FILTER UNIT AND CLEANER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-106921 filed in Japan on Jul. 2, 2024.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The techniques disclosed in the present teachings relate to a filter unit and a cleaner.

BACKGROUND ART

In the technical field related to cleaners, a cleaner including a cyclone dust collection unit as disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2023-120866 has been known.

In Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2023-120866, a cyclone dust collection unit includes a filter unit. When the filter unit is long, it is difficult to shorten the length of a cleaner.

One non-limiting object of the present teachings is to suppress an increase in length of a cleaner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one non-limiting aspect of the present teachings, a filter unit may include a filter portion and a dust blocking portion that blocks dust fed to the filter portion. In a side view of the filter portion, the filter portion and at least a part of the dust blocking portion may overlap with each other.

According to the present teachings, an increase in length of a cleaner is suppressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a cleaner according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the cleaner according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the cleaner according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded front perspective view illustrating the cleaner according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view of a main body assembly according to the first embodiment as viewed from the front;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view illustrating a filter unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view of the filter unit according to the first embodiment as viewed from the front;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view illustrating the filter unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the filter unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating the filter unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an exploded front perspective view illustrating the filter unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a view for describing a method of using the cleaner according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view illustrating a cleaner according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the cleaner according to the second embodiment; and

FIG. 15 is a sectional view illustrating the cleaner according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In one or more embodiments, a filter unit may include a filter portion and a dust blocking portion that blocks dust fed to the filter portion. In a side view of the filter portion, the filter portion and at least a part of the dust blocking portion may overlap with each other.

In the above-described configuration, since the filter portion and at least a part of the dust blocking portion overlap with each other in a side view of the filter portion, an increase in length of the filter unit is suppressed. Since an increase in length of the filter unit is suppressed, an increase in length of the cleaner is suppressed.

In one or more embodiments, the filter portion may have a cylindrical shape. At least a part of the dust blocking portion may be disposed inside the filter portion.

In the above-described configuration, since at least a part of the dust blocking portion is disposed inside the cylindrical filter portion, the filter portion and at least a part of the dust blocking portion overlap with each other in a side view of the filter portion. Since at least a part of the dust blocking portion is disposed inside the cylindrical filter portion, an increase in size of the filter unit is suppressed.

In one or more embodiments, the dust blocking portion may block dust fed from the front of the filter portion to the filter portion. The dust blocking portion may protrude from a front end portion of the filter portion to an inside of the filter portion.

In the above-described configuration, since the dust blocking portion blocks dust fed from the front of the filter portion, feeding of dust to the filter portion is suppressed.

In one or more embodiments, an outer diameter of the dust blocking portion may decrease rearward from a front end portion of the dust blocking portion.

In the above-described configuration, air can smoothly flow around the dust blocking portion.

In one or more embodiments, the dust blocking portion may have a conical shape. A central axis of the filter portion may pass through an apex of the dust blocking portion.

In the above-described configuration, air can smoothly flow around the dust blocking portion.

In one or more embodiments, in a direction parallel to the central axis of the filter portion, a dimension of the dust blocking portion may be larger than a half value of a dimension of the filter portion and is equal to or smaller than the dimension of the filter portion.

In the above-described configuration, the dust blocking portion can sufficiently catch dust fed from the front of the filter portion.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. The components of the embodiments described below can be appropriately combined. In addition, in some cases, some components are not used.

In the embodiments, the positional relationships between the portions (parts) will be described using terms of “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “up”, and “down”. These terms indicate relative positions or directions with respect to the center of a cleaner 1.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment will be described.

Outline of Cleaner

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating the cleaner 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the cleaner 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the cleaner 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded front perspective view illustrating the cleaner 1 according to the embodiment.

In the embodiment, the cleaner 1 is a cyclone cleaner that separates foreign substances from air using centrifugal force. The cleaner 1 includes a main body assembly 2, a filter assembly 3, and a dust collection assembly 4.

Main Body Assembly

FIG. 5 is a view of the main body assembly 2 according to the embodiment as viewed from the front. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the main body assembly 2 includes a main body housing 5, a battery attachment unit 6, a suction unit 7, an operation panel 9, and a light 10.

The main body housing 5 accommodates the suction unit 7. The main body housing 5 is formed of synthetic resin. The main body housing 5 includes a pair of half-split housings. The main body housing 5 includes a left housing 5L and a right housing 5R. The right housing 5R is disposed rightward of the left housing 5L. The left housing 5L and the right housing 5R are fixed by a plurality of screws 5S.

