Cleaning system comprising a stick vacuum cleaner and a docking station with a tilting surface

Abstract

The cleaning system comprises a vacuum cleaner (2) comprising a main body (4) equipped with a suction nozzle (5), a suction head (7), a suction duct (8) mechanically and fluidically connecting the suction nozzle (5) to the suction head (7), and an articulation device (9) configured to allow tilting of the suction duct (8) relative to the suction head (7) about a transverse pivot axis (B); and a docking station (3) comprising a receiving location (22) configured to receive and support the suction head (7) and provided with a tilting surface (26) configured to tilt the suction head (7) forward and about the transverse pivot axis (B) when placing the suction head (7) in the receiving location (22). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Cleaning system comprising a stick vacuum cleaner and a docking station provided with a tilting surface Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners for vacuuming dust and waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which may for example be tiles, parquet, laminate, carpet or a rug. State of the art

[0002] A cleaning system comprises in a known manner:

[0003] - a broom vacuum cleaner comprising: • a main body comprising a suction tip, • a gripping handle mechanically connected to the main body, • a body-mounted waste separation and collection device main and fluidly connected to the suction nozzle, • a suction head configured to be in contact with a surface to be cleaned, • a suction duct mechanically and fluidically connecting the suction nozzle to the suction head, the suction duct being mounted articulated relative to the suction head around a transverse pivot axis so as to allow the suction duct to tilt forwards or backwards relative to the suction head, and • a suction motor housed in the main body, the suction motor being configured to generate an airflow through the suction head, the suction duct, the suction nozzle and the waste separation and collection device, and

[0004] - a docking station configured to accommodate the stick vacuum cleaner and to po place the latter in a storage position in which the vacuum cleaner extends vertically.

[0005] Such a docking station generally comprises a docking housing which is open upwards and which is configured to house for example a front part of a waste collection container attached to the main body of the stick vacuum cleaner, and a base body configured to rest on the floor and provided with a receiving location configured to receive and support the suction head of the stick vacuum cleaner.

[0006] When a user wishes to position the stick vacuum cleaner in the storage position, he positions a front part of the suction head opposite the receiving location and a front part of the waste collection container opposite the receiving housing, then it moves the suction brooms downwards in a substantially vertical direction of movement.

[0007] During such a movement, the suction head and the suction duct are substantially aligned in a vertical direction. Thus, when the suction head comes into abutment against the receiving location, the suction head and the suction duct are likely to remain aligned vertically and to oppose the insertion of the waste collection container into the receiving housing. In this case, the user is then forced to manipulate the suction head to allow the insertion of the waste collection container into the receiving housing.

[0008] To overcome this drawback, the docking station can be configured such that the suction head is not in contact with the base body, and is therefore suspended, when the stick vacuum cleaner is received by the docking station.

[0009] However, such a configuration of the docking station has the consequence of significantly increasing the height requirement of the cleaning system when the vacuum cleaner is in the storage position on the docking station. Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0011] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing a cleaning system which is of simple and ergonomic structure, while having a reduced height requirement.

[0012] To this end, the present invention relates to a cleaning system comprising:

[0013] - a stick vacuum cleaner comprising: • a main body comprising a suction tip, • a gripping handle mechanically connected to the main body, • a body-mounted waste separation and collection device main and fluidly connected to the suction nozzle, • a suction head configured to be in contact with a surface to be cleaned, • a suction duct, such as a suction tube, mechanically and fluidically connecting the suction nozzle to the suction head, the suction duct being mounted articulated relative to the suction head around a transverse pivot axis so as to allow the suction duct to tilt forwards or backwards relative to the suction head, and • a suction motor housed in the main body, the suction motor being configured to generate an airflow through the suction head, the suction pipe, suction nozzle and waste separation and collection device,

[0014] - a docking station configured to accommodate the vacuum cleaner, the station docking station comprising a base body which is configured to rest on the floor and which has a receiving location configured to receive and support the suction head of the upright vacuum cleaner,

[0015] the receiving location comprising a tilting surface configured to cooperate with the suction head and to tilt the suction head, relative to the suction duct, about the transverse pivot axis and from a first head configuration in which the suction head and the suction duct are inclined relative to each other by a first tilt angle to a second head configuration in which the suction head and the suction duct are inclined relative to each other by a second tilt angle which is less than the first tilt angle, upon placing the suction head in the receiving location.

