Abstract:
An electric cleaning device circulates exhaust air from an electric blower to a floor intake tool. The exhaust air passes through an exhaust guide, formed as one element, in a main cleaning device unit from the electric blower through a hose to the floor intake tool. The exhaust guide is a resilient unitary resin part with sufficient resilience to permit compression for installation. The springback of the exhaust guide seals the exhaust path against leakage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to an exhaust-circulating (circulating) electric cleaning device (vacuum cleaner) that circulates exhaust air from an electric blower in a main cleaning device unit to a floor intake tool through a hose or a pipe.  
           [0002]    In Japanese patent application number 11-163986, the present applicant discloses an electric cleaning device in which a circulation path is formed by a combination of elements which include a cover on a lower portion of a main unit case. Exhaust air from an electric blower in a main cleaning device unit is circulated through the circulation path to a floor intake tool. The exhaust air is guided to a rotating brush in the floor intake tool. Dust from the surface to be cleaned is agitated and loosened by the rotating brush, and then drawn up and sucked in by the reduced pressure in the floor intake tool.  
           [0003]    However, the air pressure of the exhaust flowing through the exhaust path is higher than atmospheric pressure. Thus exhaust may leak from gaps between elements forming the exhaust path. The leaking air can cause the dust on the floor surface or carpet, located away from the floor intake tool, to be agitated up and dispersed into the room, which is unhealthy. Also, the leakage reduces the exhaust flow guided to the rotating brush, thus reducing the ability to provide adequate rotation to the rotating brush, and thereby lowering cleaning efficiency.  
           [0004]    One way to overcome these problems is to prevent leakage of exhaust air by using sealing means such as gaskets between the elements forming the exhaust path such as the cover. However, this requires installing the sealing means, which makes assembly less efficient. Also, dimensions of elements forming the exhaust path such as the cover may change over time, creating gaps in the exhaust path and resulting in leakage.  
           [0005]    The object of the present invention is to overcome the problems described above and to provide an electric cleaning device that uses a simple structure to prevent circulating exhaust air from leaking outside the main case unit.  
           [0006]    The first means of the present invention includes: a main cleaning device unit equipped with an electric blower; a flexible hose connected to the main cleaning device unit; an extension pipe selectively connected to the hose; a floor intake tool connected to the extension pipe; and a circulation path circulating exhaust from the electric blower to the floor intake tool. The exhaust guide is formed integrally as a cylinder. One end of the exhaust guide is connected to an opening formed on an electric blower holding chamber housing the electric blower. Another end of the exhaust guide is connected to a communicating opening continuous with the circulation path formed in the hose.  
           [0007]    In the first means of the present invention it is desirable for the exhaust guide to be flexible, and for a connecting section formed on the exhaust guide to be fitted to the opening and the communicating opening.  
           [0008]    The second means of the present invention includes: a main cleaning device unit equipped with an electric blower; a flexible hose connected to the main cleaning device unit; an extension pipe selectively connected to the hose; a floor intake tool connected to the extension pipe; and a circulation path circulating exhaust from the electric blower to the floor intake tool. A section of a motor case surrounding the electric blower and an exhaust guide connecting a circulation path formed in a hose and circulating exhaust air from the electric blower to the floor intake tool are formed integrally.  
