Description
Title of Invention:
Air Suction/Injection Device and Vacuum Cleaner Comprising the Same
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an air suction/injection device employed in a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner comprising such air suction/injection device  and particularly relates to an air suction/injection device  which is capable of injecting air by utilizing suction of air created by a vacuum cleaner and is also capable of switching between suction and an injection of air  and to a vacuum cleaner comprising the same.
Background Art
[0002] General vacuum cleaners involve a function for suctioning air to suction dusts together with air (hereinafter referred to as "vacuum function")  and in recent years  new configurations of vacuum cleaners involving a function for injecting air to blow dusts off (hereinafter referred to as "blower function") are proposed. When the vacuum cleaner comprises the blower function  it is possible to sweep dusts present in a location that is difficult to see by a user (a back side  a top surface and the like of an installed furniture) or in a high location viewed by a user (a top surface of the above-described furniture  a hood of a lighting device  a ceiling and the like).
[0003] A technology of utilizing exhaust air is conventionally known as a specific blower function. Even though the exhaust air is an airflow which has passed through a dust chamber of the vacuum cleaner  such exhaust air is provided as a clean airflow in the practical blower function. However  users tend to have images as insanitation  in view of utilizing the exhaust air. Further  when the blower function has a configuration of utilizing a suction hose or an extension tube or the like  it is suspected that minute amount of dusts adhered to the interior thereof are blown out  and therefore users also tend to have images as insanitation. Thus  blower functions  which do not utilize exhaust air  are recently proposed.
[0004] For example  Patent Literature 1 discloses an air suction/injection device comprising a suction fan actuated by a suction force  an injection fan generating an injection force  and a power transmission means which transmits the power of the above-described suction fan to the above-described injection fan. According to such configuration  the injection fan can be rotated by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner by only connecting the air suction/injection device to the suction hose. Hence  the blower function  which does not utilize exhaust air  can be additionally utilized  regardless of the type of the vacuum cleaner.
[0005] Further  Patent Literature 2 discloses a suction tool for a vacuum cleaner configured to comprise a pressure generator section  which is capable of forcing air into an injection nozzle provided in a suction port. Such a suction tool injects compressed air created in the pressure generator section such as an air pump and the like from the injection nozzle  so that dusts adhered to the surface to be cleaned or accumulated in a corner of a concave and convex section are blown out and then are suctioned. Hence  the blower function without utilizing the exhaust air can be achieved and the dusts blown out by the blower function can be rapidly suctioned  such that the dust collection with higher efficiency can be realized.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2000-217746
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2001-321305
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0007] However  since the aforementioned conventional technology cannot provide easy switching of the timing between the injection and the suction of the air with a simple configuration  sufficient contribution of the blower function to the cleanup work of the vacuum cleaner cannot be achieved.
[0008] More specifically  the situations  in which the blower function can be preferably employed  include not only: the above-described situation (1) cleaning a location that is difficult to see by a user or a high location; or situation (2) sweeping dusts adhered to the surface to be cleaned or accumulated in a corner of a concave and convex section  but also situation (3) cleaning objects  on which there is a fear to cause a damage  an unwanted movement  a misoperation  or an erroneous suction when the suction port approaches thereto. However  since the switching between the blower function and the vacuum function is difficult in the conventional technology  such technology cannot sufficiently address the various situations as described above.
[0009] For instance  examples of the aforementioned situation (3) typically include: ornaments such as artificial flowers and the like  which may be possibly broken by applying the suction; wall-hanged picture frames or clocks  which may be inclined when they are directly touched for the cleanup; telephones  facsimile machines or keyboards of personal computers  which may possibly be misoperated due to the approach of the suction port; or inside of drawers containing small articles  which may possibly be erroneously suctioned  and the like  and when the cleanup of these objects are conducted  the damage  the movement or the erroneous suction as described above may be possibly caused only by the use of the ordinary suction.
[0010] Here  while dusts can be blown out from the object through the pneumatic injection by employing the conventional blower function  such simple blowing out may possibly cause a broad scatter of the dusts. In particular  in the room with higher air tightness  the simple use of the blower function results in only dispersing the dusts  which eventually leads to broadening the area for removing dusts by suctioning. Further  since no particular disclosure related to configurations for switching between the ordinary vacuum function and the blower function is made in the related art  it is difficult to provide an easy switching between the vacuum function and the blower function in accordance with the various situations such as the above-described situations (1) to (3) with a simple configuration.
[0011] The present invention is made in order to solve the problem described above 
and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology  which is capable of easily switching between the vacuum function and the blower function of the vacuum cleaner with a simple configuration  and is also capable of effectively utilizing the blower function even in the various situations.
Solution to Problem
[0012] To solve the above mentioned problems  according to the present invention  there is provided an air suction/injection device which connects to a front end of a suction hose included in a vacuum cleaner  the air suction/injection device comprising: a tube-like main body  one end of the main body serving as a rear end opening section connected to the front end of the suction hose and the other end thereof serving as a front end opening section  and an interior of the main body forming a main passage of air; an injection passage section having an injecting air inlet for introducing air from outside and an injection outlet for injecting the introduced air to the outside  an interior of the injection passage section forming a sub-passage from the injecting air inlet to the injection outlet; a power fan provided in the interior of the main body and being rotated by a suctioned airstream created in the main passage by means of suction of air through the suction hose; an injection fan provided in an interior of the injection passage section and rotates in conjunction with the power fan to create an injecting airstream from the injecting air inlet toward the injection outlet in the sub-passage; and an injection switching section for permitting or limiting injection of the injecting airstream from the injection outlet to the outside.
[0013] According to the above-described configuration  it achieves not only that the injecting airstream can be created in the sub-passage without employing a configuration that requires a specific power source  but also that the injection of the injecting airstream from the injection outlet can be permitted and blocked by the injection switching section. Hence  it achieves not only that the injecting airstream can be easily injected from the front end of the suction nozzle in the use of the vacuum cleaner without adopting complicated configurations  but also that switching between the suction (vacuum function) and the injection (blower function) of air can be easily achieved by substantially the action of the injection switching section. This results in that the switching between the blower function and the vacuum function in the vacuum cleaner can be easily achieved with a simple configuration  and in addition  the blower function can be effectively utilized in various conditions.
[0014] In the above-described air suction/injection device  the injection switching section may be a passage switching section for switching between connecting of and blocking of the sub-passage to the injection outlet.
[0015] According to the above-described configuration  the sub-passage  which leads to the injection outlet  is connected or blocked to achieve permission or blocking of the flow of the injecting airstream from the sub-passage to the front end opening section. This allows easy switching between the suction (vacuum function) and the injection (blower function) of air to further considerably improve the operability.
[0016] In the above-described air suction/injection device  the injection switching section may be a passage open-close section for opening or blocking the main passage or the sub-passage at a location upstream of the power fan or the injection fan  in a flow direction of the suctioned airstream.
[0017] According to the above-described configuration  the permission or the blocking of the flow of the injecting airstream from the sub-passage to the injection outlet is achieved by opening and closing the main passage or the sub-passage. This allows easy switching between the suction (vacuum function) and the injection (blower function) of air to further considerably improve the operability.
[0018] In the above-described air suction/injection device  it may further comprises a power fan housing section provided in the main passage in the main body  for housing the power fan therein  and the power fan housing section may include a inner suction inlet facing to the main passage and a suctioned air introduction inlet for introducing air from the outside.
[0019] According to the above-described configuration  air can be taken from the suctioned air introduction inlet to the power fan housing section while the power fan is protected with the power fan housing section  so that the reduction in the pressure due to the main passage directly affects the interior of the power fan housing section to reduce the pressure therein  so that a large quantity of the suctioned airstream is created from the suction air inlet toward the inner suction inlet. This allows rotating the power fan at an elevated rate  so that the injecting airstream with higher flow velocity can be created by means of the injection fan.
[0020] In the above-described air suction/injection device  it may further comprise an air introduction cover member for closing at least a portion of a passage of air from the suctioned air introduction inlet to the main passage in openable and closable manner.
[0021] According to the above-described configuration  the air introduction cover member is opened only when the injecting airstream is created and the air introduction cover member is closed when the injecting airstream is not created  so that a fear for decreasing the flow velocity of the suctioned airstream can be avoided.
[0022] In the above-described air suction/injection device  the injection passage section may be provided in the main body so that the sub-passage in the injection passage section is joined to the main passage in the main body  and the front end opening section in the main body may serve as the injection outlet in the injection passage section  and the passage switching section may be provided in a section where the main passage is joined to the sub-passage and may be a valve member for changing its position so as to close one of the main passage and the sub-passage.
[0023] According to the above-described configuration  one of the main passage and the sub-passage is closed by switching the valve member to connect the aforementioned one of these passages to the front end opening section. Hence  when the main passage is closed  the sub-passage leads to the front end opening section so that the injecting airstream can be injected from the front end opening section  and when the sub-passage is closed  the suctioned airstream can be created in the main passage from the front end opening section toward the rear end opening section. Accordingly  the switching between the blower function and the vacuum function in the vacuum cleaner can be easily achieved with a simple configuration simply by the switching of the valve member.
[0024] In the above-described air suction/injection device  the injection passage section may be provided in the main body so that the sub-passage in the injection passage section reaches the front end opening section along the main passage inside of the main body  and the passage open-close section may be a valve member for blocking only the main passage.
[0025] According to the above-described configuration  the sub-passage directly leads to the front end opening section  so that the injecting airstream can be injected from the front end opening section without particularly switching the passage and the suctioned airstream can be created in the main passage by opening the valve member. Accordingly  the switching between the blower function and the vacuum function in the vacuum cleaner can be easily achieved with a simple configuration simply by the opening and closing the closing valve member.
[0026] In the above-described air suction/injection device  it may further comprise a lever member provided outside of the main body  the lever member being operative in response to a positional change of the valve member.
[0027] According to the above-described configuration  switching of the valve member provided inside of the main body can be achieved by operating the lever member provided outside of the main body. Hence  the switching between the blower function and the vacuum function in the vacuum cleaner can be easily achieved with a simple configuration.
[0028] In the above-described air suction/injection device  the front end opening section may be provided in the main body as a turnable opening section  which is a separate member turnable in a circumference direction thereof  an interior of the turnable opening section being provided with a through hole and a closed hole  the closed hole being adjacent to the through hole and having one open end that leads to the main body and the other closed end  and the injection passage section may be provided in the main body so that the main passage is adjacent to the sub-passage in an end leading to the turnable opening section of the main body  and the through hole of the turnable opening section may serve as the injection outlet in the injection passage section  and the turnable opening section may connect the closed hole to one of the main passage and the sub-passage  and the turnable opening section may be turned so as to connect the through hole to the other of the main passage and the sub-passage  so that it functions as the passage switching section.
[0029] According to the above-described configuration  the closed hole can be connected to the main passage or the sub-passage by turning the turnable opening section to close one of these passages  so that switching of the connection and the blocking of the sub-passage can be achieved. Hence  the switching between the blower function and the vacuum function in the vacuum cleaner can be easily achieved with a simple configuration.
[0030] In the above-described air suction/injection device  the injection passage section and the power fan housing section may be cylindrical housing for fan section such that the injection passage section and the power fan housing section are integrated together in a state in which the injection fan and the power fan are internally housed  respectively  and may be rotatably provided to the main body  the housing for fan section may be inserted in the main body in a location between the front end opening section and the rear end opening section along a direction for intersecting with the tube axis of the main body  and at least a portion of an outer circumference thereof may face to the main passage of the main body  the injecting air inlet may be provided in a location in a top surface of the housing for fan section and at the outside of the main body  and an injection outlet may be provided in a part of the outer circumference of the housing for fan section to form the sub-passage between the injecting air inlet and the injection outlet  and the housing for fan section may function as the injection switching section  by turning the housing for fan section to change the position of the injection outlet.
[0031] According to the above-described configuration  the connection or the blocking of the sub-passage configured inside of the housing for fan section with the front end opening section can be achieved by turning the housing for fan section to change the position of the injection outlet. Hence  the creation and the stopping of the injecting airstream can be achieved simply by turning the housing for fan section  so that the switching between the blower function and the vacuum function in the vacuum cleaner can be easily achieved with a simple configuration.
[0032] In the above-described air suction/injection device  the injection passage section may be provided to be inserted in the main body so as to position the sub-passage along the main passage inside of the main body  and the suctioned air introduction inlet may be provided at a location facing to the outside of the main body in the suctioned airstream  and it may comprise a passage open-close section serving as the injection switching section for closing at least a part of the passage of air from the suctioned air introduction inlet to the main passage in openable and closable manner.
[0033] According to the above-described configuration  the main passage and the sub-passage are provided in the interior of the main body  and at least a portion of the passage of air from the suctioned air introduction inlet to the above-described main passage is closed by the passage open-close section in openable and closable manner. Hence  when the above-described passage is closed with the passage open-close section  no air is introduced into the sub-passage  so that only the suctioned airstream is created in the main passage. On the other hand  when the passage open-close section is opened  air is introduced into the sub-passage  so that the injecting airstream is substantially created. The injecting airstream can be formed or be stopped in this way by opening and closing the passage open-close section  so that switching between the blower function and the vacuum function in the vacuum cleaner can be easily achieved with a simple configuration.
[0034] In the above-described air suction/injection device  it may further comprise a suction nozzle detachably provided in the front end opening section.
[0035] According to the above-described configuration  the suction nozzle is detachable  so that the suction nozzle having appropriate configuration can be selectively employed according to the conditions of the cleanup  the objects of the cleanup or the locations of the cleanup.
[0036] In the above-described air suction/injection device  it may further comprise a liquid spray section including a liquid storage tank and a spray nozzle for spraying liquid stored in the liquid storage tank  and the liquid spray section may be detachably provided in the injection outlet.
[0037] According to the above-described configuration  the liquid spray section may be mounted to the front end opening section in the present embodiment  so that liquid can be sprayed by using the injecting airstream. Hence  the variation of the cleanup can be broadened.
[0038] In the above-described air suction/injection device  the front end opening section may be configured as a front end nozzle section at a front end side  the front end nozzle section having a shape in which a cross sectional area is gradually reduced toward the front end. This allows utilizing the air suction/injection device itself as the suction nozzle.
[0039] In the above-described air suction/injection device  an injection opening regulation member for adjusting the momentum of the injecting airstream may be provided inside of the front end nozzle section.
[0040] When the configuration functioning as both of the suction port and the injection outlet is employed according to the above-described configuration  if the injection opening regulation member is not actuated at the time of vacuum  the vacuum process can be conducted through an original dimensional area of the opening of the suction port  and if the injection opening regulation member is actuated at the time of blower  the dimensional area of the opening of the injection outlet (namely  suction port) can be reduced to achieve enhanced flow velocity of the injecting air stream.
[0041] The present invention may also includes a vacuum cleaner  comprising one of the aforementioned air suction/injection devices  and a suction hose provided with the air suction/injection device. In vacuum cleaner according to the present invention  the air suction/injection device may be connected to the suction hose  and preferably  may be detachably connected to the suction hose.
