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`Patentamt
`Europiéisches
`European
`Fate»! Office
`Office européen
`des brevets
`
`
`
`
`
`EP 2 691 8273 At
`
`EURQPEAN PATENT APPLECATiQN
`pubiisned :n accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC
`
`(43) Date of pubiicaiion:
`1295,2813 Buiietin 2031324
`
`(51)
`
`int or:
`1447!. QIZO (2005.01)
`
`A471. 9i16 (29%“)
`
`(21) Appiication number: 1181424§2
`
`(22) Date of filing: 1&372311
`
`(86)
`
`internationai appiication number:
`PCTIJ P291 111393993?
`
`(87)
`
`internationai publication number:
`WC} 2012i917606 {09.02.20’i2 Gazette 2M 21'06)
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ BE DK EE ES FE FR GB
`GR HR HU iE ES ET Li LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NC}
`Pi. PT RO RS SE SE SK SM TR
`
`(30) Priority: 95.882919 JP 28191759§52
`
`(71) Appiicant: Panaeenio Corporation
`Osaka 57143591 (JP)
`
`inventors:
`(72)
`° KUNEMOTQ‘ Keijimu
`Chuwku
`
`o YAMAURA, izumi
`Choc-kn
`
`Osaka 543—5297 (JP)
`v OHTA, Kateuyuki
`Chuo—ku
`
`Osaka 549-6297 (JP)
`
`(74) Representative: Schwabe ~ Sandmair ~ Marx
`Patentanwéiite
`Stuntzetraflie 16
`
`81677 Miinchen (DE)
`
`osaka 54Gu62€37 up)
`
`(545‘-
`ELECTREC VACUUM CLEANER
`
`An eieotric vacuum eieaner inciudes an eiectric
`(57)
`piower, filter (40) for catching dust sectioned by the eieo-
`trio biower, and dust removing unit (45) for removing the
`dust attached to filter (40). Dust removing unit (45) in—
`strides driving unit (54) having reguieting portion (53) for
`iinear driving and being adapted to reCiprocatingiy drive,
`duet removing eiernent (55)- being arranged tziose to fitter
`(40) and being rnovabie in a direction substantiaiiy iden~
`rice! to a direction or the reciprocating driving of driving
`unit (54), and eiastic member {56) for transmitting the
`reciprocating driving of driving unit (54) to the dust re-
`moving eiement through an eiastio body. An arnpiitnde
`attire reciprocating driving otdust removing eiement (55)
`is; increased by a resonance action generated by eiesstic
`member (56) to vibrate fitter (40').
`
`PEG. 3
`
`
`
`Printed by .Jouve, 75001 PAREE': (FR)
`
`E?26M3%Art
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`

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`Description
`
`TECHNECAL FtELD
`
`[131301] The present invention relates to an electric vac—
`uum cleaner equipped with a filter for ftttering dust.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`[@3602] Conventionally. a method of applying vibration
`to a filter to remove dust has been proposed as means
`tor preventing the tilter from getting clogged in the field
`of etectric vacuum cteaner. For example, there has been
`proposed a vacuum cleaner including a dust: removing
`unit for Vibrating a plurality of nail parts fitted to each
`
`corruga
`.i in a fitter in which a cross-section is bent in
`
`a wav rorm to form a plurality of corrugations (see e.g.,
`Paten. Literature 1).
`[1.16133]
`FtG. 13 is a schematic view showing a sche-
`matic configuration of conventionat electric vacuum
`cleaner 1000. FtG. 14 is a perspective view showing a
`configuration ottilter device 1111 in conventional eiectric
`vacuum cleaner 1000.
`
`[96134] As shown in FlG. 13 and PEG. 14, eiectric vac-
`uum cleaner 1000 includes filter device 1111 for catching
`dust suconed by electric blower 1 1 1t), and vibrator 11 12
`tor vibrating filter device 11 11. Fitter device 1111 is vi-
`brated by vibrator 1112 to remove the dust caught by
`tilterdevice 1111 before driving ofor after driving otelec—
`tric blower 1 1 10.
`
`Filterdevice1111 includes square casing frame
`[013135]
`11 13, street body 1116, and vibration transmitting mem-
`ber 1 1 17. Sheet body 1116 is internally arranged in cas—
`ing frame 1113, and is formed with a plurality of projec—
`
`“ ns1114 and recesses 11 15 bybeing bent in a wavelike
`
`.