           [0009]    The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a cross-section drawing of a main cleaning device unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of an exhaust guide.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a cross-section drawing extending from a handle tube of a flexible hose to a floor intake tool.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a top-view drawing of a floor intake tool.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a side-view drawing of the floor intake tool.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a front-view drawing of the floor intake tool.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a top-view drawing of a floor intake tool with an upper case and cover removed.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is a cross-section drawing of a floor intake tool.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a cross-section drawing along the A-A line in FIG. 3.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is a front-view drawing of a pivoting tube and a connecting tube.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 is a side-view drawing of the pivoting tube and connecting tube.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 12 is a rear-view drawing of a pivoting tube and a connecting tube connected, as well as a bottom-view drawing of the pivoting tube.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 13 is a cross-section drawing of a pivoting tube and a connecting tube.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 14 is a cross-section drawing along the B-B line in FIG. 12.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 15 is a cross-section drawing along the C-C line in FIG. 12.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 16 is a cross-section drawing along the D-D line in FIG. 12 with a pivoting tube removed.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 17 is a top-view drawing of a connecting tube.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 18 is a bottom-view drawing of a connecting tube.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 19 is a cross-section drawing of a connecting section between a first extension pipe and a second extension pipe.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 20 is a cross-section drawing along the E-E line in FIG. 18.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 21 is a cross-section drawing of a main cleaning device unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]    Referring to FIG. 1, a main cleaning device unit  1  includes a main unit case  2  having a cover  16  (described later) attached to its outer bottom. A front cover  18  (described later) is attached to the front of the main unit case  2 . An intake opening  3  is formed on the front wall of the main unit case  2 . At the front, the main unit case  2 , a dust collection chamber  5  that communicates with the intake opening  3 . A removable paper pack  4  is placed in the dust collection chamber  5  to trap dust. In the middle position, an electric blower holding chamber  7  housing an electric blower  6 . At the rear, a cord reel chamber  9  housing a cord reel  8 .  
         [0032]    The electric blower  6  is covered by a motor cover  10 . The motor cover  10  has a first opening  11  radially aligned with the blower of the electric blower  6 . A second opening  12  is radially aligned with the motor of the electric blower  6 . A filter  13  is mounted in the second opening  12 . A portion of the exhaust from the electric blower  6  passes the motor and exits the motor cover through the second opening  12  and the filter  13  along an axis sections of wheels  14  at the sides of the main unit case  2 .  
         [0033]    A return opening  15  in the bottom surface of the electric blower holding chamber  7  of the main unit case  2  is aligned with the first opening  11  of the motor cover  10  covering the electric blower  6 .  
         [0034]    Referring now to FIG. 2, a blow-molded exhaust guide  100  includes a first opening  101  at one of its ends. First opening  101  has dimensions exceeding the dimensions of the return opening  15 . A plurality of second openings  102  (two in this embodiment) are formed at the other end of the exhaust guide  100 . The dimensions of the second openings exceed the dimensions of the communicating openings  23 , described later.  
         [0035]    Returning now to FIG. 1, a first fitting section  103  is formed near the first opening  101  of the exhaust guide  100 . The first fitting section  103  has dimensions that are smaller than the dimensions of the return opening  15 . A pair of second fitting sections  104  are fitted near the second openings  102  of the exhaust guide  100 . The dimensions of the second fitting sections  104  are smaller than the dimensions of the communicating openings  23 , described later.  
         [0036]    The first fitting section  103  is fitted into the return opening  15  and the second fitting sections  104  are fitted into the communicating openings  23 . As a result, exhaust from the electric blower  6  goes through the return opening  15  by way of the exhaust guide  100  and passes through the communicating openings  23 .  
         [0037]    The exhaust guide  100  has flexible thin walls. This flexibility allows the first opening  101  and the second openings  102  to be deformed inwardly for easy insertion into the return opening  15  and the communicating openings  23 , respectively. This permits the first fitting section  103  and the second fitting section  104  to be fitted into the return opening  15  and the communicating opening  23 , thus improving assembly efficiency.  
         [0038]    The inwardly deformed first opening  101  and the second opening  102  are urged outward by the resilient restorative force of the plastic material from which the exhaust guide  100  is blow molded. This prevents the exhaust guide  100  from disengaging from the return opening  15  and the communicating opening  23  while also improving sealing around the return opening  15  and the communicating opening  23 . The cover  16  covers the exhaust guide  100 . The cover is attached to the outer bottom surface of the main unit case  2  by any convenient means such as the screw shown.  
         [0039]    The front cover  18  is attached spaced forward of the front of the main unit case  2 . The space thus formed defines an exhaust space between the front cover and the main unit case  2 . A hose connection cylinder  20  is generally centered in the front cover  18 . A first connecting member  27  of a host  24 , described later, is insertable into the hose connection cylinder  20 . The opening of the hose connecting cylinder  20  is aligned with the intake opening  3  of the main unit case  2 . A communicating opening  21  is formed integrally with the hose connecting cylinder  20 . The communicating opening  21  interconnects the exhaust space  19  and the hose connecting cylinder  20 .  
