Cleaning system with a vacuum cleaner and a docking station that can collect debris from the vacuum cleaner
The introduction of a sealing device around the debris collection container in the vacuum cleaner system addresses the issue of oversized suction devices, reducing costs and mass while maintaining effective debris collection and emptying efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE202025100840
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-04-05
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-22
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-02-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing vacuum cleaner systems require oversized suction devices to ensure effective debris collection, leading to increased manufacturing costs and mass due to the need for a significant air flow clearance between the debris collection container and the drain container.
A cleaning system with a sealing device that extends partially around the circumferential portion of the debris collection container, preventing external air flow into the docking station during emptying and allowing for efficient debris suction without the need for an oversized suction device.
The sealing device reduces the need for an oversized suction device, lowering manufacturing costs and mass while ensuring effective debris collection and optimal emptying of the debris collection container.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical area
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners for vacuuming dust and debris located on a surface to be cleaned, which may be, for example, tiles, parquet, laminate, carpeting or a rug. State of the art
[0002] A cleaning system is known to include: - a vacuum cleaner with • a main body with a suction nozzle, • a handle that is mechanically connected to the main body, • a waste separation and collection device which is fluidically connected to the suction nozzle, wherein the waste separation and collection device comprises a waste collection container with a central longitudinal axis and a front emptying opening and a front emptying flap which is mounted on the waste collection container so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between a closed position in which the front emptying flap closes the front emptying opening and a released position in which the front emptying flap releases the front emptying opening, and • a suction motor housed in the main body, the suction motor being designed to drive an air flow through the suction nozzle and the debris separation and - collecting device, and - a docking station for holding the vacuum cleaner, the docking station comprising: • an emptying container which defines a receiving space which is designed to at least partially accommodate the waste collection container and into which the waste contained in the waste collection container can be emptied, • a collecting device fluidically connected to the emptying container and designed to collect waste from the waste collection container when the waste collection container is accommodated in the receiving space, and • a suction device designed to create a negative pressure in the receiving space and to convey waste from the waste collection container into the collection device.
[0003] To ensure easy insertion of the waste collection container into the emptying container, a clearance must be provided between the peripheral wall of the waste collection container and the inner peripheral surface of the emptying container.
[0004] However, due to such a clearance, which allows the passage of a considerable air flow between the waste collection container and the emptying container, the suction device must be oversized to ensure adequate suction of the waste from the waste collection container and optimal conveyance of this waste into the collection device, which increases the manufacturing costs and the mass of the docking station. Summary of the invention
[0005] The present invention aims to overcome some or all of these disadvantages.
[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention is, in particular, to provide a cleaning system which is simple in design, reliable, compact and ergonomic and at the same time limits the risk of contamination of a user or his surroundings during an emptying phase of a waste collection container belonging to the cleaning system.
[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a cleaning system comprising: - a vacuum cleaner with • a main body with a suction nozzle arranged, for example, in a front section of the main body, • a handle that is mechanically connected to the main body, • a waste separation and collection device which is fluidically connected to the suction nozzle, wherein the waste separation and collection device comprises a waste collection container with a central longitudinal axis and a front emptying opening, i.e. which is located at a front end of the waste collection container, and a front emptying flap which is mounted on the waste collection container and, for example, on an upper section of the waste collection container so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between a closed position in which the front emptying flap closes the front emptying opening and a released position in which the front emptying flap releases the front emptying opening, and • a suction motor housed in the main body, the suction motor being designed to generate an air flow through the suction nozzle and the debris separation and collection device, - a docking station for receiving the vacuum cleaner, wherein the docking station comprises an emptying container which defines a receiving space designed to at least partially receive the waste collection container and into which waste contained in the waste collection container can be emptied, wherein the emptying container has an upper peripheral edge which defines an upper insertion opening through which the waste collection container can be inserted into the receiving space, wherein the upper insertion opening is designed to face upwards when the docking station rests on a horizontal surface, and - a sealing device designed to be arranged between the waste collection container and the emptying container and to extend at least partially around a peripheral portion of a peripheral wall of the waste collection container when the waste collection container is received in the receiving space, wherein the emptying container has a lateral notch provided on a peripheral wall of the emptying container and extending downwards from the upper peripheral edge of the emptying container, wherein the lateral notch is designed to partially receive the waste collection container when the waste collection container is received in the receiving space, wherein the sealing device is designed to extend partially along a portion of the contour of the lateral notch.
