Abstract:
Pressurized filtered exhaust air from a motorized fan in a vacuum cleaner body passes on an exhaust path to a floor suction tool. The exhaust air is directed by the floor suction tool generally parallel to the surface to be cleaned to agitate dust and thus to improve cleaning performance. An electric motor in the floor suction tool drives a rotation brush. The exhaust air is also directed toward the rotation brush in the floor suction tool in a direction to add rotation force to the rotation brush. Feeder lines to the electric motor pass through the exhaust path so that the feeder lines are exposed only to filtered air. Passing the feeder lines through the exhaust path avoids the necessity to make special provision for the feeder lines. The exhaust path passes along a hose, and may optionally pass along one or more extension pipes on its way to the floor suction tool.

Description:
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner of an exhaust reflux (circulation) type in which exhaust from a motorized fan internal to a vacuum cleaner body is circulated to a floor suction tool via hose and pipe. 
     Japanese Application Number 11-163986 proposes an electric vacuum cleaner, wherein air in a circulation path of exhaust from a motorized fan is circulated to a floor suction tool that has a rotatable rotation brush. The recirculated air is blown toward the surface to be cleaned inside the floor suctioning tool. The rotation brush of the floor tool is rotated by the exhaust to remove dust from the surface to be cleaned. The dirt is buoyed up by the air flow to make it easier to suction the dirt into the vacuum cleaner. 
     When a vacuum cleaner is used for cleaning a carpet with long fibers, the rotation brush may have insufficient rotational torque when the rotational force of the rotation brush relies only on the circulated exhaust. Dust deep inside the fibers of the carpet and the like may not be satisfactorily removed. 
     In order to solve this problem, there has been considered a construction wherein the floor suction tool has a separate electric motor that forcibly rotates the rotation brush. However, space for wiring the feeder lines to the motor is needed. If wiring space for feeder lines is provided on a floor suctioning tool with a two layer construction of a air suctioning path and exhaust path, the floor suctioning tool becomes large and difficult to use. 
     OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide an electric vacuum cleaner that simplifies the construction of the floor suction tool and also improves its dust removing performance. 
     Briefly stated, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner in which pressurized filtered exhaust air from a motorized fan in the vacuum cleaner body passes on an exhaust path to a floor suction tool. The exhaust air is directed by the floor suction tool generally parallel to the surface to be cleaned to agitate dust and thus to improve cleaning performance. An electric motor in the floor suction tool drives a rotation brush. The exhaust air is also directed toward the rotation brush in the floor suction tool in a direction to add rotation force to the rotation brush. Feeder lines to the electric motor pass through the exhaust path so that the feeder lines are exposed only to filtered air. Passing the feeder lines through the exhaust path avoids the necessity to make special provision for the feeder lines. The exhaust path passes along a hose, and may optionally pass along one or more extension pipes on its way to the floor suction tool. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: a vacuum cleaner body containing a motorized fan, a floor suction tool, a rotation brush in said floor suction tool, a motor in said floor suction tool for rotating said rotation brush, an air circulation exhaust path from said vacuum cleaner body to said floor suction tool, said air circulation exhaust path including an air filter, whereby air in said air circulation exhaust path is clean air, electric lines from said vacuum cleaner body to said motor for rotating said rotation brush, and said electric lines passing along said air circulation exhaust path, whereby said electric lines are protected from contaminants in air moving therepast. 
     The first means of the present invention is an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: a vacuum cleaner body containing an internal motorized fan; a flexible hose connected to the vacuum cleaner body; an extension pipe that is optionally connected to the hose; a floor suction tool that is connected to the extension pipe; a circulation path in which exhaust from the motorized fan is circulated to the floor suction tool via the hose and the extension pipe; a rotation brush and a motor that drives the rotation brush being provided on the floor suction tool; and feeder lines to the motor in the circulation path. 
     In the first means of the present invention, preferably, the floor suction tool is constructed from a suction tool body, a pivoting pipe that can be moved up and down with respect to the suction tool body, a connection pipe that can be pivoted in the circumferential direction with respect to the pivoting pipe; and the feeder lines are placed in the circulation path formed on the pivoting pipe and the connection pipe; and the feeder lines have more slack than the pivoting distance of the pivoting pipe and the connection pipe. 
