Patent Publication Number: US-2019174984-A1

Title: Vacuum cleaner

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a vacuum cleaner available as a blower which utilizes exhaust of an electric blower upon attaching of an attachment. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, some vacuum cleaners used as, for example, a suction cleaner, are available as a blower, when a suction hose body or the like is connected to a connecting port arranged in an exhaust path of an electric blower. Such a configuration capable of effectively blowing off dust and dirt by efficient use of exhaust of the electric blower is desired. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2011-250972 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner capable of efficiently utilizing exhaust of an electric blower in the case of being used as a blower, in consideration of the matter above. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment includes a body portion, a dust-collecting unit, an exhaust port, an exhaust air path, a connecting port, a blower air path, a switcher, and an attachment. The body portion includes an electric blower. The dust-collecting unit communicates with a suction side of the electric blower so as to catch and collect dust and dirt by operation of the electric blower. The exhaust port is arranged on the body portion. The exhaust air path is arranged in the body portion so as to communicate between an exhaust side of the electric blower and the exhaust port. The connecting port is arranged on the body portion. The blower air path is arranged in the body portion so as to communicate between the exhaust side of the electric blower and the connecting port. The switcher is arranged capable of opening and closing the connecting port so as to switch between the exhaust air path and the blower air path according to the opening and closing. The attachment, when being attached to the connecting port, communicates with the blower air path upon switching by the switcher. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1( a )  is a cross sectional view showing a part of a vacuum cleaner without an attachment according to one embodiment, and  FIG. 1( b )  is a cross sectional view showing a part of the same vacuum cleaner with an attachment attached; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view showing the same vacuum cleaner in a sucking state; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the periphery of a connecting port of a body portion of the same vacuum cleaner; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing apart of the inside of the same body portion; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the same vacuum cleaner in one sucking state; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the same vacuum cleaner in another sucking state; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view showing the same vacuum cleaner in a blowing state; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing an attachment of the same vacuum cleaner; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view showing a part of the process for attaching the attachment of the same vacuum cleaner; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the same vacuum cleaner in one blowing state; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the same vacuum cleaner in another blowing state. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     One embodiment will be described in terms of its configuration with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 11 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , reference sign  11  denotes a vacuum cleaner, and the vacuum cleaner  11  includes a cleaner main body  15 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the vacuum cleaner  11  may also include an air path element  16  in a longitudinal shape to be connected to the cleaner main body  15 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the vacuum cleaner  11  further includes an attachment  17  to be attached to the cleaner main body  15 . Then, the vacuum cleaner  11  is available as a handy-type (portable) cordless suction vacuum cleaner when it is in one sucking state ( FIG. 5 ) corresponding to a specified sucking state by use of the cleaner main body  15  alone. In the case of including the air path element  16 , the vacuum cleaner  11  is also available as a stick-type cordless suction vacuum cleaner when it is in another sucking state ( FIG. 6 ) with the air path element  16  connected to the cleaner main body  15 . Further, the vacuum cleaner  11  is available as a handy-type cordless blower when it is in one blowing state ( FIG. 10 ) or another blowing state ( FIG. 11 ) corresponding to a specified blowing state which is a specified blower use state with the attachment  17  connected to the cleaner main body  15 . It is noted that a vacuum cleaning apparatus may be configured with the vacuum cleaner  11  and an unshown container device for housing the vacuum cleaner  11  when not in use. 
     The cleaner main body  15  shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6  includes a body portion  21 . The cleaner main body  15  also includes a dust-collecting unit (dust-collecting device)  22  detachable to/from the body portion  21 . The cleaner main body  15  further includes an electric blower  23 . The cleaner main body  15  also includes a control unit  24  as control means (a controller) for controlling the operation of the electric blower  23 . The cleaner main body  15  further includes a secondary battery  25  which is a battery as a power source part serving as a power source for the electric blower  23 , the control unit  24  and the like. The cleaner main body  15  also includes a main body connecting port  26  to which the air path element  16  can be connected. The cleaner main body  15  further includes a handle (gripping part)  27  which is a main body holding part as a human body contact part for use for holding the cleaner main body  15  (vacuum cleaner  11 ) . The cleaner main body  15  also includes a setting button  28  as setting means (a setting part) for use for setting an operation mode of the electric blower  23 . The cleaner main body  15  also includes a first communicating port  31  and a second communicating port  32  each of which communicates with the dust-collecting unit  22 . The cleaner main body  15  further includes an exhaust port  33  for discharging the exhaust of the electric blower  23 . The cleaner main body  15  also includes a connecting port  34  where the attachment  17  ( FIG. 8 ) can be attached/detached. In addition, inside the cleaner main body  15 , a suction air path  35  communicating between the main body connecting port  26  and the first communicating port  31  is formed. Further, inside the cleaner main body  15 , a communicating air path  36  communicating between the second communicating port  32  and the suction side of the electric blower  23  is formed. In addition, inside the cleaner main body  15 , an exhaust air path  37  communicating between the exhaust side of the electric blower  23  and the exhaust port  33  is formed. Inside the cleaner main body  15 , a blower air path  38  communicating between the exhaust side of the electric blower  23  and the connecting port  34  is also formed. The cleaner main body  15  further includes a switching valve  39  which is switching means (a switching part) capable of opening/closing the connecting port  34 , that is, opening/closing means (an opening/closing part) as switching means. Then, the cleaner main body  15  includes a locking part (locking clamp)  40  as fixing means (a fixing part) for fixing the switching valve  39  at a position where the switching valve  39  closes the connecting port  34 . 
     It is noted that in order to provide clearer description in terms of the vacuum cleaner  11 , hereinafter, a direction substantially in parallel with the axis of the main body connecting port  26  is defined as a back-and-forth direction, and an up-and-down direction and a left-and-right direction are defined based on the back-and-forth direction. That is, the up-and-down direction, the left-and-right direction and the back-and-forth direction in terms of the vacuum cleaner  11  are based on the states respectively shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 7 , and the directions shown by an arrow U and an arrow D are defined as the up-and-down direction, the directions shown by an arrow FR and an arrow RR are defined as the back-and-forth direction, and the directions shown by an arrow L and an arrow R are defined as the left-and-right direction. 