[0008] Such a configuration of the sealing device prevents an air stream from outside the docking station from entering the emptying container during an emptying process, and thus ensures effective suction of waste to a collecting device of the docking station without requiring the use of an oversized suction device, which significantly limits the manufacturing costs and the mass of the docking station.
[0009] Since the sealing device partially extends around the waste collection container, it is also possible to position at least a section of the sealing device at a distance from the front side of the waste collection container and thus be able to use a large-sized front emptying flap, thereby ensuring optimal and rapid emptying of the waste collection container during an emptying process of the latter.
[0010] The presence of the lateral notch also makes it possible to position the waste collection container as close as possible to the main body of the vacuum cleaner (in particular, the presence of a gap between the waste collection container and the main body of the vacuum cleaner to accommodate the upper peripheral edge of the emptying container is not required), while at the same time allowing easy insertion of the waste collection container into the emptying container. Thus, such a configuration of the emptying container enables a more compact design of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention.
[0011] The specific configuration of the sealing device further improves the tightness of the receiving space when the waste collection container is accommodated in the receiving space.
[0012] The cleaning system may further comprise one or more of the following features, considered alone or in combination.
[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing device is designed to seal an upper portion of the receiving space when the waste collection container is received in the emptying container.
[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing device is designed to extend at least partially around the central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container.
[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing device is designed to extend over more than 50% of the circumference of the peripheral wall of the waste collection container, advantageously over 60% to 80%, even more advantageously over 70% to 80% and for example over approximately 72% of the circumference of the peripheral wall.
[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing device is designed to extend at least partially between the peripheral wall of the waste collection container and an inner peripheral surface of the emptying container.
[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing device comprises: - a first sealing part designed to extend, for example substantially in the circumferential direction, around a circumferential portion of the outer circumferential wall of the waste collection container, and - a second sealing part having two lateral sealing sections designed to extend, for example, substantially longitudinally along the peripheral wall of the waste collection container and on both sides of a central longitudinal plane of the waste collection container, and having a connecting section connecting the two lateral sealing sections to one another and designed to extend under a front surface of the waste collection container.
[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first sealing part has an overall circular arc shape.
[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first sealing part extends over an angular sector of more than 250°, advantageously between 250° and 280°, and for example of approximately 260°.
[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second sealing part has a general U-shape.
[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing device is attached to the emptying container.
[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing device comprises a seal.
[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the seal is continuous.
[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the emptying container has a receiving groove formed in an inner surface of the emptying container, and the sealing device is fastened in the receiving groove.
[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the seal has a constant cross-section.
[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station comprises a collecting device which is fluidically connected to the emptying container and is designed to collect waste from the waste collection container when the waste collection container is received in the receiving space.
[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the collecting device comprises a dust bag.
[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station comprises a suction device which is designed to generate a negative pressure in the receiving space and to convey waste from the waste collection container into the collection device.
[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste collection container is designed such that it can be inserted into and removed from the receiving space from the top of the docking station, for example in a direction of movement that is substantially vertical when the docking station rests on a horizontal surface.
[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving space has a central longitudinal axis which is designed to extend substantially vertically when the docking station rests on a horizontal surface.
[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second sealing part is designed to extend partially along a portion of the contour of the lateral notch.
[0032] Advantageously, the two lateral sealing portions are designed to extend along two respective lateral edges of the lateral notch, and the connecting portion is designed to extend along the lower edge of the lateral notch.
[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation and collection device is of the cyclone type.
[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station is designed to charge a rechargeable battery of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is picked up by the docking station.
[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner has a first electrical connector located in a front portion of the main body of the vacuum cleaner and electrically connected to the rechargeable battery, and the docking station has a second electrical connector located in the receiving space and configured to electrically cooperate with the first electrical connector when the debris collection container is inserted into the receiving space.
[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving station comprises a power supply unit for connecting to a power supply socket and for supplying power to the docking station and, for example, the second electrical connector.
[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis of the front emptying flap runs transversely to the central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container.
[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis of the front emptying flap runs substantially diametrically opposite the suction nozzle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container. In other words, the pivot axis of the front emptying flap is located in an upper section of the waste collection container.