[0016] Such a configuration of the receiving location, and in particular the presence of the tilting surface, makes it possible to automatically pivot the suction head towards the suction duct when placing the suction head in the receiving location, and therefore to ensure easy and efficient placement of the upright vacuum cleaner in the docking station.

[0017] In addition, the specific configuration of the tilting surface makes it possible to reduce the relative angle of inclination between the suction duct and the suction head when the latter is received in the receiving location, and thus to position the main body of the upright vacuum cleaner, when the latter is in the vertical storage position, as close as possible to the ground, which gives a reduced height footprint to the cleaning system according to the present invention.

[0018] The cleaning system may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station is configured to position the stick vacuum cleaner in a substantially vertical position when the stick vacuum cleaner is received in the docking station.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tilting surface is configured to tilt the suction head about the transverse pivot axis and forward, when placing the suction head in the receiving location.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first angle of inclination is between 135 and 180°, and the second angle of inclination is between 90 and 120°.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the base body rests on a horizontal surface and the suction head is received in the receiving location, the lower face of the suction head extends substantially horizontally or is inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of less than 30°, and for example less than 25°.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving location is open upwards.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction head is configured to be placed in the receiving location from above the receiving location and in a direction of movement which is substantially vertical when the base body rests on a horizontal surface.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the base body comprises a receiving housing forming the receiving location and configured to at least partially house the suction head, the receiving housing comprising an upper opening through which the suction head is capable of being inserted into the receiving housing. Such a configuration of the base body makes it possible to protect the suction head when the stick vacuum cleaner is received in the docking station.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper opening of the receiving housing is located in a rear part of the base body.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tilting surface comprises a lower edge and an upper edge, the tilting surface extending from the lower edge towards the upper edge, moving away from a lower face of the base body.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tilting surface has an inclination, relative to a vertical direction, which varies in the direction of the upper edge of the tilting surface. The inclination of the tilting surface may, for example, vary, relative to the vertical direction, between 0° and 90°.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tilting surface extends towards the rear of the base body away from a lower face of the base body. In other words, the tilting surface is configured such that, when the base body rests on a horizontal surface, the distance between said horizontal surface and the tilting surface increases towards a rear edge of the base body.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower face of the base body is substantially flat.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower face of the base body is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the base body rests on a horizontal surface, and for example on the ground.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tilting surface is curved and concave.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tilting surface has a progressive or constant curvature.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tilting surface is substantially planar and is inclined backwards and upwards.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving location comprises a support surface which is substantially planar and which is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the base body rests on a horizontal surface, the suction head being configured to rest on the support surface when the suction head is received in the receiving location.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support surface extends in the extension of the lower edge of the tilting surface.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving location is located at least partly in a rear part of the base body.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving location is located in a front part of the base body.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation and collection device comprises a waste collection container provided with a drain opening, and a drain hatch configured to occupy a closing configuration in which the drain hatch closes the drain opening and a release configuration in which the drain hatch releases the drain opening.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation and collection device comprises a biasing member, such as a biasing spring, configured to bias, i.e. return, the emptying hatch to the closed position.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station comprises a docking housing configured to at least partially house the waste collection container, and a collection device configured to collect waste contained in the waste collection container. Such a configuration of the cleaning system according to the present invention makes it possible to ensure emptying of the waste collected by the upright vacuum cleaner when the latter is received in the docking station.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the collection device comprises a dust bag.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station comprises a suction device configured to suck up the waste contained in the waste collection container and to convey the sucked up waste into the collection device.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving housing has an Ion- axis central longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container intersects with the receiving location.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction motor has a motor axis, and the central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container is substantially parallel to the motor axis of the suction motor, and is for example substantially coincident with the motor axis.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving location extends at least partly below the suction device.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving housing comprises an upper insertion opening through which the waste collection container is adapted to be inserted into the receiving housing, the upper insertion opening being configured to be oriented upwards when the base body rests on a horizontal surface.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste collection container is configured to be inserted into and removed from the docking housing from above the docking station, and for example in a direction of movement which is substantially vertical when the docking station is resting on a horizontal surface.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation and collection device is of the cyclonic type.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station is configured to recharge a rechargeable battery of the stick vacuum cleaner when the stick vacuum cleaner is docked in the docking station.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rechargeable battery of the stick vacuum cleaner is housed in a battery case fixed, for example removably, to the grip handle, and more particularly to a lower part of the grip handle.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the stick vacuum cleaner comprises a first electrical connector located in a front part of the main body of the stick vacuum cleaner and electrically connected to the rechargeable battery, and the docking station comprises a second electrical connector configured to electrically cooperate with the first electrical connector when the stick vacuum cleaner is docked in the docking station.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station comprises a power supply unit configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power outlet and to electrically power the docking station, and for example the second electrical connector.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second electrical connector is located in the receiving housing.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station comprises a charging case configured to support the stick vacuum cleaner in a storage position and delimiting a receiving volume configured to at least partially house the battery case when the stick vacuum cleaner is received in the docking station. Advantageously, the second electrical connector is located in the receiving volume.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping handle is elongated and has a median longitudinal axis which is inclined relative to the motor axis.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the grip handle is arranged in a rear part of the upright vacuum cleaner.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upright vacuum cleaner comprises an articulation device configured to allow the suction duct to tilt forwards or backwards relative to the suction head and around a transverse pivot axis.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upright vacuum cleaner comprises a connecting sleeve which is mechanically and fluidically connected to a lower end portion of the suction duct, the articulation device mechanically connecting the connecting sleeve to the head body.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tilting surface forms a tilting ramp. Brief description of the figures