`rm. Vibration transmitting member 1117 transmits vi-
`bration of vibrator 1 112 to sheet body 1116.
`
`[1.16135] Vibrator 1 1 12 internally includes a vibration mo-
`tor, and is arranged next to fitter device 1111.
`[0133?] Vibration transmitting member 1117 includes a
`plurality of nail parts 1 1 18 tilted to each one of the plurality
`oi recesses 1115 of sheet body 1116, and transmitting
`projection 1119 for directly receiving the vibration from
`vibrator 1112.
`
`[13131383 The vibration of vibrator 1112 is transmitted
`from transmitting projection 1 1 19 to vibration transmitting
`member 1 1 17, and such vibration is transmitted from naii
`parts 1118 to sheet body 1116. Accordingty, the dust
`caught by sheet body 1116 can be removed.
`[13131333
`in such conventional electric vacuum cleaner
`1001}, however. improvements still can be made in higher
`efficiency of the dust removing performance and tower
`noise.
`
`1119. Therefore, vibration energy of vibrator 1 1 12 is dit—
`tused not only to filter device 1111, but atso to entire
`electric vacuum cleaner 1001} supporting tilter device
`111 1.
`
`Furthermore, as described above, the vibration
`{OM11
`from vibrator 1112 is transmitted to transmitting protec-
`tion 1119 of vibration transmitting member 1117 to vi~
`brate nail parts 1118, and then transmitted to sheet body
`1116. Thus, a transmission loss until the vibration 01 vi—
`brator 1112 is transmitted to sheet body 1116 is large,
`and the vibration tends to attenuate.
`
`[@3012] Therefore, in order to vibrate sheet body 1116
`and realize sufficient dust removing performance, an out—
`put of a vibration generating source needs to be raised,
`which inevitably enlarges vibrator 1112.
`{$013}
`Furthermore, since transmitting protection 11 19
`of vibration transmitting member 1117 directly receives
`the vibration of vibrator 1112, an impact: noise is gener—-
`ated thus generating noise.
`
`Citation List
`
`Patent Literature
`
`{1113143
`
`Fit 1; Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
`No. 21104—121621
`
`$UMMARY OF- THE lNVENTlON
`
`{OMS} The present invention provides an electric vac--
`uum cleaner in which dust attached to a iilter is removed
`
`with tow noise and at high efficiency.
`[13016] An electric vacuum cleaner according to the
`present invention includes an electric btower; a titter tor
`catching di.
`uctioned by the electric blower; and a dust
`
`removing unit for removing the dust attached to the tilter.
`The dust removing unit: includes a driving unit: including
`a regulating portion for linear driving, and being adapted
`to reciprocatingly drive, a dust removing element: being
`arranged close to the filter and being movable in a direc—
`tion substantially identicat to a direction of the recipro-
`(rating driving of the driving unit, and an elastic member
`being adapted to transmit the reciprocating driving of the
`driving unit to the dust removing element through an etas—
`tic body. An amplitude of the reciprocating drivrng ot' the
`dust removing element is increase-:1 by a resonance ac-
`tion generated by the elastic member to vibrate the filter.
`
`BREEF DESCRlPTlON or- DRAWENGS
`
`{@0173
`
`in other words, vibrator 1112 is arranged next
`[13131133
`to fitter device 1111 in conventional electric vacuum
`
`(51C}
`
`cleaner 1000, as described above. The vibration of vi-
`brator 1 1 12 thus tends to vibrate entire fitter device 1111
`
`at the same time as vibrating transmitting projection
`
`is a side view showing an outer appearance
`F165. 1
`of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a first
`exemptary embodiment of the present invention.
`FlG. 2 is a cross—sectional view shovving a contigu-
`
`

`

`1;.)
`
`E? 2 691 8'76 A1
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`4
`
`ration of main parts of a main body of the etectric
`vacuum cieaner according to thefirst exempiary em—
`bodiment of the present invention.
`Pie. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration
`of a filter and a dust removing unit of the electric
`vacuum cieaner according to thefirst exempiary em—
`bodiment of the present invention.