         [0040]    A panel wall  22 , on the lower portion of the front wall of the main unit case  2 , extends toward the front of the main cleaning unit  1 . A communicating opening  23 , in the panel wall  22 , provides a connection between the exhaust guide  100  and the exhaust space  19 .  
         [0041]    Referring now also to FIG. 3, a hose  24  is removably connected to the main cleaning device unit  1 . The hose  24  is a two layer structure having a flexible inner hose  25  and a flexible outer hose  26 . The diameter of the inner hose  25  is substantially smaller than the diameter of the outer hose  26 , thus leaving a space therebetween. The inner hose  25  forms an intake path. The space between the inner hose  25  and the outer hose  26  is an exhaust path. The exhaust path is made continuous with the exhaust space  19  by the communicating opening  21 . A conductive and shape-retaining coil is embedded in the outer hose  26 .  
         [0042]    The inner hose  25  does not contain a stiffener such as an embedded coil or the like. If the user accidentally steps on, or otherwise deforms the hose  24 , the shape of the inner hose  25  is restored, since the outer hose  26  is returned to its full outline by the shape-retaining coil embedded therein. Thus, the inner hose  25  will not be deformed as long as the outer hose  26  is not deformed. When the inner hose remains undistorted, dust clogging of the inner hose  25  is prevented. If the outer hose  26  is deformed, this condition is visible to the user to indicate that the inner hose  25  is also crushed. The user is thus alerted to cure the problem of the distorted outer hose  26 , thereby preventing dust from accumulating unnoticed in the inner hose  25 .  
         [0043]    The inner hose  25  is preferably formed of an opaque or colored resin and the outer hose  26  is preferably formed from a semi-transparent resin. The semitransparent outer hose  26  permits the user to see the inner hose  25  as a further confirmation that the inner hose  25  remains undistorted.  
         [0044]    A connecting member  30  is disposed on the outer end of the hose  24 . The connecting member  30  includes an inner member  31  connected to the inner hose  25  and an outer member  32  connected to the outer hose  26 .  
         [0045]    A handle tube  33  is formed integrally with a grip  34 . The connecting member  30  connected to the hose  24  is rotatably and electrically connected to the handle tube  33 . The handle tube  33  is includes an inner cylinder  35  having a generally circular cross-section which serves as an intake path. The inner cylinder  35  is aligned with the inner member  31 . An outer cylinder  36  covers the bottom of the inner cylinder  35  (opposite from the grip  34 ). A space between the inner cylinder  35  and the outer cylinder  36  serves as an exhaust path communicating with the outer member  32  of the second connecting member  30 .  
         [0046]    A clamp  37  is pivotably disposed inside the handle tube  33 . A pressure-sensitive section  38 , or spring-loaded push button, at one end of the claim is exposed at the upper surface of the handle tube  33 . A hook  39 , formed on the other end of the clamp  37 , is projected and recessed in an opening (not shown in FIG. 3) in the inner tube  35 . The hook  39  is disengaged from the opening by pressure applied by the user to the pressure-sensitive section  38  to permit disengagement of the handle tube  33 .  
         [0047]    A first extension pipes  40  is removably attached to the handle tube  33  by the clamp  37 . First extension pipe  40  includes a cylindrical intake cylinder  42  and a crescent-shaped exhaust cylinder  44 , having shapes matching the shapes of corresponding elements in the insertion cylinder  50  of handle tube  33 .  
         [0048]    A second extension pipe  41  is fitted to the outer end of the first extension pipe  40 , and secured in place by a second clamp  46 . An intake cylinder  43  and an exhaust cylinder  45  have shapes generally matching corresponding elements in first extension pipe  40 .  
         [0049]    Referring now to FIG. 19, clamp  46 , similar to the clamp  37  of the handle tube  33 , is disposed at the other end (the side connecting to the second extension pipe  41 ) of the first extension pipe  40 . A cover  40   a  is integrally attached to the outer surface of the intake tube  40 . The clamp  46  is disposed between the first extension pipe  40  and the cover  40   a . The pressure-sensitive section  47 , at one end of the clamp  46 , is exposed for actuation by a user through the upper surface of the cover  40   a . A hook  48 , at the other end of the clamp  46 , is normally spring loaded into locking contact in an engagement cavity  53  in an outer surface of the intake cylinder  43 . When the hook  48  is in the engaged position shown, the first extension pipe  40  is locked to second extension pipe  41 . Pressing on pressure-sensitive pressure-sensitive section  47  hinges the hook  48  out of the engagement cavity  53 , whereby the extension pipes  40  and  41  may be disengaged.  