     The body portion  21  shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6  is formed as a whole in a shape elongated in the back-and-forth direction. The body portion  21  houses the electric blower  23 , the control unit  24  and the secondary battery  25  respectively. Also on the body portion  21 , the main body connecting port  26  is opened. Further on the body portion  21 , the handle  27  is arranged to project. Also on the body portion  21 , the first communicating port  31  and the second communicating port  32  are opened. Further on the body portion  21 , the exhaust port  33  is opened. Also on the body portion  21 , the connecting port  34  is opened. Further in the body portion  21 , the suction air path  35  is arranged. Also in the body portion  21 , the communicating air path  36  is arranged. Also in the body portion  21 , the blower air path  38  is arranged. Further to the body portion  21 , the switching valve  39  is attached. Then, the body portion  21  includes a first body portion  42  which is arranged in the front portion thereof and extends along the back-and-forth direction, a second body portion  43  which is arranged in the rear portion thereof and extends along the back-and-forth direction, and an inclined body portion  44  serving as a connecting body portion which connects the first body portion  42  and the second body portion  43 . Also on the body portion  21 , an attaching-and-holding part  45  which attaches and holds the dust-collecting unit  22  is arranged. 
     The first body portion  42  is formed substantially linearly along the back-and-forth direction. The second body portion  43  is located below the first body portion  42 . The second body portion  43  is also formed linearly along the back-and-forth direction. Thus, the second body portion  43  is formed substantially in parallel with the first body portion  42 . Further, the inclined body portion  44  is formed along a line inclined from the upper front portion to the lower rear portion thereof . Thus, the body portion  21  is formed bent substantially in a crank shape. 
     The attaching-and-holding part  45  is arranged to project upward from the upper portion of the first body portion  42 , that is, from the position continuous from the first body portion  42  to the inclined body portion  44 . 
     The dust-collecting unit  22  communicates with the suction side of the electric blower  23  to catch and collect the dust and dirt sucked by the operation of the electric blower  23 . The dust-collecting unit  22  is, for example, a cyclone-separating-type dust-collecting cup which centrifuges (performs cyclone separation) from air the dust and dirt sucked along with air by the operation of the electric blower  23 . The dust-collecting unit  22  also includes a dust-collecting-unit locking part  47  for locking the dust-collecting unit  22  to the body portion  21 . The dust-collecting-unit locking part  47  is arranged, in the present embodiment as an example, at an end portion of the dust-collecting unit  22 , but may be arranged on the side of the body portion  21 . In the present embodiment, the dust-collecting-unit locking part  47  is locked and held by the attaching-and-holding part  45 . In addition, the dust-collecting unit  22  includes a dust suction port  48  and a dust exhaust port  49 . The dust suction port  48  and the dust exhaust port  49  respectively communicate with the first communicating port  31  and the second communicating port  32  in the state where the dust-collecting unit  22  is attached to the body portion  21 . Accordingly, the dust-collecting unit  22  communicates with the suction side of the electric blower  23  in the state of being attached to the body portion  21 . The dust-collecting unit  22  is also connected to the downstream side of the main body connecting port  26  (air path element  16 ) in the state of being attached to the body portion  21 . 
     The electric blower  23  includes an electric motor and a fan to be pivoted by the electric motor. For example, a brushless motor is used as the electric motor. Also, the electric blower  23  is housed in the inclined body portion  44 . 
     The control unit  24  is a control board including, for example, a microcomputer and the like. The control unit  24  includes a driving control part which makes, for example, the electric blower  23  or the like operate based on the setting made by a user via the setting button  28 . The control unit  24  may include a charging circuit part such as a constant current circuit which receives power from an external power source such as a commercial AC power source to charge the secondary battery  25 . 
     The secondary battery  25  is, for example, a battery pack including a plurality of batteries. 
     The main body connecting port  26  serves as a suction port when the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a handy-type cleaner. The main body connecting port  26  also serves as a communicating port which communicates between the air path element  16  and the cleaner main body  15  when the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a stick-type cleaner. The main body connecting port  26  is located on the front end portion of the body portion  21 . That is, the main body connecting port  26  is arranged on the front portion of the cleaner main body  15 . In an example, the main body connecting port  26  is opened on the front end portion of the first body portion  42 . Accordingly, the main body connecting port  26  is located below and in front of the dust-collecting unit  22 . 
     The handle  27  is located in the upper portion of the cleaner main body  15  (body portion  21 ). In addition, on the upper portion of the handle  27 , the setting button  28  is arranged. 
     The setting button  28  is located, for example, somewhat closer to the front side of the handle  27 . Then, the setting button  28  is enabled to be pushed for operation by the thumb or the like of user&#39;s hand gripping the handle  27 . 
     The first communicating port  31  is located on the upper portion of the first body portion  42 . Likewise, the second communicating port  32  is located on the upper portion of the first body portion  42 . Accordingly, the first communicating port  31  and the second communicating port  32  are located on the upper portion of the cleaner main body  15  (body portion  21 ). The first communicating port  31  and the second communicating port  32  are also opened along a direction crossing with the longitudinal direction of the cleaner main body  15  (body portion  21 ) . Then, the first communicating port  31  and the second communicating port  32  are aligned front and rear. The first communicating port  31  and the second communicating port  32  are further designed to be communicated with each other via the dust-collecting unit  22  in the state where the dust-collecting unit  22  is attached to the body portion  21 . The second communicating port  32  may be covered with a filter  51 . 
     The exhaust port  33  corresponds to a downstream end portion of the exhaust air path  37 . The exhaust port  33  is located on each of the both side portions of the first body portion  42 . Accordingly, the exhaust port  33  is located somewhat closer to the front side of the cleaner main body  15  (body portion  21 ). In other words, the exhaust port  33  is located in front of the electric blower  23 . Accordingly, the exhaust port  33  is located in the periphery of the main body connecting port  26 . The exhaust port  33  is located also above the connecting port  34 . It is noted that the exhaust port  33  may be covered with an unshown filter. 