The main body housing 5 includes a body portion 11, a grip portion 12, a battery holder 13, and an inlet pipe 34.

The body portion 11 accommodates the suction unit 7. The suction unit 7 is disposed in an internal space of the body portion 11. The body portion 11 includes a suction port 14 and exhaust ports 15. The suction port 14 is provided in a front portion of the body portion 11. The exhaust ports 15 are provided in a left portion and a right portion of the body portion 11.

The grip portion 12 is gripped by a user of the cleaner 1. The grip portion 12 is provided so as to extend rearward from an upper portion of the body portion 11.

The battery holder 13 holds a battery pack 17 via the battery attachment unit 6. The battery holder 13 is connected to a rear portion of the body portion 11 and a lower end portion of a rear portion of the grip portion 12.

The battery attachment unit 6 is provided below the battery holder 13. The battery pack 17 is attached to the battery attachment unit 6. The battery pack 17 is attachable to and detachable from the battery attachment unit 6.

The battery pack 17 functions as a power source of the cleaner 1. While being attached to the battery attachment unit 6, the battery pack 17 supplies electric power to the cleaner 1. The battery pack 17 is a general-purpose battery that can be used as a power source for various electric devices. The battery pack 17 can be used as a power source of a power tool. The battery pack 17 can be used as a power source of an electric device other than a power tool. The battery pack 17 can be used as a power source of a cleaner different from the cleaner 1 according to the embodiment. The battery pack 17 includes a lithium ion battery. The battery pack 17 is a rechargeable battery that can be charged. The battery attachment unit 6 has a structure equivalent to that of a battery attachment unit of the power tool.

The user of the cleaner 1 can perform an operation of attaching the battery pack 17 to the battery attachment unit 6 and an operation of removing the battery pack 17 from the battery attachment unit 6. The battery attachment unit 6 includes a guide member that guides the battery pack 17 and a main body terminal connected to a battery terminal provided in the battery pack 17. The user can attach the battery pack 17 to the battery attachment unit 6 by inserting the battery pack 17 into the battery attachment unit 6 from the rear. The battery pack 17 is inserted into the battery attachment unit 6 while being guided by the guide member. When the battery pack 17 is attached to the battery attachment unit 6, the battery terminal of the battery pack 17 and the main body terminal of the battery attachment unit 6 are electrically connected. The user of the cleaner 1 can remove the battery pack 17 from the battery attachment unit 6 by moving the battery pack 17 rearward.

The suction unit 7 generates a suction force in the suction port 14. The suction unit 7 is accommodated in the body portion 11. The suction unit 7 includes a fan motor 7A and a motor case 7B that accommodates the fan motor 7A. The fan of the fan motor 7A is rotatable about a rotation axis AX. The rotation axis AX extends in a front-rear direction. The motor of the fan motor 7A generates power for rotating the fan.

An opening is provided in a front portion of the motor case 7B. A ventilation member 7C is disposed in the opening in the front portion of the motor case 7B. The ventilation member 7C has a plurality of ribs arranged to extend in a radial direction from the center of the opening in the front portion of the motor case 7B. A vent is provided between a pair of the ribs adjacent to each other. The ventilation member 7C is disposed in the suction port 14 provided in the front portion of the body portion 11. When the fan motor 7A rotates, a suction force is generated in the suction port 14. The air sucked into the suction port 14 by the rotation of the fan motor 7A flows into an internal space of the motor case 7B through the ventilation member 7C. The air flowing into the internal space of the motor case 7B passes through the internal space of the motor case 7B and then flows out to an external space of the main body housing 5 through the exhaust ports 15.

The operation panel 9 is operated by the user of the cleaner 1. The operation panel 9 is disposed in the grip portion 12. The user of the cleaner 1 can operate the operation panel 9 while gripping the grip portion 12. In the embodiment, the operation panel 9 includes a drive mode switching button 9A for switching the drive condition of the fan motor 7A and a stop button 9B for stopping the fan motor 7A. When the drive mode switching button 9A is operated while the fan motor 7A is stopped, the fan motor 7A starts to be driven. When the fan motor 7A is driven, a suction force is generated in the suction port 14. When the drive mode switching button 9A is operated while the fan motor 7A is driven, the rotational speed of the fan motor 7A is adjusted in three stages, for example. When the drive mode switching button 9A is operated once while the fan motor 7A is driven, the rotational speed of the fan motor 7A is changed from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed. When the drive mode switching button 9A is further operated once, the rotational speed of the fan motor 7A is changed from the second rotational speed to a third rotational speed. When the drive mode switching button 9A is still further operated once, the fan motor 7A returns to the first rotational speed. The suction force in the suction port 14 is changed by changing the rotational speed of the fan motor 7A. When the stop button 9B is operated while the fan motor 7A is driven, the fan motor 7A stops.