         [0050]    Referring now also to FIG. 3, at inner ends of the first and second extension pipes  40 ,  41 , insertion cylinders  50 ,  51  permit insertion thereinto of the outer ends of the handle tube  33  and the first extension pipes  41 , respectively. A seal  52  is disposed on the outer perimeters of the insertion cylinders  50 ,  51  of the intake cylinders  42 ,  43 .  
         [0051]    The above description details the connecting section between the first extension pipe  40  and the second extension pipe  41 . The connecting section between the second extension pipe  41  and a floor intake tool  54 , described later, is formed similarly and the corresponding descriptions and figures are omitted.  
         [0052]    Referring now to FIGS.  3 - 9 , the floor intake tool  54  is removably connected to the outer end of the second extension pipe  41 . A main suction tool unit  57  including an upper case  55 , a lower case  56 , and a cover  68 . The cover  68  can be installed on, and removed from the upper and lower cases  55 ,  56 . A pivotable tube  75  is supported by the upper and lower cases  55 ,  56 . Pivotable tube  75  is free to pivot up and down relative to the main suction tool unit  57 . A connecting tube  79  is rotatable about the perimeter of the pivotable pipe  75 .  
         [0053]    An intake opening  58  is formed on the bottom surface of the main intake tool unit  57 . A rotating brush holding chamber  59  is formed in the main intake tool unit  57 . Rotating brush holding chamber  59  contain a rotating brush  60  that extends to the intake opening  58 .  
         [0054]    The rotating brush  60  has core  61  to which are attached a pair of brushes  62 . The bases of the brushes  62  are inserted into spiral-shaped grooves in the core  61 . A pair of blades  63 , similarly have their bases inserted into spiral-shaped grooves in the core  61 . The blades  63  are preferably molded in an arcuate shape from nylon, polyethylene resin, or the like.  
         [0055]    A guide section  64  is formed roughly horizontally at the front of the intake opening  58  of the lower case  56 . A guide member  65  is disposed continuously with a lower member  70  of the cover  68 . The guide member  65  is spaced a distance from the front wall of the lower case  56  and the guide section  64 . The guide member  65  guides the exhaust from a path  72  toward the guide section  64 .  
         [0056]    The lower end of the guide member  65  is a discharge opening of the circulation path  72 . The guide member  65  extends to the guide section  64 , close to the surface to be cleaned. The exhaust from the circulation path  72  is discharged from a position close to the surface to be cleaned. This facilitates the drawing in of dust from the surface to be cleaned, thus improving cleaning efficiency.  
         [0057]    The exhaust is deflected and guided by the guide section  64  toward the rotating brush  60 . When cleaning carpets and the like, this prevents the blade  63  and the brush  62  of the rotating brush  60  from getting caught in the carpet and having their rotation force reduced.  
         [0058]    Bearings  66  are formed at each side of a center-rear section of the upper and lower cases  55 ,  56 . A hollow shaft  78  of the pivotable tube  75  is pivotably supported by the bearings  66 . Exhaust spaces  67  are formed continuously with the bearings  66  to guide exhaust from the electric blower  6  to the hollow shaft  78  of the pivotable tube  75 .  
         [0059]    The cover  68 , removably attached to the upper and lower cases  55 ,  56 , forms a ceiling for the rotating brush holding chamber  59 . The cover  68  is formed by an upper member  69  and the lower member  70 . A pair of projections  71  project upward extend across the entire front-to-back short axis of the upper member  69 . The projections  71  are positioned toward the side-to-side ends of the long axis of the upper member  69 , at positions over the ends of the rotating brush  60 . Between the projections  71  and the lower member  70 , paths  72  are formed for the exhaust from the exhaust space  67 . The openings of the paths  72  toward the front forms the discharge opening for the exhaust.  