     The connecting port  34  is an attached portion where the attachment  17  is attached and detached. The connecting port  34  also corresponds to a downstream end of the blower air path  38 . The connecting port  34  is located on the lower portion of the first body portion  42 . Accordingly, the connecting port  34  is located somewhat closer to the front side of the cleaner main body  15  (body portion  21 ) . In other words, the connecting port  34  is located in front of the electric blower  23 . The connecting port  34  is located also below the exhaust port  33 . In an example, the connecting port  34  is located between the exhaust ports  33  located on the both sides. The connecting port  34  is also opened on the lower portion (at the bottom) of the body portion  21 . The connecting port  34  is further formed, in the present embodiment as an example, in an ellipse (elliptical) shape elongated in the back-and-forth direction ( FIG. 3 ) . The connecting port  34  is located also behind the main body connecting port  26 . The connecting port  34  is located also behind the suction air path  35 . The connecting port  34  is located also below the dust-collecting unit  22 . In addition, the connecting port  34  is located between the first communicating port  31  and the second communicating port  32  as seen in the longitudinal direction (back-and-forth direction) of the cleaner main body (body portion  21 ) . Further, on the inner edge of the connecting port  34 , a locking-receiving part  53  where the locking part  40  locks the switching valve  39  is arranged. Then, on the inner edge of the connecting port  34 , an unshown attachment locking-receiving part where the attached attachment  17  is locked is arranged. 
     In the present embodiment, the locking-receiving part  53  is arranged at the rear portion of the inner edge of the connecting port  34 . The locking-receiving part  53  is arranged to project in a claw shape toward the inside of the connecting port  34 . That is, in the present embodiment, the locking-receiving part  53  is arranged to project forward in a claw shape. 
     The suction air path  35  is formed along the back-and-forth direction. The suction air path  35  is located inside the first body portion  42 . Accordingly, the suction air path  35  is located in front of and away from the electric blower  23 . The suction air path  35  is located also in front of the connecting port  34 . Accordingly, the connecting port  34  is located between the suction air path  35  and the electric blower  23 . In addition, the suction air path  35  is bent so that the downstream side thereof is directed to the first communicating port  31 , that is, upward. 
     The communicating air path  36  is located above the electric blower  23  and formed along the up-and-down direction. 
     The exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38  may be individually different air paths, or may be configured to have a partially common air path. In the present embodiment, the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38  are configured to have a common air path  55  in the upstream side. That is, in the present embodiment, the vacuum cleaner  11  includes the air path  55  which is arranged in the body portion  21  and communicates with the exhaust side of the electric blower  23 . In addition, the air path  55  is configured so as to, upon the opening/closing of the connecting port  34  by the switching valve  39 , be alternatively (selectively) changed to serve as the exhaust air path  37  or the blower air path  38 . The upstream side of the air path  55  is located on the rear portion of the electric blower  23 , while the downstream side thereof is located in front of the electric blower  23 . That is, the air path  55  (the upstream sides of the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38 ) is formed from the rear portion of the electric blower  23  over to the front of the electric blower  23 . Accordingly, the exhaust air path  37  is located partially in front of the electric blower  23 . Likewise, the blower air path  38  is located partially in front of the electric blower  23 . In addition, the air path  55  includes in the downstream end thereof a switching port  56  to be opened and closed by the switching valve  39 . Further, in the present embodiment, at least the downstream side of the air path  55  is partitioned by a duct  57 . 
     The switching port  56  communicates between the air path  55  and the exhaust port  33 . That is, the switching port  56  partially forms the exhaust air path  37 . Also, the switching port  56  is located above the connecting port  34 . That is, the switching port  56  and the connecting port  34  are aligned up and down. Accordingly, the switching port  56  is located in front of the electric blower  23 . The switching port  56  is located also between the suction air path  35  and the electric blower  23 . Then, the switching port  56  is located in the periphery of the connecting port  34 . 
     The duct  57  is located in front of the electric blower  23 . The duct  57  is located also above the connecting port  34 . The duct  57  further includes in the downstream end of the air path  55  a facing surface  59  as a facing part arranged along the direction crossing with (orthogonal to) the direction of air flowing through the air path  55 . Also on the duct  57 , the switching port  56  is opened. 
     The facing surface  59  is located above the connecting port  34 . Accordingly, the facing surface  59  is located so as to face the upper portion of the switching valve  39 . Also, the facing surface  59  is formed so as to be inclined upward to the back direction. On the facing surface  59 , the switching port  56  is further opened ( FIG. 4 ) . In the present embodiment, the switching port  56  is arranged so as to penetrate through the facing surface  59  in the thickness direction. Accordingly, the switching port  56  is located on the front end portion of the duct  57 . 
     The switching valve  39  serves to alternatively (selectively) switch between the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38  by opening/closing the connecting port  34 . In the present embodiment, the switching valve  39  serves to alternatively (selectively) switch between the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38  by closing one of the connecting port  34  and the switching port  56 . That is, the switching valve  39  is configured so as to make the exhaust of the electric blower  23  flow through the exhaust air path by opening the switching port  56  while closing the connecting port  34 , and to make the exhaust of the electric blower  23  flow through the blower air path  38  by closing the switching port  56  while opening the connecting port  34 . Accordingly, the switching valve  39  is configured to substantially completely, so to speak, switch between the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38 . In other words, the exhaust of the electric blower  23  flows through only one of the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38  switched by the switching valve  39 , while the exhaust thereof does not flow through the other. That is, in the present embodiment, switching between the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38  refers to the state where only one of these is opened and the other is substantially blocked. 