`FiG. 4A is a pian view showrng a contiguration ofthe
`fitter and the dust removing unit otthe etectric vac-
`uum cleaner according to the first exemplaryemhod~
`imeht of the present invention.
`FlG. 48 is a cross~sectionai view showing the con—
`figuration of the fiiter and the dust removing unit of
`the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first ext-
`emptary' embodiment of the present invention.
`FlG. 4C is a cross-sectional view showing the con--
`figuration of the fitter and the dust removing unit of
`the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first ext-
`emptary' embodiment of the present invention.
`FlG. 5 is a view describing gap C of a naii part of a
`dust removing eiement and a film body of the fitter
`ot the etectric vacuum cieaner according to the first
`exempiary embodiment of the present invention.
`FlG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing a temporai
`change in strokes of a driving unit and the dust re—
`moving element of the etectric vacuum cleaner ac—
`p-D-
`cording to the first exempiary embodiment of he
`present invention.
`FlG. 7 is a view showing vibration characteristics of
`the dust removing element oi the etectric vacuum
`cieaner according to the first exempiary embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FlG. 8 is a partial cross—sectionat view showing a
`configur tion of a filter and a dust removing unit in
`an electric vacuum cleaner according to a second
`exemptary embodiment of the present invention.
`Fifi. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configu-
`ration ofafitterand a dust removing unit in an etectric
`vacuum cieaner according to a third exemplary em--
`bodiment of the present invention.
`Fifi. 1G is a perspective view showing a configuration
`of a dust removing element in the electric vacuum
`cieaner according to the third exemplary embodi—
`ment of the oresent invention.
`FiG.11 is a perspective view showing a configuration
`ofa tiiter and a dust removing unit of an electric vac—
`uum cieaner according to a fourth exemplary em-
`bodiment: of the present invention.
`FlG. 12A is a front view showing a configuration of
`the filter and the dust removing unit of the etectric
`vacuum cleaner according to the fourth exempiary
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FlG. 128 is a cross—sectional view showing the con—
`figuration of the fiiter and the dust removing unit of
`the electric vacuum cieaner according to the fourth
`exempiary embodiment of the present invention.
`FlG. 123 is a cross-sectionai view showing the con--
`figuration of the fitter and the dust removing unit of
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`the electric vacuum cieaner according to the fourth
`exempiary embodiment of the present invention.
`FiG. 13 is a schematic view showing a schematic
`configuration of a conventional electric vacuum
`cieaner.
`
`HS. 14 is a perspective view showing a configuration
`of a filter device in the conventional etectric vacuum
`cieaner.
`
`DESCREPTEON OF- EMBODEMENTS
`
`....
`[E3018] Hereinafter. exempiary embodiments of he
`present invention wiit be described with reference to the
`drawings. The same reference numerals may be denoted
`on the same or corresponding portions to omit the redun—
`dant description.
`
`Fi RST EXEMF’LARY EM BODEMENT
`
`{9919} HS. 1 is a side view showing an outer appear-
`ance oi etectric vacuum cleaner 49 according to a first
`exemplary embodiment otthe present invention. FlG. 2
`is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of main
`parts of a main body of etectric vacuum cieaner 49. FiG.
`3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of fitter
`4t} and dust removing unit 45 ot‘eiectric vacuum cleaner
`49. FiG. 4A is a plan view showing a configuration offiiter
`40 and dust removing unit 45 ofeiectric vacuum cleaner
`49. FiG. 4B is a cross—sectional view showing the con-
`figuration ot‘filter 4t) and dust removing unit 45 ot‘eiectric
`vacuum cleaner 49. FtG. 4C is a cross—sectionai view
`
`showing the configuration of fiiter 40 and dust removing
`unit 45 of electric vacuum cleaner 49.
`
`{99283 As shown in HQ. 1, wheel 3 and caster 4 are
`attached to an exterior of vacuum cieaner main body 1
`of electric vacuum cleaner 49, so that vacuum cleaner
`main body 1 can freely move on a floor surface. Suction
`hose 7 and extended tube 8 are sequentiaiiy connected
`to suction port 6 arranged on a tow :J' side of an installed
`portion otdust cotiecting case 5. Suction tooi 9 is attached
`to a distai end of extended tube 8.