[0042] The above-described objects  the other objects  the characteristic and the benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings.
Advantageous Effects of the Invention
[0043] As described above  the present invention provides benefits for providing a technology  which is capable of easily switching between the vacuum function and the blower function of the vacuum cleaner with a simple configuration  and is also capable of effectively utilizing the blower function even in the various situations.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0044] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a vacuum cleaner comprising an air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a side view  illustrating an example of an air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a perspective view  illustrating an example of a condition of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 2 provided with a suction nozzle mounted thereon.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a side view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 3  illustrating an example of a condition at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream).
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 4  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a side view  illustrating an example of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 3 in a condition of being mounted to a handy operation section (suction hose) equipped in the vacuum cleaner.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a side view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 3  illustrating an example in a condition at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream).
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 7  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 8  illustrating an example of a condition in a suction chamber at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream) viewed from the lower side ( direction of arrow-view line I in Fig. 8).
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 3  illustrating an example of a condition  in which a front end brush included in the suction nozzle is protruded.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 2  illustrating an example of a condition  in which a suction nozzle having other structure is mounted thereto.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a side view  illustrating an example of an air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 12  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a side view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 12  illustrating an example in a condition at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream).
[Fig. 15] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 14  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a side view  illustrating an example of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 11 in a condition of being mounted to a lower section of a handy operation section equipped in the vacuum cleaner.
[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 18] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 17  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a perspective view  illustrating an example of an air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[Fig. 20] Fig. 20 is a side view  illustrating an example in a condition  in which a suction nozzle is mounted to the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 19 and in a condition at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream).
[Fig. 21] Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 20  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 22] Fig. 22 is a side view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 19  illustrating an example in a condition at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream).
[Fig. 23] Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 22  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 24] Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 19  illustrating an example of a condition  in which a suction nozzle having other structure is mounted thereto.
[Fig. 25] Fig. 25 is a side view of an air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention  illustrating an example of a condition  in which a liquid spray section is mounted thereto.
[Fig. 26] Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 25  illustrating an example in a condition at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream and thus in the spraying of liquid) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 27] Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view of an air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 28] Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 27  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 29] Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 27  illustrating another example of the internal configuration at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 30] Fig. 30 is a partial cross-sectional view of an air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream) viewed from the lateral side.
[Fig. 31] Fig. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 30  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream) viewed from the upper side (direction of arrow-view line II-II in Fig. 30).
[Fig. 32] Fig. 32 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 30  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream) viewed from the upper side (direction of arrow-view line III-III in Fig. 30).
[Fig. 33] Fig. 33 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 30  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream) viewed from the lower side.
[Fig. 34] Fig. 34 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 30  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream).
[Fig. 35] Fig. 35 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 34  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream) viewed from the upper side (direction of arrow-view line IV-IV in Fig. 34).
[Fig. 36] Fig. 36 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 34  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream) viewed from the upper side (direction of arrow-view line V-V in Fig. 34).
[Fig. 37] Fig. 37 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 34  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream) viewed from the lower side.
[Fig. 38] Fig. 38 is a perspective view  illustrating an example of an air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention  including an example of the internal configuration thereof.
[Fig. 39] Fig. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 38  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream) viewed from the upper side (direction of arrow-view line VII-VII in Fig. 40).
[Fig. 40] Fig. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 38  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of vacuum (in formation of suctioned airstream) viewed from the lateral side (direction of arrow-view line VI-VI in Fig. 39).
[Fig. 41] Fig. 41 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 38  illustrating an example of the internal configuration at the time of blower (in formation of injecting airstream) viewed from the lateral side (direction of arrow-view line VI-VI in Fig. 39).
[Fig. 42] Fig. 42 is a perspective view  illustrating a modified Embodiment based on the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 38.
[Fig. 43] Fig. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 42  illustrating an example of the internal configuration viewed from the upper side (direction of arrow-view line IX-IX in Fig. 44).
[Fig. 44] Fig. 44 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air suction/injection device shown in Fig. 42  illustrating an example of the internal configuration viewed from the lateral side (direction of arrow-view line VIII-VIII in Fig. 42).
Reference Citation Lists
[0045] 10A to 10G air suction/injection device
27 liquid spray section
111 to 171 main body
111a  141a front end opening section
111b to 171 b rear end opening section
112 to 172 injection passage section
112a to 172a injecting air inlet
113 to 143 lever member
113c  123c  143c air introduction cover member
114a to 164a injection fan
114b to 164b power fan
114c to 164c fan rotating shaft
115 to 175 suction chamber (power fan housing section)
115a to 175a inner suction inlet (inner suction port)
115b  125b  145b  175b suctioned air introduction inlet
116  126  146 passage switching section (valve member)
121a  131a  161a  171a front end nozzle section (front end opening section)
121f injection opening regulation plate (injection opening regulation member)
136 passage open-close section
151h bearing section
152c bearing section
155c inner suction cover member
156 turnable opening section (passage switching section)
156a through hole
156b closed hole
165b suctioned air introduction inner inlet
165c suctioned air introduction outer inlet
167 housing for fan section (injection switching section  injection passage section  power fan housing section)
173 air introduction cover member (injection switching section  passage open-close section)
174 integrated-type fan section (injection fan  power fan)
175c inner suction cover member (injection switching section  passage open-close section)
177 injection section (injection passage section  power fan housing section)
271 liquid storage tank
Description of Embodiments
[0046] Hereinafter  preferable Embodiments of the present invention will be described in reference to the annexed figures. In the following descriptions  the same reference numerals are assigned to identical or correspondent elements throughout the separate views  and the duplicated descriptions thereof are not presented.
[0047] (Embodiment 1)
[Illustrative Structure of the Vacuum Cleaner]
First of all  an example of a vacuum cleaner comprising an air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be specifically described. As shown in Fig. 1  an air suction/injection device 10A according to the present Embodiment is provided to a typical canister type electric vacuum cleaner 20. More specifically  the canister type vacuum cleaner 20 (hereinafter referred simply to as vacuum cleaner 20) comprises a cleaner main body 21  a suction hose 22  a handy operating section 23  a suction extension tube 24  a suction port member 25  and a suction nozzle 26  and an air suction/injection device 10A.
[0048] The cleaner main body 21 comprises an electric blower 31  a dust collection chamber 32  a wheel 33  and a power cable 34  and one end of the suction hose 22 is detachably connected thereto through a connecting pipe 35. The other end of the suction hose 22 is provided with the handy operating section 23  and one end of the suction extension tube 24 is detachably connected to the front end section of the handy operating section 23. In addition  the suction port member 25 is detachably attached to the other end of the suction extension tube 24. The suction nozzle 26 and the air suction/injection device 10A are also detachably attached to the section under the handy operating section 23  and the suction nozzle 26 and the air suction/injection device 10A are attachable to a front end section of the handy operating section 23  in place of the suction extension tube 24.
[0049] The cleaner main body 21 is provided with the electric blower 31 and the dust collection chamber 32 inside thereof  in which a suction force is generated by an actuation of the electric blower 31 to create a suction force at the suction port of the suction port member 25 through the suction hose 22 and the suction extension tube 24. Further  the power cable 34 is drawably stored inside of the cleaner main body 21. Further  the cleaner main body 21 is configured to have a pair of wheels 33 provided in the both lateral sides for freely moving on the floor surface.
[0050] In the use of the vacuum cleaner 20  the user  at first  draws the power cable 34 from the cleaner main body 21  and a plug for power supply at the front end section is inserted in the power source plug port  and then the cleaner main body 21 is switched on by operating the handy operating section 23. This allows creating the suction force at the suction port of the suction port member 25 by the actuation of the electric blower 31  so that the dusts on the floor surface are suctioned to be collected in the dust collection chamber 32 through the suction extension tube 24  the suction hose 22 and the connecting pipe 35.
[0051] The user holds the handy operating section 23 and moves the location of the suction port member 25 on the floor surface to change a region of the floor surface to be cleaned. When it is intended to change the location to be cleaned  the cleaner main body 21 can travel on the floor surface by means of rotation of the wheels 33 by dragging the suction hose 22. In addition to above  the cleaner main body 21 is also provided with a handle  not shown here  which can be used to lift the cleaner main body 21 to be moved.
[0052] Meanwhile  when it is intended to clean a small region such as a corner of a room  a clearance between furniture and the like  instead of the cleanup of the floor surface  the suction extension tube 24 or the suction port member 25 is removed  and instead  the suction nozzle 26 is attached thereto to conduct the cleanup. In addition  when it is intended to carry out: (1) cleaning a location that is difficult to see by a user or a high location; (2) sweeping dusts adhered to the surface to be cleaned or accumulated in a corner of a concave and convex section; (3) cleaning objects  on which there is a fear to cause a damage  an unwanted movement  a misoperation  or an erroneous suction when the suction port approaches thereto  or the like  the blower function can be preferably employed  in addition to the cleaning by means of the ordinary suction force (cleaning by the vacuum function). Thus  the suction extension tube 24 or the suction port member 25 is removed  and instead  the air suction/injection device 10A is attached  and further  the suction nozzle 26 is attached to the front end section thereof to conduct the cleanup.
[0053] The specific configurations in the vacuum cleaner 20 as shown in Fig. 1  more specifically  the cleaner main body 21  the suction hose 22  the handy operating section 23  the suction extension tube 24  the suction port member 25 and the suction nozzle 26 and the like are not particularly limited to any specific elements  and various types of configurations  which are well known in the field of vacuum cleaner  may be preferably employed.
[0054] [Configuration of Air Suction/Injection Device]
Next  the specific configurations of the air suction/injection device 10A according to the present Embodiment will be described in reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5.
[0055] As shown in the side view of Fig. 2  the air suction/injection device 10A according to the present Embodiment comprises a main body 111  an injection passage section 112  a lever member 113  and in addition  a fan section  a suction chamber and a passage switching section  which are not shown in Fig. 2. Further  as shown in the perspective view of Fig. 3 and the side view of Fig. 4  a suction nozzle 26A including a brush at the front end section can be attached to the air suction/injection device 10A.
[0056] The main body 111 has substantially tube-like form  and the inside thereof forms a main passage of air. The both ends of the main body 111 serve as a front end opening section 111a and a rear end opening section 111b  respectively  and the front end opening section 111a is configured as a substantially tetragonal opening section  which is capable of being attached with the suction nozzle 26A (or  other suction nozzle 26)  and the rear end opening section 111b is configured as a cylindrical opening section  which is capable of being attached with the suction hose 22 (more specifically  handy operating section 23). The front end opening section 111a and the rear end opening section 111b are preferably formed to be tapered. This allows easily mounting and removing the suction nozzle 26A or the suction hose 22 at the outer circumference of the front end opening section 111a or the rear end opening section 111b.
[0057] The injection passage section 112  as shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 4  is provided so as to be integrated with the main body 111 in the positional relation of being inclined to the tube axis direction of the main body 111. The interior of the injection passage section 112 serves as a sub-passage of air  and such a sub-passage is configured to lead to the front end opening section 111a. Further  the injection passage section 112 is provided with an injecting air inlet 112a.
[0058] The air suction/injection device 10A is mounted on the handy operating section 23 at the front end of the suction hose 22 basically in the attitude that the injection passage section 112 is positioned in the upper side. Accordingly  the side where the injection passage section 112 is positioned is referred to as "upper"  and the opposite side is referred to as "lower" in the following descriptions. In addition  the side where the front end opening section 111a is positioned is referred to as "front end  " and the side where rear end opening section 111b is positioned is referred to as "rear end."
[0059] The section of the injection passage section 112 exposed upward from the main body 111 extends  as shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 4  so as to be inclined to the tube axis direction of the main body 111  and the upper surface thereof is provided with a disc-shaped section as shown in Fig. 3  and the injecting air inlet 112a is formed under such a disc shape element. Such an injecting air inlet 112a is an opening to allow the air flow into the inside of the injection passage section 112  namely  the sub-passage.
[0060] In addition  the lower side of the main body 111  namely the position opposite to the injection passage section 112 across the main body 111  is provided with a plurality of suction force-regulation holes 111c along the outer circumference of the main body 111. The suction force-regulation holes 111c serve as taking external air in the main passage from locations other than the front end opening section 111a  in order to avoid creating excessive load to the vacuum cleaner with reduced flow of air below a certain flow velocity by the block of the main passage of the main body 111 due to the intake or the stick of dusts into the front end opening section 111a.
[0061] The lever member 113 is composed of a switching lever 113a  a lever support section 113b and an air introduction cover member 113c. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4  the lever support section 113b is positioned between the switching lever 113a and the air introduction cover member 113c  and such a lever support section 113b serves as a rotary shaft  which is rotatably supported in the condition of extending through the main body 111. In addition  as discussed later  the lever support section 113b is provided with a passage switching section mounted thereto  which allows switching of the passage switching section by operating the switching lever 113a.
[0062] The switching lever 113a is in a frame shape  which is positioned to cover the lower section of the main body 111 as shown in Fig. 3  and the air introduction cover member 113c is in a plate shape  which is capable of closing suctioned air introduction inlets that is provided in the side wall of the main body 111 (not shown in Figs. 2 to 4)  in openable and closable manner. Since the switching lever 113a is biased toward the front end side by an elastic member such as a spring and the like as shown in Fig. 3  the air introduction cover member 113c is positioned basically in the side of the rear end. Since the lever member 113 is rotated around the lever support section 113b as discussed later  the air introduction cover member 113c is moved to side of the front end when the switching lever 113a is moved to the side of the rear end. In such occasion  the suctioned air introduction inlet (not shown in Figs. 2 to 4) closed by the air introduction cover member 113c is opened. In addition  since the switching lever 113a knocks a portion of the surface of the lower side of the main body 111 to be stopped by being moved fully to the side of the rear end  the air introduction cover member 113c is configured not to move to the front end side beyond necessity.
[0063] The suction nozzle 26A mounted to the front end opening section 111a of the main body 111 is composed of a nozzle body 261 and a front end brush 262 as shown in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4. The front end of the nozzle body 261 is provided with a suction port 261a for suctioning dusts as shown in Fig. 3. In addition  the front end brush 262 is folded under the nozzle body 261 in the structure shown in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4  and is capable of being protruded to be positioned in side of the front end of the suction port 261a  as discussed later.
[0064] The interior of the air suction/injection device 10A is provided with  as illustrated in the vertical cross-sectional view of Fig. 5  a main passage 101 composed of the interior of the main body 111  a sub-passage 102 composed of the interior of the injection passage section 112  and the suction chamber 115 facing the main passage 101 in the lower section of the injection passage section 112. The injection passage section 112 and the suction chamber 115 abut each other  and are integrated into one piece  the inside of which is provided with a fan section 114. In other words  the injection passage section 112 and the suction chamber 115 serve as a housing for fan section  and the suction chamber 115 serve as a power fan housing section. In addition  a section of the suction chamber 115 facing the main passage 101 is provided with an inner suction inlet (inner suction port) 115a  and further  is also provided with a suctioned air introduction inlet 115b leading to the outside of the main body 111  as discussed later.