[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front emptying opening has a passage cross-section which is greater than or equal to at least 80% of the cross-section of the waste collection container.
[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction motor comprises a motor axis, and the central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container runs substantially parallel to the motor axis of the suction motor and, for example, substantially coincides with the motor axis.
[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handle is elongated and has a central longitudinal axis which is inclined with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container.
[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handle is arranged in a rear portion of the vacuum cleaner.
[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction motor is located behind the central longitudinal axis of the handle.
[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a rechargeable battery for powering the vacuum cleaner.
[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rechargeable battery is accommodated in a battery housing which is connected to the handle and in particular to a lower portion of the handle and is, for example, fastened thereto.
[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is a stick vacuum cleaner.
[0047] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is a portable vacuum cleaner, which is also referred to as a handheld vacuum cleaner. Short description of the characters
[0048] The invention will be readily understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings which illustrate, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this cleaning system. Fig. 1 is a side view of a cleaning system according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a vacuum cleaner belonging to the cleaning system according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of a docking station associated with the cleaning system of the invention; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a discharge container associated with the docking station of Fig. 3 belongs; Fig. 5 is a side view of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a view of a detail from Fig. 5 on an enlarged scale; Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 2, which is located in a receiving space of the docking station Fig. 3 is inserted. Detailed description
[0049] In this document, the terms "front", "rear", "frontal", "upper", "lower", "above", and "below" are defined with reference to use of the vacuum cleaner in which the user holds the vacuum cleaner by the handle and keeps it substantially horizontal, and the suction nozzle provided on the main body is facing away from the user with the central axis of the suction nozzle in a horizontal position.
[0050] In this document, the term “peripheral wall” of the waste collection container means the wall of the waste collection container that extends around the central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container.
[0051] In this document, the term ‘central longitudinal plane’ means a vertical plane parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the refuse collection container and dividing the main body into essentially equal left and right parts.
[0052] Unless otherwise stated, the term “substantially” in this publication means “exactly or to within 10% or 10°”.
[0053] The Fig. 1 to 7 show a cleaning system 1 with a vacuum cleaner 2, in particular a stick vacuum cleaner, and a docking station 3 for receiving the vacuum cleaner 2.
[0054] The vacuum cleaner 2 comprises in particular a main body 4 provided with a suction nozzle 5 arranged in a front portion of the main body 4, a handle 6 mechanically connected to the main body 4 and allowing the vacuum cleaner 2 to be grasped by a user, and a suction head 7 fluidly connected to the suction nozzle 5 and intended to rest on the floor.
[0055] In a known manner, the suction head 7 comprises a sole with a bottom designed to be directed towards a surface to be cleaned and with a suction opening opening into the bottom of the sole through which outside air can be sucked by the vacuum cleaner 2. The suction head 7 can be attached directly to the suction nozzle 5 or attached to the latter via a suction accessory 8, such as a suction tube.
[0056] Advantageously, the handle 6 has a central longitudinal axis A and extends from a rear end of the main body 4. The handle 6 can be made in one piece with the main body 4 or attached thereto.
[0057] The vacuum cleaner 2 also has a suction line 9 fluidically connected to the suction nozzle 5 and a debris separation and collection device 11, which is, for example, removably attached to the main body 4 and fluidically connected to the suction line 9.
[0058] Advantageously, the waste separation and collection device 11 is of the cyclone type. For this purpose, the waste separation and collection device 11 comprises in particular: - a waste collection container 12 comprising a generally tubular peripheral wall, - a tubular separation element 13, such as a tubular grid, arranged in the waste collection container 12 coaxially to a central longitudinal axis B of the waste collection container 12, and - a cyclone separation chamber 14, which is delimited externally by the peripheral wall of the waste collection container 12 and internally by the tubular separation element 13.
[0059] The waste collection container 12 also has an air inlet opening 15, which is fluidly connected to the suction line 9 and opens into the cyclone separation chamber 14.
[0060] The waste separation and collection device 11 also comprises a front discharge flap 16 which can be moved between a closed position (see Fig. 2), in which the front emptying flap 16 closes the front emptying opening 17 provided at a front end of the refuse collection container 12, and a release position (see Fig. 7), in which the front emptying flap 16 releases the front emptying opening 17, is mounted on the refuse collection container 12 and in particular on an upper section of the refuse collection container 12 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis C.