`
`{0921] As shown in FiG. 2, etectric 'otower '21 is incor—
`porated in vacuum cieaner main body 1. On an upstream
`side of electric biower 2t, dust collecting case 5 is de—
`tachably arranged with respect to vacuum cleaner main
`body 1 through partition wall 26 having ventiiation port
`22. Byoperating eiectricbtower21,duston atioorsurface
`of a house can be suctioned into vacuum cieaner main
`
`body 1. Dust coilecting case 5 introduces air containing
`the suctioned dust, centrifugaiiy separates and deposits
`the dust, and filters the microscopic dust. The t‘iiter air is
`exhausted from an exhaust outlet (not shown) on a down-
`stream of etectric blower 21 (cycione—type vacuum clean~
`or).
`{0922} Dust coilecting case 5 includes dust coliecting
`box 31 of hollow cytindrical shape having intake port 30
`and being arranged on a lower side, and dust coltecting
`iid 33 having exhaust port 32 and being arranged on the
`
`

`

`5
`
`EP 2 691 8'76 A‘i
`
`0?
`
`upper side. Dust collecting case 5 is configured such that
`intalte port 30 and suction port 6 of vacuum cleaner main
`body 1 are communicated with each other and exhaust
`port 32 and ventilation port 22 of the vacuum cleaner
`main body 1 are communicated with each other while
`being attached to vacuum cleaner main body 1.
`[0023} Dust collecting box 3‘: internally includes middle
`case 34- having a shape in which a hollow cylinder and
`a hollow circular cone of different diameters are over-
`
`lapped in multi—stages. Middle case 34 is configured with
`filteraccommodatlon case 35, inclined tube A 36, primary
`filter 37, inclined tube B 3 , and tine dust tube 39 contin—
`uously connected in order from the top.
`[$6243
`Filter accommodation case 35 has a hollovxl cyl-
`lindrical shape and internally accommodates fitter 40,
`and is accommodated such that: an outer periphery lies
`along an upper end portion of an inner surface of dust
`collecting box 31:. An outer surface of filter accommoda-
`tion case 35 and an inner surface of dust collecting box
`31 are formed so as to block a gap with a seal member
`(not shown).
`[0025]
`inclined tube A 36 has a hollow circular cone
`shape, and internally includes an inclined plane for guid-
`ing the dust dropped from filter 40 to primary filter 37,
`inclined tube 8 38, and fine dust tube 39 when removing
`the dust caught by filter 40.
`[9626}
`Primary filter 37 has a cylindrical shape with mi-
`croscopic through—holes over the entire surface to pass
`the air from the outer periphery of the cylinder to the in—
`terior of the cylinder to filter dust (rough dust) of a rela—
`tively large size such as cotton dust and hair from the
`dust in suctioned airflow.
`
`inclined tube B 33 has a hollow circular cone
`[9627]
`shape, similarly to inclined tube A 36, and internally in—
`cludes an inclined plane for guiding the dust dropped
`from filter 4-0 to fine dust tube 39.
`
`Fine dust tube 39 has a hollow cylindrical shape
`{($628}
`and is provided to internally hold the dust guided from
`inclined tube B 38 Packing 41 for sealing a space formed
`with a bottom surface offlne dust tube 39 is arranged at
`a bottom inner surface of dust collecting box 31.
`[9629]
`intake port 30 is opened such that the suctioned
`airflow flows in a tangent direction of the inner surface of
`dust collecting box 31 The suctioned airflow whirls in a
`flow path configured by a gap between the respectiv
`outer surfaces of inclined tube A 36, primary filter 37,
`inclined tube l3 38, and fine dust tube 39, and the inner
`surface of dust collecting box 31. The suctioned airflow
`is ultimately suctioned into the cylinder by primary filter
`37 to flow toward filter 40.
`
`[@630] The dust in the suctioned airflow flowing into
`dust collecting box 31 from intake port 30 is moved to
`the lower part of dust collecting box 31 while whirling so
`as to be pushed against the inner surface of dust collect-
`ing 'oox 31 by a centrifugal force, and is accumulated at
`the bottom of dust collecting box 31. Canopy-like portion
`42 is arranged at the lower part of primary fill :J" 37 so that
`the accumul
`ted dust is not flung up. ln otherwords, the
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`portion below canopy-like portion 42 is an accumulating
`portion of the dust, and the portion above canopy-like
`portion 42 is a centrifugal separating portion.