[0061] In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting examples, two embodiments of this cleaning system.

[0062] [Fig-1] is a schematic side view of a cleaning system according to a first embodiment of the invention, respectively showing a stick vacuum cleaner of said cleaning system received in a docking station of said cleaning system and the stick vacuum cleaner being placed in the docking station;

[0063] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view of the stick vacuum cleaner of [Fig.l];

[0064] [Fig.3] is a partial sectional view of the upright vacuum cleaner of [Fig.l];

[0065] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a docking station belonging to a system cleaning according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0066] [Fig.5] is a schematic side view of the cleaning system of [Fig.4], showing respectively the stick vacuum being placed in the docking station and the stick vacuum being docked in the docking station. Detailed description

[0067] In this document, the terms "front", "rear", "frontal", "upper", "lower", "top", "above" and "below" are defined with respect to a use Operation of the stick vacuum cleaner in which the user holds the stick vacuum cleaner by the grip handle and keeps it substantially horizontally, and the suction nozzle provided on the main body is located opposite the user with the central axis of the suction nozzle in a horizontal position.

[0068] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term “substantially” means, in this document, “exactly or to within 10% or 10°”.

[0069] Figures 1 to 3 represent a cleaning system 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a stick vacuum cleaner 2 and a docking station 3 configured to accommodate the stick vacuum cleaner 2.

[0070] The upright vacuum cleaner 2 more particularly comprises a main body 4 provided with a suction nozzle 5 arranged in a front part of the main body 4, a gripping handle 6 mechanically connected to the main body 4 and allowing the upright vacuum cleaner 2 to be gripped by a user, and a suction head 7, also called a nozzle, configured to be in contact with a surface to be cleaned and fluidly connected to the suction nozzle 5 via a suction duct 8, such as a suction tube.

[0071] Advantageously, the gripping handle 6 has a median longitudinal axis A and extends from a rear end of the main body 4. The gripping handle 6 can be manufactured in a single piece with the main body 4 or can be attached to it.

[0072] In a known manner, the suction head 7 comprises a head body 7.1 comprising a sole provided with a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned and a suction mouth opening into the lower face of the sole and through which outside air can be sucked in by the upright vacuum cleaner 2.

[0073] The broom vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a connecting sleeve 9 mechanically and fluidically connected to a lower end portion of the suction duct 8, and an articulation device 10 mechanically connecting the connecting sleeve 9 to the head body 7.1.