The light 10 is disposed in a front portion of the grip portion 12. The light 10 illuminates the front of the cleaner 1. The light 10 includes a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode (LED).

Filter Assembly

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at least a part of the filter assembly 3 is disposed forward of the main body assembly 2. The filter assembly 3 is disposed to face the suction port 14 of the main body assembly 2. The filter assembly 3 includes a support frame 18 and a filter 19. The support frame 18 supports the filter 19. The filter 19 is disposed forward of the suction port 14 of the main body assembly 2. The filter 19 has air permeability. The filter 19 collects foreign substances from the air passing through the filter 19. The air flows into the filter 19 from a front portion of the filter 19. The foreign substances contained in the air are collected by the filter 19. The air that has passed through the filter 19 flows out from an opening in a rear portion of the filter 19 and then flows into the suction port 14.

Dust Collection Assembly

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, at least a part of the dust collection assembly 4 is disposed forward of the main body assembly 2. The dust collection assembly 4 includes a cyclone housing 30 and a cyclone dust collection unit 40. The cyclone dust collection unit 40 includes a filter unit 50 and a dust cup 42.

The cyclone housing 30 is disposed in parallel with the inlet pipe 34 of the main body housing 5. The cyclone housing 30 is coupled to the body portion 11. An extension pipe (not illustrated) is inserted into an inflow port in a front end portion of the inlet pipe 34. A lock mechanism 36 is provided in the front end portion of the inlet pipe 34. The lock mechanism 36 fixes the inlet pipe 34 and the extension pipe. When the fixing by the lock mechanism 36 is released, the extension pipe is removed from the inlet pipe 34. The extension pipe is attachable to and detachable from the inlet pipe 34.

The cyclone housing 30 is connected to the dust cup 42. A lock portion 44 is provided in a rear end portion of the dust cup 42. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a recess 30R is provided in a part of the cyclone housing 30. The lock portion 44 includes a hook portion hooked on the recess 30R. The lock portion 44 fixes the dust cup 42 and the cyclone housing 30. When the fixing by the lock portion 44 is released, the dust cup 42 is removed from the cyclone housing 30. The dust cup 42 is attachable to and detachable from the cyclone housing 30.

The air flowing through the inlet pipe 34 is converted into a swirl flow by a swirl member (not illustrated) and then flows into the cyclone housing 30. The air flowing into the cyclone housing 30 swirls around the filter unit 50.

Filter Unit

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view illustrating the filter unit 50 according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view of the filter unit 50 according to the embodiment as viewed from the front. FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view illustrating the filter unit 50 according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the filter unit 50 according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating the filter unit 50 according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is an exploded front perspective view illustrating the filter unit 50 according to the embodiment.

The cyclone dust collection unit 40 includes a swirling member (not illustrated) that swirls air, the dust cup 42 into which the air having passed through the swirling member flows through the cyclone housing 30, and the filter unit 50 through which the air flowing out from the dust cup 42 passes.

The dust cup 42 is attachable to and detachable from the cyclone housing 30. The dust cup 42 has an internal space into which the air from the cyclone housing 30 flows. At least a part of the filter unit 50 is disposed in the internal space of the dust cup 42. The air flowing into the dust cup 42 from the cyclone housing 30 flows from the outside to the inside of the filter unit 50.

The filter unit 50 includes a filter portion 51 and a support member 52 that supports the filter portion 51. At least a part of the filter unit 50 is disposed inside the dust cup 42. At least a part of the filter unit 50 is disposed inside the cyclone housing 30. The internal space of the dust cup 42 and an internal space of the cyclone housing 30 are connected.

The filter portion 51 has a cylindrical shape. A central axis CX of the filter portion 51 extends in the front-rear direction. The filter portion 51 is a mesh filter. The filter portion 51 is made of nylon resin. The filter portion 51 has a plurality of holes through which air passes.