[0065] The fan section 114 is composed of an injection fan 114a positioned in the injection passage section 112  a power fan (a motive fan) 114b positioned in the suction chamber 115  and a fan rotating shaft 114c for rotatably supporting these fans. The injection fan 114a serves as creating injecting airstream that flows toward the front end opening section 111a in the sub-passage 102. The power fan 114b  which shares the fan rotating shaft 114c with the injection fan 114a  is configured of being rotated in conjunction with the injection fan 114a. Here  specific actions of the fan section 114 will be described together with the descriptions of formation of the injecting airstream as discussed later.
[0066] The main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102 are composed of the interiors of the main body 111 and of the injection passage section 112  respectively  as described above  and as shown in Fig. 5  the sub-passage 102 is joined to the main passage 101 in a position thereof in the side of the front end. While the main passage 101 (main body 111) extends in the substantially advancing direction viewed from the front end opening section 111a  the sub-passage 102 is branched on the way of the main passage 101 toward the direction forming acute angle to the main passage 101. Here  such a condition will be expressed in reference to the main body 111 and the injection passage section 112  instead of the expression in reference to the main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102  to present that the injection passage section 112 is provided in the main body 111  so that the sub-passage 102 inside of the injection passage section 112 is joined to the main passage 101 inside of the main body 111. In addition  it can be considered that the sub-passage 102 is joined to the main passage 101  such that the front end opening section 111a in the main body 111 also serves as an injection outlet in the injection passage section 112.
[0067] In addition  the section where the main passage 101 is joined to the sub-passage 102 is provided with a passage switching section 116. While the passage switching section 116 may be configured of switching the connection or the blocking of the sub-passage 102 at least over the front end opening section 111a  it is configured to conduct an alternative switching so that one of the main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102 is connected to the front end opening section 111a in the present Embodiment.
[0068] More specifically  the passage switching section 116 is a substantially plate-shaped valve member as shown in Fig. 5  and an end thereof is fixedly supported by the lever support section 113b. Accordingly  an operation of the switching lever 113a allows the passage switching section 116 flapping in the region of the joined section around the fulcrum of the lever support section 113b. Hence  the flapping angle of the passage switching section 116 can be freely changed by the operation of the switching lever 113a.
[0069] Here  it is assumed that the joined section in the main passage 101 is defined as "main body joined gate 111d" as represented by the region surrounded with dotted line in Fig. 5  and the joined section in the sub-passage 102 is defined as "injection joined gate 112b"  such that the passage switching section 116 of the valve member changes the angle thereof (flaps) so as to shut one of the main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102 by the operation of the switching lever 113a. In addition to above  the configuration shown in Fig. 5 is in the condition  in which the passage switching section 116 closes the injection joined gate 112b.
[0070] In addition  in either of the main body joined gate 111d and the injection joined gate 112b  it is provided with stoppers 111e and 112c  which stop the movement of the passage switching section 116 at a predetermined position in order to avoid a situation where the flapping of the passage switching section 116 is beyond the position corresponding to the closed condition. These stoppers 111e and 112c are composed of protrusions in the inner wall of the main body 111 or the injection passage section 112  and while linear protrusions adapted to the shape of the passage switching section 116 are illustrated in the configuration shown in Fig. 5  it is not limited to such a configuration  and protrusions of other shapes may be also employed.
[0071] Specific configurations of the air suction/injection device 10A and the suction nozzle 26A according to the present Embodiment are not particularly limited  and the main body 111  the injection passage section 112  the lever member 113  the fan section 114  the suction chamber 115 and the passage switching section 116 and the like may also be configured of being produced by employing members  materials  shapes and the like  which are well known in the field of vacuum cleaners or in the general and broader fields of home electric appliances.
[0072] [Action of Air Suction/Injection Device]
Next  actions of the air suction/injection device 10A having the above-described configuration  in particular  details of the function for discharging injecting airstream from the suction port 261a (blower function) and the switching between the blower function and the function for conducting ordinary suction (vacuum function) will be specifically described in reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 10  in addition to Fig. 5.
[0073] First of all  the air suction/injection device 10A may be directly mounted to the handy operating section 23 provided at the front end section of the suction hose 22 to be used  as shown in  for example  Fig. 6. More specifically  the user  starting from the condition that the suction extension tube 24 and the suction port member 25 is mounted to the handy operating section 23 (see Fig. 1)  removes the suction extension tube 24  and uses in the condition that the air suction/injection device 10A is instead mounted. In addition to above  the suction nozzle 26A is mounted to the air suction/injection device 10A (see Fig. 3 to Fig. 5)  and the actions of the air suction/injection device 10A will be described on the basis of such a condition in the following descriptions.
[0074] Next  the ordinary vacuum function will be described. Since the air suction/injection device 10A is in steady state where the switching lever 113a is positioned in the side of the front end as shown in Fig. 5  the passage switching section 116 closes the injection joined gate 112b  and opens the main body joined gate 111d in the joined section of the main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102. Once a suction force is generated by the actuation of the cleaner main body 21 (not shown in Fig. 5)  such a suction force propagates to the main passage 101 and the suction nozzle 26A through the suction hose 22 (not shown in Fig. 5). Hence  as represented by thick line arrows in the diagram  external air is suctioned through the suction port 261a  and suctioned airstream is formed in the main passage 101 from the front end opening section 111a toward the rear end opening section 111b.
[0075] In the next  switching to the blower function will be described. When the user conducts an operation of moving the switching lever 113a toward the side of the rear end as shown in Fig. 7  the air introduction cover member 113c moves to the side of the front end  so that the suctioned air introduction inlet 115b  which has been closed by the air introduction cover member 113c  is opened. Further  the passage switching section 116 moves from the position for closing the injection joined gate 112b to the position for closing the main body joined gate 111d in the joined site between the main passage 101 and sub-passage 102 as shown in Fig. 8. This allows opening the injection joined gate 112b  so that the sub-passage 102 communicates with the front end opening section 111a but the main passage 101 is blocked from the front end opening section 111a. A suction force created in vicinity of the rear end opening section 111b causes the suction of air in the interior of the suction chamber 115 through the inner suction inlet 115a  as illustrated by thick arrows in the diagram.
[0076] At this time  since the opened suctioned air introduction inlet 115b lead to the suction chamber 115 as shown in Fig. 9  which is a view from the direction of arrow I of alternate long and two short dashes line in Fig. 8  the interior of the suction chamber 115 also leads to external atmosphere. Hence  a suctioned airstream is formed through the suctioned air introduction inlet 115b and the suction chamber 115 toward the inner suction inlet 115a. Such a suctioned airstream flows from the rear end opening section 111b through the main passage 101 toward the suction hose 22 (not shown in Fig. 8 or Fig. 9). The interior of the suction chamber 115 is provided with the power fan 114b  and the power fan 114b rotates by the effect of the suctioned airstream. More specifically  if the pressure of the main passage 101 is reduced by the suctioned airstream created in the main passage 101  this also directly reduces the pressure inside of the suction chamber 115 to create a large quantity of suctioned airstream from the suctioned air introduction inlet 115b toward the inner suction inlet 115a. This allows the power fan 114b rotating in the interior of the suction chamber 115.
[0077] Further  since the power fan 114b shares the fan rotating shaft 114c with the injection fan 114a  the injection fan 114a also rotates in association with the rotation of the power fan 114b. Since the injection fan 114a is provided in the injection passage section 112  an injecting airstream is formed in the sub-passage 102  and the injecting airstream flows from the front end opening section 111a into the interior of the suction nozzle 26A  and eventually is injected from the suction port 261a  as illustrated in thick arrows of Fig. 8.
[0078] In addition to above  if the user cancel the condition where the switching lever 113a is moved to side of the rear end  the switching lever 113a moves from the side of the rear end to the side of the front end and returns to the original position. In response to such a situation  the air introduction cover member 113c closes the suctioned air introduction inlet 115b  and the passage switching section 116 moves from a position for opening the injection joined gate 112b to a position for opening the main body joined gate 111d. Hence  the sub-passage 102 is blocked from the front end opening section 111a and the main passage 101 leads to the front end opening section 111a  so that the rotations of the power fan 114b and the injection fan 114a are stopped  and the injecting airstream  which has been injected from the suction port 261a is also stopped. In addition  since the suctioned airstream is formed in the main passage 101  a suction force is created again in the suction port 261a.
[0079] As described above  the present Embodiment allows discharging the injecting airstream from the front end opening section 111a simply by the operation of the switching lever 113a for switching the passage switching section 116. Hence  the injecting airstream can be easily discharged from the front end of the suction nozzle 26A  in the use of the vacuum cleaner 20 without a need for adopting complicated configurations. In addition  it can stop the blower function and to return to the vacuum function by simply returning the switching lever 113a to the original position  so that suitable switching between the vacuum function and the blower function can be achieved according to the operating condition of the vacuum cleaner 20  in addition to providing improved operability.
[0080] If the switching between the vacuum function and the blower function can be easily achieved  dusts accumulated over the object to be cleaned  for example  are blown out by means of the blower function  and then the dusts  which are blown and whirled up  can be rapidly suctioned before being spread throughout the interior of the room by immediately returning to the vacuum function. Such a cleaning method can be preferably utilized in the cases of  for example: (1) cleaning a location that is difficult to see by a user or a high location; (2) sweeping dusts adhered to the surface to be cleaned or accumulated in a corner of a concave and convex section; (3) cleaning objects  on which there is a fear to cause a damage  an unwanted movement  a misoperation  or an erroneous suction when the suction port approaches thereto  or the like.
[0081] In addition  if the momentum of the injecting airstream is constant in the above-described cleanup (3)  injecting airstream is squirted to cause a fear that the dusts scatters beyond necessity  according to the types of the object or the types of the dusts. Here  in the present Embodiment  the passage switching section 116 serving as the valve member is configured to change the angle by the operation of the switching lever 113a so as to open one of the main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102 and close the other. Hence  for example  the switching lever 113a can be held in the middle position without completely reaching to the side of the rear end to simultaneously create the injecting airstream and the suctioned airstream.
[0082] Accordingly  the operating condition of the switching lever 113a can be suitably adjusted to freely change the ratio of the injecting airstream and the suctioned airstream  such that the object can be struck with the preferable flow velocity of the injecting airstream. In addition  the operating condition of the switching lever 113a can be adjusted to achieve a fine adjustment of the flow velocity of the injecting airstream  so that a fine adjustment of the blower function can also be achieved.
[0083] Further  the injection fan 114a  which creates the injecting airstream  is rotated by the power fan 114b  and the power fan 114b is rotated by the suctioned airstream created in the main passage 101. Hence  since the injection fan 114a is rotated by the flow of air running through the main passage 101  it is not necessary to provide a source of actuation utilizing an electric power source. Hence  a simplified configuration of the air suction/injection device 10A can be adopted to avoid an increase in the cost.
[0084] In addition to above  the switching between the vacuum function and the blower function can also be suitably carried out as described above  even in the condition that the front end brush 262 of the suction nozzle 26A is projected so as to be positioned in the side of the front end of the suction port 261a as shown in Fig. 10. More specifically  the switching lever 113a is moved to the side of the rear end to open the suctioned air introduction inlet 115b as shown in Fig. 10  so that air is taken in the suction chamber 115 through the suctioned air introduction inlet 115b to form the suctioned airstream with larger flow velocity from the suctioned air introduction inlet 115b toward the inner suction inlet 115a. This allows rotating the power fan 114b inside of the suction chamber 115 at an elevated rate  so that the injecting airstream with higher flow velocity can be created by means of the injection fan 114a.
[0085] [Modified Embodiment]
While the injection passage section 112 is provided so as to be integrated with the main body 111 in the present Embodiment  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  and the injection passage section 112 may alternatively be provided as an absolutely separated element or separate configuration from the main body 111. More specifically  it is sufficient in the present invention to comprise an injection passage section  which has an air inlet and an injection outlet  and the interior of which forms a sub-passage  integrally with the tubular main body or separately from the tubular main body.
[0086] In addition  while the suction chamber 115 adjacent to the injection passage section 112 is provided in the present Embodiment  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  and the suction chamber 115 may be omitted. While it is  of course  preferable to provide the suction chamber 115  since such a suction chamber involves the function for protecting the power fan 114b in the main passage 101 and the function for successfully creating the suctioned airstream toward the suctioned air introduction inlet 115b  the inside of suction chamber 115 (power fan 114b) and the inner suction inlet 115a  the suction chamber 115 may serve as  for example  ""power fan housing section""  and therefore it may be configured to have a preferable shape to protect the power fan 114b  or it may be configured to have  for example  tubular shape to successfully create the suctioned airstream. Alternatively  in the case of providing no suction chamber 115  the power fan 114b may be provided at least inside of the main body 111  since it is sufficient to rotate the power fan 114b by means of the suctioned airstream created in the above-described main passage by the suction of air through the suction hose.
[0087] In addition  while the injection fan 114a and the power fan 114b included in the fan section 114 are configured to be in conjunction with the common fan rotating shaft 114c in the present Embodiment  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  and for example  a known acceleration and deceleration mechanism may be interposed between the injection fan 114a and the power fan 114b. In particular  the rotating speed per unit time of the injection fan 114a can be increased by interposing the mechanism  which can achieve the acceleration  to allow creating faster injecting airstream.
[0088] In addition  while the present Embodiment employs the suction nozzle 26A having the front end brush 262 serving as the suction nozzle 26 to be mounted to the air suction/injection device 10A  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  and various types of known suction nozzles may also be preferably employed. For example  as shown in Fig. 11  a suction nozzle 26B comprising relatively longer nozzle body 263 may also be employed. Such a suction nozzle 26B may preferably be employed for the cleanup of  for example  a high location or a clearance between furniture or the like. These suction nozzles 26A and 26B may be suitably chosen for the use as required. Further  when it is intended to clean specific objects  to which it is not preferable to be contacted with the dust-covered suction nozzle due to the ordinary cleanup  for example  a top of a desk  a telephone  a facsimile machine  a personal computer or the like  a dedicated suction nozzle may be previously prepared.
[0089] In addition  while the lever member 113 in the present Embodiment comprises the air introduction cover member 113c in addition to the switching lever 113a  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  the air introduction cover member 113c may be omitted  and/or other configuration may be further provided. On the lever member 113  any known configuration may be adopted  provided that it is presented outside of the main body 111 and it is operative in response to a positional change of the passage switching section 116 (valve member).
[0090] In addition  while the air introduction cover member 113c is provided in the lever member 113 in the present Embodiment in order to close the suctioned air introduction inlet 115b  through which air is taken in the suction chamber 115  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  and for example  it may provides  instead of the air introduction cover member 113c  a member for closing the injecting air inlet 112a  through which air is taken in the injection passage section 112.
[0091] In addition  while the front end opening section 111a is configured of a specific shape of substantially tetragonal to allow limiting the type of the attachment available to be mounted in the present Embodiment  it is not necessarily limited to such a specific configuration  and it may be configured of a tapered and substantially cylindrical shape  so that commercially available various types of attachments can be mounted  in addition to the suction nozzles 26A and 26B.
[0092] In addition  while the switching between the main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102 is achieved by means of the passage switching section 116 serving as the valve member in the present Embodiment  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  and it may adopt at least a configuration (injection switching section) for permitting or limiting the injection of the injecting airstream to the outside from the injection outlet (the front end opening section 111a in the present Embodiment). Since the injecting airstream is created by rotating the fan section 114 with the suctioned airstream as described above  substantially no other than the injecting airstream is injected through the front end opening section 111a when the injecting airstream is created  without a need for completely blocking the connection between the main passage 101 and the front end opening section 111a. Hence  a known member or the like  which allows permission or blocking of the injecting airstream  may alternatively be provided in vicinity of the injection joined gate 112b instead of the passage switching section 116  so that an advantageous effect equivalent to that of the present Embodiment can also be obtained.