     The switching valve  39  is a valve body including a pivotal shaft  39   a  in the front end side corresponding to the downstream side of the exhaust of the electric blower  23 . That is, the switching valve  39  is configured to pivot for opening and closing the connecting port  34  and the switching port  56 . The pivotal shaft  39   a  is arranged, for example, on the lower portion of the front side of the switching port  56  in the duct  57 . Accordingly, the switching valve  39  is arranged so as to pivot in the up-and-down (back-and-forth) direction. In other words, the switching valve  39  pivots toward the downstream side with the downstream side of the exhaust of the electric blower  23  as the center, so as to open the connecting port  34  and close the switching port  56 . Also, the switching valve  39  includes a connecting-port closing part  61  capable of closing the connecting port  34 . The switching valve  39  further includes a contacting surface  62  which is a contacting part to be contact with the attachment  17  attached to the connecting port  34 . In the present embodiment, the switching valve  39  further includes a switching-port closing part  63  capable of closing the switching port  56 . The switching valve  39  also includes a seal member  64 . The switching valve  39  further includes an insertion port  65  where the locking part  40  operates. In the present embodiment, the switching valve  39  also includes a space  66  as a fixing-means arrangement part (a fixing-part arrangement part) where the locking part  40  is arranged. In addition, the switching valve receives biasing force from a spring  67  as switching-biasing means (a switching biaser). 
     The connecting-port closing part  61  is a part serving as a lid of the connecting port  34 . That is, the connecting-port closing part  61  is the part to be exposed when being fitted in the connecting port  34  in the state where the switching valve  39  closes the connecting port  34 . The connecting-port closing part  61  forms the lower portion of the switching valve  39 . That is, the connecting-port closing part  61  is located below the switching-port closing part  63 . Also, the connecting-port closing part  61  is formed, for example, in a square plate shape. 
     The contacting surface  62  is located in the lower front portion of the switching valve  39 . In an example, the contacting surface  62  is arranged on the connecting-port closing part  61 . The contacting surface  62  is also located somewhat closer to the front end side of the switching valve  39  corresponding to the downstream side of the exhaust of the electric blower  23 . In other words, the contacting surface  62  is located in the periphery of the pivotal shaft  39 a of the switching valve  39 . Further, the contacting surface  62  is inclined upward toward the front side. Accordingly, the contacting surface  62  is formed along the radial direction of the pivotal shaft  39   a  of the switching valve  39 . 
     The switching-port closing part  63  is a part serving as the lid of the switching port  56 . The switching-port closing part  63  is a part to be fitted in the switching port  56  in the state where the switching valve  39  closes the switching port  56 . The switching-port closing part  63  forms the upper portion of the switching valve  39 . 
     It is noted that the switching-port closing part  63  is, in the present embodiment, formed on the switching valve  39  integrally with the connecting-port closing part  61 , however, in the case where opening/closing means (an opening/closing body) separate from the switching valve  39  closes and opens the switching port  56  while being linked with the closing/opening of the switching valve  39 , the switching-port closing part  63  may be configured as an individual element separate from the switching valve  39  as long as being arranged on the opening/closing means. Alternatively, in the case where switching means (a switching part) switches between the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38  arranged separately, the switching-port closing part  63  may not be required in some cases. 
     The seal member  64  serves to close the gap between the switching valve  39  and the connecting port  34 . In the present embodiment, the seal member  64  serves to close the gap between the switching valve  39  and the connecting port  34  and the gap between the switching valve  39  and the switching port  56 . The seal member  64  is attached so as to surround the outer edge of the switching valve  39 . 
     The insertion port  65  is opened on the connecting-port closing part  61 . That is, the insertion port  65  is located on the lower portion of the switching valve  39  so as to be exposed from the connecting port  34 . The insertion port  65  is arranged somewhat closer to the rear side of the switching valve  39 . That is, the insertion port  65  is located in the upstream side of the exhaust of the electric blower  23  and apart from the pivotal shaft  39   a  of the switching valve  39 . In the present embodiment, the insertion port  65  is located behind and apart from the contacting surface  62 . 
     The space  66  is arranged above the bottom surface of the switching valve  39 . In the present embodiment, the space  66  is arranged between the connecting-port closing part  61  and the switching-port closing part  63 . The space  66  is arranged in the periphery of the outer edge of the switching valve  39 . That is, the space  66  is arranged at a position facing the inner edge of the connecting port  34 , that is, in the present embodiment, a position facing the locking-receiving part  53 . Also, the space  66  is formed so as to be hollowed in the direction separating from the inner edge of the connecting port  34 . In the present embodiment, the space  66  is arranged somewhat closer to the rear portion of the switching valve  39 . Accordingly, the space  66  is formed so as to spread in the back-and-forth direction. The space  66  communicates with the insertion port  65 . In addition, the space  66  includes a guide part  66   a  which guides the locking part  40  in the direction of moving toward/away from the locking-receiving part  53 . In the present embodiment, the guide part  66   a  is bent, for example, so as to gradually project upward from the rear portion to the front portion. 
     The spring  67  serves to provide biasing force to the switching vale  39  to the direction for closing the connecting port  34 . In the present embodiment, the spring  67  serves to provide biasing force to the switching valve  39  to the direction for opening the switching port  56 . That is, the spring  67  provides biasing force to the switching valve  39  to the direction for pivoting downward. In the present embodiment, for example, a torsional spring is used as the spring  67 . 
     In addition, the locking part  40  is arranged on one of the body portion  21  and the switching valve  39  so as to lock and fix the switching valve  39  to the body portion  21 . In the present embodiment, the locking part  40  is arranged on the switching valve  39 . Specifically, the locking part  40  is arranged in the space  66  so as to face the insertion port  65 . The locking part  40  is arranged also movably to the switching valve  39 . The locking part  40  further includes a pressed part  40   a  as a fixing-means body (fixing-part body). The locking part  40  also includes a locking claw part  40   b  to be locked and fixed to the locking-receiving part  53 . The locking part  40  further includes a guided part  40   c  to be guided by the guide part  66   a.  Also, the locking part  40  receives biasing force from a spring  69  serving as biasing means (a biaser). In addition, the locking part  40  is configured to, when the attachment  17  is not attached to the connecting port  34 , hold the state of the switching valve  39  locked and fixed to the locking-receiving part  53 , by use of the biasing force of the spring  69 , and while to, when the attachment  17  is attached to the connecting port  34 , operate against the biasing force of the spring  69  to disengage the locking to the locking-receiving part  53 , resulting in releasing the fixing of the switching valve  39 . 