[0074] The articulation device 10 is more particularly configured to allow the connection sleeve 9, and therefore the suction duct 8, to tilt forwards or backwards relative to the head body 7.1 and around a transverse pivot axis B, i.e. a pivot axis which is transverse to the direction of movement of the suction head 7 during a cleaning operation of a surface to be cleaned. Advantageously, the articulation device 10 could further be configured to allow the connection sleeve 9, and therefore the suction duct 8, to tilt to the left or to the right relative to the head body 7.1 and around a longitudinal pivot axis.

[0075] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a device for separating and collecting waste 11 which is mounted, for example removably, on the main body 4 and which is fluidically connected to the suction nozzle 5.

[0076] Advantageously, the waste separation and collection device 11 is of the cyclonic type. For this purpose, the waste separation and collection device 11 more particularly comprises:

[0077] - a waste collection container 12 comprising a peripheral wall of shape globally tubular,

[0078] - a tubular separation member 13, such as a tubular grid, which is arranged in the waste collection container 12 coaxially with a central longitudinal axis C of the waste collection container 12, and

[0079] - a cyclonic separation chamber 14 which is delimited externally by the peripheral wall of the waste collection container 12, and internally by the tubular separation member 13.

[0080] The waste separation and collection device 11 also comprises a drain hatch 15, such as a front drain hatch, pivotally mounted on the waste collection container 12, and more particularly on an upper part of the waste collection container 12, about a hatch pivot axis D and between a closing position (see [Fig. 2]) in which the drain hatch 15 closes a drain opening 16, such as a front drain opening, provided at a front end of the waste collection container 12 and a release position in which the drain hatch 15 releases the drain opening 16.

[0081] The hatch pivot axis D extends transversely to the central longitudinal axis C of the waste collection container 12, and is located near a front end of the waste collection container 12. Advantageously, the hatch pivot axis D is substantially diametrically opposite the suction nozzle 5 with respect to the central longitudinal axis C of the waste collection container 12. In other words, the hatch pivot axis D is located in an upper portion of the waste collection container 12.

[0082] The waste separation and collection device 11 further comprises a biasing member (not shown in the figures), such as a biasing spring and in particular a leaf spring or a torsion spring, configured to bias the drain hatch 15 towards the closed position.

[0083] As shown in [Fig. 3], the stick vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a suction motor 17 which has a motor shaft E and which is housed in the main body 4. The suction motor 17 is configured to generate an air flow through the suction head 7, the suction duct 8, the suction nozzle 5 and the waste separation and collection device 11. The suction motor 17 more particularly comprises a fan and an electric motor configured to drive the fan in rotation.

[0084] Advantageously, the grip handle 6 is arranged in a rear part of the stick vacuum cleaner 2, and the suction motor 17 is located at the rear of the median longitudinal axis A of the grip handle 6.

[0085] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the central longitudinal axis C of the waste collection container 12 is parallel to the motor axis E of the suction motor 17, and may for example be substantially coincident with the motor axis E, and the median longitudinal axis A of the gripping handle 6 is inclined relative to the motor axis E.

[0086] The stick vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a rechargeable battery 18 configured to electrically power the stick vacuum cleaner 2, and in particular the suction motor 17. The rechargeable battery 18, also called a battery pack, comprises several battery cells.

[0087] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the grip handle 6 is arranged between the rechargeable battery 18 and the main body 4. The rechargeable battery 18 is advantageously housed in a battery housing connected to the grip handle 6, and more particularly to a lower part of the grip handle 6. Advantageously, the stick vacuum cleaner 2 comprises an upright 19 which extends substantially parallel to the grip handle 6 and between the battery housing and the main body 4.

[0088] As shown in [Fig.l], the docking station 3 is configured to support and position the stick vacuum cleaner 2 in a storage position in which the stick vacuum cleaner 2 extends substantially vertically.