[0093] In addition  while the canister type vacuum cleaner 20 (see Fig. 1) is exemplified as the typical vacuum cleaner in the present Embodiment  the present invention is  of course  not limited to such a specific configuration  and other canister type cleaner having different configuration from that of the vacuum cleaner 20 may be employed  or an upright-type vacuum cleaner or a handy-type vacuum cleaner may be alternatively employed. Further  while the air suction/injection device 10A according to the present Embodiment is configured to be detachable to the suction hose 22 (handy operating section 23)  it is not limited to such a configuration  and it may alternatively be configured to be integrated with a part of the main body of the suction device such as the suction hose 22 (handy operating section 23) and the like.
[0094] (Embodiment 2)
An air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention has a configuration  which is basically equivalent to that of the air suction/injection device 10A according to the above-described Embodiment 1  except that the following features are considerably different: the front end opening section is in nozzle-like  instead of substantially tetragonal; it is provided with a member for reducing an injection area of the opening as discussed later at the time of blower to provide enhanced flow velocity of the injecting airstream; and a lever lock section for continuing the blower function is provided. The air suction/injection device according to the present Embodiment will be specifically described in reference to Fig. 12 to Fig. 16.
[0095] [Configuration of Air Suction/Injection Device]
First of all  a specific configuration of an air suction/injection device 10B according to the present Embodiment will be described in reference to Fig. 12 to Fig. 15. As shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13  the air suction/injection device 10B according to the present Embodiment comprises a main body 121  an injection passage section 122  a lever member 123  a fan section 124  a suction chamber 125 and a passage switching section 126  and in addition  a lever lock section 127.
[0096] The configuration of the main body 121 is similar to that of the main body 111 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1  and the interior thereof serves as a main passage 101  and the side of the front end thereof has a nozzle-like shape  in which the cross sectional area is decreased as approaching to the front end section  instead of substantially quadrangular prism shape. Such a nozzle-like front end section is referred to as a front end nozzle section 121a. In addition to above  a rear end opening section 121b is similar to the rear end opening section 111b in the aforementioned Embodiment 1. In addition  a plurality of suction force-regulation holes 121c are provided in the lower side of the main body 121.
[0097] The configuration of the injection passage section 122 is also similar to that of the injection passage section 112 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1  and the interior thereof serves as the sub-passage 102  and an injecting air inlet 122a is provided in the upper side. In addition to above  the injecting air inlet 122a is formed as an opening of substantially square shape  unlike the slit-like opening of the injecting air inlet 112a in the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0098] The configuration of the lever member 123 is also configured of a switching lever 123a  a lever support section 123b and an air introduction cover member 123c  similarly as in the lever member 113 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1. The switching lever 123a in the lever member 123 is also capable of moving toward the side of the front end and toward the side of the rear end  and the air suction/injection device 10B is further provided with the lever lock section 127  which is capable of holding the switching lever 123a in a state after it is moved to the side of the rear end. While the lever lock section 127 is composed of a known stopper member  as shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15  it may alternatively be composed of a known lock mechanism and the like.
[0099] As shown in Fig. 13  the interior of the main body 121 is provided with a suction chamber 125  which is adjacent to the lower side of the injection passage section 122 and faces to the main passage 101  and the interiors of the injection passage section 122 and the suction chamber 125 are provided with a fan section 124. In addition  a section of the suction chamber 125 facing to the main passage 101 is provided with an inner suction inlet 125a  and is also provided with a suctioned air introduction inlet 125b  which leads to the outside of the main body 121 and is capable of being opened and closed with the air introduction cover member 123c  as shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15.
[0100] The fan section 124 is also composed an injection fan 124a positioned in the injection passage section 122  a power fan 124b positioned in the suction chamber 125  and a fan rotating shaft 124c for rotatably supporting these fans  similarly as in the fan section 114 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0101] The main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102 are also configured that the sub-passage 102 is joined to the main passage 101 in a position thereof in the side of the front end  similarly as in the air suction/injection device 10A according to the aforementioned Embodiment 1. Then  the section where the main passage 101 is joined to the sub-passage 102 is provided with a passage switching section 126. Such a passage switching section 126 is configured of a substantially plate-shaped valve member  and is also configured to change an angle by means of the operation of the switching lever 123a  similarly as in the passage switching section 116 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0102] Here  since one of the main body joined gate 121d that is the joined section of the main passage 101 and the injection joined gate 122b that is the joined section of the sub-passage 102 are alternatively closed by means of the flapping of the passage switching section 126  the main passage 101 or the sub-passage 102 are configured of providing alternative switching of the connection to the front end nozzle section 121a by means of the passage switching section 126 (and the lever member 123). In addition to above  the main body joined gate 121d and the injection joined gate 122b are provided with stoppers for stopping the movement of the passage switching section 126 at a predetermined position  similarly as the air suction/injection device 10A according to the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0103] In addition  a plate-shaped injection opening regulation plate 121f is presented in the location of the inner surface of the front end nozzle section 121a located in the side of the front end and the lower side viewed from the main body joined gate 121d  as shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 15. The rear end of such an injection opening regulation plate 121f is attached to the lower inner surface of the front end nozzle section 121a by a flapping shaft  and the front end is oriented toward a suction port 121g of the front end nozzle section 121a. Then  the injection opening regulation plate 121f flaps as reference with the flapping shaft of the side of the rear end  so that a cross sectional area of the main passage 101 in the front end nozzle section 121a can be gradually reduced as the aperture is gradually closed.
[0104] In addition to above  while the suction port 121g serves as an opening section for suctioning air from the outside toward the inside  at the time of vacuum  it also serves as an another opening section for injecting air from the inside toward the outside  or in other words  "injection outlet"  at the time of blower. Therefore  a cross sectional area of the main passage 101 in the front end nozzle section 121a will be referred to as an "area of the injection opening" in the following descriptions  for the purpose of indicating the meaning of an area of the opening of the injection outlet.
[0105] In addition  the rear end of the injection opening regulation plate 121f is configured to extend to the side of the rear end beyond the aforementioned flapping shaft  so as to be in contact with the front end of the passage switching section 126 when the passage switching section 126 closes the main body joined gate 121d. Hence  while the injection opening regulation plate 121f is contacted with the lower inner surface of the front end nozzle section 121a when the passage switching section 126 closes the injection joined gate 122b as shown in Fig. 13  the front end of the passage switching section 126 is in contact with the rear end of the injection opening regulation plate 121f once the passage switching section 126 flaps to close the main body joined gate 121d  and then the side of the front end of the injection opening regulation plate 121f is moved toward the upper side by the principle of leverage so that the injection opening regulation plate 121f is inclined  as shown in Fig. 15. Such structural condition presents the condition  in which the injecting airstream proceeds toward the front end nozzle section 121a from the injection passage section 122 (the sub-passage 102). Hence  the area of the injection opening can be reduced by means of the injection opening regulation plate 121f when the injecting airstream is injected from the suction port 121g  thereby increasing the flow velocity of the injecting airstream.
[0106] [Action of the Air Suction/Injection Device]
Next  the action of the air suction/injection device 10B having the above-described structure will be specifically described in reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 15. The following descriptions are also based on the condition  where the air suction/injection device 10B is directly mounted to the handy operating section 23 provided at the front end section of the suction hose 22 for the use (see Fig. 6 and the like)  similarly as in the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0107] First of all  the ordinary vacuum function will be described. Since the air suction/injection device 10B is in steady state  in which the switching lever 123a is positioned in the side of the front end as shown in Fig. 13  the passage switching section 126 closes the injection joined gate 122b  and opens the main body joined gate 121d in the joined section between the main passage 101 and sub-passage 102. Then  the suction force of the vacuum cleaner 20 (not shown in Fig. 13) causes suctioning external air through the suction port 121g as illustrated by thick line arrows in the diagram to create a suctioned airstream in the main passage 101 from the front end nozzle section 121a toward the rear end opening section 121b.
[0108] Next  the switching to the blower function will be described. When the user conducts an operation of moving the switching lever 123a toward the side of the rear end as shown in Fig. 15 (and Fig. 14)  the air introduction cover member 123c moves to the side of the front end  so that the suctioned air introduction inlet 125b  which has been closed by the air introduction cover member 123c  is opened. Further  the passage switching section 126 moves from the position for closing the injection joined gate 122b to the position for closing the main body joined gate 121d in the joined section between the main passage 101 and sub-passage 102. This allows opening the injection joined gate 122b  so that the sub-passage 102 is in communication with the front end nozzle section 121a but the main passage 101 is blocked from front end nozzle section 121a. The suction force created in vicinity of the rear end opening section 121b causes suction of air in the interior of the suction chamber 125 through the inner suction inlet 125a  as illustrated by thick arrows in the diagram.
[0109] At this time  since the opened suctioned air introduction inlet 125b leads to the suction chamber 125  the interior of the suction chamber 125 also leads to external air. Hence  a suctioned airstream is  although it is not shown here  created through the suctioned air introduction inlet 115b and the suction chamber 125 toward the inner suction inlet 115a (see Fig. 9). Such a suctioned airstream flows  as shown in Fig. 15  from the rear end opening section 121b through the main passage 101 toward the suction hose 22 (not shown in Fig.15). The power fan 124b provided in the interior of the suction chamber 125 rotates by the effect of the suctioned airstream  and the injection fan 124a rotates in conjunction with such a rotation. Hence  as illustrated in thick line arrows in Fig. 15  the injecting airstream is formed in the injection passage section 122  namely the sub-passage 102  and the injecting airstream flows to the interior of the front end nozzle section 121a  and eventually is injected from the suction port 121g.
[0110] Further at this time  the passage switching section 126 flaps to close the main body joined gate 121d as described above  to achieve the condition  where the injection opening regulation plate 121f is inclined. Hence  since the area of the injection opening is reduced by means of the injection opening regulation plate 121f  the injecting airstream from the sub-passage 102 is injected through the suction port 121g in the condition of the increased flow velocity. In addition  since the switching lever 123a is locked in the condition to be positioned in the side of the rear end by the lever lock section 127 as shown in Fig. 15 (and Fig. 14)  the injection of the injecting airstream is continued until such a locked condition is released. When the user releases the lock of the switching lever 123a by the lever lock section 127  the switching lever 123a moves from the side of the rear end to the side of the front end and returns to the original position.
[0111] In response to this situation  the air introduction cover member 123c closes the suctioned air introduction inlet 125b  and the passage switching section 126 moves from a position for opening the injection joined gate 122b to a position for opening the main body joined gate 121d  and further  the injection opening regulation plate 121f is returned from the inclined condition to the condition of being in contact with the lower inner surface of the front end nozzle section 121a. Hence  the sub-passage 102 is blocked from the front end nozzle section 121a and the main passage 101 leads to the front end nozzle section 121a  so that the rotations of the power fan 124b and the injection fan 124a are stopped  and the injecting airstream  which has been injected from the suction port 261a  is also stopped. In addition  since a suctioned airstream is formed in the main passage 101  a suction force is created again in the suction port 261a.
[0112] Since the front end opening section forms the front end nozzle section 121a as described above in the present Embodiment  the air suction/injection device 10B may be employed  in place of the general suction nozzle (for example  suction nozzles 26A  26B or the like). Hence  for example  the air suction/injection device 10B may be detachably mounted to the lower side of the handy operating section 23 as shown in Fig. 16  instead of the suction nozzle  and the suction extension tube 24 (not shown in Fig. 16) may be removed from the handy operating section 23 and the air suction/injection device 10B may be attached  when the blower function is required.
[0113] In addition  since the lever lock section 127 is provided in the present Embodiment  the position of the switching lever 123a can be locked at the position of the blower function. Hence  the device can easily keep the blower function and also easily returns to the vacuum function by simply releasing the lock. Further  since the injection opening regulation plate 121f is provided in the interior of the front end nozzle section 121a  the air suction/injection device 10B can be employed as the general suction nozzle at the time of the vacuum  and also can be employed for enhancing the flow velocity of the injecting airstream from the suction port 121g to increase the momentum of the injecting airstream at the time of the blower  by reducing the area of the injection opening.
[0114] In addition to above  while the plate-shaped injection opening regulation plate 121f is used for the member for reducing the area of the injection opening (injection opening regulation member) in the present Embodiment  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  and various types of known members may be employed  provided that the member is capable of reducing the area of the opening of the opening section serving as the "injection outlet" (the suction port 121g in the present Embodiment) in the blower. Further  the injection opening regulation member necessarily may have not only the function for increasing the flow velocity of the injecting airstream to enhance the momentum  but also the function for  inversely  increasing the area of the injection opening to reduce the flow velocity to diminish the momentum. More specifically  members  which can adjust the momentum of the injecting airstream  may be employed for the injection opening regulation member.
[0115] Further  while the injection opening regulation plate 121f in the present Embodiment is configured to be inclined so as to reduce the area of the injection opening by achieving that the front end of the passage switching section 126 is in contact with the rear end of the injection opening regulation plate 121f  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  and it may be alternatively configured to be in conjunction with the action of the lever member 123  or it may be alternatively configured to allow only the change of only an the inclination angle of the injection opening regulation plate 121f without being in conjunction with other members.
[0116] In addition  while no additional member is presented to the front end nozzle section 121a in the present Embodiment  a front end brush 262 or the like  for example  may be additionally included similarly as in the suction nozzles 26A and 26B in the aforementioned Embodiment 1. Further  an extension nozzle conformable to the shape of the front end nozzle section 121a may be attachable.
[0117] (Embodiment 3)
An air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention has a configuration  which is basically equivalent to that of the air suction/injection device 10B according to the above-described Embodiment 2  in which the front end opening section of the main body is the front end nozzle section of the nozzle-like shape  except that the following features are considerably different: the interior of such a front end nozzle section is completely divided into the main passage and the sub-passage; and passage open-close section for opening and closing the main passage is provided as the injection switching section  instead of the above-described passage switching section. The air suction/injection device according to the present Embodiment will be specifically described in reference to Fig. 17 and Fig. 18.
[0118] [Configuration of Air Suction/Injection Device]
First of all  as shown in Fig. 17 and Fig. 18  the air suction/injection device 10C according to the present Embodiment comprises a main body 131  an injection passage section 132  a lever member 133  a fan section 134  a suction chamber 135 and a passage open-close section 136. Similarly as in the main body 121 in the aforementioned Embodiment 2  the main body 131 is configured that a front end nozzle section 131a and a rear end opening section 131b are formed at both ends  respectively  the lower sides of which are provided with a plurality of suction force-regulation holes 131c. In addition  the inside of the main body 131 is provided with a suction chamber 135  which comprises an inner suction inlet 135a and a suctioned air introduction inlet that is not shown here  and the fan section 134 is provided inside of the injection passage section 132 and the inside of the suction chamber 135.
[0119] The injection passage section 132 is provided with an injecting air inlet 132a  similarly as in the injection passage section 122 in the aforementioned Embodiment 2. In addition  the lever member 133 is composed of a switching lever 133a  a lever support section 133b and an air introduction cover member that is not shown  similarly as in the lever member 123 in the aforementioned Embodiment 2. In addition  the fan section 134 is composed of an injection fan 134a  a power fan 134b and a fan rotating shaft 134c  similarly as in the fan section 124 in the aforementioned Embodiment 2.
[0120] Here  each of the main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102 provided inside of the air suction/injection device 10C is completely separated from each other  unlike the air suction/injection device 10A according to the aforementioned Embodiment 1 or unlike the air suction/injection device 10B according to the aforementioned Embodiment 2. Thus  there is no section for joining these passages  and there is no opening equivalent to the injection joined gate 122b in the aforementioned Embodiment 2  and instead  an injection outlet 132b is provided in the front end of the front end nozzle section 131a. On the other hand  an opening equivalent to the main body joined gate 121d in the aforementioned Embodiment 2 is provided as a main body open-close gate 131d.