     In the first means of the present invention, preferably, the exhaust air is guided to the rotation brush in the rotation direction of the rotation brush. 
     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 FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a vacuum cleaner body and a portion of a flexible hose of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the flexible hose from a handle pipe to a floor suction tool. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the floor suction tool of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the floor suction tool of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the floor suction tool of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the floor suction tool of FIG. 2 with an upper case and lid body removed. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the floor suction tool of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-section along line A—A of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of the pivoting pipe and connection pipe of the vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a figure simultaneously showing a rear view with the pivoting pipe connected to the connection pipe, as well as the back side of the pivoting pipe. 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-section of the pivoting pipe and connection pipe. 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-section along line B—B of FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-section along line C—C of FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-section along line D—D of FIG. 12 with the pivoting pipe removed. 
     FIG. 16 is a top view of the connection pipe. 
     FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the connection pipe. 
     FIG. 18 is a cross-section of the connection portion of the first extension pipe and the second extension pipe. 
     FIG. 19 is a cross-section along line E—E of FIG.  18 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner body  1  is constructed from a body case  2 . A cover  16  (described later) is attached to the outside bottom part of body case  2  to form an exhaust path  17  between it and body case  2 . A front cover  18  (described later) is attached to the front part of body case  2 . 
     Vacuum cleaner body  1  has a suction opening  3  on the front wall of body case  2 . Going in order starting from the front of body case  2 , vacuum cleaner body  1  is equipped with a dust collecting chamber  5  into which a paper pack  4  may be installed to filter dust from the air flow. Dust collecting chamber  5  is connected to suction opening  3 . A motorized fan chamber  7  contains a motorized fan  6  for drawing air into vacuum cleaner  1 . A cord reel chamber  9  contains a cord reel  8  for holding an electric cord, and from which the electric cord can be unreeled in a conventional manner. 
     Motorized fan  6  is covered by a motor cover  10 . A first opening  11  in motor cover  10  is radially aligned with the fan of motorized fan  6 . A second opening  12  in motor cover  10  is located at a position corresponding to the motor for motorized fan  6 . A filter  13  is interposed in second opening  12 . After passing through the motor, a portion of the exhaust from motorized fan  6  is discharged from motor cover  10  through filter  13  and then through an axle portion of a wheel  14  positioned on the side of body case  2 . 
     A return opening  15  is formed on the bottom surface of motorized fan chamber  7 . Return opening corresponds to first opening  11  of motor cover  10  that covers motorized fan  6 . A portion of the exhaust from motorized fan  6  is guided via return opening  15  to exhaust path  17 . 
     Cover  16  is attached to the outside bottom surface of body case  2 . Exhaust path  17 , through which exhaust from motorized fan  6  passes, is formed between cover  16  and the bottom surface of body case  2 . 
     Front cover  18  is attached to the front part of body case  2 . An exhaust space  19  is defined between front cover  18  and body case  2 . A hose connection tube part  20  is positioned at a front of front cover  18 , aligned with suction opening  3 . A first connection member  27  of a hose  24  is fittable into hose connection tube part  20 . A communication opening  21  is formed on a part of hose connection tube part  20 . Communication opening  21  connects exhaust space  19  with the inside of hose connection tube part  20 . 
     A partitioning wall  22  is formed facing forward on the bottom part of the front wall of body case  2 . Partitioning wall  22  partitions exhaust path  17  and exhaust space  19 . Exhaust path  17  and exhaust space  19  are connected by a communication hole  23  in partitioning wall  22 . 
     Hose  24  is removably connected to hose connection tube part  20  at one end of vacuum cleaner body  1 . Hose  24  has a two layer construction consisting of a smaller diameter inner hose  25  that has flexibility and an outer hose  26  that has a larger diameter than inner hose  25 . The inside of inner hose  25  is a suction path. A space between inner hose  25  and outer hose  26  is an exhaust path. A coil of wire is embedded in outer hose  26 . The coil of wire is electrically conductive and automorphic. 