     The pressed part  40 a is a part to be pressed by the attachment  17  attached to the connecting port  34 , and to make the locking part  40  operate. The pressed part  40 a is arranged on the lower portion facing the insertion port  65 . 
     The locking claw part  40   b  is a part to be locked to and disengaged from the locking-receiving part  53 . The locking claw part  40   b  is arranged to project in a claw shape at a rear portion facing the locking-receiving part  53 . 
     The guided part  40   c  is a part for setting, along with the guide part  66   a,  the operating direction of the locking part  40  when the pressed part  40   a  is pressed by the attachment  17  attached to the connecting port  34 . The guided part  40   c  is arranged somewhat closer to the rear side of the lower portion facing the guide part  66   a.    
     The spring  69  provides biasing force to the locking part  40  toward the switching valve  39  (connecting-port closing part (insertion port  65 )). That is, the spring  69  provides biasing force to the locking part  40  downward. In the present embodiment, a coil spring is used as the spring  69 . In addition, the lower edge of the spring  69  is held on the upper portion of the locking part  40 , while the upper edge thereof is held on the lower portion of the switching-port closing part  63 , and the spring  69  is located between the locking part  40  and the switching valve  39 . 
     Meanwhile, the air path element  16  contains a partitioned air path, and communicates with the suction side of the electric blower  23  in the state of being connected to the cleaner main body  15 . The air path element  16  includes an extension pipe  71  in a longitudinal shape. The air path element  16  may also include a suction port body in the tip side (upstream side). Any type is available as the suction port body, but in the present embodiment as an example, a floor brush  72  is used as the suction port body. It is noted that the air path element  16  is not an essential element. 
     The base end side of the extension pipe  71  is connected to the cleaner main body  15  so as to be airtightly connected to the dust-collecting unit  22 . In an example, the base end side of the extension pipe  71  is connected to the main body connecting port  26 . The extension pipe  71  is also detachably held by a clamp  74  arranged on the cleaner main body  15  (body portion  21 ). 
     The floor brush  72  includes a casing body  76 . The floor brush  72  also includes a connecting pipe  77 . The casing body  76  is formed in a laterally long shape, that is, in a shape elongated in the left-and-right direction. Also, an unshown suction port is opened on the lower portion facing a cleaning-object surface of the casing body  76 . The connecting pipe  77  is also pivotably connected to the casing body  76 . Further, the connecting pipe  77  communicating with the suction port is airtightly connected to the tip side of the extension pipe  71 . Then, the floor brush  72  is connected to the tip side of the extension pipe  71 . In an example, the connecting pipe  77  of the floor brush  72  is inserted and connected to the extension pipe  71 . The floor brush  72  is also designed to be held in the connected state to the extension pipe  71  by a floor brush clamp  79  arranged on the extension pipe  71 . 
     Meanwhile, the attachment  17  is a blower attachment which uses the exhaust of the electric blower  23  when the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a blower. The attachment  17 , as shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , is formed substantially in a cylindrical shape. That is, the attachment  17  includes an exhaust communicating port  81  located on the base end side thereof and a discharge port  82  located on the tip side thereof. The attachment  17  also includes an attachment fitting part  85  to be inserted into and extracted from the connecting port  34 . The attachment  17  further includes a releasing part  86  which is capable of releasing the fixing of the switching valve  39  by the locking part  40 . The attachment  17  also includes an attachment locking part  87  which locks the attachment  17  to the connecting port  34 . The attachment  17  further includes an operated part  88  which makes the attachment locking part  87  operate. In addition, the attachment  17  is configured to, when being attached to the connecting port  34 , release the fixing of the switching valve  39  by the locking part  40  and open the connecting port  34 , and thereby make the switching valve  39  operate to switch from the exhaust air path  37  to the blower air path  38 . That is, the attachment  17  is detachable to/from the connecting port  34  opened by the switching valve  39 . 
     The exhaust communicating port  81  is an opening which communicates with the blower air path  38  in the state where the attachment  17  is attached to the connecting port  34 . The exhaust communicating port  81  is opened upward as an example. 
     The discharge port  82  is an opening which communicates with the exhaust communicating port  81  and discharges the air taken in the attachment  17  from the exhaust communicating port  81 . The discharge port  82  is opened in the back-and-forth direction. The discharge port  82  is also formed wide in the up-and-down direction and narrow in the left-and-right direction (width direction). That is, the discharge port  82  is formed in an ellipse (elliptical) shape having its longitudinal direction in the up-and-down direction. The discharge port  82  is further set to have a smaller opening area compared to the main body connecting port  26 . The discharge port  82  is also set to have a smaller opening area compared to the exhaust communicating port  81 . Accordingly, the attachment  17  is formed to have an air path area gradually smaller from the upstream side to the downstream side. In addition, the discharge port  82  is located below (right under) and in front of the main body connecting port  26  in the state where the attachment  17  is attached to the connecting port  34 . That is, the discharge port  82  is located in the periphery of the main body connecting port  26 . 
     The attachment fitting part  85  is arranged to project upward in a rib shape so as to surround the exhaust communicating port  81 . That is, the attachment fitting part  85  is located somewhat closer to the base end side (rear end side) of the attachment  17 . Also, the attachment fitting part  85  is formed in a shape to be fitted in the connecting port  34 . That is, the attachment fitting part  85  is formed in an ellipse (elliptical) shape elongated in the back-and-forth direction (the axial direction of the attachment  17 ). The attachment fitting part  85  further has a reinforcing rib  85   a  arranged, for example, along the back-and-forth direction. The rib  85   a  is arranged to be spanned between the front and rear portions of the exhaust communicating port  81  along the central part in the left-and-right direction thereof. 