[0121] Such a main body open-close gate 131d may be provided in the side of the rear end beyond the suction port 131g positioned in the front end of the front end nozzle section 131a  and further  a passage open-close section 136 having similar configuration of the passage switching section 126 in the aforementioned Embodiment 2 is provided in order to open and close the main body open-close gate 131d. Such passage open-close section 136 serves as switching between the creation of the suctioned airstream and the creation of the injecting airstream in the front end nozzle section 131a by opening and blocking only the main passage 101.
[0122] [Action of the Air Suction/Injection Device]
Next  the action of the air suction/injection device 10C having the above-described structure will be specifically described. First of all  the ordinary vacuum function will be described that  since the air suction/injection device 10C is in steady state  which the switching lever 133a is positioned in the side of the front end as shown in Fig. 17  the passage open-close section 136 is in contact with the upper inner surface of the injection passage section 132 to open the main body open-close gate 131d. Then  the suction force of the vacuum cleaner 20 (not shown in Fig. 17) causes suctioning external air through the suction port 131g as illustrated by thick line arrows in the diagram to create a suctioned airstream in the main passage 101 from the front end nozzle section 131a toward the rear end opening section 131b.
[0123] Next  the switching to the blower function will be described. When the user conducts an operation of moving the switching lever 133a toward the side of the rear end as shown in Fig. 18  a suctioned air introduction inlet that is not shown is opened  and the passage open-close section 136 moves from the condition of being in contact with the inner surface of the injection passage section 132 to the position for closing the main body open-close gate 131d. This allows blocking the main passage 101 and the suction force in the main passage 101 causes suction of air in the interior of the suction chamber 135 through the inner suction inlet 135a.
[0124] As described above  since the suction chamber 135 leads to external air through a suctioned air introduction inlet that is not shown  a suctioned airstream is created toward the suctioned air introduction inlet  the suction chamber 135 and the inner suction inlet 135a. Therefore  the power fan 134b provided in the interior of the suction chamber 125 rotates by the effect of the suctioned airstream  and the injection fan 134a rotates in conjunction with such a rotation. This allows  as illustrated in thick line arrows in the diagram  that the injecting airstream is formed in the injection passage section 132  namely in the sub-passage 102  and the injecting airstream is injected only from the injection outlet 132b located at the front end of the front end nozzle section 131a and the front end of the injection passage section 132.
[0125] Then  if the user cancels the condition where the switching lever 133a is moved to the side of the rear end  the passage open-close section 136 opens the main body open-close gate 131d  and the suctioned air introduction inlet that is not shown is closed by the air introduction cover member that is not shown. Hence  the suctioned airstream  which was created toward the suctioned air introduction inlet  the suction chamber 135 and the inner suction inlet 135a  dissipates  and rotations of the power fan 134b and the injection fan 134a are stopped  and the injecting airstream injected through the injection outlet 132b is also stopped. In addition  since the suctioned airstream is formed in the main passage 101  a suction force is created again at the suction port 131g.
[0126] As described above  since the injection passage section 132 is directly connected to the front end nozzle section 131a in the present Embodiment  the injecting airstream can be discharged from the front end nozzle section 131a without particularly conducting a switching  and the suctioned airstream can be created in the main passage 101 by opening the main body open-close gate 131d with the passage open-close section 136. Accordingly  switching between the blower function and the vacuum function in the vacuum cleaner can be easily achieved with a simple configuration simply by the open and the close of the passage open-close section 136 serving as a shut-off valve member.
[0127] Here  the area of the opening in the suction port 131g and the injection outlet 132b is not particularly limited  and it may have a certain area ratio  which can effectively achieve the blower function and the vacuum function. An example is a configuration  in which the suction port 131g has an area of the opening that is equivalent to the opening area of the general suction nozzle  and an area of the opening of the injection outlet 132b is reduced. Since such a configuration allows easy suction of the dusts from the suction port 131g at the time of vacuum  similar convenience as obtained by the use of the general suction nozzle can be obtained  and at the time of blower  the injecting airstream can be injected through the opening having smaller area so that the flow velocity of the injecting airstream can be enhanced.
[0128] In addition  the suctioned airstream and the injecting airstream flow through completely different passages (main passage 101 and sub-passage 102) in the present Embodiment  the fear for injecting the dusts  which have been stuck to the inner wall of the main passage 101 at the vacuum  from the sub-passage 102 at the time of blower  is completely avoided. Hence  further cleaner injecting airstream from the injection outlet 132b can be injected.
[0129] While the positions of the main body open-close gate 131d and the passage open-close section 136 are substantially equivalent to the position of the joined position of the main passage 101 with the sub-passage 102 since the basic configuration of the air suction/injection device 10C in the present Embodiment is similar to the basic configuration of the air suction/injection device 10B according to the aforementioned Embodiment 2  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  and it is needless to point out that the main body open-close gate 131d and the passage open-close section 136 can be disposed at any of the positions  provided that at least the pressure inside of the suction chamber 135 can be reduced by closing the main body open-close gate 131d.
[0130] (Embodiment 4)
An air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention has a configuration  which is basically equivalent to that of the air suction/injection device 10A according to the above-described Embodiment 1  except that the following features are different: the front end opening section of the main body has a shape  which is suitable for being fitted with an attachment such as a suction nozzle and the like in the internal circumference thereof and not on the outer circumference thereof; and the front end opening section is cylindrical. The air suction/injection device according to the present Embodiment will be specifically described in reference to Fig. 19 to Fig. 24.
[0131] [Configuration of Air Suction/Injection Device]
First of all  a specific configuration of an air suction/injection device according to the present Embodiment will be described in reference to Fig. 19 to Fig. 23. The air suction/injection device 10D according to the present Embodiment comprises  similarly as in the air suction/injection device 10A according to the aforementioned Embodiment 1  a main body 141  an injection passage section 142  a lever member 143  a fan section 144  a suction chamber 145 and a passage switching section 146.
[0132] The configuration of the main body 141 is similar to that of the main body 111 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1  and the interior thereof serves as a main passage 101  and the front end opening section 141a located in the side of the front end has also substantially cylindrical shape. However  the front end opening section 141a is configured that an attachment such as a suction nozzle 26A and the like is fitted in the internal circumference of the front end opening section 141a  and not on the outer circumference  unlike the front end opening section 111a in the aforementioned Embodiment 1. Accordingly  as shown in Fig. 19  the outer shape of the front end opening section 141a has a dimension larger than that of the outer shape of the main body 141. In addition to above  a rear end opening section 141b is similar to the rear end opening section 111b in the aforementioned Embodiment 1. In addition  a plurality of suction force regulation holes 141c are provided in the lower side of the main body 141.
[0133] Here  as shown in Fig. 19  the front end opening section 141a having relatively large diameter is configured to be supported from the side of the rear end by the injection passage section 142  which is provided to protrude toward the upside of the main body 141. More specifically  the section of the front end opening section 141a disposed in the side of the rear end and being hung out from the main body 141  is supported in an integrated form with the upper surface of the injection passage section 142. Since the front end opening section 141a is configured to be fitted with an attachment in the internal circumference as described above  even relatively heavier attachment can also be sufficiently supported without being dropped off. In addition to above  the suction nozzle 26C is attached to the front end opening section 141a in the present Embodiment  similarly as in the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0134] In addition  the interior of the main body 141 is provided with a suction chamber 145 having an inner suction inlet 145a and a suctioned air introduction inlet 145b  and the interiors of the injection passage section 142 and the suction chamber 145 are provided with a fan section 144.
[0135] An injecting air inlet 142a is provided in the injection passage section 142  similarly as in the injection passage section 112 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1. In addition  the lever member 143 is composed of a switching lever 143a  a lever support section 143b and an air introduction cover member 143c  similarly as in the lever member 113 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1. In addition  the fan section 144 is composed of an injection fan 144a  a power fan 144b and a fan rotating shaft 144c similarly as in the fan section 114 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0136] The configurations of the main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102 are also similar to that of the air suction/injection device 10A according to the aforementioned Embodiment 1  and a passage switching section 146 is provided in the section of joining these passages. Such a passage switching section 146 is also configured of a substantially plate-shaped valve member  similarly as in the passage switching section 116 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1  and the angle can be changed by means of the operation of the switching lever 143a to alternatively close one of the main body joined gate 141d that is the joined section of the main passage 101 and the injection joined gate 142b that is the joined section of the sub-passage 102. Hence  the main passage 101 or the sub-passage 102 are configured of providing the alternative switching of the connection to the front end opening section 141a by means of the passage switching section 146 (and the lever member 143).
[0137] [Action of Air Suction/Injection Device]
Next  the action of the air suction/injection device 10D having the above-described structure will be specifically described. First of all  the ordinary vacuum function will be described that  since the air suction/injection device 10D is in steady state  in which the switching lever 143a is positioned in the side of the front end as shown in Fig. 20 and Fig. 21  the passage switching section 146 closes the injection joined gate 142b and opens the main body joined gate 141d in the joined section between the main passage 101 and sub-passage 102. Then  the suction force of the vacuum cleaner 20 (not shown in Fig. 20 and Fig. 21) causes suctioning external air through the suction port 261a of the suction nozzle 26C as illustrated by thick line arrows in the diagram to create a suctioned airstream from the front end opening section 141a toward the rear end opening section 141b in the main passage 101.
[0138] Next  the switching to the blower function will be described. When the user conducts an operation of moving the switching lever 143a toward the side of the rear end as shown in Fig. 22 and Fig. 23  the air introduction cover member 143c is moved to the side of the front end to open the suctioned air introduction inlet 145b. Further  since the injection joined gate 142b is opened by the movement of the passage switching section 146 in the joined section between the main passage 101 and sub-passage 102  the sub-passage 102 leads to the front end opening section 141a  but the main passage 101 is blocked from the front end opening section 141a. Hence  the suction force created in vicinity of the rear end opening section 141b causes suction of air in the interior of the suction chamber 145 through the inner suction inlet 145a  as illustrated by thick arrows in the diagram.
[0139] Since the interior of the suction chamber 145 leads to external air due to the opening of the suctioned air introduction inlet 145b at this time  the suctioned airstream is created toward the suctioned air introduction inlet 145b  the suction chamber 145  and the inner suction inlet 145a. Such s suctioned airstream flows  as shown in Fig. 14  through the main passage 101 from the rear end opening section 141b toward the suction hose 22 (not shown in Fig. 23). Then  the power fan 144b provided inside of the suction chamber 145 rotates by the effect of the suctioned airstream  and the injection fan 144a rotates in conjunction with such a rotation. Hence  as indicated by thick line arrows of Fig. 14  the injecting airstream is created in the injection passage section 142  namely the sub-passage 102  and the injecting airstream flows into the interior of the front end opening section 141a  and is eventually injected through the suction port 261a of the suction nozzle 26C.
[0140] Then  if the user cancel the condition where the switching lever 133a is moved to the side of the rear end  the passage switching section 146 opens the main body joined gate 141d  and the suctioned air introduction inlet 145b is closed by the air introduction cover member 143c. Hence  the suctioned airstream  which was created toward the suctioned air introduction inlet 145b  the suction chamber 145 and the inner suction inlet 145a  dissipates  and the rotations of the power fan 144b and the injection fan 144a are stopped  and the injection of the injecting airstream through the suction nozzle 26C is stopped. In addition  since the suctioned airstream is formed in the main passage 101  a suction force is created again at the suction nozzle 26C.
[0141] While the air suction/injection device 10D according to the present Embodiment has substantially similar configuration as that of the air suction/injection device 10A according to the aforementioned Embodiment 1 as described above  the front end opening section 141a has the configuration  in which an attachment is fitted in the internal circumference thereof and the outer shape is larger than that of the main body 141  as mentioned above. Further  as clearly illustrated in the perspective view of Fig. 19  the injection passage section 142 is formed to have a canopy-like shape of the entire upper surface  and leads to a portion of the front end opening section 141a. Such a configuration allows sufficiently supporting the fitted attachment not only with a light weight as the general suction nozzle 26C  but also with relatively heavier weight. Hence  a number of the available types of the attachments can be added  for the benefit of the user.
[0142] While the suction nozzle 26C comprising the front end brush 262 is employed for the attachment mounted to the air suction/injection device 10D in the present Embodiment  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  and various types of known suction nozzles may also be preferably employed. For example  as shown in Fig. 24  a relatively longer suction nozzle 26D may be employed. Although such a suction nozzle 26D is sufficiently longer than the suction nozzle 26B exemplified in the aforementioned Embodiment 1 (see Fig. 10)  and thus has heavier weight than the suction nozzle 26B  the use of the air suction/injection device 10D according to the present Embodiment allows holding such a heavier nozzle with stable attaching condition  presenting improved usability for the users.
[0143] (Embodiment 5)
An air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention has a configuration  which is basically equivalent to that of the air suction/injection device 10D according to the above-described Embodiment 4  except that the following feature is different: an attachment mounted to the front end opening section 141a is a liquid spray section  instead of the suction nozzle 26. The air suction/injection device according to the present Embodiment will be specifically described in reference to Fig. 25 and Fig. 26.
[0144] [Configuration of the Liquid Spray Section]
As shown in Fig. 25  an air suction/injection device according to the present Embodiment is fitted with a liquid spray section 27 as an attachment to a front end opening section 141a. The liquid spray section 27 comprises a liquid storage tank 271  a spray nozzle 272  a liquid suction tube 273 and a shielding plate 274.
[0145] The liquid storage tank 271 is capable of storing liquid such as a cleaning solution  a deodorant  a fragrance and the like  inside thereof. The spray nozzle 272 serves as spraying liquid stored inside of the liquid storage tank 271  and the shielding plate 274 is provided inside thereof. The liquid suction tube 273 connects the inside of the liquid storage tank 271 with the spray nozzle 272  and serves as introducing liquid from the liquid storage tank 271 to the spray nozzle 272.
[0146] The shielding plate 274 is fixed to an inner wall of the spray nozzle 272  so as to achieve an upright condition for shutting the interior of the spray nozzle 272 and a lying condition lying from the side of the rear end toward the side of the front end of the spray nozzle 272. While the position of providing the shielding plate 274 is not particularly limited  the position is at least beyond the position of connecting with the liquid suction tube 273 toward the side of the rear end. In addition to above  a spraying outlet 275 for spraying liquid is formed at the front end of the spray nozzle 272.
[0147] Specific configurations of the liquid storage tank 271  the spray nozzle 272  the liquid suction tube 273 and the shielding plate 274  which composes the liquid spray section 27  are not particularly limited  and known configurations in the field of spraying liquid may be preferably applied to any of these elements. In addition  the liquid spray section 27 may comprise other member or mechanism.
[0148] [Action of the Liquid Spray Section]
The actions of spraying liquid by employing the liquid spray section 27 of the above configuration will be described that the basic actions are similar to the actions of the injection of the injecting airstream. More specifically  when the user conducts an operation for moving a switching lever 143a toward the side of the rear end as shown in Fig. 25  an air introduction cover member 143c is moved to the side of the front end to open a suctioned air introduction inlet 145b. Further  in the joined section between the main passage 101 and sub-passage 102  the injection joined gate 142b is opened by the movement of the passage switching section 146  so that the sub-passage 102 leads to the front end opening section 141a but the main passage 101 is blocked by the front end opening section 141a.
[0149] Hence  the suction force created in vicinity of the rear end opening section 141b acts on the interior of the suction chamber 145  which leads to external air by the opened suctioned air introduction inlet 145b  through the inner suction inlet 145a. This allows creating the suctioned airstream toward the suction chamber 145 and the inner suction inlet 145a as illustrated by thick line arrows in Fig. 26. Then  the power fan 144b provided inside of the suction chamber 145 rotates  and the injection fan 144a rotates in conjunction with such a rotation. Hence  as illustrated by thick line arrows in Fig. 26  the injecting airstream is created in the injection passage section 142  namely in the sub-passage 102  and the injecting airstream flows into the interior of the front end opening section 141a.
[0150] Since such an injecting airstream is introduced in the interior of the spray nozzle 272  the shielding plate 274 standing so as to shut the spray nozzle 272 falls down in the side of the front end by the injecting airstream to achieve the injection from the spraying outlet 275. Since the liquid suction tube 273 connects between the shielding plate 274 and the spraying outlet 275  the discharge of the injecting airstream allows liquid in the liquid storage tank 271 being introduced into the interior of the spray nozzle 272 through the liquid suction tube 273. Then  as illustrated by thick line arrows in Fig. 26  such a liquid is atomized by the injecting airstream to be injected from the spraying outlet 275.