[0089] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the docking station 3 comprises a base body 21 configured to rest on the ground and provided with a receiving location 22 which is open upwards and which is configured to receive and support the suction head 7 of the stick vacuum cleaner 2 when the stick vacuum cleaner 2 is received by the docking station 3. The docking station 3 further comprises a drain receptacle 23 provided with a receiving housing 24 configured to at least partially house the waste collection container 12 when the stick vacuum cleaner 2 is received by the docking station 3.

[0090] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the receiving housing 24 comprises an upper insertion opening 25 through which the waste collection container 12 is able to be inserted into the receiving housing 24.

[0091] Advantageously, the docking housing 24 has a central longitudinal axis that is configured to extend substantially vertically when the docking station 3 rests on a horizontal surface, and the upper insertion opening 25 is configured to face upwards when the docking station 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0092] Thus, the waste collection container 12 is configured to be inserted into and removed from the docking housing 24 from above the docking station 3, and in a direction of movement that is substantially vertical when the docking station 3 rests on a horizontal surface. Similarly, the suction head 7 is configured to be placed in the receiving location 22 from above the receiving location 22 and in a direction of movement that is substantially vertical when the base body 21 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0093] The receiving location 22 more particularly comprises a tilting surface 26, such as a tilting ramp, configured to cooperate with the suction head 7, and more particularly with a front part of the head body 7.1, and to tilt the suction head 7, relative to the connecting sleeve 9 and therefore relative to the suction duct 8, around the transverse pivot axis B and forwards, when placing the suction head 7 in the receiving location 22.

[0094] The tilting surface 26 is more particularly configured to tilt the suction head 7 about the transverse pivot axis B and from a first head configuration (see the right-hand figure in [Fig.l]) in which the suction head 7 and the connecting sleeve 9 are inclined relative to each other by a first angle of inclination of between 135 and 180° to a second head configuration (see the left-hand figure in [Fig.l]) in which the suction head 7 and the connecting sleeve 9 are inclined relative to each other by a second angle of inclination which is between 90 and 120°, when placing the suction head 7 in the receiving location 22.

[0095] Advantageously, when the base body 21 rests on a horizontal surface and the suction head 7 is received in the receiving location 22 (and is therefore in the second head configuration), the lower face of the suction head 7 extends substantially horizontally or is inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of less than 30°, and for example less than 25°.

[0096] As shown in [Fig.l], the tilting surface 26 has a lower edge and an upper edge, and the tilting surface 26 extends from the lower edge to the upper edge away from a lower face of the base body 21. Advantageously, the tilting surface 26 extends towards the rear of the base body 21 away from the lower face of the base body 21.

[0097] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the tilting surface 26 is curved and concave. Thus, the tilting surface 26 has an inclination, relative to a vertical direction, which varies in the direction of the upper edge of the tilting surface 26. The inclination of the tilting surface 26 can for example vary, relative to the transverse vertical, between 0° and 90°. According to such an embodiment of the invention, for each point of the curve defining the curvature of the tilting surface 26, the inclination of the tilting surface 26 at this point corresponds to the slope of the curve at this point and therefore to the tangent to the curve at this point.

[0098] However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the tilting surface 26 could be substantially flat and be inclined backwards and upwards.

[0099] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the base body 21 comprises a receiving housing 27 forming the receiving location 22 and configured to at least partially house the suction head 7. The receiving housing 27 more particularly comprises an upper opening 28 through which the suction head 7 is able to be inserted into the receiving housing 27. Advantageously, the upper opening 28 of the receiving housing 27 is located in a rear part of the base body 21.

[0100] The receiving location 22 further comprises a support surface 29 which is substantially planar and which is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the base body 21 rests on a horizontal surface. The suction head 7 is configured to rest on the support surface 29 when the suction head 7 is received in the receiving location 22. Advantageously, the support surface 29, which forms a bottom wall of the receiving housing 27, extends in the extension of the lower edge, and thus of the front edge, of the tilting surface 26.

[0101] The docking station 3 also comprises a collection device 31 fluidly connected to the emptying receptacle 23 and configured to collect waste contained in the waste collection container 12. According to one embodiment of the invention, the collection device 31 comprises a dust bag removably arranged in a receiving compartment delimited by the base body 21.