     The releasing part  86  releases the locking and fixing of the switching valve  39  by the locking part  40  when the attachment  17  is attached to the connecting port  34 . Specifically, the releasing part  86  is inserted in the insertion port  65  when the attachment  17  is attached to the connecting port  34 , and thus pushes the locking part  40  (pressed part  40   a ) against the biasing force of the spring  69 . The releasing part  86  is a protrusion projecting upward as an example. The releasing part  86  is arranged on the attachment fitting part  85 . More specifically, the releasing part  86  is arranged on the rib  85   a  to project. 
     The attachment locking part  87  is a part for locking and fixing the attachment  17  to the cleaner main body  15  (connecting port  34 ) when being inserted into and locked to the attachment locking-receiving part located on the inner edge of the connecting port  34 . The attachment locking part  87  in a claw shape is arranged respectively left and right on the attachment fitting part  85 . The attachment locking part  87  is arranged movably to advance and retreat in the direction crossing with (orthogonal to) the attaching direction of the attachment  17  to the connecting port  34  (insertion direction of the attachment fitting part  85  to the connecting port  34 ). The attachment locking part  87  further receives to the advancing direction the biasing force of a spring serving as unshown attachment biasing means (an attachment biaser). 
     The operated part  88  serves to make the attachment locking part  87  retreat against the biasing force of the spring upon user&#39;s operation. The operated part  88  is arranged corresponding to the attachment locking part  87 . That is, the operated part  88  is arranged respectively on the left side and the right side of the attachment  17 . Accordingly, the operated part  88  is capable of making the attachment locking part  87  operate when a user operates the both operated parts  88  by pushing from the left side and the right side. The operated part  88  is also located below and away from the attachment fitting part  85  (attachment locking part  87 ). 
     The above-described one embodiment will be described in terms of its operation. 
     In the case where the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a handy-type suction cleaner (in one sucking state ( FIG. 5 )), only of the cleaner main body  15  with the dust-collecting unit  22  attached to the body portion  21  is used. That is, the cleaner main body  15  is used in the state where the air path element  16  is detached from the cleaner main body  15 . In this case, an air path element which is different from the air path element  16  including the extension pipe  71  and the floor brush  72 , as an example, and shorter than the air path element  16 , for example, a gap nozzle or the like, may be connected to the main body connecting port  26 . In this state, as shown in  FIG. 1( a ) , the connecting port  34  is covered by the switching valve  39  (connecting-port closing part  61 ), and the seal member  64  is pressed to the inner edge of the connecting port  34 , thereby closing the connecting port  34  without any gap, and also the exhaust air path  37  is selected. The switching valve  39  holds the state where the connecting port  34  is closed and the locking claw part  40   b  of the locking part  40  is locked to the locking-receiving part  53 . 
     Then, in the vacuum cleaner  11 , when a user gripping the handle  27  operates the setting button  28  to set an operation, the control unit  24  drives the electric blower  23  according to the set operation. In addition, by use of the negative pressure generated by the driving of the electric blower  23 , dust and dirt on a cleaning-object surface is sucked along with air while the user directs to the cleaning-object surface the main body connecting port  26  or the air path element  16  connected to the main body connecting port  26 , and moves it on the cleaning-object surface in the back-and-forth direction, the oblique direction and other directions. 
     In overview, the dust-including air is sucked from the main body connecting port  26  into the dust-collecting unit  22 , and dust and dirt are separated from the air and caught and collected, and also the air after dust and dirt are separated is sucked into the electric blower  23 . Then the sucked air is discharged outside the cleaner main body  15  from the exhaust port  33  via the exhaust air path  37 . More specifically, the dust-including air is sucked from the main body connecting port  26  via the suction air path  35 , the first communicating port  31  and the dust suction port  48  into the dust-collecting unit  22 , and then dust and dirt are separated from the air in the dust-collecting unit  22 . The air after dust and dirt are separated is discharged from the dust-collecting unit  22  via the dust exhaust port  49  and the second communicating port  32  to the communicating air path  36  of the body portion  21 , sucked from the communicating air path  36  into the electric blower  23  for cooling the electric blower  23 , and then discharged outside the cleaner main body  15  from the exhaust port  33  via the exhaust air path  37  (switching port  56 ). 
     Also, in the case where the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a stick-type suction vacuum cleaner (in another sucking state ( FIG. 6 )) , the air path element  16  is connected to the cleaner main body  15  with the dust-collecting unit  22  attached to the body portion  21 . In this state, the floor brush  72  communicates with the suction side of the electric blower  23  (that is, communicates with the dust-collecting unit  22  via the extension pipe  71 , and the main body connecting port  26 , the suction air path  35 , the first communicating port  31  and the dust suction port  48  of the cleaner main body  15 , and further communicates with the suction side of the electric blower  23  via the dust exhaust port  49  of the dust collecting unit  22 , and the second communicating port  32  and the communicating air path  36  of the cleaner main body  15 ). 
     Further, in the vacuum. cleaner  11 , when a user gripping the handle  27  puts the floor brush  72  on a cleaning-object surface, and operates the setting button  28  of the handle  27  to set an operation, the control unit  24  drives the electric blower  23  according to the set operation. In addition, by use of the negative pressure generated by the driving of the electric blower  23 , dust and dirt on the cleaning-object surface is sucked along with air from the suction port of the floor brush  72  while the user moves the floor brush  72  on the cleaning-object surface in the back-and-forth direction, the oblique direction and other directions alternatively. 
     The sucked dust-including air is taken from the floor brush  72  into the cleaner main body  15  (body portion  21 ) via the extension pipe  71 , and dust and dirt are separated from the air and caught and collected in the dust-collecting unit  22 , likewise in the above-described one sucking state. 
     When cleaning is finished, a user operates the setting button  28  to make the control unit  24  stop the electric blower  23 . 