[0151] Then  if the user cancels the condition where the switching lever 143a is moved to the side of the rear end  the passage switching section 146 opens the main body joined gate 141d  and the suctioned air introduction inlet 145b is closed by the air introduction cover member 143c. Then  the suctioned airstream  which actuates the power fan 144b and the injection fan 144a  dissipates  and the injecting airstream injected from spraying outlet 275 is stopped.
[0152] Here  since the spray nozzle 272 leads to the main passage 101 by the open of the main body joined gate 141d  suctioned airstream is created in the interior of the spray nozzle 272. Hence  the shielding plate 274 in the state of being fallen down  stands up by the suctioned airstream  resulting in shutting the spray nozzle 272. Accordingly  an unwanted situation  in which the liquid in the interior of the liquid storage tank 271 is carelessly flowed into the interior of the air suction/injection device 10D  is avoided. In addition to above  even if it is assumed that liquid is suctioned in mistake by any possibility  it is structurally inevitable to suction in the form of mist  and therefore this will not be harmful for the vacuum cleaner 20 at all.
[0153] As described above  the liquid spray section 27 is mounted to the front end opening section 141a in the present Embodiment  so that liquid can be sprayed by using the injecting airstream. Hence  when a cleaning solution is employed as liquid  the type of the dusts  which cannot be removed by the ordinary vacuum function or the above-described blower function (for example  dusts clogged onto the cleaning surface or the like) can be removed by spraying a mist of the cleaning solution. Alternatively  a deodorant or a fragrance can be employed as liquid to spray them throughout the room. In such case  a deodorant  a fragrance or the like can be sprayed over the broader area and in one stroke  as compared with the commercially available pressurized-can type agent. This results in spreading the variation of the cleanup.
[0154] (Embodiment 6)
An air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention has a configuration  which is basically equivalent to that of the air suction/injection devices 10A to 10D according to the above-described Embodiment 1 to 5  except that the device is also configured that a front end opening section of a main body is turnably structured to function as a passage switching section and no valve member is included. The air suction/injection device according to the present Embodiment will be specifically described in reference to Fig. 27 to Fig. 29.
[0155] [Configuration of Air Suction/Injection Device]
First of all  the air suction/injection device 10E according to the present Embodiment comprises a main body 151  an injection passage section 152  a fan section 154 and a suction chamber 155 as shown in Fig. 27 and Fig. 28  similarly as in the air suction/injection device 10A according to the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0156] The configuration of the main body 151 is similar to the main body 111 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1  and the interior thereof serves as the main passage 101  and the front end opening section 111a is not provided in the side of the front end  but a turnable opening section 156 is provided instead. The turnable opening section 156 functions as a front end opening section and at the same time  as a passage switching section for the main body 151. The turnable opening section 156 is presented as a separate member in the main body 151 (injection passage section 152)  which is rotatable in the circumference direction around the center of a turning shaft section 156d  and the inside of which is provided with a through hole 156a and a closed hole 156b that is adjacent to such a through hole 156a.
[0157] The through hole 156a leads to a suction port 156c to form a passage through which an airstream flows. On the other hand  the closed hole 156b is configured to open an end that leads to the main body 151  namely the side of the rear end  and to close the other end  namely the side of the front end. In addition  the main body 151 and an end of the injection passage section 152  which are in contact with the turnable opening section 156  are provided with a main connecting gate 151d and an injection connecting gate 152b  respectively. Accordingly  the injection passage section 152 is provided to the main body 151 so as to be adjacent to the main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102 at an end leading to the turnable opening section 156.
[0158] The turnable opening section 156 has  as shown in Fig. 27 and Fig. 28  a nozzle-like shape  in which the cross sectional area is decreased as approaching to the front end section in the present Embodiment  only the through hole 156a extends through from the front end to the rear end  and the closed hole 156b has an open end only in the side of the rear end. It is needless to point out that the configuration is not limited thereto  and alternative configuration for accommodating to mount an attachment such as the suction nozzle 26 and the like may be adopted. In addition to above  the rear end opening section 151b is similar to the rear end opening section 111b in the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0159] In addition  the interior of the main body 151 is provided with a suction chamber 155 having an inner suction inlet 155a  and the interiors of the injection passage section 152 and the suction chamber 155 are provided with a fan section 154. Here  while the configuration of the injection passage section 152 is basically similar to that of the injection passage section 112 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1  the injecting air inlet 152a is provided so as to face to an upper surface of the fan section 154 in the upper surface of the injection passage section 152  and is not provided in the upper side wall of the injection passage section 152  unlike the injecting air inlet 112a of the aforementioned Embodiment 1. In addition  the suction chamber 155 is provided with an inner suction cover member 155c for closing the inner suction inlet 155a in openable and closable manner. Here  the fan section 154 is composed of an injection fan 154a  a power fan 154b and a fan rotating shaft 154c  similarly as in the fan section 114 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0160] [Action of Air Suction/Injection Device]
Next  the action of the air suction/injection device 10E having the above-described structure will be specifically described. First of all  the ordinary vacuum function will be described that the through hole 156a of the turnable opening section 156 faces to the main connecting gate 151d and the closed hole 156b faces to the injection connecting gate 152b in the air suction/injection device 10E as shown in Fig. 27. More specifically  this means that the main passage 101 leads to the turnable opening section 156  and the sub-passage 102 is blocked from the turnable opening section 156. Hence  a suction force of the vacuum cleaner 20 (not shown in Fig. 27 and Fig. 28) allows suctioning external air through the suction port 156c of the turnable opening section 156 to create a suctioned airstream in the main passage 101 toward the rear end opening section 151b as illustrated by thick line arrows in the diagram.
[0161] Next  the switching to the blower function will be described. When the user twists the turnable opening section 156 as shown in Fig. 28  the through hole 156a faces to the injection connecting gate 152b  and the closed hole 156b faces to the main connecting gate 151d. More specifically  this means that the sub-passage 102 leads to the turnable opening section 156  and the main passage 101 is blocked from the turnable opening section 156. Hence  a suction force created in vicinity of the rear end opening section 151b allows suctioning air from the inside of the suction chamber 155 through the inner suction inlet 155a as illustrated by thick line arrows in the diagram.
[0162] Here  while the inner suction inlet 155a included in the suction chamber 155 is closed by the inner suction cover member 155c  the inner suction cover member 155c is suctioned by the aforementioned suction force (suctioned airstream) to open the inner suction inlet 155a. This results in rotating the power fan 154b by suctioning the interior of the suction chamber 155 through the inner suction inlet 155a to rotate the injection fan 154a in conjunction with the injection fan 114a. Hence  as illustrated by thick line arrows in Fig. 28  an injecting airstream is created in the injection passage section 152  namely in the sub-passage 102  and the injecting airstream flows via the through hole 156a of the turnable opening section 156 and be eventually injected from the suction port 156c.
[0163] Then  the turnable opening section 156 is turned back to the previous position by the user to shut the sub-passage 102 by the closed hole 156b and allow the main passage 101 leading to through hole 156a  so that the rotations of the power fan 154b and the injection fan 154a are stopped  and the injecting airstream injected from the turnable opening section 156 is stopped. In addition  since the suctioned airstream is formed in the main passage 101  suction force is created again at the through hole 156a and the suction port 156c.
[0164] Since the injection passage section 152 is provided in a positional relation of being inclined at an acute angle over the tube axis direction of the main body 151 at this time as shown in Fig. 28  the lower surface of suction chamber 155 integrated with the injection passage section 152 is also inclined. Hence  the inner suction cover member 155c provided in the lower surface of the suction chamber 155 is to be closed by the flow of the suctioned airstream.
[0165] As described above  since the present Embodiment is configured that the turnable opening section 156 connects the closed hole 156b to one of the main passage 101 and the sub-passage 102 and connects the through hole 156a to the other passage  the section functions not only as the front end opening section but also as the passage switching section. Hence  switching between the connection and the shutoff of the sub-passage 102 can be achieved without employing a lever member. Hence  switching between the blower function and the vacuum function can be easily achieved with a simple configuration.
[0166] In addition  when the main passage 101 is connected to the turnable opening section 156 and thus no injecting airstream is created  the inner suction cover member 155c can be closed  and the sub-passage 102 is connected to the turnable opening section 156 so as to automatically open the inner suction cover member 155c. Hence  the rotation of the injection fan 154a can be effectively achieved by the air flow flowing through the main passage 101  and in addition  the power fan 154b can be protected without disturbing the rotation of the power fan 154b.
[0167] In addition to above  the inner suction cover member 155c may be omitted in the present Embodiment  and for example  it may be alternatively configured that the fan rotating shaft 154d serving as rotating shafts of the injection fan 154a and the power fan 154b extends through the inner suction inlet 155a protrudes from the injection passage section 152 to the inside of the main body 151  as shown in Fig. 29. In such a configuration  bearing sections 151h and 152c for supporting the fan rotating shaft 154d are provided in a section between the injection passage section 152 and the suction chamber 155 and the inner surface of the main body 151  respectively  (indicated by a circle surrounded with an alternate-long-and-short dash line in the diagram). By employing such a configuration  the fan section 154 is supported not only by the injection passage section 152 and the inside of the suction chamber 155 but also by the bearing sections 151h and 152c inside of the main body 151  so that the fan section 154 can be more stably supported.
[0168] (Embodiment 7)
An air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention has a configuration  which is basically equivalent to that of the air suction/injection devices 10A to 10E according to the above-described Embodiment 1 to 6  except that the device is also configured to comprise an injection switching section  which can be achieved by constituting an injection passage section itself to be turnable  instead of employing a passage switching section serving as a valve member. The air suction/injection device according to the present Embodiment will be specifically described in reference to Fig. 30 to Fig. 37.
[0169] [Configuration of Air Suction/Injection Device]
First of all  the air suction/injection device 10F according to the present Embodiment comprises a main body 161  an injection passage section 162  a fan section 164 and a suction chamber 165 similarly as in the air suction/injection device 10A according to the aforementioned Embodiment 1 as shown in Fig. 30. Here  Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view cut along the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) of the air suction/injection device 10F.
[0170] The configuration of the main body 161 is similar to that of the main body 111 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1  and the interior thereof serves as a main passage 101  and the side of the front end thereof is configured as a front end nozzle section 161a  similarly as in the main body 121 in the aforementioned Embodiment 2. A suction port 161g are provided at the front end of such a front end nozzle section 161a. In addition to above  a rear end opening section 161b is similar to the rear end opening section 111b in the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0171] In addition  the injection passage section 162 is configured as a housing for fan section 167  which is integrated with a suction chamber 165  unlike the main bodies 111 to 141 in the aforementioned Embodiments 1 to 5. Such a housing for fan section 167 is configured to have a cylindrical shape  which houses the fan section 164 inside thereof  and the upper section constitutes an injection passage section 162 and the lower section constitutes a suction chamber 165. The housing for fan section 167 is turnably inserted in the main body 161 along a direction (transverse direction in Fig. 30) perpendicular to the tube axis of the main body 161 (longitudinal direction in Fig. 30). In addition to above  the direction for inserting the housing for fan section 167 is not limited to the perpendicular direction  and may be a direction having at least an intersect therewith.
[0172] Since the housing for fan section 167 is inserted in the main body 161  the outer circumference thereof basically faces to the main passage 101. In addition  the inside of the main body 161 is provided with a support for housing section 161h  which is capable of turnably supporting the inserted housing for fan section 167. In addition  a plate-shaped passage open-close section 166  which is positioned along the radial direction of the housing for fan section 167  is provided under the housing for fan section 167. The specific configurations of the support for housing section 161h and the passage open-close section 166 will be discussed later.
[0173] The fan section 164 is composed of  similarly as in the fan section 114 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1  an injection fan 164a  a power fan 164b and a fan rotating shaft 164c  and is housed inside of the housing for fan section 167 as described above  and the injection fan 164a is located inside of the injection passage section 162 as shown in Fig. 31  and the power fan 164b is located inside of the suction chamber 165  as shown in Fig. 32. Here  Fig. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view of the housing for fan section 167  illustrating the inside of the injection passage section 162 viewed from the upper side  and corresponds to a cross-sectional view along line II-II in Fig. 30. Fig. 32 is also a partial cross-sectional view  illustrating the inside of the suction chamber 165 viewed from the upper side  and is a cross-sectional view along line III-III in Fig. 30. More specifically  Fig. 31 and Fig. 32 are cross-sectional views along the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e.  transverse direction).
[0174] As shown in Fig. 31  the outer circumference of the injection passage section 162 in the housing for fan section 167 is provided with an injection connecting gate 162b by cutoff a portion thereof. Such an injection connecting gate 162b serves an injection outlet in an injection passage section 162. In addition  an injecting air inlet 162a is provided in the upper surface of the injection passage section 162 (namely  upper surface of the housing for fan section 167) in a position facing to the upper surface of the fan section 164 similarly as in the injecting air inlet 152a in the aforementioned Embodiment 6. Hence  the section between the injecting air inlet 162a and the injection connecting gate 162b forms the sub-passage 102. In addition  the lower surface of the suction chamber 165 faces to the main passage 101  and such location is provided with an inner suction inlet 165a similarly as in the inner suction inlet 115a in the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0175] In addition  as shown in Fig. 32  the above-described support for housing section 161h is located in the section of the housing for fan section 167 outside of the suction chamber 165. Such support for housing section 161h is configured of a wall-like shape  which curves along the outer circumference of the suction chamber 165  and a portion thereof is exposed to the outside of the main body 161. Further  a suctioned air introduction outer inlet 165c is provided in such an exposed section. On the other hand  the suction chamber 165 is in the condition of being fitted inside of the support for housing section 161h  a portion of the outer circumference of which is provided with a suctioned air introduction inner inlet 165b. Hence  if the suctioned air introduction inner inlet 165b provided in the suction chamber 165 coincides with the suctioned air introduction outer inlet 165c provided in the support for housing section 161h by the turn of the housing for fan section 167  it serves as "suctioned air introduction inlet" similarly as in the suctioned air introduction inlet 115b in the aforementioned Embodiment 1.
[0176] The most part of the passage open-close section 166 provided under the housing for fan section 167 is located inside of the support for housing section 161h and a part thereof is located outside of the support for housing section 161h  as shown in Fig. 32 and Fig. 33. The passage open-close section 166 is in the positional relation  in which both ends thereof (one is inside of the support for housing section 161h and the other is in the outside of the support for housing section 161h) are coplanar  and a section between the both ends is curved so as to cover a half of the circumference of the inner suction inlet 165a.
[0177] In the condition shown in Fig. 31 to Fig. 33  namely at the time of vacuum  the passage open-close section 166 is located along the extending direction of the main passage 101 (passage direction)  and is configured to move toward the direction for intersecting with the main passage 101 (crossing direction) by turning the housing for fan section 167 to close the main passage 101  as discussed later. Here  Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view of transverse direction  similarly as Fig. 31 and Fig. 32  and is a partial cross-sectional viewed from the bottom side  and is not a partial cross-sectional view viewed from the top side.
[0178] In addition to above  it is satisfactory for the present Embodiment that at least a portion of the outer circumference of the housing for fan section 167 faces to the main passage 101  and therefore it is not necessary for whole of the housing for fan section 167 to be located inside of main body 161. In the present Embodiment  as shown in Fig. 31  approximately a three-fourths of the outer circumference is inserted in the main body 161  and approximately a quarter is exposed at the outside of the main body 161.
[0179] [Action of Air Suction/Injection Device]
Next  the action of the air suction/injection device 10F having the above-described structure will be specifically described. First of all  the ordinary vacuum function will be described that  in the air suction/injection device 10F as shown in Fig. 31  the injection connecting gate 162b provided in the injection passage section 162 (housing for fan section 167) does not face to the suction port 161g of the front end nozzle section 161a  but is in the condition that it faces to the inner side wall near the rear end to be blocked. More specifically  the sub-passage 102 equivalent to the inside of the injection passage section 162 is blocked from the front end nozzle section 161a.
[0180] At this time  there is no overlapped opening regions between the suctioned air introduction inner inlet 165b provided in the suction chamber 165 and the suctioned air introduction outer inlet 165c provided in the support for housing section 161h  as shown in Fig. 32. Since the suctioned air introduction inner inlet 165b  which is oriented toward the suction port 161g in Fig. 32  is in the condition of being covered with the support for housing section 161h  and in addition  the outer circumference surface of the suction chamber 165 is exposed over the suctioned air introduction outer inlet 165c  so that the suctioned air introduction outer inlet 165c is in the closed condition. In such a condition  no external air is supplied from the outside into the inside of the suction chamber 165.