`{@931} Bottom lid 4-3 that can freely open/close is at—
`tached to the bottom of dust collecting box 31. When
`discarding the dust accumulated in dust collecting box
`31 , the dust can be easily thrown a. lay by opening bottom
`lid 43. Furthermore, the dust accumulated in fine dust
`tube 33 can be discarded at the same time since the
`
`bottom of tine dust tube 39 is also opened.
`{9632} Majority of the dust (fine dust) that is less likely
`to be centrifugally separated and that has a fine particle
`diameter such as sand dust, pollen, mite feces, and the
`like is passed through primary filter 37 with an airflow to
`flow to filter 4-0. Such dust (fine dust) is filtered by filter
`40 to be attached to and deposited on the surface of fill :J"
`40, where one part thereof entangles With the rough dust
`deposited at the bottom of dust collecting box 31. and
`accumulates thereat.
`
`{96333 Dust collecting lid 33 has a cylindrical shape,
`and is attached to an upper part of dust collecting box 31
`while maintaining an airtight state. Dust collecting lid 33
`internally accommodates dust removing unit 45 for re--
`moving the dust attached to filter 40 by vibration. Elec—
`trical components are accommodated in inner lid 46.
`[@034] The ele .trical components include a print sub
`strate, a power supplying terminal, a charging compo—
`nent, a motordriver element, an Oil/OFF switch, and the
`like. Electricity is accumulated in a charging component
`from vacuum cleaner main body 1 through a power sup~
`plying terminal. Dust removing unit 45 is driven by power
`from the charging component. Drive control of dust re--
`moving unit 4-5 is driven by any one of an instruction from
`a micro—computer (not shown) in vacuum cleaner main
`body 1 and an instruction from an Obi/OFF- switch (not
`shown) of dust collecting lid 33.
`{OMS} Thus, due to the operation of the charging corn--
`ponent, dust removing unit 45 operates even in a state
`in which it is not connected to an electrical outlet (not
`shown) or in a state in which dust collecting case 5 is
`detached from vacuum cleaner main body 1.
`{0935] Next, the configuration of filter 40 and dust re—
`moving unit 45 will be described in detail based on FlG.
`3 FlG. 4A, FlG. AB, and FlG. 40.
`{693?} Dust removing unit 45 is arranged parallel to
`filter 40 on a downstream (upper part) of disc~shaped
`filter 40.
`
`Filter 40 may be non-woven cloth, pulp, glass
`{($038}
`fiber. or HEPA {High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. in
`the present exemplary embodiment, film body 50 formed
`by folding a filtering film,
`in which a PTFE (Poly—
`TetraFluoroEthylene) film excelling in dust separating
`property is stacked on a non—woven cloth, in a wave form
`to form corrugations is l..tegrally molded with resin on
`the inner side of cylindrical frame body 51.
`{0939] Dust removing unit 45 includes driving unit 54,
`dust removing element 55, rail 61:, and elastic member
`56. Driving unit 54 includes electric motor 52 and regu-
`
`

`

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`EP 2 591 8'75 A1
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`tating portion 53. Regutating portion 53 converts rotation
`of electric motor 52 to reciprocating tinear driving. Reg—
`utatihg portion 53 includes eccentric cam 62, movabie
`etement 53, guide pin 54, and guide hole 55. Bust re-
`moving element 55 inctudes bone part 57, nail part 58,
`groove part 59, and guide blade part 50.
`[0545} Dust removing eiernent 55 is arranged such that
`a iongitudinal direction thereof becomes orthogonai to
`the tangent direction ofthe corrugation offilter 40. Eiastic
`member 56 transmits the reciprocating driving of driving
`unit 54 to dust removing element 55 via two compression
`springs (elastic bodies).
`[59413 A pturality of naii parts 58 to be arranged in a
`valiey of each corrugation of filter 40 are arranged on a
`tower side of square bar-shaped bone part 57 arranged
`toward a driving direction of driving unit 54 (see FEB. 48).
`Dust removing element 55 inctudes groove part 59 con—
`figured in the longitudinai direction at: the middte of the
`upper part thereof, and includes guide btade part 50 on
`front and back of bone part 57. Bust removing element
`55 freely moves atong rail 51 by fitting guide blade part
`50, in a freely siidably moVing manner, to rait 61 arranged
`on both sides of bone part: 57.