     Meanwhile, in the case where the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a blower (in one or another blowing state ( FIG. 10  or  FIG. 11 )), a user first attaches the attachment  17  to the cleaner main body  15 . In this case, the releasing part  86  of the attachment  17  releases the locking and fixing of the switching valve  39  to push up the switching valve  39 , and also the attachment  17  is locked and fixed to the connecting port  34 , and thereby the pushed-up switching valve  39  is held in the state of closing the switching port  56 , and thus the blower air path  38  is selected. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 9 , when a user aligns the attachment fitting part  85  of the attachment  17  with the connecting port  34  of the cleaner main body  15  and presses the attachment fitting part  85  into the connecting port  34 , the releasing part  86  first is inserted in the insertion port  65 , and the locking part  40  which is housed in the space  66  so that the pressed part  40 a faces the insertion port  65  is pushed up against the biasing force of the spring  69 . In this case, the guided part  40 c slidingly contacts with the guide part  66 a of the switching valve  39 , and thus the locking part  40  moves forward in the space  66 , and thereby the locking claw part  40   b  retreats forward with respect to the locking-receiving part  53  and the locking and fixing of the switching valve  39  is released. When the attachment fitting part  85  of the attachment  17  is further pressed into the connecting port  34 , the switching valve  39  is pushed up against the biasing force of the spring  67 . Then, the attachment locking part  87  of the attachment  17  retreats against the biasing force of the spring due to the sliding contact with the inner edge of the connecting port  34 , and recovers to the projecting state by the biasing force of the spring at the position of the attachment locking-receiving part located on the inner edge of the connecting port  34 , so that the attachment locking part  87  is inserted into and locked at the attachment locking-receiving part. Accordingly, the attachment  17  is locked and fixed to the connecting port  34 , resulting in being attached to the cleaner main body  15 . In this state, as shown in  FIG. 1( b ) , when the contacting surface  62  contacts with the upper edge portion of the attachment fitting part  85 , the switching valve  39  is supported from below, and the switching port  56  is covered by the switching valve  39  (switching-port closing part  63 ), and also the seal member  64  is pressed to the inner edge of the switching port  56  so that the switching port  56  is closed without any gap, and thus the blower air path  38  is selected. When the exhaust communicating port  81  is connected to the connecting port  34 , the attachment  17  is also communicated with the blower air path  38 . It is noted that the releasing part  86  of the attachment  17  is extracted from the insertion port  65  when the switching valve  39  pivots upward, and thereby the locking part  40  of the switching valve  39  recovers due to the biasing force of the spring  69 . 
     Then, in one blowing state where the dust-collecting unit  22  is used, in the vacuum cleaner  11 , when a user gripping the handle  27  operates the setting button  28  to set an operation, the control unit  24  drives the electric blower  23  according to the set operation. In addition, by use of the exhaust (exhaust pressure) generated by the driving of the electric blower  23 , dust and dirt on a cleaning-object surface is blown off while the user directs the discharge port  82  of the attachment  17  to the cleaning-object surface and moves the discharge port  82  in the back-and-forth direction, the oblique direction and other directions to the cleaning-object surface. 
     In this case, in overview, the vacuum cleaner  11  sucks air from the main body connecting port  26 , sucks the sucked air via the dust-collecting unit  22  into the electric blower  23  then taking from the electric blower  23  via the blower air path  38 , discharges the air outside the cleaner main body  15  from the connecting port  34 , and blows off the air via the discharge port  82  from the attachment  17  connected to the connecting port  34 . More specifically, the air sucked from the main body connecting port  26  is sucked into the dust-collecting unit  22  via the suction air path  35 , the first communicating port  31  and the dust suction port  48 . After the slightly-included dust and dirt are separated from the air in the dust-collecting unit  22 , the air is discharged from the dust-collecting unit  22  to the body portion  21  via the dust-exhaust port  49  and the second communicating port  32 , and sucked from the communicating air path  36  into the electric blower  23  to cool the electric blower  23 . Then, the air is discharged outside the cleaner main body  15  from the connecting port  34  via the blower air path  38 , and flows while being gradually squeezed to the discharge port  82  from the exhaust communicating port  81  communicating with the connecting port  34 , and is jetted out from the discharge port  82 . 
     Also, in another blowing state where the dust-collecting unit  22  is not used, in overview, the vacuum cleaner  11  sucks air from the second communicating port  32  to the communicating air path  36  then taking the sucked air from the electric blower  23  via the blower air path  38 , discharges the air outside the cleaner main body  15  from the connecting port  34 , and blows out the air via the discharge port  82  from the attachment  17  connected to the connecting port  34 . The dust and dirt slightly included in the sucked air is caught and collected by the filter  51  arranged on the second communicating port  32 . It is noted that the air flow until being blown out from the discharge port  82  of the attachment  17  in the downstream side of the second communicating port  32  is the same as the above, and thus the description thereof is omitted. 
     When cleaning is finished, a user operates the setting button  28  to make the control unit  24  stop the electric blower  23 . 
     When the usage as a blower is finished, a user detaches the attachment  17  from the cleaner main body  15 . Specifically, when a user pushes the operated parts  88  respectively located on the left and right sides from the left side and the right side, the attachment locking part  87  of the attachment  17  retreats against the biasing force of the spring so as to be detached from the attachment locking-receiving part, and thereby the locking of the attachment  17  to the cleaner main body  15  is released. Then, upon the attachment  17  being extracted downward, the attachment fitting part  85  is extracted from the connecting port  34 . The biasing force of the spring  67  makes the switching valve  39  recover and opens the switching port  56 , and also the connecting-port closing part  61  covers the connecting port  34 , and thus the seal member  64  closes the gap between the seal member  64  and the connecting port  34 . This switches from the blower air path  38  to the exhaust air path  37 . The locking claw part  40   b  contacts with the locking-receiving part  53  when the switching valve  39  pivots downward. Also, the guided part  40   c  slidingly contacts with the guide part  66   a  of the switching valve  39 , and thus the locking part  40  moves forward in the space  66 , and thereby the locking claw part  40   b  retreats forward with respect to the locking-receiving part  53  and slidingly contacts with locking-receiving part  53 . Thereafter, the locking claw part  40   b  recovers against the biasing force of the spring  69  at a position below the locking-receiving part  53 , and thereby the switching valve  39  is locked and fixed in the state of closing the connecting port  34 . 