[0061] The pivot axis C of the front emptying flap 16 extends transversely to the central longitudinal axis B of the waste collection container 12 and is located near a front end of the waste collection container 12. Advantageously, the pivot axis C is arranged substantially diametrically opposite the suction nozzle 5 with respect to the central longitudinal axis B of the waste collection container 12. In other words, the pivot axis C of the front emptying flap 16 is located in an upper portion of the waste collection container 12.
[0062] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the front emptying opening 17 has a passage cross-section which is greater than or equal to at least 80% of the cross-section of the waste collection container 12.
[0063] The waste separation and collection device 11 also comprises a loading element 18 (see Fig. 6), such as a biasing spring and in particular a leaf spring or a torsion spring, which is designed to bias the front discharge flap 16 into the closed position.
[0064] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a suction motor 19 having a motor axis D and housed in the main body 4. The suction motor 19 is configured to generate an air flow through the suction head 7, the suction nozzle 5, the suction line 9, and the debris separation and collection device 11. In particular, the suction motor 19 comprises a fan and an electric motor configured to drive the fan in rotation.
[0065] Advantageously, the handle 6 is arranged in a rear section of the vacuum cleaner 2, and the suction motor 19 is located behind the central longitudinal axis A of the handle 6.
[0066] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the central longitudinal axis B of the waste collection container 12 runs parallel to the motor axis D of the suction motor 19 and can, for example, substantially coincide with the motor axis D, and the central longitudinal axis A of the handle 6 runs inclined with respect to the motor axis D.
[0067] The vacuum cleaner 2 also includes a rechargeable battery 22 designed to supply power to the vacuum cleaner 2 and in particular to the suction motor 19. The rechargeable battery 22, also called a battery pack, comprises several battery cells.
[0068] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the handle 6 is arranged between the rechargeable battery 22 and the main body 4. The rechargeable battery 22 is advantageously housed in a battery housing connected to the handle 6, and in particular to a lower portion of the handle 6. Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a support 23 extending substantially parallel to the handle 6 between the battery housing and the main body 4.
[0069] As in Fig. 1, the docking station 3 is designed to support and position the vacuum cleaner 2 in a storage position in which the vacuum cleaner 2 extends substantially vertically.
[0070] As in Fig. 1, the docking station 3 comprises, in particular, a base 24 with a main body 25 for resting on the floor and an emptying container 26 that defines a receiving space 27 for at least partially receiving the waste collection container 12 when the vacuum cleaner 2 is received by the docking station 3. The waste contained in the waste collection container 12 can, in particular, be emptied into the emptying container 26.
[0071] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the emptying container 26 has an upper peripheral edge which defines an upper insertion opening 28 through which the waste collection container 12 can be inserted into the receiving space 27.
[0072] Advantageously, the receiving space 27 has a central longitudinal axis designed to extend substantially vertically when the docking station 3 rests on a horizontal surface, and the upper insertion opening 28 is designed to face upwards when the docking station 3 rests on a horizontal surface. Thus, the waste collection container 12 is designed to be inserted into and removed from the receiving space 27 from the top of the docking station 3 in a direction of movement that is substantially vertical when the docking station 3 rests on a horizontal surface.
[0073] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the emptying container 26 further comprises a lateral notch 29 provided on a peripheral wall of the emptying container 26 and extending downward from the upper peripheral edge of the emptying container 26. The lateral notch 29 is particularly designed to partially accommodate the waste collection container 12 when the waste collection container 12 is accommodated in the receiving space 27.
[0074] The cleaning system 1 further comprises a sealing device 31 designed to be arranged between the waste collection container 12 and the emptying container 26 and to seal an upper portion of the receiving space 27 when the waste collection container 12 is received in the emptying container 26. The sealing device 31 is particularly designed to extend between the peripheral wall of the waste collection container 12 and an inner peripheral surface of the emptying container 26.
[0075] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the sealing device 31 comprises: - a first sealing part 32 which is designed, for example, to extend substantially in the circumferential direction around a circumferential portion of the outer circumferential wall of the waste collection container 12 and thus around the central longitudinal axis B of the waste collection container 12, and - a second sealing part 33 with two lateral sealing sections 33.1 which are designed to extend, for example, substantially longitudinally along the peripheral wall of the waste collection container 12 and on both sides of a central longitudinal plane of the waste collection container 12, and with a connecting section 33.2 which connects the two lateral sealing sections 33.1 to one another and is designed to extend under a front side of the waste collection container 12.