[0181] Hence  external air is suctioned through the suction port 161g of the front end nozzle section 161a by a suction force of the vacuum cleaner 20 (not shown in Fig. 31 to 33) as illustrated by thick line arrows in Fig. 31 to Fig. 33 to create a suctioned airstream in the main passage 101 toward the rear end opening section 161b. On the contrary  no flow of air is created in the blocked sub-passage 102.
[0182] In the next  the switching to the blower function will be described. Fig. 34 to Fig. 37 are cross-sectional views correspond to Fig. 30 to Fig. 33  respectively  and while Fig. 34 to Fig. 37 illustrates the condition at the vacuum  Fig. 34 to Fig. 37 illustrates the condition at the blower.
[0183] As shown in Fig. 34 and Fig. 35  when user twists the housing for fan section 167  the injection connecting gate 162b of the injection passage section 162 faces to the suction port 161g of the front end nozzle section 161a. In response to this situation  the opening region of the suctioned air introduction inner inlet 165b provided in the suction chamber 165 and the opening region of the suctioned air introduction outer inlet 165c provided in the support for housing section 161h acquire an overlapped section as shown in Fig. 36  so that external air can be introduced into the inside of the suction chamber 165 as illustrated by thick line arrows in Fig. 36. This allows creating a suctioned airstream through the suctioned air introduction outer inlet 165c  the suctioned air introduction inner inlet 165b  and the suction chamber 165 and toward the inner suction inlet 165a (not shown in Fig. 35 and Fig. 36).
[0184] Further  as shown in Fig. 36 and Fig. 37  the plate-like passage open-close section 166 located along the passage direction changes its direction to the crossing direction by the turn of the housing for fan section 167 to close the main passage 101. This prevents the suctioned airstream from reaching to the front end nozzle section 161a  and makes such a stream acting only for rotating the power fan 164b inside of the suction chamber 165. Hence  the injection fan 164a also rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the power fan 164b  the injecting airstream is created in the sub-passage 102  and such an injecting airstream flows in the front end nozzle section 161a and is discharged from the suction port 161g  as illustrated by thick line arrows in Fig. 35.
[0185] Then  the user twists the housing for fan section 167 to return to the original location  the close of the main passage 101 by the passage open-close section 166 is cancelled to open the main passage 101 and to release the coincidence state of the suctioned air introduction inner inlet 165b with the suctioned air introduction outer inlet 165c  and the "suctioned air introduction inlet" is closed and simultaneously the injection connecting gate 162b is also closed so that the rotations of the power fan 164b and the injection fan 164a are stopped and the injecting airstream discharged from the front end nozzle section 161a is stopped. In addition  since the suctioned airstream is created in the main passage 101  sufficient suction force is regenerated in the suction port 161g.
[0186] As described above  since it is configured to achieve the closing and the opening of the "suctioned air introduction inlet" and the opening and the closing of the main passage 101 by turning the housing for fan section 167 in the present Embodiment  such a housing for fan section 167 functions as an injection switching section. Hence  the switching between the blower function and the vacuum function in the vacuum cleaner can be easily achieved by simply turning the housing for fan section 167.
[0187] While the housing for fan section 167 is configured to function as the injection switching section by turning the housing for fan section 167 to direct the injection connection gate 162b (injection outlet) toward the front end nozzle section 161a or toward the rear end opening section 161b in the present Embodiment  the present invention is  of course  not limited to such a specific configuration  and it is satisfactory to be configured to function as an injection switching section by changing at least the position of the injection connection gate 162b (injection outlet). In addition  while the passage open-close section 166 serving as closing the main passage 101 functions as the supporting injection switching section  the passage open-close section 166 may not to be necessarily provided depending on some specific configuration of the air suction/injection device 10F.
[0188] (Embodiment 8)
A configuration of an air suction/injection device according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention is different from that of the air suction/injection devices 10A to 10F according to the aforementioned Embodiments 1 to 7 in terms of some of the constituting elements  in which the sub-passage is positioned along the main passage in the interior of the main body so that the air introduction cover member functions as the injection switching section. The air suction/injection device according to the present Embodiment will be specifically described in reference to Fig. 38 to Fig. 44.
[0189] [Configuration of Air Suction/Injection Device]
First of all  the air suction/injection device 10G according to the present Embodiment is composed of a main body 171 and an injecting section 177 as shown in Fig. 38. The configuration of the main body 171 is similar to the main bodies 111 to 161 of the aforementioned Embodiments 1 to 7  and the interior thereof serves as a main passage 101  as shown in Fig. 39. In addition  similarly as in the aforementioned Embodiment 2  3 or 7  the front end section thereof is configured of a front end nozzle section 171a. The front end of such a front end nozzle section 171a is provided with a suction port 171g. In addition to the above  a rear end opening section 171b is also similar to the rear end opening sections 111b to 161b of the aforementioned Embodiments 1 to 7.
[0190] The injecting section 177 is composed of an injection passage section 172 and a suction chamber 175  and an integrated-type fan section 174 provided inside thereof. The injection passage section 172 and the suction chamber 175 are substantially integrated  and the interior thereof is provided with the integrated-type fan section 174. In addition  such an injecting section 177 is inserted in the main body 171 so that the sub-passage 102 is positioned along the main passage 101.
[0191] The injection passage section 172 in the injecting section 177 is basically similar to the injection passage sections 112 to 152 in the aforementioned Embodiments 1 to 6  and the interior thereof constitutes the sub-passage 102  except that the injection passage section 172 includes an inner injection nozzle 172c. Such an inner injection nozzle 172c extends from the main body of the injection passage section 172 provided with the integrated-type fan section 174 to the suction port 171g of the front end nozzle section 171a  and the front end thereof is provided with the injection outlet 172b. In the present Embodiment  the location of the injection outlet 172b is presented to be closer to the side of the rear end beyond the suction port 171g.
[0192] The main body of the injection passage section 172 (section except the inner injection nozzle 172c) is substantially integrated with the suction chamber 175 as shown in Fig. 39  similarly as in the housing for fan section 167 in the aforementioned Embodiment 6. The insides of these integrated sections are provided with a rotatable integrated-type fan section 174  which also serves as a partition. The integrated-type fan section 174 is composed of an injection fan wing 174a  a power fan wing 174b  and a fan rotating section 174c. The fan rotating section 174c is in the form of a disc-shape  and the circumference thereof is rotatably supported with inner walls of the injection passage section 172 and the suction chamber 175 through the fan support member 177a. Then  a surface of the fan rotating section 174c in the side of the injection passage section 172 (side of the sub-passage 102) is provided with a plurality of injection fan wings 174a  and a surface in the opposite side (side of the suction chamber 175) is provided with a plurality of power fan wings 174b.
[0193] In addition  an inner suction inlet 175a is presented at a location in the suction chamber 175 facing to the main passage 101  similarly as in the aforementioned respective Embodiments. Such a location also coincides with a location of the suction chamber 175 facing to the power fan wing 174b of the integrated-type fan section 174. In addition  the interior of the suction chamber 175 is communicated with the suctioned air introduction inlet 175b provided at the location facing to the outside of the main body 171  as shown in Fig. 40.
[0194] Hence  a creation of a suctioned airstream in the main passage 101 allows suction of air in the interior of the suction chamber 175 through the inner suction inlet 175a  so that external air is introduced through the suctioned air introduction inlet 175b into the suction chamber 175. This results in creating airflow in the direction from the suctioned air introduction inlet 175b toward the suction chamber 175  so that the integrated-type fan section 174 is rotated by striking the power fan wing 174b with such an airflow.
[0195] In addition  an injecting air inlet 172a is presented at a location in the injection passage section 172 facing to the outside of the main body 171. Such a location also coincides with a location of the main body of the injection passage section 172 facing to the injection fan wing 174a of the integrated-type fan section 174. In addition  the sections starting from the injecting air inlet 172a through the main body of the injection passage section 172 and the inner injection nozzle 172c to the injection outlet 172b form the sub-passage 102.
[0196] The surface of the integrated-type fan section 174 in the opposing side to the surface provided with the power fan wing 174b is provided with the injection fan wing 174a  as described above. Hence  the rotation of the integrated-type fan section 174 by means of the suction of air in the interior of the suction chamber 175 allows air contained in the interior of the injection passage section 172 striking the injection fan wing 174a to create an injecting airstream in the sub-passage 102  which is then injected from the injection outlet 172b.
[0197] Here  as shown in Fig. 40  a location of the main passage 101 corresponding to the inner suction inlet 175a (shown with dotted line in the diagram.) is provided with an inner suction cover member 175c for closing such an inner suction inlet 175a in openable and closable manner (see also  Fig. 38 and Fig. 39). The inner suction cover member 175c is capable of allowing the introduction of external air into the interior of the suction chamber 175 and stopping the introduction by opening and closing thereof. Therefore  such an inner suction cover member 175c functions as a passage open-close section (switching cover member) for switching between the connection and the blocking of the sub-passage 102 for the front end nozzle section 171a.
[0198] Here  Fig. 39 and Fig. 40 are cross-sectional views of the air suction/injection device 10G shown in Fig. 38  and specifically  Fig. 39 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the air suction/injection device 10G from the upper side  and Fig. 40 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the main passage 101 of the air suction/injection device 10G from the lateral side. In addition  Fig. 40 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 39 along line VI-VI  and Fig. 39 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 40 along line VII-VII.
[0199] [Action of Air Suction/Injection Device]
Next  the action of the air suction/injection device 10G having the above-described structure will be specifically described. First of all  the ordinary vacuum function will be described that the inner suction cover member 175c closes the inner suction inlet 175a in the air suction/injection device 10G as shown in Fig. 38 and Fig. 40  and therefore no air is introduced from the outside into the interior of the suction chamber 175 through the suctioned air introduction inlet 175b. Here  once external air is suctioned through the suction port 171g of the front end nozzle section 171a as illustrated by thick line arrows in the diagrams by a suction force of the vacuum cleaner 20 (not shown in Fig. 38 to Fig. 40)  a suctioned airstream is created in the main passage 101 toward the rear end opening section 171b in the main body 171. In addition to above  since the integrated-type fan section 174 is not rotated in this state  no injecting airstream is generated  and thus the interior of the inner injection nozzle 172c is in none-airstream state.
[0200] In the next  switching to the blower function will be described. When the user moves the inner suction cover member 175c from the closing state to open the inner suction inlet 175a as shown in Fig. 41  external air is introduced through the suctioned air introduction inlet 175b. Hence  once the suctioned airstream is created in the main passage 101 of the main body 171 by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner 20 (not shown in Fig. 41)  the integrated-type fan section 174 is rotated in the interior of the injecting section 177 to create the injecting airstream in the interior of the injection passage section 172  namely in the sub-passage 102  and then is injected from the injection outlet 172b. Since no passage open-close section for closing the main passage 101 is provided in the air suction/injection device 10G unlike in Embodiment 3 or Embodiment 7  a smaller suctioned airstream is created in the suction port 171g of the front end nozzle section 171a in such a state.
[0201] After that  when the user closes the inner suction cover member 175c  no external air is introduced into the suction chamber 175  so that the rotation of the integrated-type fan section 174 is stopped  and the injecting airstream injected from the front end nozzle section 171a is also stopped. In addition  since the suctioned airstream is created in the main passage 101  sufficient suction force is regenerated in the suction port 171g.
[0202] As described above  the present Embodiment includes the passage open-close section (inner suction cover member 175c) serving as the injection switching section  which is capable of closing the inner suction inlet 175a in openable and closable manner. Hence  when the closing of the inner suction inlet 175a is maintained at the passage open-close section  no external air is introduced into the suction chamber 175 so that a suctioned airstream is created at the suction port 171g of the main passage 101  and on the other hand  once the passage open-close section is opened  external air is introduced to the sub-passage 102  so that an injecting airstream is created at the inner injection nozzle 172. The injecting airstream can be formed or be stopped in this way by opening and closing the passage open-close section  so that switching between the blower function and the vacuum function in the vacuum cleaner can be easily achieved with a simple configuration.
[0203] In addition  as described above  a slight suctioned airstream is created even at the time of blower. Hence  even if the dusts are whirled up by the blower stream injected from the injection outlet 172b  the air suction/injection device 10G allows suctioning and collecting the dusts from the suction port 171g without switching from the vacuum to the blower.
[0204] [Modified Embodiment]
While the inner suction cover member 175c for closing such an inner suction inlet 175a in openable and closable manner is employed for the passage open-close section in the present Embodiment  the present invention is not limited to such a specific configuration  and a member  which is capable of closing at least a portion of the passage of air from the suctioned air introduction inlet 175b to the main passage 101 (inner suction inlet 175a) in openable and closable manner  may alternatively be employed. Another exemplary implementation for the passage open-close section may include  for example  an air suction/injection device 10H having an air introduction cover member 173 shown in Fig. 42 to Fig. 44.
[0205] As shown in Fig. 42  the basic configuration of the air suction/injection device 10H is almost similar to the configuration of the above-described air suction/injection device 10G  except that the inner suction cover member 175c for closing the inner suction inlet 175a is not provided  and instead  the air introduction cover member 173 is provided  as shown in Fig. 43 and Fig. 44. The air introduction cover member 173 serves as closing the suctioned air introduction inlet 175b  similarly as one of the air introduction cover members 113c  123c and 143c in the aforementioned Embodiment 1  2 and 4  respectively  and is configured as a cover member  which is capable of sliding along the longitudinal direction of the air suction/injection device 10H in the present modified Embodiment.
[0206] By employing such a configuration  as shown in Fig. 42 to Fig. 44  the air introduction cover member 173 is opened to introduce external air to the interior of the suction chamber 175 which rotates the integrated-type fan section 174  so that the injecting airstream is injected from the injection outlet 172b of the inner injection nozzle 172c (sub-passage 102). On the other hand  when the air introduction cover member 173 is closed  external air is not introduced to the interior of the suction chamber 175 and hence the rotation of the integrated-type fan section 174 is not occurred  and thus  no injecting airstream is created and a suctioned airstream is generated in the main passage 101 from the suction port 171g.
[0207] As described above  the use of the air suction/injection device 10H  which is configured to include the air introduction cover member 173 in place of the inner suction cover member 175c  can also achieve an easy switching between the vacuum function and the blower function with a simple constitution similarly as in the above-described the air suction/injection device 10G.
[0208] Here  Fig. 43 and Fig. 44 are cross-sectional views of the air suction/injection device 10H shown in Fig. 42  and specifically  Fig. 43 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the air suction/injection device 10H from the upper side  and Fig. 44 is a cross-sectional view of showing interior of the main passage 101 of the air suction/injection device 10H from the lateral side. In addition  Fig. 44 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 39 along line VIII-VIII  and Fig. 43 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 40 along line IX-IX. Here  arrows indicating the airflow is not shown in Fig. 42 to Fig. 44  since the configuration of the air suction/injection device 10H is substantially similar to the configuration of the air suction/injection device 10G  and the creations of the injecting airstream and the suctioned airstream therebetween are also similar.
[0209] While the above-described configuration of the modified Embodiment is to close the suctioned air introduction inlet 175b and the aforementioned configuration of the present Embodiment is to close the inner suction inlet 175a  the specific configuration of the passage open-close section is not limited to the configuration of closing an upstream side or a downstream side of the passage for external air in openable and closable manner  and alternative configurations for permitting and blocking the flow of external air to the interior of suction chamber 175 may be also employed  or the passage open-close section 166 having the configuration described in the aforementioned Embodiment 7 may be alternatively employed  in place of the switching cover member. More specifically  any type of known configurations may be adopted for the passage open-close section in the present Embodiment  provided that the configuration is to close at least a portion of the passage of air from the suctioned air introduction inlet 175b to the main passage 101 (inner suction inlet 175a) in openable and closable manner as described above.
[0210] Those of ordinary skills in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to the descriptions of the aforementioned Embodiments  and various types of modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims  and further  implementations obtained by suitably combining technical aspects disclosed in different Embodiments or a plurality of modified Embodiments are included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example  modified Embodiment exemplified in the aforementioned Embodiment 1 is applicable to the other Embodiments 1 to 8  and on the other hand  available combination of at least two or more of the configurations disclosed in the aforementioned Embodiments 1 to 8 may be included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0211] In addition  many improvements and other Embodiments of the present invention are apparent for those having ordinary skills in the art based on the above-described descriptions. Therefore  the above-described description should be construed as illustrations only  and to be presented for the purpose of teaching the best mode for conducting the present invention by a person having ordinary skills in the art. Therefore  details of the structures and/or functions may be substantially modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Industrial Applicability
[0212] The present invention can preferably be employed in the fields of various types of vacuum cleaners  regardless of household use or business use  or regardless of canister type or upright type  if it is intended to utilize the blower function and the vacuum function.