     Inner hose  24  does not include support elements such as coil wires and the like embedded therein. Inner hose  24 , being inside, and protected by outer hose  26 , which does have a coil of wire embedded therein, is protected from deformation even if the user accidentally steps on hose  24 . In the event of temporary deformation of inner hose  25 , its shape is restored. As long as outer hose  26  is not deformed, inner hose  25  is not deformed. This prevents the build-up of dust and consequent clogging of inner hose  25 . Furthermore, if outer hose  26  is deformed, it is recognized that inner hose  25  is also crushed. Thus, irregularities in the shape of inner hose  25 , which may cause clogging of inner hose  25 , are evident from ane external examination of outer hose  26 . 
     In order to make the condition of inner hose  25  more observable, inner hose  25  is preferably of a colored resin material, and outer hose  26  is preferably of a semi-transparent resin. 
     First connection member  27  at the upper end of hose  24  has an inner  28  member to which inner hose  25  is connected, and an outer member  29  to which outer hose  26  is connected. After attaching inner hose  25  to inner member  28 , outer hose  26  is attached and secured to outer member  29 . 
     Inner member  28  of first connection member  27  protrudes further outward than outer member  29 . When first connection member  27  is connected to hose connection tube part  20  on front cover  18  of vacuum cleaner body  1 , an airtight connection is formed between inner member  28  and suction opening  3  of body case  2 . Communication opening  21  on hose connection tube part  20  faces the surface of inner member  28  which protrudes more than outer member  29 . Exhaust from exhaust space  19  flows between inner member  28  and outer member  29  of first connection member  27  via communication opening  21 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a second connection member  30  is located at the outer end of hose  24 . As with first connection member  27 , second connection member  30  has an inner member  31  that connects with inner hose  25  and an outer member  32  that connects with outer hose  26 . 
     A grip part  34  is formed unitarily on the upper surface of a handle pipe  33 . Second connection member  30 , to which hose  24  is connected, is rotationally and electrically connected to handle pipe  33 . Handle pipe  33  has an inner tubular part  35  that has an approximately circular cross section. Inner tubular part  35  aligns with inner member  31  of second connection member  30  to form a part of the suction path. An outer tubular part  36  covers the under side (opposite side from grip part  34 ) of inner tubular part  35 . Outer tubular part  36  is in communication with outer member  32  of second connection member  30  to seal the exhaust path. 
     A clamp  37  is embedded on handle pipe  33  in a see-saw condition. A pushing part  38  is exposed at the top surface of one end of clamp  37  on handle pipe  33 . In addition, a hook  39  on the other end of clamp  37  can be raised and lowered inside inner tubular part  35  through an opening (not shown) in inner tubular part  35 . 
     A first extension pipe  40  and a second extension pipe  41  are removably attached to handle pipe  33 . The shapes of first extension pipe  40  and second extension pipe  41  generally correspond to the shape of handle pipe  33 . First extension pipe includes suction tube part  42  having a generally circular cross-section similar to inter tubular part  35 . An exhaust tube part  44  on the lower side of first extension pipe  40  has an approximately crescent-shaped cross-section coinciding with the shape of outer tubular part  36 . 
     Referring to FIG. 9, second extension pipe  41  similarly includes a suction tube part  43  having an approximately circular cross-section coinciding with inner tubular part  35 , and a crescent-shaped exhaust tube part  45  on its underside that coincides with the crescent shape of outer tubular part  36 . 
     Referring now also to FIG. 18, on the other end of first extension pipe  40  (on the side connecting with second extension pipe  41 ), a clamp  46  similar to clamp  37  of handle pipe  33  connects first extension pipe  40  to second extension pipe  41 . A cover  40   a  is attached unitarily on the outer surface on the side of suction tube part  42 . A pushing part  47 , or push button, on one end of clamp  46  is exposed through an opening shown at the upper surface of cover  40   a . A hook  48  on the other end of clamp  46  is spring-biased inward into its normally locking position with a latching depression  53 , as shown in FIG.  18 . Pushing part  47  is pivoted by the user by pressing on pushing part  47  to lever hook  48  upward out of engagement with latching depression  53 . 