[0076] The first sealing part 32 is particularly designed to extend over more than 50% of the circumference of the peripheral wall of the waste collection container 12, advantageously over 60% to 80%, even more advantageously over 70% to 80%, and for example over approximately 72% of the circumference of the peripheral wall. Advantageously, the first sealing part 32 has an overall circular arc shape and extends over an angular sector of more than 250°, advantageously between 250° and 280°, and for example approximately 260°.
[0077] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the second sealing part 33 has a general U-shape and is designed to extend, in particular, along a portion of the contour of the lateral notch 29. Advantageously, the two lateral sealing portions 33.1 are designed to extend along two respective lateral edges of the lateral notch 29, and the connecting portion 33.2 is designed to extend along the lower edge of the lateral notch 29.
[0078] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the sealing device 31 is formed from a seal and is attached to the emptying container 26. In order to illustrate the course of the sealing device 31 along the peripheral wall of the waste collection container 12, the sealing device 31 is attached to the Fig. 2 shown vacuum cleaner 2 is shown schematically.
[0079] Advantageously, the seal is continuous and has a constant cross-section. The seal can, for example, be integrally formed on the emptying container 26 or be accommodated in a receiving groove formed in an inner surface of the emptying container 26.
[0080] According to one embodiment of the invention, however, the sealing device 31 could also be attached to the waste collection container 12. According to another embodiment of the invention, the sealing device 31 could be formed from a shoulder on an outer surface of the peripheral wall of the waste collection container 12 and from a stop surface provided on the emptying container 26 and forming a seat that can accommodate the aforementioned shoulder when the waste collection container 12 is accommodated in the receiving space 27.
[0081] The docking station 3 also comprises a collection device 34, which is fluidly connected to the emptying container 26, for example via a connecting pipe, and which is designed to collect debris from the debris collection container 12 when the debris collection container 12 is received in the receiving space 27. According to one embodiment of the invention, the collection device 34 comprises a dust bag, which is removably arranged in a receiving compartment delimited by the base body 25.
[0082] The docking station 3 further comprises a suction device 35, which is designed to generate a negative pressure in the receiving space 27 and, in particular, to suction debris from the debris collection container 12 and to convey the suctioned debris into the collection device 34. The suction device 35 comprises, for example, a motor fan arranged in the base body 25.
[0083] The following describes a procedure for emptying the waste collection container 12.
[0084] When a user wishes to empty the contents of the refuse collection container 12, he inserts a front portion of the latter into the receiving space 27 via the upper insertion opening 28 and displaces the main body 4 in a direction of movement which is substantially vertical.
[0085] Advantageously, the docking station 3 can be provided with a detection device designed to detect the presence of the waste collection container 12 in the receiving space 27, as well as with an electronic control unit designed to control the operation of the docking station 3 and in particular to control the switching on of the suction device 35 when the detection device has detected the presence of the waste collection container 12 in the receiving space 27.
[0086] Thus, when the waste collection container 12 is received in the receiving space 27, the suction device 33 is automatically switched on, creating a negative pressure in the receiving space 27, automatically moving the front emptying flap 16 to the release position, sucking out the waste contained in the waste collection container 12, and conveying the sucked-out waste to the collecting device 34, where it is collected. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, however, the cleaning system 1 could be designed to automatically move the front emptying flap 16 to the release position when the waste collection container 12 is inserted into the receiving space 27.
[0087] In this way, the cleaning system 1 according to the present invention ensures automatic and easy emptying of the waste collection container 12 without the user having to actuate the front emptying flap 16 and without the risk of contamination of the user and his surroundings.
[0088] Advantageously, the docking station 3 is further configured to charge the rechargeable battery 22 of the vacuum cleaner 2 when the latter is accommodated in the docking station 3, in particular when the waste collection container 12 is accommodated in the receiving space 27. Such a configuration of the cleaning system 1 according to the present invention enables the emptying of the waste collection container 12 and the charging of the rechargeable battery 22 when the vacuum cleaner 2 is accommodated in the docking station 3.