Claims

[1] An air suction/injection device which connects to a front end of a suction hose included in a vacuum cleaner 
the air suction/injection device comprising:
a tube-like main body  one end of said main body serving as a rear end opening section connected to the front end of said suction hose and the other end thereof serving as a front end opening section  and an interior of said main body forming a main passage of air;
an injection passage section having an injecting air inlet for introducing air from outside and an injection outlet for injecting the introduced air to the outside  an interior of said injection passage section forming a sub-passage from said injecting air inlet to said injection outlet;
a power fan provided in the interior of said main body and being rotated by a suctioned airstream created in said main passage by means of suction of air through said suction hose;
an injection fan provided in an interior of said injection passage section and rotates in conjunction with said power fan to create an injecting airstream from said injecting air inlet toward said injection outlet in said sub-passage; and
an injection switching section for permitting or limiting injection of said injecting airstream from said injection outlet to the outside.

[2] The air suction/injection device according to Claim 1  wherein said injection switching section is a passage switching section for switching between connecting of and blocking of said sub-passage to said injection outlet.

[3] The air suction/injection device according to claim 1  wherein said injection switching section is a passage open-close section for opening or blocking said main passage or said sub-passage at a location upstream of said power fan or said injection fan  in a flow direction of the suctioned airstream.

[4] The air suction/injection device according to claim 1  further comprising a power fan housing section provided in said main passage in said main body  for housing said power fan therein 
wherein said power fan housing section includes a inner suction inlet facing to said main passage and a suctioned air introduction inlet for introducing air from the outside.

[5] The air suction/injection device according to claim 4  further comprising an air introduction cover member for closing at least a portion of a passage of air from said suctioned air introduction inlet to said main passage in openable and closable manner.

[6] The air suction/injection device according to claim 2 
wherein said injection passage section is provided in the main body so that the sub-passage in said injection passage section is joined to said main passage in said main body  and said front end opening section in said main body serves as said injection outlet in said injection passage section  and
wherein said passage switching section is provided in a section where said main passage is joined to said sub-passage and is a valve member for changing its position so as to close one of said main passage and said sub-passage.

[7] The air suction/injection device according to claim 3 
wherein said injection passage section is provided in said main body so that the sub-passage in said injection passage section reaches said front end opening section along said main passage inside of said main body  and
wherein said passage open-close section is a valve member for blocking only said main passage.

[8] The air suction/injection device according to claim 6 or 7  further comprising a lever member provided outside of said main body  said lever member being operative in response to a positional change of said valve member.

[9] The air suction/injection device according to claim 2 
wherein said front end opening section is provided in said main body as a turnable opening section  which is a separate member turnable in a circumference direction thereof  an interior of said turnable opening section being provided with a through hole and a closed hole  said closed hole being adjacent to the through hole and having one open end that leads to said main body and the other closed end 
wherein said injection passage section is provided in the main body so that said main passage is adjacent to said sub-passage in an end leading to said turnable opening section of said main body  and the through hole of said turnable opening section serves as said injection outlet in said injection passage section  and
wherein said turnable opening section connects said closed hole to one of said main passage and said sub-passage  and said turnable opening section is turned so as to connect said through hole to the other of said main passage and said sub-passage  so that it functions as said passage switching section.

[10] The air suction/injection device according to claim 4 
wherein said injection passage section and said power fan housing section are a cylindrical housing for fan section such that said injection passage section and said power fan housing section are integrated together in a state in which the injection fan and the power fan are internally housed  respectively  and is rotatably provided to said main body 
wherein the housing for fan section is inserted in the main body  at a location between said front end opening section and said rear end opening section along a direction for intersecting with a tube axis of said main body  and at least a portion of an outer circumference thereof faces to said main passage of said main body 
wherein said injecting air inlet is provided at a location in a top surface of said housing for fan section and at the outside of said main body and an injection outlet is provided in a part of the outer circumference of said housing for fan section to form said sub-passage between said injecting air inlet and said injection outlet  and
wherein said housing for fan section functions as said injection switching section  by turning said housing for fan section to change a position of said injection outlet.

[11] The air suction/injection device according to claim 1 
wherein said injection passage section is provided to be inserted in the main body so as to position said sub-passage along said main passage inside of said main body 
and said suction air introduction inlet is provided at a location facing to the outside of said main body in said suctioned airstream 
the air suction/injection device comprising a passage open-close section serving as said injection switching section for closing at least a part of the passage of air from said suction air introduction inlet to said main passage in openable and closable manner.

[12] The air suction/injection device according to claim 1  further comprising a suction nozzle detachably provided in said front end opening section.

[13] The air suction/injection device according to claim 1  further comprising a liquid spray section including a liquid storage tank and a spray nozzle for spraying liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 
wherein the liquid spray section is detachably provided in said injection outlet.

[14] The air suction/injection device according to claim 1  wherein said front end opening section is a front end nozzle section at a front end side  the front end nozzle section having a shape in which a cross sectional area is gradually reduced toward the front end.

[15] The air suction/injection device according to claim 14  wherein an injection opening regulation member for adjusting a momentum of the injecting airstream is provided inside of said front end nozzle section.

[16] A vacuum cleaner  comprising the air suction/injection device as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 15  and a suction hose provided with the air suction/injection device.

[17] The vacuum cleaner according to claim 16  wherein said air suction/injection device is detachably connected to said suction hose.