The support member 52 is made of synthetic resin. In the embodiment, the support member 52 is made of ABS resin. The support member 52 includes: a cylindrical portion 52A disposed forward of a front end portion of the filter portion 51; an annular portion 52B disposed rearward of a rear end portion of the filter portion 51; frame portions 52C connecting the cylindrical portion 52A and the annular portion 52B; protruding portions 52D protruding rearward from the annular portion 52B; hook portions 52E protruding rearward from the annular portion 52B; and a dust blocking portion 52F that blocks dust fed toward the filter portion 51. In the embodiment, the cylindrical portion 52A, the annular portion 52B, the frame portions 52C, the protruding portions 52D, the hook portions 52E, and the dust blocking portion 52F are integrated (a single member).

The cylindrical portion 52A has a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical portion 52A is disposed around the central axis CX of the filter portion 51. The central axis of the cylindrical portion 52A and the central axis CX of the filter portion 51 coincide with each other. The cylindrical portion 52A is disposed forward of the front end portion of the filter portion 51. The annular portion 52B has an annular shape. The annular portion 52B is disposed rearward of the rear end portion of the filter portion 51.

The frame portions 52C are disposed so as to connect the cylindrical portion 52A and the annular portion 52B. The frame portions 52C each has a thin plate shape or a rod shape that is long in the front-rear direction. The frame portions 52C are disposed inside the filter portion 51. The frame portions 52C support the filter portion 51. The frame portions 52C are provided at intervals in a circumferential direction of the central axis CX of the filter portion 51. In the embodiment, four frame portions 52C are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the central axis CX of the filter portion 51.

The protruding portions 52D are provided at a rear end portion of the annular portion 52B. Two protruding portions 52D are provided. The hook portions 52E are provided in the rear end portion of the annular portion 52B. At least a part of each of the hook portions 52E is disposed rearward of the protruding portions 52D. In a radial direction of the central axis CX, at least a part of each of the hook portions 52E is disposed outward of the protruding portions 52D. Two hook portions 52E are provided. In a direction of the central axis CX (i.e., the front-rear direction), the protrusion amount of each of the hook portions 52E is larger than the protrusion amount of each of the protruding portions 52D.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the cyclone housing 30, a support plate portion 31 is provided in front of the filter assembly 3. An opening portion 32 is provided in a central portion of the support plate portion 31. A rear end portion of the support member 52 is inserted into the opening portion 32. The filter unit 50 is attachable to and detachable from the support plate portion 31 of the cyclone housing 30.

When the filter unit 50 is rotated in one direction after the protruding portion 52D is inserted into the opening portion 32 from the front of the opening portion 32, the hook portion 52E is fixed to a claw portion provided in the cyclone housing 30. The filter unit 50 and the cyclone housing 30 are fixed by a so-called bayonet connection. When the filter unit 50 is rotated in the other direction, the connection between the filter unit 50 and the cyclone housing 30 is released.

The space inside the filter portion 51 and a space around the filter assembly 3 are connected through the opening portion 32. The fan motor 7A can generate a suction force in the filter portion 51. When the fan motor 7A is driven to generate a suction force in the suction port 14, a suction force is generated in the opening portion 32 through the filter assembly 3 accommodated in the internal space of the cyclone housing 30. When the suction force is generated in the opening portion 32, the space inside the filter portion 51 is in a negative pressure, and the suction force is generated in the filter portion 51. When the space inside the filter portion 51 is in a negative pressure, air flows from a space around the filter portion 51 toward the space inside the filter portion 51.

The dust blocking portion 52F does not allow air to pass therethrough. The dust blocking portion 52F blocks dust fed from the front of the filter portion 51 to the filter portion 51. In the front-rear direction parallel to the central axis of the filter portion 51, the position of the front end portion of the filter portion 51 and the position of a front end portion of the dust blocking portion 52F substantially coincide with each other. The dust blocking portion 52F prevents dust, which exist forward of the filter portion 51 inside the dust cup 42, from being fed to the filter portion 51.

In a side view of the filter portion, the filter portion 51 and at least a part of the dust blocking portion 52F overlap with each other in the front-rear direction parallel to the central axis of the filter portion 51. At least a part of the dust blocking portion 52F is disposed in the space inside filter portion 51. The dust blocking portion 52F enters the space inside the filter portion 51 from a front end portion of each of the frame portions 52C. The dust blocking portion 52F protrudes from the front end portion of the filter portion 51 to the space inside the filter portion 51. The dust blocking portion 52F protrudes from a rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 52A to the space inside the filter portion 51. An outer diameter G of the dust blocking portion 52F is smaller than an inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 52A.