[0089] For this purpose, the vacuum cleaner 2 can, for example, have a first electrical connector with a pair of first electrical contacts, which are located in a front portion of the main body 4 of the vacuum cleaner 2 and are connected to the rechargeable battery 22, for example by electrical connecting wires extending through the main body 4 and the handle 6, and the docking station 3 can, for example, have a second electrical connector with a pair of second electrical contacts, which are located in the receiving space 27 and are designed to electrically interact with the first electrical contacts provided on the vacuum cleaner 2 when the waste collection container 12 is received in the receiving space 27.
[0090] The docking station 3 also comprises a power supply unit, also called a power adapter, which is designed to be electrically connected to a power supply socket, such as a mains socket and in particular a wall socket, and to supply power to the docking station 3 and, for example, the second electrical connector.
[0091] Naturally, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which is given only as an example. Modifications are still possible, particularly with regard to the structure of the various parts or the replacement by technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims
[1] Cleaning system (1), comprising: - a vacuum cleaner (2) with • a main body (4) with a suction nozzle (5), • a handle (6) which is mechanically connected to the main body (4), • a waste separation and collection device (11) which is fluidically connected to the suction nozzle (5), wherein the waste separation and collection device (11) comprises a waste collection container (12) with a central longitudinal axis (B) and a front emptying opening (17) and a front emptying flap (16) which is mounted on the waste collection container (12) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (C) between a closed position in which the front emptying flap (16) closes the front emptying opening (17) and a released position in which the front emptying flap (16) releases the front emptying opening (17), and • a suction motor (19) housed in the main body (4), the suction motor (19) being designed to generate an air flow through the suction nozzle (5) and the debris separation and collection device (11), - a docking station (3) for receiving the vacuum cleaner (2), wherein the docking station (3) comprises an emptying container (26) defining a receiving space (27) designed to at least partially receive the waste collection container (12), wherein the emptying container (26) has an upper peripheral edge defining an upper insertion opening (28) through which the waste collection container (12) can be inserted into the receiving space (27), wherein the upper insertion opening (28) is designed to face upwards when the docking station (3) rests on a horizontal surface, and - a sealing device (31) designed to be arranged between the refuse collection container (12) and the emptying container (26) and to extend at least partially around a peripheral portion of a peripheral wall of the refuse collection container (12) when the refuse collection container (12) is received in the receiving space (27), characterized by in that the emptying container (26) has a lateral notch (29) which is provided on a peripheral wall of the emptying container (26) and extends downwards from the upper peripheral edge of the emptying container (26), wherein the lateral notch (29) is designed to partially receive the refuse collection container (12) when the refuse collection container (12) is received in the receiving space (27), wherein the sealing device (31) is designed to extend partially along a portion of the contour of the lateral notch (29). [2] Cleaning system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing device (31) is designed to extend over more than 50% of the circumference of the peripheral wall of the waste collection container (12). [3] Cleaning system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing device (31) is designed to extend at least partially between the peripheral wall of the waste collection container (12) and an inner peripheral surface of the emptying container (26). [4] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing device (31) comprises: - a first sealing part (32) designed to extend around a peripheral portion of the outer peripheral wall of the refuse collection container (12), and - a second sealing part (33) with two lateral sealing sections (33.1) designed to extend along the peripheral wall of the waste collection container (12) and on both sides of a central longitudinal plane of the waste collection container (12), and with a connecting section (33.2) which connects the two lateral sealing sections (33.1) to one another and is designed to extend under a front surface of the waste collection container (12). [5] Cleaning system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first sealing part (32) has an overall circular arc shape. [6] Cleaning system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first sealing part (32) extends over an angular sector of more than 250°. [7] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealing device (31) is attached to the emptying container (26). [8] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sealing device (31) comprises a seal. [9] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the docking station (3) has a collecting device (34) which is fluidically connected to the emptying container (26) and is designed to collect debris from the debris collection container (12) when the debris collection container (12) is received in the receiving space (27). [10] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the debris separation and collection device (11) is of the cyclone type. [11] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the docking station (3) is designed to charge a rechargeable battery (22) of the vacuum cleaner (2) when the vacuum cleaner (2) is picked up by the docking station (3). [12] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the vacuum cleaner (2) is a stick vacuum cleaner.