     One end of first extension pipe  40  and second extension pipe  41 (on the side connecting with handle tube  33 ) includes an insertion tube part  50  and an insertion tube part  51  that are inserted into handle tube  33 . The other end of first extension pipe  40  is fitted into second extension pipe  41 . Packing seals  52  are placed on the outer perimeters of insertion tube part  50  of suction tube part  42  and on insertion tube part  51  of suction tube part  43 . 
     The connection portion for first extension pipe  40  and second extension pipe are shown in FIG.  18  and described in detail. The corresponding connection portion between second extension pipe  41  and a connection pipe  79  of a floor suction tool  54  is the same, and further detailed description thereof is omitted. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2-8, a floor suction tool  54  is detachably connected to the outer end of second extension pipe  41 . Floor suction tool  54  includes a suction tool body  57 . An upper case  55  fits onto a lower case  56 . A lid body  68  (described later) detachably latches onto upper case  55  and lower case  56 . A pivoting pipe  75  (described later) is sandwiched between upper case  55 . Pivoting pipe  75  is pivoted to lower case  56  to permit it to be rotated up and down with respect to suction tool body  57 . A connection pipe  79  (described later) that is fitted onto pivoting pipe  75 . Connection pipe  79  is free to rotate freely in the circumferential direction. 
     A suction opening  58  is formed on the lower surface of suction tool body  57 . A rotation brush housing chamber  59  is located inside suction tool body  57 . A rotation brush  60 , facing suction opening  58 , is rotationally housed in rotation brush housing chamber  59 . 
     Rotation brush  60  has a core body  61  and a pair of brush bodies  62 . Base parts of brush bodies  62  are inserted and attached to a spiral groove on core body  61 . A pair of blades  63  have their base parts similarly inserted and attached to the spiral groove of core body  61 . Blades  63  are molded in a curved shape preferably from a synthetic resin such as, for example, nylon or polyethylene. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, a motor housing chamber  100  is located inside suction tool body  57  adjacent to rotation brush housing chamber  59 . A motor  101  inside motor housing chamber  100  drives a belt  102  to transfer rotational torque from motor  101  to rotation brush  60 . 
     Referring to FIG. 8, motor  101  rotates rotation brush  60  in the counter-clockwise direction, as seen in the FIG. 8. A unidirectional clutch (not shown) constrains the rotation of rotation brush  60  to rotational only in the counter-clockwise direction. 
     Returning to FIG. 6, a control part housing chamber  103  is provided inside suction tool body  57  on the opposite side of motor housing chamber  100  from motor  101 . A safety switch  104  inside control part housing body chamber  103  detects when the bottom surface of suction tool body  57  faces upward. A signal from safety switch  104  enables a control board  105 , also located inside control part housing chamber  103 , to stop motor  101  when safety switch  104  detects that the bottom surface of suction tool body  57  faces upward. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a guide part  64  is directed approximately horizontally rearward on the front part of suction opening  58  of lower case  56 . A guide member  65  has an inner curved surface forming a continuity of a lower member  70  of a lid body  68 , described later. Guide member  65  is placed with space between it and the front wall of lower case  56  and between it and guide part  64 . Guide member  65  guides exhaust from a path  72  described later toward guide part  64 . 
     A space between the lower end of guide member  65  and guide member  65  acts as the discharge opening for the circulation path (path  72  that is described later) adjacent to the surface to be cleaned. Locating the exhaust from the circulation path (path  72 ) at a position adjacent to the surface to be cleaned, and directing the exhaust substantially parallel to the surface being cleaned improves the dislodgement of the dust on the surface to be cleaned, thereby making it easier to take the dust into the vacuum cleaner. As a consequence the cleaning effectiveness is improved. 