In the embodiment, the outer diameter G of the dust blocking portion 52F decreases rearward from the front end portion of the dust blocking portion 52F. The dust blocking portion 52F has a conical shape (cone shape) whose diameter decreases radially inward toward the rear. In a cross section passing through the central axis CX, the cross section of the dust blocking portion 52F is triangular. The central axis CX of the filter portion 51 passes through an apex 52T of the dust blocking portion 52F.

In the front-rear direction parallel to the central axis of the filter portion 51, a dimension Lb of the dust blocking portion 52F is larger than a half value of a dimension La of the filter portion 51 and is equal to or smaller than the dimension La of the filter portion 51. That is, the dimension Lb is a value more than 50% and 100% or less of the dimension La. In the front-rear direction, the position of the apex 52T is arranged forward of the position of the rear end portion of the filter portion 51.

Usage

Next, a method of using the cleaner 1 will be described. FIG. 12 is a view for describing a method of using the cleaner 1 according to the embodiment. When the drive mode switching button 9A is operated and the fan motor 7A starts rotating, a suction force is generated in the suction port 14. When a suction force is generated in the suction port 14, air flows into an internal flow path of the inlet pipe 34 from the inflow port in the front end portion of the inlet pipe 34. The air flowing through the internal flow path of the inlet pipe 34 passes through the swirling member (not illustrated) and then flows into the internal space of the dust cup 42 through the cyclone housing 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the air flowing into the internal space of the dust cup 42 swirls in the internal space of the dust cup 42. In the dust cup 42, air and dust are separated by centrifugal force. The dust accumulates in a front end portion of the internal space of the dust cup 42. The air separated from the dust flows from the outside to the inside of the filter unit 50. There is a possibility that minute dust is fed to the filter unit 50 together with the air without accumulating in the dust cup 42. The minute dust enters the conical space of the dust blocking portion 52F facing forward. The minute dust is captured by the dust blocking portion 52F. The dust blocking portion 52F prevents the minute dust from being fed to the filter portion 51.

The air flowing into the space inside the filter portion 51 from the space around the filter portion 51 flows out through an opening in the rear end portion of the filter portion 51, passes through the opening portion 32, and then flows into the filter 19 of the filter assembly 3. The filter 19 collects minute dust not collected by the filter portion 51. The air that has passed through the filter 19 flows into an internal space of the main body housing 5 through the suction port 14. The air flowing into the internal space of the main body housing 5 passes through the fan motor 7A and then is discharged from the exhaust port 15 to the external space of the main body housing 5.

In the embodiment, the dust blocking portion 52F has a conical shape. As illustrated in FIG. 12, when a part of the filter portion 51 existing in the same range as the dust blocking portion 52F in the front-rear direction is regarded as an inflow port Fi of air, and a flow path in a range passing through the apex 52T and orthogonal to the central axis CX in the space inside the filter portion 51 is regarded as an outflow port Fo, the area of the outflow port Fo is larger than the area of the inflow port Fi. As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the filter portion 51 has an inner diameter D and a circular constant is π, the area of the outflow port Fo is approximately [(D/2)²×π]. When the dust blocking portion 52F has the dimension Lb in the front-rear direction, the area of the inflow port Fi is approximately [(D×π×Lb)]. Since the dust blocking portion 52F has a conical shape, the area of the outflow port Fo is larger than the area of the inflow port Fi. Since the area of the outflow port Fo is larger than the area of the inflow port Fi, the air flowing into the space inside the filter portion 51 from the space around the filter portion 51 can smoothly flow around the dust blocking portion 52F in the space inside the filter portion 51.

Effects

As described above, in the embodiment, the filter unit 50 includes the filter portion 51 and the dust blocking portion 52F that blocks dust fed to the filter portion 51. In a side view of the filter portion, the filter portion 51 and at least a part of the dust blocking portion 52F overlap with each other.

In the above-described configuration, since the filter portion 51 and at least a part of the dust blocking portion 52F overlap with each other in a side view of the filter portion 51, an increase in length of the filter unit 50 is suppressed. Since an increase in length of the filter unit 50 is suppressed, an increase in length of the dust cup 42 is suppressed. Since an increase in length of the dust cup 42 is suppressed, an increase in length of the cleaner 1 is suppressed.

