜60D steering coupling section
- 100 floor surface
- 131 rotary brush
- 151 cover member
- 160 rotation transmission section
- 161 steering wheel adjustment shaft (second rotary shaft, steering coupling section)
- 162 cam member (rotation transmission section, steering coupling section)
- 163 arm member (rotation transmission section, steering coupling section)
- 164 arm member (rotation transmission section, steering coupling section)
- 165 gear mechanism (steering coupling section)
- 166 joint mechanism (steering coupling section)
- 167 angle adjusting signal generating section (steering coupling section)
- 168 wheel angle adjusting section (steering coupling section)
- 223 suction motor
Claims
1. An upright floor surface treating apparatus comprising:
- a columnar body section;
- a floor surface treating section having a lower surface facing a floor surface which is a treated target and mounted to a lower portion of the body section;
- a holding section provided at an upper portion of the body section and held by a user;
- a steering wheel which is provided on the lower portion of the body section in a location at which the steering wheel is able to contact the floor surface and determines a movement direction of the floor surface treating section, according to its angle; and
- a steering coupling section which is provided in the body section between the holding section and the steering wheel and changes the angle of the steering wheel according to a manipulation of the holding section, independently of the body section and the floor surface treating section, wherein the steering wheel is provided with a cover member covering the steering wheel from above; and a plate-shaped stopper is provided at a front portion of the cover member such that the stopper extends forward relative to the cover member.
2. The upright floor surface treating apparatus according to claim 1,
- wherein the steering coupling section includes:
- a rotary shaft rotatably mounted to the body section, the holding section being fastened to an upper end of the rotary shaft; and
- a rotation transmission section for coupling a lower end of the rotary shaft to the steering wheel to change the angle of the steering wheel according to a rotational position of the rotary shaft.
3. The upright floor surface treating apparatus according to claim 2,
- wherein the steering coupling section further includes:
- a gear mechanism or a joint mechanism coupled to the lower end of the rotary shaft; and
- a second rotary shaft coupled at an upper end thereof to the gear mechanism or the joint mechanism and coupled at a lower end thereof to the rotation transmission section;
- wherein the holding section fastened to the upper end of the rotary shaft is positioned in a forward location in the movement direction relative to the body section.
4. The upright floor surface treating apparatus according to claim 1,
- wherein the steering wheel includes a plurality of steering wheels; and
- wherein the plurality of steering wheels are arranged in one row along a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the floor surface treating section.
5. The upright floor surface treating apparatus according to claim 4,
- wherein the rotation transmission section includes at least:
- a cam member fastened at one end thereof to the lower end of the rotary shaft; and
- an arm member for coupling the other end of the cam member to the steering wheel.
6. The upright floor surface treating apparatus according to claim 5,
- wherein the steering wheel is provided with a cover member supporting a rolling shaft of the steering wheel with the cover member covering the steering wheel from above; and
- wherein the arm member couples a forward portion or a rearward portion of the cover member in the movement direction to the other end of the cam member.
7. The upright floor surface treating apparatus according to claim 1,
- wherein the steering coupling section includes:
- a wheel angle adjusting section for adjusting the angle of the steering wheel in response to an electric signal received as an input; and
- an angle adjusting signal generating section for converting a manipulation of the holding section into the electric signal input to the wheel angle adjusting section.
8. The upright floor surface treating apparatus according to claim 1,
- wherein the steering wheel is mounted to the body section in such a manner that an outer peripheral surface of the steering wheel is apart from the floor surface with the body section being in an upright state, while the outer peripheral surface of the steering wheel is in contact with the floor surface with the body section being in a slanted state in which the body section is slanted in a rearward direction in the movement direction, with respect to the upright state.
9. The upright floor surface treating apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:
- a treating section support shaft provided at the lower portion of the body section to support the floor surface treating section such that the floor surface treating section is pivotable in a direction to change an angle of the lower surface with respect to an extending direction of the body section; wherein
- the steering wheel is provided at the lower portion of the body section such that the steering wheel is positioned rearward in the movement direction, relative to the floor surface treating section.
10. The upright floor surface treating apparatus according to claim 4,
- wherein the steering wheel has a shape in which an outer peripheral surface thereof is entirely flat or a peripheral portion of the outer peripheral surface protrudes more than a center portion thereof.
11. The upright floor surface treating apparatus according to claim 1,
- wherein at least an outer peripheral surface of the steering wheel is made of an elastic material.
12. The upright floor surface treating apparatus according to claim 1, being a vacuum cleaner.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 1, 2011
Publication Date: Apr 11, 2013
Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION (Kadoma-shi, Osaka)
Inventor: Hiroshi Nishimura (Selangor Darui Ehsan)
Application Number: 13/703,305
International Classification: A47L 5/12 (20060101); A47L 5/34 (20060101);