         [0060]    The sections of the lower member  70  corresponding to the paths  72 ,  72  are formed with a plurality of small holes  73  that reduce noise from the air flow in the rotating brush holding chamber  59 .  
         [0061]    Guide openings  74  are formed at the front of the projections  71  at positions corresponding to the ends of the rotating brush  60 . The guide openings are continuous with the paths  72 . Outside air, brought in from the guide openings  74 , along with exhaust from the paths  72 , are guided by the guide section  64  to the rotating brush  60  to rotate the rotating brush  60 .  
         [0062]    Referring now to FIGS.  10 - 13 , the pivotable tube  75  is pivotable up and down relative to the main suction tool unit  57 . The pivotable tube  75  includes an intake tube  76  extending from a connection to a connecting tube  79 . The other end of the pivotable tube  75  is supported by the main intake tool unit  57 . An exhaust path  77 , aligned with an exhaust path  81  of the connecting tube  79 , is formed at the outer perimeter of the intake tube  76  at one end of the pivotable tube  75 .  
         [0063]    The hollow shaft  78 , toward the other end of the pivotable tube  75 , is continuous with the exhaust path  77 . The hollow shaft  78  is pivotably supported by the bearings  66 ,  66  of the upper and lower cases  55 ,  56  to connect the exhaust path  77  of the pivotable tube  75  with the exhaust space of the main suction tool unit  57 .  
         [0064]    The connecting tube  79 , connected to the pivotable tube  75 , is pivotable about the perimeter of the pivotable tube  75 . The connecting tube  79  is formed from: an intake path  80  continuous with the intake tube  76  of the pivotable tube  75 ; an exhaust path  81  formed integrally with the outer perimeter of the intake path  80  and continuous with the exhaust cylinder  45  of the second extension pipe  41 ; and a cover member  82  forming a section of the discharge path  81 .  
         [0065]    At the end toward the second extension pipe  41 , the exhaust path  81  of the connecting tube  79  if formed with a crescent-shaped cross-section matching the shape of the exhaust cylinder  45  of the second extension pipe  41 . Toward the end connected to the pivotable tube  75  of the connecting tube  79 , the exhaust path  81  is formed so that it extends about the entire outer perimeter of the intake pipe  76 .  
         [0066]    An insertion cylinder  84  is formed on the connecting tube  79  toward the second extension pipe  41 . Insertion cylinder  84  is similar to the end of the second extension pipe  41  toward the first extension pipe  40  and the first extension pipe  40  toward the handle tube  33 . The insertion cylinder  84  includes with an engagement cavity  85  that is engaged in a manner the same as the hook  48  of the clamp  46 .  
         [0067]    A support cover  86  is attached to the lower end of the pivotable tube  75 . The support cover  86  is formed from upper and lower support members  87 ,  88 . Together with the end of the pivotable tube  75 , the support cover  86  supports a collar  89  located at the edge of the opening of the exhaust path  81  of the connecting tube  79 . This allows the pivotable tube  75  and the connecting tube  79  to pivot with respect to each other.  
         [0068]    The pivotable tube  75  can be pivoted to a position roughly perpendicular to the main suction tool unit  57 . The connecting tube  79  can be pivoted to the left and to the right of the pivotable tube  75  to positions roughly parallel to the floor surface. By pivoting the pivotable tube  75  to the perpendicular position and pivoting the connecting tube  70  to a horizontal position to either the left or the right, the first and second extension pipes  40 ,  41  are positioned roughly parallel to the main suction tool unit  57 , thus allowing the main suction tool unit  57  to pass beneath furniture and the like for cleaning.  
         [0069]    When the electric blower  6  is activated, air containing dust is sucked in to the intake opening  58  and the guide opening  74  of the floor intake tool  54 . The air flows through the intake tube  76  of the pivotable tube  75 , the intake path  80  of the connecting tube  79 , the intake cylinders  42 ,  43  of the first and second extension pipes  40 ,  41 , the inner cylinder  35  of the handle tube  33 , the inner member  31  and the inner hose  25  of the second connecting member  30 , an inner member of the first connecting member  27 , and into the dust collection chamber  5 .  