In the internal space of the dust cup 42, a space located forward of the front end portion of the filter unit 50 is an accumulation space where dust accumulates. In order to cause dust to accumulate, it is necessary to ensure the volume of the accumulation space. When the filter unit 50 is long in the front-rear direction, it is necessary to increase the length of the dust cup 42 in the front-rear direction so as to secure the accumulation space. When the length of the dust cup 42 increases, the length of the cleaner 1 in the front-rear direction may increase. In the embodiment, since an increase in length of the dust cup 42 is suppressed, an increase in length of the cleaner 1 is suppressed. In addition, since the filter unit 50 is shortened, when the length of the dust cup 42 is allowed to be increased, the volume of the accumulation space can be increased.

In the embodiment, the filter portion 51 has a cylindrical shape. At least a part of the dust blocking portion 52F is disposed inside the filter portion 51.

In the above-described configuration, since at least a part of the dust blocking portion 52F is disposed inside the cylindrical filter portion 51, the filter portion 51 and at least a part of the dust blocking portion 52F overlap with each other in a side view of the filter portion. Since at least a part of the dust blocking portion 52F is disposed inside the cylindrical filter portion 51, an increase in size of the filter unit 50 is suppressed.

In the embodiment, the dust blocking portion 52F blocks dust fed from the front of the filter portion 51 to the filter portion 51. The dust blocking portion 52F protrudes from the front end portion of the filter portion 51 to the inside the filter portion 51.

In the above-described configuration, since the dust blocking portion 52F blocks dust fed from the front of the filter portion 51, feeding of dust to the filter portion 51 is suppressed.

In the embodiment, the outer diameter of the dust blocking portion 52F decreases rearward from the front end portion of the dust blocking portion 52F.

In the above-described configuration, air can smoothly flow around the dust blocking portion 52F.

In the embodiment, the dust blocking portion 52F has a conical shape. The central axis CX of the filter portion 51 passes through the apex of the dust blocking portion 52F.

In the above-described configuration, air can smoothly flow around the dust blocking portion 52F.

In the embodiment, in a direction parallel to the central axis CX of the filter portion 51, the dimension Lb of the dust blocking portion 52F is larger than the half value of the dimension La of the filter portion 51 and is equal to or smaller than the dimension La of the filter portion 51.

In the above-described configuration, the dust blocking portion 52F can sufficiently catch dust fed from the front of the filter portion 51.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same or equivalent components as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the components is simplified or omitted.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view illustrating a cleaner 101 according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the cleaner 101 according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a sectional view illustrating the cleaner 101 according to the embodiment.

The cleaner 101 includes a cyclone dust collection unit 140. The cyclone dust collection unit 140 includes the filter unit 50 and a dust cup 142. The front end portion of the inlet pipe 34 is inclined downward toward the rear. In the embodiment, a front surface of the dust cup 142 is inclined downward toward the rear.

The rotation axis AX of the fan motor 7A and the central axis CX of the filter unit 50 are parallel to each other. The rotation axis AX and the central axis CX extend in the front-rear direction. As illustrated in FIG. 15, an angle θa defined by an axis parallel to the rotation axis AX and a front end surface of the inlet pipe 34 is larger than an angle θb defined by an axis parallel to the rotation axis AX and a front end surface of the dust cup 142. The rotation axis AX is disposed upward of the central axis CX. In a left-right direction, the position of the rotation axis AX and the position of the central axis CX are the same. In a cross section passing through the rotation axis AX and the central axis CX, a front end portion of the dust cup 142 is disposed rearward of an extension line Le of the front end surface of the inlet pipe 34.

According to the embodiment, when dust on a cleaning target surface such as a floor surface is sucked by the inlet pipe 34 without inserting the extension pipe into the inlet pipe 34, even if the front end surface of the inlet pipe 34 is brought into contact with the cleaning target surface, hitting of the dust cup 142 against the cleaning target surface is suppressed. Therefore, cleaning operation using the cleaner 101 is smoothly performed.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In the above-described embodiment, the dust blocking portion 52F does not allow air to pass therethrough. The dust blocking portion 52F may be formed of a filter. The dust blocking portion 52F may be formed of a mesh filter having a finer mesh than the filter portion 51.

In the above-described embodiment, the dust blocking portion 52F may be a member different from the support member 52. The frame portions 52C supporting the filter portion 51 and the dust blocking portion 52F may be different members.

In the above-described embodiment, the cleaner 1 is a cyclone cleaner. The cleaner 1 does not have to be a cyclone cleaner.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.