[0102] The docking station 3 further comprises a suction device 32 configured to suck up the waste contained in the waste collection container 12 and to convey the sucked up waste into the collection device 31. The suction device 32 comprises, for example, a motor-driven fan arranged in the base body 21. According to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the receiving location 22 extends at least partly below the suction device 32, and the central longitudinal axis C of the waste collection container intersects with the receiving location 22.

[0103] When a user wishes to position the broom vacuum cleaner 2 in a storage position, he positions a front part of the suction head 7 opposite the receiving location 22 and a front part of the waste collection container 12 opposite the upper insertion opening 25, then it moves the vacuum cleaner 2 downwards in a substantially vertical direction of movement. During such a movement, on the one hand the front part of the suction head 7 cooperates with the tilting surface 26 and is pivoted by the latter forwards, so as to reduce the relative angle of inclination between the suction duct 8 and the suction head 7, and on the other hand the waste collection container 12 is inserted into the receiving housing 24.

[0104] The specific configuration of the tilting surface 26 makes it possible in particular to position the main body 4 of the upright vacuum cleaner 2, stored in a vertical position, as close as possible to the ground, and thus gives a reduced height footprint to the cleaning system 1 according to the present invention.

[0105] In addition, the presence of the tilting surface 26 ensures automatic forward pivoting of the suction head 7 when the latter is placed in the receiving location 22, which facilitates the insertion of the front part of the waste collection container 12 into the receiving housing 24. Indeed, in the absence of such a tilting surface 26, the user would be forced to manually move the suction head forward when placing the suction head 7 in the receiving location 22, to prevent the suction head 7 and the suction duct 8 from remaining substantially “aligned” in a vertical direction and therefore opposing the insertion of the waste collection container 12 into the receiving housing 24.

[0106] Advantageously, the docking station 3 can be provided with a user interface allowing a user to initiate an emptying cycle of the waste collection container 12 when the latter is received in the docking housing 24. For this purpose, the docking station is advantageously provided with a control unit configured to control the activation of the suction device 32 when a user has selected an emptying cycle via the user interface.

[0107] It should be noted that the cleaning system 1 according to the present invention may for example be configured to automatically move the emptying hatch into the release position when the waste collection container 12 is received in the receiving housing 24.

[0108] Advantageously, the docking station 3 is further configured to recharge the rechargeable battery 18 of the stick vacuum cleaner 2 when the latter is received by the docking station 3, and more particularly when the waste collection container 12 is received in the docking housing 24. Such a configuration of the cleaning system 1 according to the present invention makes it possible to empty the waste collection container 12 and to recharge the rechargeable battery 18 when the stick vacuum cleaner 2 is received in the docking station 3.

[0109] For this purpose, the stick vacuum cleaner 2 may for example comprise a first electrical connector provided with a pair of first electrical contacts located in a front part of the main body 4 of the stick vacuum cleaner 2 and connected, for example by electrical connection wires extending through the main body 4 and the gripping handle 6, to the rechargeable battery 18, and the docking station 3 may for example comprise a second electrical connector provided with a pair of second electrical contacts located for example in the docking housing 24 and configured to electrically cooperate with the first electrical contacts provided on the stick vacuum cleaner 2 when the waste collection container 12 is housed in the docking housing 24.

[0110] The docking station 3 further comprises a power supply unit, also called a mains adapter, configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power outlet, such as a mains socket and in particular a wall socket, and to electrically power the docking station, and for example the second electrical connector.

[0111] Figures 4 and 5 represent a cleaning system 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment essentially in that the docking station 3 is only configured to accommodate the stick vacuum cleaner 2 in a storage position and to recharge the rechargeable battery 18 of the stick vacuum cleaner 2.

[0112] According to such an embodiment of the invention, the receiving location 22 is located in a front part of the base body 21, and the docking station 3 comprises a charging case 33 configured to support the stick vacuum cleaner 2 in the storage position and delimiting a receiving volume 34 configured to house at least in part the battery case when the stick vacuum cleaner 2 is received in the docking station 3. Advantageously, the second electrical connector is located in the receiving volume 34.