         [0070]    The dust contained in the intake air is filtered in the paper pack  4 . Most of the intake air is circulated as exhaust air to the exhaust guide  100  by way of the first opening  11  of the motor cover  10  and the return opening  15  at the bottom surface of the electric blower holding chamber. A portion of the intake air flows from the motor of the electric blower  6  to the second opening  12  of the motor cover  10  and discharged through the filter  13  along the axes of the wheels  14 .  
         [0071]    The exhaust air circulated through the exhaust guide  100  flows into the communicating opening  23  formed on the panel wall  22  of the main unit case  2 . Since the exhaust guide  100  is an integral unit, the circulated exhaust air is prevented from leaking from the cleaning device main unit  1  due to exhaust pressure. Thus, the unhealthy stirring up of dust from the floor surface or carpet into the room due to leaked air is prevented.  
         [0072]    The exhaust air flowing into the communicating opening  23  passes through the exhaust space  19  between the main unit case  2  and the front cover  18 , the communicating opening  21  formed on the hose connecting cylinder  20  of the front cover  18 , and the exhaust path formed between the inner hose  25  and the outer hose  26 . The exhaust air then flows between the inner member  31  and the outer member  32  of the connecting member  30  and into the outer cylinder  36  of the handle tube  33 . The exhaust air then flows through the exhaust cylinders  44 ,  45  of the first and second extension pipes  40 ,  41  and into the exhaust path  81  of the connecting tube  70  of the floor intake tool  54 .  
         [0073]    The exhaust air flowing into the exhaust path  81  of the connecting pipe  79  flows from the exhaust path  77  of the pivotable tube  75  to the exhaust space  67  of the main intake tool  57  by way of the hollow shaft  78 . The exhaust air then flows through the path  72  formed in the projection  71  of the cover  68  and hits the guide  64 , where it is blown to the rotating brush  60 , thus rotating the rotating brush  60 .  
         [0074]    Since outside air is also flowing in from the guide opening  74  of the main intake tool unit  57 , air flow is increased by the addition of the circulating exhaust from the path  72 , thus improving the rotation of the rotating brush  60 . Also, since the guide member  65  is disposed close to the guide  64  and continuous with the lower member  70  of the cover  68  forming the path  72 , the exhaust air is prevented from being dispersed into the rotating brush holding chamber  59 , thus guiding the air reliably to the rotating brush  60  and making the rotation of the rotating brush  60  more efficient.  
         [0075]    The clamps  46 , disposed at the connections between the handle tube  33  and the first extension pipe  40 , the first extension pipe  40  and the second extension pipe  41 , and the second extension pipe  41  and the connecting section of the connecting tube  79  of the floor intake tool  54 , are all disposed in the intake path from the floor intake tool  54  to the main cleaning device unit  1 . Thus, openings to the pressure-sensitive sections of the clamps  46  do not leak air to the outside, thus preventing unpleasantness to the user.  
         [0076]    Taking the connection between the first extension pipe  40  and the second extension pipe  41  as an example, if the pressure-sensitive section  47  of the clamp  46  were to be disposed toward the exhaust cylinder  44 , exhaust air flowing through the exhaust cylinder  44  could escape from the first extension pipe  40  through the opening  49  through which the hook  48  of the clamp  46  projects. This would result in unpleasantness to the user. However, in this embodiment, the clamp  46  is disposed on the intake cylinder  42 , which is part of the intake path from the floor intake tool  54  to the main cleaning device  1 . The intake flow of air sucked into the electric blower  6  through the intake cylinder  42  causes outside air to be drawn into the intake cylinder  42  by way of the opening  49  into which the hook  48  of the clamp  46  is projected. This prevents air from leaking out of the first extension pipe  40  and prevents unpleasantness for the user.  
         [0077]    With the configuration described above, the exhaust from the electric blower  6  is circulated into the floor intake tool  54 , thus reducing exhaust from the cleaning device. Also, this exhaust is provide additional rotational torque for the rotating brush  60 , thus providing a healthy electric cleaning device with good cleaning efficiency.  
         [0078]    Since the exhaust circulated from the electric blower  6  to the floor intake tool  54  is guided and deflected by the guide section  64  of the main intake tool unit  57  toward the rotating brush  60 , exhaust air is not blown toward the floor surface. Thus, if the floor intake tool  54  is raised from the floor, the exhaust air does not disperse the dust on the surface being cleaned.  