`[9542]
`Rail 61 is supported by inner lid 46 shown in
`FtG. 2, where both ends thereof have a function ofholding
`down and tixing frame body 51 of titter 49 from above.
`Furthermore, a supporting portion of etectric motor 52 is
`atso supported by inner tid 46. sirnilariy to rail 51.
`[5543} Reguiating portion 53 includes eccentric cam
`52 securely arranged on a shaft center of electric motor
`52, and movable element 63-, inscribing eccentric cam
`52, for converting the rotation to the reciprocating driving.
`fvtovabie etement 53 has one end of the tower part ar-
`ranged in a freely siidably moving manner in groove part
`59 of dust removing element 55, where guide pin 54 ar—
`ranged to be movabie in the front and back direction is
`fitted, in a freely siidabty moving manner, to guide hole
`5 formed at both ends of groove part 59 ofdust removing
`etement 55.
`
`[0544] The two compression springs, which are eiastic
`bodies, of etastic member 55 are compression coii
`springs made of metal, and are instaiied in groove part
`59 and biased to sandwich movabie etement 53. Etastic
`member 56 stretches when movabie eiernent 53 is driven
`
`in groove part 59, where the movement is transmitted to
`dust removing element 55 via the compression springs.
`[33545] The difference between a set iength and a com-
`pressed length of the compression spring, that: is, the
`toierabte deformation amount of the spring is desirably
`set to be greater than a reciprocating stroke of movabie
`etement 53. This is to preventele .tric motor 52 from being
`tocked and damaging a motor winding when dust remov—
`ing etement 55 stops operating due to some taiiure.
`[59453
`in the above configuration, eccentric cam 52 is
`rotated w ten electric motor 52 is operated. Thus, mov-
`abte element 5; is reciprocatingty driven along groove
`part 59 al: a stroke (egg 2 mm) of twice the eccentric
`amount (e.g.,
`‘i mm) of electric motor 52 and eccentric
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`cam 62. The compression spring expands and contracts
`with the motion of movable element 53, whereby a dif-
`ference is generated in the biasing torce of the two com
`pression springs with respect to dust removing etement
`55, and dust removing etement 55 is driven along rail 61.
`Naif pan 58 of dust removing etement 55 makes contact
`with the side surface of the corrugation of fitter 40 to vi~
`brate the corrugation.
`{554?}
`in this case, dust removing etement 55 and
`movable element 53 move in the same linear direction,
`and the compression spring aiso expands and contracts
`in the same dire .tion. and hence the dire tion of driving
`coincides and the transmission loss is reduced. Further—
`
`more, fitter 40 can be efficiently vibrated since filter 40 is
`arranged such that the driving direction of nait pan 58 is
`orthogonal to the corrugation of tiiter 40.
`[33048] Gap ('3 is formed between naii part 58 of dust
`removing element 55 and tiim body 50 of fitter 40.
`{0949]
`PEG. 5' is a view describing gap C of naii part 58
`of dust removing element 55 and trim body 50 of fitter 49
`ot eiectric vacuum cieaher 49 according to the first ex~
`emptary embodiment of the present invention. As shown
`in FtG. 5, gap (3 is a gap on one side at the distal end of
`a surface of fitter 4t) and nail part 58 of dust removing
`element 55 when a center of a valley portion of a pieat
`of filter 40 coincides with a center ot nail part 58. Gap C
`is a condition for dust removing etement 55 to freety move
`and tor filter 40 to not inhibit the resonance of dust re—
`
`in the present exempiary embodi-
`moving etement 55.
`ment, about 30% (e.g., 0.8 mm) ot 1/2 ofthe reciprocating
`stroke of movabie element 63 is set for gap C.
`if gap ('3
`is between 20% and 150% (10% to 75% of reciprocating
`stroke of movable element 53) of 1/2 (eccentric amount
`of etectric motor 52 and eccentric cam 62) of the recip-
`rocating stroke of movabie etement 63, dust removing
`element 55 resonates and a dust removing effect of fitter
`40 is enhanced. in order to further enhance the effect,
`gap C is desirabty between 5 % and 120%. (25% to 6 %
`of reciprocating stroke of movabie element 53) of 1/2
`(eccentric amount of electric motor 52 and eccentric cam
`52) of the reciprocating stroke of movabte element 53.