     The exhaust from circulation path  72  is turned by guide part  64  toward rotation brush  60 . During the cleaning of a carpet, a reduction in the rotational force due to catching of blade  63  and brush body  62  of rotation brush  60  on the carpet is prevented. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 8, an axle supporting part  66  is formed at the back center part of upper case  55  and lower case  56 . Axle supporting part  66  pivotably supports a hollow axle  78  of pivoting pipe  75  described later. An exhaust space  67  is formed continuously on axle supporting part  66 . Exhaust from motorized fan  6  is guided through hollow axle  78  of pivoting pipe  75  (described later) to exhaust space  67 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3-5 and  7 - 8 , lid body  68  is removably attached to upper case  55  and lower case  56 . Lid body  68  forms the top panel of rotation brush housing chamber  59 . Lid body  68  is constructed from an upper member  69  spaced upward from lower member  70 . A pair of expanded parts  71  (FIGS. 3 and 5) are formed near both lateral extremities of upper member  69 . That is, expanded parts  71  are located at positions corresponding to the ends of rotation brush  60 . Expanded parts  71  protrude upward over the entire front-to-back width of upper member  69 . Path  72 , through which passes exhaust from exhaust space  67 , is formed between expanded parts  71  and lower member  70 . In addition, the forward opening of path  72  is the discharge opening for the exhaust. 
     A large number of small holes  73  (FIG. 7) are formed in the portion corresponding to path  72  of lower member  70 . Small holes  73  reduce the noise from air flow inside rotation brush housing chamber  59 . 
     Pivoting pipe  75  allows for pivoting vertical movement with respect to suction tool body  57 . Pivoting pipe  75  forms a suction pipe part  76  that is continuous from the end that is connected to a connection pipe  79  (described later) to the other end that is sandwiched by suction tool body  57 . An exhaust channel  77  coincides with an exhaust path  81  of connection pipe  79  (described later) on an outer perimeter part of suction pipe part  76  on one end of pivoting pipe  75 . 
     Hollow shaft  78  is formed on the other end of pivoting pipe  75  in communication with exhaust channel  77 . By having shaft  78  pivotably supported by axle supporting parts  66 ,  66  of upper case  55  and lower case  56 , exhaust channel  77  of pivoting pipe  75  and exhaust space  67  of suction tool body  57  are in communication. 
     Connection pipe  79  is connected to pivoting pipe  75  in a manner allowing for pivoting in the circumferential direction. Connection pipe  79  is constructed from a suction path  80  that communicates with suction pipe part  76  of pivoting pipe  75  and an exhaust path  81 . Exhaust path  81  is formed unitarily on the outer perimeter of suction path  80  in communication with exhaust tube part  45  of second extension pipe  41 . A cover member  82 , fitted on a lower portion of connection pipe  79 , forms a part of exhaust path  81 . 
     On the side where it connects to second extension pipe  41 , exhaust path  81  of connection pipe  79  has a crescent-shaped cross section coinciding with the shape of exhaust tube part  45  of second extension pipe  41 . In addition, on the side of connection pipe  79  that connects with pivoting pipe  75 , exhaust path  81  surrounds the entire outer perimeter of suction pipe part  76 . 
     As with the end part of second extension pipe  41  on the first extension pipe  40  side and with the end part of first extension pipe  40  connecting with handle pipe  33 , an insertion tube part  84  is formed on connection pipe  79  where it connects with second extension pipe  41 . Insertion tube part  84  has a latching depression part  85  that latches with hook  48  of clamp  46 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, terminals  106  are affixed on the upper surface of connection pipe  75  on the side with second extension pipe  41 . Feeder lines  107  have one end connected to terminals  106 . A connector  108 , connected to the other end of feeder lines  107 , is affixed to control board  105 . Feeder lines  107  pass through exhaust channel  77 , hollow shaft  78 , and exhaust space  67  to reach control board  105 . To prevent breaking of wire due to pivoting of pivoting pipe  75  and connection pipe  79 , feeder lines  107  are wired with more slack than the distance that pivoting pipe  75  and connection pipe  79  pivot. 
     By connecting connection pipe  75  to second extension pipe  41 , terminal  106  is electrically connected to a feeder means (not shown) in second extension pipe  41 . A cover body  109  anchors terminal  106  and covers feeder lines  107 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, a support cover  86  is attached to one end of pivoting pipe  75 . Support cover  86  is made up of an upper support member  87  and a lower support member  88 . A rim part  89 , at the opening edge of exhaust path  81  of connection pipe  79 , is sandwiched between support cover  86  and one end of pivoting pipe  75 . Support cover  86  supports pivoting pipe  75  and connection pipe  79  in a freely pivoting manner. 