     According to the above-described one embodiment, the switching valve  39  capable of closing/opening the connecting port  34  is locked and fixed by the locking part  40  at a position where the connecting port  34  is closed, and when the attachment  17  is attached to the connecting port  34 , the fixing of the switching valve  39  by the locking part  40  is released, and the switching valve  39  operates so as to open the connecting port  34  and switch to the blower air path  38 . Accordingly, only when the attachment  17  is attached, in other words, at the same time the attachment  17  is attached, the switching valve  39  opens the connecting port  34 . This enables to prevent leakage of the exhaust from the connecting port  34  except when the attachment  17  is attached. That is, in the case where the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a suction cleaner, the connecting port  34  is required to be closed. However, when the lid body is simply pressed to the connecting port  34  by biasing force of a spring or the like, there is still concern that a user may erroneously open the lid body during operation as a suction cleaner. In particular, in the case where the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a suction cleaner, when the connecting port  34  is erroneously opened, the exhaust of the electric blower  23  can be scattered from the connecting port  34  and can blow off dust and dirt on the cleaning-object surface to be sucked because the connecting port  34  is located on the bottom portion of the body portion  21 . Accordingly, the above-described configuration according to the present embodiment enables to prevent such failure. 
     When the attachment  17  is attached to the connecting port  34 , the locking part  40  is operated so as to release the fixing of the switching valve  39  by the releasing part  86  of the attachment  17 . Accordingly, the locking part  40  ensures to fix the switching valve  39  during when the attachment  17  is not used, to prevent dust and dirt or the like from entering in case where the connecting port  34  opens during when the attachment  17  is not used. 
     The switching valve  39  capable of opening/closing the connecting port  34  alternatively switches between the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38  according to the opening/closing, and the attachment  17  is detachable to/from the connecting port  34  opened by the switching valve  39 . This enables to provide, in the state where the blower air path  38  is selected, the most part of the exhaust of the electric blower  23  to the attachment  17  from the connecting port  34 , not flowing to the exhaust air path  37  side. Accordingly, in the case where the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a blower, the exhaust of the electric blower  23  is enabled to be utilized efficiently, and enough amount of the exhaust is jetted out from the attachment  17 , allowing to blow off dust and dirt efficiently. 
     In addition, the attachment  17  when being attached to the connecting port  34  fixes the switching valve  39  in the state where the blower air path  38  is selected. This enables to hold the switching valve  39  in the state where the blower air path  38  is selected, with a simple configuration without requiring a special configuration. 
     Also, the switching valve  39  is configured as a valve body including the pivotal shaft  39   a  in the downstream side of the exhaust of the electric blower  23 . Accordingly, the exhaust pressure of the electric blower  23  is applied to the switching valve  39  which has pivoted to the state where the blower air path  38  is selected, in the direction where the switching valve  39  (seal member  64 ) is pressed to the switching port  56 , therefore enabling to easily improve the sealing ability thereof. 
     The suction air path  35  is arranged in front of the electric blower  23  in the body portion  21 , and the connecting port  34  is arranged between the suction air path  35  and the electric blower  23 . This enables to provide efficient arrangement and also to arrange the discharge port  82  of the attachment  17  closer to the main body connecting port  26 . In either case of the vacuum cleaner  11  being used as a suction cleaner which sucks dust and dirt from the main body connecting port  26  and of the vacuum cleaner  11  being used as a blower which blows off air from the discharge port  82  of the attachment  17 , the cleaner main body  15  is enabled to be used substantially in the same position, thus improving the usability thereof. In addition, since the main body connecting port  26  serving as a suction port of air in the case of the vacuum cleaner  11  being used as a blower is arranged closer to the discharge port  82 , the dust and dirt blown off by the air jetted out from the discharge port  82  is enabled to be sucked from the main body connecting port  26 , thereby enabling to perform efficient cleaning. 
     Also, at least a part of the blower air path  38  and the exhaust port  33  are arranged in front of the electric blower  23  in the body portion  21 , thus enabling to provide more efficient arrangement. 
     In addition, since the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38  are configured to have the air path  55  which is partially commonly to them, the cleaner main body  15  (body portion  21 ) is enabled to be downsized compared to the case where these air paths are arranged separately, and further, the configuration where the switching valve  39  switches between the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38  is easily realized. 
     In addition, the vacuum cleaner  11  serves as a cordless-type cleaner having the secondary battery  25  as a power source, thus enabling to further improve the usability thereof. In particular, in the case of the vacuum cleaner  11  with the second battery  25  as a power source, the electric blower  23  having lower power and/or lower volume of the exhaust is used in many cases in order to use the limited power source efficiently, compared to the vacuum cleaner using an external power source as a power source, for example, a commercial AC power source or the like. Accordingly, in the case where the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a blower, the most exhaust of the electric blower  23  is designed to be used, thereby enabling to blow off dust and dirt even by the electric blower  23  having lower volume of the exhaust. In addition, the vacuum cleaner  11  serving as a handy-type cleaner enables to provide improved usability and also to complete the air path only with the cleaner main body  15  without forming any unnecessarily-long air path in the sucking side or the exhausting side of the electric blower  23 . 
     Also in the case where the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a blower, attachment of the dust-collecting unit  22  to the vacuum cleaner  11  enables to prevent the dust and dirt slightly included in air from being sucked into the electric blower  23 . While in the case where the vacuum cleaner  11  is used as a blower without the dust-collecting unit  22 , the vacuum cleaner  11  is enabled to be reduced in weight and to further strongly jet out exhaust with less air path loss because the suction air path of the electric blower  23  is shorten. 
     It is noted that, in the above-described one embodiment, the switching valve  39  is configured to be opened and closed according to the attachment of the attachment  17  to the connecting port  34 . However, another configuration may be available to open and close the connecting port  34  (switch between the exhaust air path  37  and the blower air path  38 ) regardless of the attachment of the attachment  17  to the connecting port  34 . 
     The vacuum cleaner  11  is a cordless vacuum cleaner equipped with the secondary battery  25  as a power source, but may also be a wired-type vacuum cleaner which receives power from an external power source such as a commercial AC power source. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.