`{0955] Gap (3 not onty improves the resonance condi—
`tion of dust removing etement 55, but an inertia force of
`dust removing element 55 generated by gap C when nail
`part 58 makes contact with fiim body 50 can also act on
`film body 50. Thus. a strong vibration can be generated
`on filter 40, and the dust removing performance can be
`further enhanced.
`
`[@3051] Next, the dust removing operation will be de—
`scribed with reference to F55. 5 and FtG. 7. HS. 5 is a
`
`characteristic diagram showing a temporat change in the
`strokes ofdriving unit 54 and dust removing element 55
`ot eiectric vacuum cieaher 49 according to the first ex~
`emptary embodiment of the present invention, and FtG.
`7 is a view showing vibration characteristics of dust re--
`moving element 55 of electric vacuum cleaner 49.
`{5052} As shown in FlG. 5, stroke 70 of the reciprocati-
`ing driving of movabie element 53 of driving unit 54 si-
`
`

`

`9
`
`EP 2 591 8'75 A1
`
`10
`
`nusoidally changes at an amplitude (2 mm‘; of twice the
`eccentric amount (1 mm in present exempiary embodi—
`ment) of electric motor 52 and eccentric cam 62. The
`period matches the rotation period of electric motor 52.
`[@3653]
`Stroke 71 of the operation of dust removing et~
`ement 55 has a period the same as the period of stroke
`70 of movabte etement 53 of driving unit 54. However,
`since the compression spring is stretched and dust re—
`moving element 55 is driven, a phase is shifted by such
`an amount. The amplitude satisfies the resonance con~
`dition due to the arrangement of the compression spring,
`and the amptitude ofthe stroke of dust removing element
`55 increases by being driven at a frequency close to res-
`onance frequency 72, as shown in FtG. 7. Therefore, an
`operation frequency otdriving unit 54 is set in resonance
`frequency region 73 where the amptitude of stroke 71 of
`dust removing element 5 becomes greaterthan the am—
`ptitude ofstroke 70 of driving unit 54.
`[9654] Generally, resonance frequency 72 is deter-
`mined by the mass of vibration body and the rigidity of
`the spring supporting the vibration body. Resonance fre—
`quency 72 towers when the mass becomes greater, and
`resonance frequency 72 rises when the rigidity of the
`spring becomes greater. Therefore, resonance frequen-
`cy 72 is determined by the mass of dust removing ete—
`ment 55 and a spring constant ot‘the compression spring.
`However, resonance frequency 72 changes by infiuentiai
`factors on resonance such as gap C of fitter 4t) and dust
`removing etement 55, rigidity of fitter 40, stidabiy moving
`resistance of dust removing element 55, and the tike.
`Thus, adjustment by actuat measurement is desired
`when setting the frequency.
`[9655] As described above, in the present exemptary
`embodiment, the ampiitude of the reciprocating driving
`of dust removing etement 55 is increased by the reso—
`nance action gener ted by the compression spring of
`etastic member 55 to vibrate fitter 40. Thus, the dust re-
`moving action on filter 40 of dust removing element 55
`increases, and efficient dust removai can be carried out.
`[0055]
`in the present exemplary embodiment, the re—
`ciprocating driving ofdriving unit 54 is transmitted to dust
`removing etement 55 through etastic member 55 so that
`an impact noise is not generated between driving unit 54
`and dust removing element 55. Therefore, electric vac—
`uum cteaner 49 capabte of removing the dust attached
`to fitter 40 with iow noise and at high efficiency can be
`provided.
`{@057} The configuration and the effects of filter 40 of
`etectric vacuum cleaner 49 according to the present ex—
`empiary embodiment has been described above, but the
`....
`type of fitter 4g of the ele tirc vacuum cleaner of he
`present invention is not timited to the pteatfitter described
`above. For exampte, a fiat plate shaped fitter may be
`used, and effects simiiar to a case of using the pteat fitter
`can be obtained as long as the vi' ration ofdust removing
`etement 55 is transmitted.