         [0079]    Furthermore, the flow of outside air, along with the circulated exhaust, into the guide opening  74  provides adequate rotation for the rotating brush  60 , thus improving cleaning efficiency.  
         [0080]    The path  72  and the guide opening  74  of the cover  68  are formed over the ends of the rotating brush  60 . Thus, exhaust air circulating through the path  72  and the outside air from the guide opening  74  are blown primarily at the ends of the rotating brush  60  by way of the guide section  64 .  
         [0081]    The suction strength of the cleaning device corresponds to the suction strength at the intake tube  76  of the pivotable tube  75  connected at the rear-center of the main suction tool unit  57 . The suction strength is strongest at the center of the suction opening  58 . However, in the embodiment as described above, the exhaust is blown at the ends of the rotating brush  60 . Thus, removal of dust at the ends of the rotating brush  60 , where the suction force is weaker compared to the center of the suction opening  58 , is enhanced.  
         [0082]    If the guide openings  74  and the path  72  were extended across the entire width of the rotating brush  60 , the air flow of the outside air drawn in from the guide openings  74  and the air flow of the exhaust from the path  72  would be reduced, thus preventing efficient rotation of the rotating brush  60 . However, in this embodiment, the guide openings  74  and the path  72  are located near the ends of the rotating brush  60 . Thus, the outside air is guided to the rotating brush  60  without a reduction in air flow. This improves rotation efficiency and improves cleaning efficiency.  
         [0083]    The discharge opening of the path  72  is located at the front of the floor intake tool  54  (i.e., to the front of the rotating brush holding chamber  59 ). Thus, exhaust flowing from the rear of the floor intake tool  54  to the front is smoothly guided from the front of the rotating brush holding chamber  59 , passing under, and then flowing toward the rear. Thus, the air flow is prevented from dropping, and suction is improved.  
         [0084]    Furthermore, the guide opening  74  is formed continuously with the path  72  at the front of the floor intake tool  54 . Thus, the air flow and suction is improved.  
         [0085]    The guide member  65  is disposed at the discharge opening of the path  72  and the exhaust discharge opening from the path  72  is close to the surface being cleaned. Thus, the exhaust from the path  72  blows at the guide section  64 . This prevents a drop in air flow and provides reliable rotation torque for the rotating brush  60 , while also allowing dust on the surface to be cleaned to be efficiently drawn in.  
         [0086]    Referring to FIG. 21, a second embodiment differs from the embodiment of FIG. 1 in that it positions its first opening  11  at a position corresponding to that of the return opening  15  of the motor cover  10  covering the electric blower  6 . The first opening is connected to the integrally formed exhaust guide  105 . This reliably prevents circulating exhaust from leaking out of the main cleaning device unit  1 . In this embodiment, the motor cover  10  and the exhaust guide  100  of FIG. 1 are formed integrally as an exhaust guide  105 , and the cover  16  is eliminated.  
         [0087]    With this configuration, the circulating exhaust is reliably prevented from leaking out of the main cleaning device unit  1 . Also, the simplified structure allows more efficient assembly.  
         [0088]    According to the invention, an exhaust guide is formed integrally. One end of the exhaust guide is connected to an opening in an electric blower holding chamber that houses an electric blower. The other end of the exhaust guide is connected to a communicating opening on a main cleaning device unit. The exhaust guide is continuous with a circulation path formed in a hose. This reliably prevents circulating exhaust from escaping from the main cleaning device unit and prevents unhealthy dispersal of dust from a floor surface or carpet due to leaked air.  
         [0089]    According to another embodiment of the invention, an exhaust guide is formed as a flexible guide, thus allowing the exhaust guide to be mounted efficiently and also improving the sealing properties of the connecting sections of the exhaust guide.  
         [0090]    According to a further embodiment of the invention, a section of the motor case surrounding an electric blower and an exhaust guide connected to a communicating opening continuous with a circulation path formed in a hose are formed integrally. This simplifies the structure and provides more efficient assembly. Also, leakage of circulating exhaust from the main cleaning device unit can be reliably prevented and unhealthy dispersal of dust from a floor surface or carpet due to leaked air is prevented.  
         [0091]    Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.