     Pivoting pipe  75  can be pivoted upward to a position that is approximately perpendicular with respect to suction tool body  57 . In addition, connection pipe  79  can be pivoted in the left-right direction with respect to pivoting pipe  75  to a position approximately horizontal with the floor surface. By pivoting pivoting pipe  75  to the perpendicular position as well as pivoting connection pipe  79  left or right to an approximately horizontal position, first extension pipe  40  and second extension pipe  41  can be positioned roughly parallel to suction tool body  57 . Suction tool body  57  can thus penetrate and clean between furniture and the like. 
     Therefore, with the embodiment of the present invention, when motorized fan  6  is energized, air containing dust is sucked in through suction opening  58  of floor suction tool  54 . This air flows into dust collecting chamber  5  through suction pipe part  76  of pivoting pipe  75 , suction path  80  of connection pipe  79 , suction tube part  42  and suction tube part  43  of first extension pipe  40  and second extension pipe  41 , inner tubular part  35  of handle pipe  33 , inner member  31 , inner hose  25  of second connection member  30 , and inner member  28  of first connection member  27 . 
     After filtering the dust contained in the suction air by paper pack  4 , a large portion of the suction air is circulated as exhaust from the fan portion of motorized fan  6  to exhaust path  17  through first opening  11  of motor cover  10  and return opening  15  of motorized fan chamber  7  bottom surface. In addition, a portion of the suction air from the motor part of motorized fan  6  is discharged from the axle portion of wheel  14  through second opening  12  of motor cover  10  and filter  13 . 
     A large portion of the exhaust circulated to exhaust path  17  flows between inner member  28  and outer member  29  of first connection member  27  via communication hole  23  formed on partitioning wall  22  of body case  2 , exhaust space  19  between body case  2  and front cover  18 , communication opening  21  formed on hose connection tube part  20  of front cover  18 . 
     After passing through the exhaust path between inner hose  25  and outer hose  26  that are each connected to inner member  28  and outer member  29  of first connection member  27 , the exhaust flows inside outer tubular part  36  of handle pipe  33  in the space between inner member  31  and outer member  32  of second connection member  30 . The exhaust further flows into exhaust path  81  of connection pipe  79  of floor suction tool  54  via exhaust tube part  44  and exhaust tube part  45  of first extension pipe  40  and second extension pipe  41 . 
     The exhaust that flows into exhaust path  81  of connection pipe  79  passes through exhaust channel  77  of pivoting pipe  75  via hollow shaft  78  and through exhaust space  67  of suction tool body  57 . The exhaust collides with guide part  64  via path  72  on expanded parts  71  of lid body  68 . The exhaust is blown toward rotation brush  60  to rotate rotation brush  60 . 
     Furthermore, because guide member  65  is continuous with lower member  70  of lid body  68  that defines path  72  and adjoins guide part  64 , the exhaust from path  72  is prevented from being dispersed inside rotation brush housing chamber  59 . The exhaust is more accurately guided to rotation brush  60 , and rotational force of rotation brush  60  is efficiently obtained. 
     When cleaning a carpet with long fibers and the like, there may be insufficient rotation torque with the only rotational force on rotation brush  60  generated by the exhaust circulated to suction tool body  57 . Dust embedded deep inside the fibers of the carpet and the like may not be sufficiently removed. In this situation, motor  101  is operated, and rotation brush  60  is forcibly rotated. When this occurs, the exhaust that collides with guide part  64  has its direction changed, so that it is guided in the direction of the rotation of rotation brush  60 . This aids the rotation of rotation brush  60  and reduces the load on motor  101 . In addition, this assistance permits motor  101  to be made smaller. 
     Feeder lines  107 , to control board  105 , pass through exhaust channel  77 , hollow axle  78 , and exhaust space  67 . This eliminates the need for special provisions for the wiring. The construction is thus simplified. In addition, because feeder lines  107  pass through exhaust channel  77 , hollow axle  78 , and exhaust space  67 , where the flowing air has passed through paper pack  4 , and is relatively clean, damage to coverings or short circuits of feeder lines  107  arising from contamination by dust and the like is prevented, and clogging of the path due to trapping of dust and the like on feeder lines  107  is prevented. 