[0113] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given only as examples. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Cleaning system (1) comprising: - a vacuum cleaner (2) comprising: • a main body (4) comprising a suction tip (5), • a gripping handle (6) mechanically connected to the main body (4), • a waste separation and collection device (11) mounted on the main body (4) and fluidically connected to the suction nozzle (5), • a suction head (7) configured to be in contact with a surface to be cleaned, • a suction duct (8) mechanically and fluidically connecting the suction nozzle (5) to the suction head (7), the suction duct (8) being mounted articulated relative to the suction head (7) around a transverse pivot axis (B) so as to allow the suction duct (8) to tilt forwards or backwards relative to the suction head (7), and • a suction motor (17) housed in the main body (4), the suction motor (17) being configured to generate an air flow through the suction head (7), the suction duct (8), the suction nozzle (5) and the waste separation and collection device (11), - a docking station (3) configured to accommodate the upright vacuum cleaner (2), the docking station (3) comprising a base body (21) which is configured to rest on the ground and which has a receiving location (22) configured to receive and support the suction head (7) of the upright vacuum cleaner (2), characterized in that the receiving location (22) has a tilting surface (26) configured to cooperate with the suction head (7) and to tilt the suction head (7), relative to the suction duct (8), around the transverse pivot axis (B) and from a first head configuration in which the suction head (7) and the suction duct (8) are inclined relative to each other by a first angle of inclination to a second confi- head configuration in which the suction head (7) and the suction duct (8) are inclined relative to each other by a second angle of inclination which is less than the first angle of inclination, when placing the suction head (7) in the receiving location (22).

2. Cleaning system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tilting surface (26) is configured to tilt the suction head (7) about the transverse pivot axis (B) and forward, when placing the suction head (7) in the receiving location (22).

3. A cleaning system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first tilt angle is between 135 and 180°, and the second tilt angle is between 90 and 120°.

4. Cleaning system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when the base body (21) rests on a horizontal surface and the suction head (7) is received in the receiving location (22), the underside of the suction head (7) extends substantially horizontally or is inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of less than 30°.

5. Cleaning system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receiving location (22) is open upwards.

6. Cleaning system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the suction head (7) is configured to be placed in the receiving location (22) from above the receiving location (22) and in a direction of movement which is substantially vertical when the base body (21) rests on a horizontal surface.

7. Cleaning system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base body (21) comprises a receiving housing (27) forming the receiving location (22) and configured to at least partly house the suction head (7), the receiving housing (27) comprising an upper opening (28) through which the suction head (7) is adapted to be inserted into the receiving housing (27).

8. A cleaning system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tilting surface (26) has a lower edge and an upper edge, the tilting surface (26) extending from the lower edge to the upper edge away from a lower face of the basic body (21).

9. A cleaning system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tilting surface (26) extends rearwardly of the base body (21) away from a lower face of the base body (21).

10. A cleaning system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the receiving location (22) comprises a support surface (29) which is substantially planar and which is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the base body (21) rests on a horizontal surface, the suction head (7) being configured to rest on the support surface (29) when the suction head (7) is received in the receiving location (22).

11. A cleaning system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the waste separation and collection device (11) comprises a waste collection container (12) provided with a drain opening (16), and a drain hatch (15) configured to occupy a closing configuration in which the drain hatch (15) closes the drain opening (16) and a releasing configuration in which the drain hatch (15) releases the drain opening (16).

12. A cleaning system (1) according to claim 11, wherein the docking station (3) comprises a docking housing (24) configured to at least partially house the waste collection container (12), and a collection device (31) configured to collect waste contained in the waste collection container (12).

13. A cleaning system (1) according to claim 12, wherein the docking station (3) comprises a suction device (32) configured to suck up waste contained in the waste collection container and to convey the sucked up waste into the collection device (31).

14. Cleaning system (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the receiving housing (24) has an upper insertion opening (25) through which the waste collection container (12) is adapted to be inserted into the receiving housing (24), the upper insertion opening (25) being configured to face upwards when the base body (21) rests on a horizontal surface.

15. A cleaning system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the docking station (3) is configured to recharge a rechargeable battery (18) of the stick vacuum cleaner (2) when the vacuum cleaner broom (2) is accommodated in the docking station (3).

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