`
`in the present exempiary embodiment, an EEK--
`{0058}
`ampie of using etectric motor 52 and eccentric cam 6'2
`
`(51
`
`70
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`(51CI
`
`for the configuration of driving unit 54 has been de—
`scribed, but means capable oflinear reciprocating driving
`such as a tinear motor may be used.
`{9559}
`Furthermore, in the present exemptary embod—
`iment, an exampte in which a metat pressure spring is
`used for the etastic body of etastic member 55 has been
`described, but a spring made of resin may be used, or a
`pneumatic spring such as a beitows or a piston cylinder
`enciosing gas may be used.
`{0565}
`in the present exemptary embodiment, an ex—
`ampte has been described in which a configuration of
`converting the rotation of electric motor 52 to reciprocat—
`ing driving by movabte etement 63 inscribed to eccentric
`cam 62 is used for the configuration of reguiating portion
`53. However, the configuration of the regulating portion
`of the etectric vacuum cleaner of the present invention
`is not timited to such an exampte. For exampte, the ro-
`tation of electric motor 52 may be converted to the recip-
`rocating driving by a crank shaft and a connectin,
`rod to
`move movabte etement 63.
`
`in the present exemptary embodi—
`[@3051] Moreover,
`ment, etastic member 55 inctudes a compression spring
`that: stretches in substantiatiy the same direction as the
`driving direction of driving unit 54 as an etastic body, and
`the power of driving unit 54 is transmitted to dust remov-
`ing etement 55 through the compression spring.
`{9552} According to such a configuration, a spring toad
`and a spring constant of etastic member 56 can be arbi—
`trariiy set. Thus, resonance frequency 72 can also be
`arbitrarily set, so that a degree of freedom in design of
`drivrn, unit 5-4- and dust removing etement 55 increases.
`{0563}
`Furthermore, more efficient dust removal can
`be reaiized by bringing the resonance frequency of the
`corrugation itseif offitter 4G ctose to the frequency ofdust
`removing element 55.
`{95534} As the compression spring itsetf has less vari—
`ation in the spring .onstant and is iess tikety to change
`over the years, reliability is improved and stability is atso
`improved. As the frequency of dust removing eiement 55
`is stabi ized, the amplitude of dust removing element 55
`is stabitizzed with respect to the vibration frequency of
`driving unit 54, and the dust removing performance can
`be stably obtained at high tevet.
`
`SECOND EXEMPLARY EMBODEMENT
`
`{0955] A configuration of dust removing unit 95 in an
`electric vacuum cleaner according to a second exempta—
`ry embodiment of the present invention witl be described
`in detait with reference to the drawings. HS. 8 is a partiat
`cross—sectional view showing a configuration of filter 40
`and dust removing unit 95 in the electric vacuum cleaner
`according to the second exemptary embodiment of the
`present invention. The same reference numerals are de—
`noted on the portions same as the portions described in
`the first exemptary embodiment, and the descriptions
`thereof are omitted. The configuration of the entire etect-
`tric vacuum cleaner according to the present exempiary
`
`

`

`11
`
`EP2 601876A‘t
`
`t2
`
`embodiment is similarto the configuration oteiectric vac-
`uum cieaner 49 shown in HS. 1 and HS. 2.
`
`in F-iG. 8, dust removing unit 96 of
`[0065} As Sh€)\’tt
`the present exempiary embodiment differs from dust re-
`moving unit 45 of the first exemplary embodiment in that
`a rubber member arranged in a gap in groove part 59 is
`used for the eiastic body ofetastic memberSO. The etastic
`body of elastic member 80 inctudes two rectangular soiid
`bodies made of rubber, and is arranged so as to sandwich
`movabie eiement 63 in groove part 59. Thus, the rubber
`member stretches when movabie eiement 63 is d iven
`
`in groove part 59, so that the movement is transmitted
`to dust removing eiement 55 through eiastic member 80.
`[£36573 The high poiymer materiat of the rubber mem-
`ber and the iike has both properties of spring property
`and damper property for attenuating the vibration. Thus,
`it‘the eiastic body oteiastic member 80 is made of rubber,
`a peak of the amptitude in resonance frequency 72 be-
`comes graduai as compared to the case in which the
`compression spring is used forthe eiastic body, as shown
`in FiG. 7. Therefore, the peak of the amplitude is reduced
`but reson