     Clamps  46 , which are placed in the connection parts between handle pipe  33  and first extension pipe  40 , between first extension pipe  40  and second extension pipe  41 , and between second extension pipe  41  and connection pipe  79  of floor suction tool  54 , are all located on the suction side of the path from floor suction tool  54  to vacuum cleaner body  1 . As a result, outflow of air to the atmosphere from the hole where the pushing part of clamp  46  faces out. The user does not feel any discomfort. 
     Using the connection portion between first extension pipe  40  and second extension pipe  41  as an example, if pushing part  47  of clamp  46  were placed on the same side as exhaust tube  44 , exhaust flowing inside exhaust tube part  44  could leak to the outside of first extension pipe  40  through opening  49  where hook  48  of clamp  46  faces out. The user may feel some discomfort. However, in the present embodiment, clamp  46  is placed on the side with suction tube part  42 , which is the suction path from floor suction tool  54  to vacuum cleaner body  1 . As a result, due to sub-atmospheric pressure in the suction flow that is inside suction tube part  42  and flows by being sucked in by motorized fan  6 , outside air is sucked inside suction tube part  42  via opening  49  where hook  48  of clamp  46  faces out. Leakage of air from first extension pipe  40  is prevented, and the user does not experience any discomfort. 
     Furthermore, in motor  101 , safety switch  104  detects when the bottom surface of suction tool body  57  faces upward, and the control part stops motor  101 . As a result, injury from touching rotation brush  60  with the hand is prevented. 
     Path  72  of lid body  68  is formed at a position corresponding to both ends of rotation brush  60 . As a result, the exhaust circulating in path  72  is blown mainly onto the ends of rotation brush  60  via guide part  64 . 
     The suctioning force of the vacuum cleaner is strongest at the center of suction opening  58 , corresponding to suction pipe part  76  of pivoting pipe  75  that is connected to the back center part of suction tool body  57 . However, in the present embodiment as described above, because exhaust is blown toward the ends of rotation brush  60 , dust at the ends of rotation brush  60 , where the suction force is relatively weak compared to the center part of suction opening  58 , is reliably stirred up. 
     Because the discharge opening for path  72  is formed towards the front of floor suction tool  54  (in other words, on the front side of rotation brush housing chamber  59 ), the exhaust that flows from the back towards the front of floor suction tool  54  is guided smoothly from the front of rotation brush housing chamber  59 , around towards the bottom, and then toward the back. This prevents reduction of wind speed, and improves the suctioning force for deep parts. 
     The discharge opening of path  72  is provided with guide member  65 , and the discharge opening for the exhaust from path  72  is close to the surface to be cleaned. As a result, the exhaust from path  72  is aligned and blown onto guide part  64 . Reduction in wind speed is prevented, and rotational torque of rotation brush  60  is reliably obtained. In addition, dust from the surface to be cleaned is churned up, whereby the suctioning performance is improved. 
     According to the present invention, placing the feeder lines to the motor that rotates the rotation brush in the circulation path that circulates exhaust air to the floor suction tool, the construction of the floor suction tool is simplified. 
     Because the feeder lines are wired in the circulation path where the air flow is relatively clean, damage to the coating of the feeder lines due to collision of dust with the feeder lines is prevented. Thus, short circuiting of the feeder lines is prevented. In addition, clogging of the channels due to trapping of dust and the like on the feeder lines is prevented, since the air flowing in the channels has passed through a filter, and is relatively clean. 
     According to a further embodiment of the present invention, because the amount of slack in the feeder lines is greater than the pivoting distance of the pivoting pipe and the connection pipe, breaking of the wires of the feeder lines due to pivoting of the pivoting pipe and connection pipe is prevented. 
     According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, exhaust air circulating in the floor suction tool is guided in the direction of the rotation of the rotation brush. As a result, the exhaust air aids in driving the rotation brush when the motor is operated, and thus decreases the load on the motor. A smaller motor can be used. 
     Having described preferred embodiments of the present 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.