Dust Collecting Apparatus

Abstract

A dust collecting apparatus is provided for conveying dusts with the use of a smaller force thus to minimize the size of a conveying means, the consumption of power, and the noise generated by the conveying means. The apparatus includes a dust receiving unit equipped with a rotary brush 3 and a dust collecting unit 5 for collecting the dusts received from the dust receiving unit. The dust collecting unit 5 includes a primary chamber 51 for storing the dusts splashed up by the rotating action of the rotary brush 3 and a secondary chamber 53 connecting via a connection passage with the primary chamber 51 . The dusts are intermittently conveyed from the primary chamber 51 to the secondary chamber 53 by the action of an electric fan 9.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . A dust collecting apparatus comprising: 
 a dust receiving unit for receiving dusts, having a rotary brush; and    a dust collecting unit for collecting the dusts received by the dust receiving unit,    wherein    the dust collecting unit includes:    a primary chamber for storing the dusts splashed up by rotating action of the rotary brush;    a secondary chamber connecting through a connection passage with the primary chamber; and    a fan for intermittently feeding the dusts from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber.    
   
   
       20 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein 
 the rotary brush generates an air flow for feeding the dusts received by the dust receiving unit to the dust collecting unit.    
   
   
       21 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 an intake passage provided in periphery of the rotary brush for connecting the dust receiving unit with the primary chamber; and    a leak inhibiting wall provided in vicinity of the rotary brush for inhibiting the air flow generated by the rotary brush from leaking out from the intake passage in a direction of rotation of the rotary brush.    
   
   
       22 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein 
 the intake passage is substantially equal to the rotary brush in width.    
   
   
       23 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 a subsidiary fan for generating a subsidiary air flow to assist the air flow generated by the rotary brush so as to feed the dusts received by the dust receiving unit to the dust collecting unit.    
   
   
       24 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein 
 the connection passage is located flush with or lower than a bottom of the primary chamber.    
   
   
       25 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a chassis supported by wheels, to which the dust receiving unit and the dust collecting unit are mounted, wherein    a bottom of the primary chamber is located higher than a rotation center of the rotary brush.    
   
   
       26 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein 
 a bottom of the primary chamber is located lower at a side of the connection passage than at a dust collection opening which connects with the intake passage.    
   
   
       27 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein 
 a bottom of the primary chamber has a group of ribs provided thereon for guiding the dusts stored in the primary chamber to the connection passage while inhibiting a backward flow to the intake passage.    
   
   
       28 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein 
 the secondary chamber is greater than the primary chamber in volume.    
   
   
       29 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein 
 the secondary chamber is lower at a connection passage side than another side opposite to the connection passage and has a slope thereof inclined from the connection passage side to the another side.    
   
   
       30 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein 
 the connection passage is open to a side opposite to the primary chamber and    a portion of the secondary chamber opposite to the connection passage is located upward on the primary chamber.    
   
   
       31 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein 
 the secondary chamber has a vent opening therein provided at a side opposite to the connection passage.    the fan is disposed in vicinity of the vent opening at the outer side of the secondary chamber.    
   
   
       32 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 31 , further comprising a controller for driving the fan intermittently.  
   
   
       33 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising a check valve for inhibiting the dusts from returning back from the secondary chamber to the primary chamber.  
   
   
       34 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the rotary brush is rotatably linked to an electric motor which is located above the rotary brush.  
   
   
       35 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein 
 a housing detachably mounted and arranged to define the secondary chamber.    
   
   
       36 . A dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 35 , further comprising: an operating member having retaining portions thereof for retaining the housing to the dust collecting apparatus and arranged movable upwardly and downwardly for conducting the action of retaining the housing with the retaining portions.