Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The cleaning system may include a vacuum cleaner having a main body and a cleaner dust cup connected to the main body, and a docking station. The vacuum cleaner is configured to dock with the docking station. The cleaner dust cup may include an open end configured to be selectively received within the main body, and a dust cup outlet configured to be selectively opened and closed. The dust cup outlet and the open end are on different sides of the cleaner dust cup. The docking station may include a base having a suction motor and a station dust cup, an upduct extending from the base, and a receptacle having a station inlet. The receptacle is configured to receive at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner, and the upduct fluidly couples the station inlet to the suction motor and the station dust cup.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a surface treatment apparatus, and more specifically, to a vacuum cleaner configured to interact with a docking station.

Summary of the Invention

[0002] The surface treatment apparatus is configured to remove at least a portion of any debris deposited on a surface to be cleaned (e.g., a floor). For example, the surface treatment apparatus can be a vacuum cleaner that includes a suction motor, a suction inlet, and a dust cup. The suction motor is configured to cause air to flow through the suction inlet and into the dust cup. When air is drawn into the suction inlet, at least a portion of any debris on the surface to be cleaned can be entrained within the air. At least a portion of the debris entrained within the air can be deposited within the dust cup for later disposal by a user of the vacuum cleaner. The disposal frequency can be based at least in part on the capacity of the dust cup. An increase in the capacity of the dust cup can result in an increase in the overall weight and / or size of the vacuum cleaner. A smaller dust cup capacity can reduce the weight and / or size of the vacuum cleaner while potentially leading to more frequent disposal of debris, whereby the user can be exposed to the debris being disposed of more frequently.

[0003] These features and other features and advantages will be better understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 6

Figure 6A

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 8A

Figure 9

Figure 10

[0005] The present disclosure generally relates to a vacuum cleaner and a docking station configured to interact with the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner suction motor, a cleaner suction inlet, and a cleaner dust cup. The cleaner suction motor is fluidly connected to the cleaner suction inlet and the cleaner dust cup, such that when the cleaner suction motor is activated, air is drawn through the cleaner suction inlet into the cleaner dust cup. The air drawn through the cleaner suction inlet may carry debris entrained therein. At least a portion of the debris entrained in the air is deposited in the cleaner dust cup for later disposal. The cleaner dust cup can include a first emptying configuration and a second emptying configuration for removing debris from the cleaner dust cup. The first emptying configuration can correspond to a manually emptied configuration (e.g., a configuration in which the user empties the cleaner dust cup and places it in a trash receptacle), and the second emptying configuration can correspond to an automatically emptied configuration (e.g., a configuration for using the docking station to empty the cleaner dust cup).

[0006] The docking station includes a suction motor, a receptacle having a station suction inlet, and a station dust cup. The station suction motor is configured to cause air to flow through the station suction inlet and through the station dust cup. The receptacle is configured to interact with the vacuum cleaner such that the vacuum cleaner removably couples (docks) to the docking station. When the vacuum cleaner is docked to the docking station and the station suction motor is activated, the cleaner dust cup can be transitioned to the automatically emptied configuration. When in the automatically emptied configuration, the cleaner dust cup and the station dust cup are fluidly connected, such that when the station suction motor is activated, at least a portion of any debris stored in the cleaner dust cup is transferred into the station dust cup.

[0007] Using a docking station to empty the cleaner dust cup can reduce the number of times a user is exposed to dust debris collected by the vacuum cleaner (e.g., as a result of removing dust debris during the emptying operation). For example, the station dust cup can be configured to have a larger capacity (e.g., at least twice the capacity) than the cleaner dust cup. In this way, the user may discard the collected dust debris less frequently and can reduce the user's exposure to dust debris.

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a schematic example of a cleaning system 101 having a vacuum cleaner 100 removably coupled (docked) to a docking station 102. The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a handle 104, a cleaner suction motor 106, a cleaner dust cup 108, and a cleaner inlet 110. The cleaner suction motor 106 is fluidly coupled to the cleaner inlet 110 and the cleaner dust cup 108, such that when the cleaner suction motor 106 is activated, air is flowed through the cleaner inlet 110 into the cleaner dust cup 108. The air flowing through the cleaner inlet 110 may carry dust debris therein. At least a portion of the dust debris carried in the air may be deposited in the cleaner dust cup 108 for later disposal. The cleaner dust cup 108 can be configured to have a first emptying configuration and a second emptying configuration, and the cleaner dust cup 108 can be in the first emptying configuration when the vacuum cleaner 100 is undocked from the docking station 102 and can be in the second emptying configuration when the vacuum cleaner 100 is docked to the docking station 102. Thus, the first emptying configuration may generally be referred to as a manual emptying configuration, and the second emptying configuration may generally be referred to as an automatic emptying configuration.

[0009] The user interface 112 can be disposed on and / or proximate to the handle 104 (e.g., within 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 35% or 50% of the maximum dimension of the handle 104). The user interface 112 can include one or more of a start toggle (e.g., a toggle to start the suction motor 106), a cleaning operation toggle (e.g., a toggle to increase the suction force of the suction motor 106), a toggle to empty the dust cup (e.g., a toggle to transition to a configuration to manually empty the cleaner dust cup 108), and / or any other toggle.

[0010] The docking station 102 includes a base 114, an upduct 116 extending from the base 114, and a receptacle 118 coupled to the upduct 116. The receptacle 118 is configured to receive at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner 100. The base 114 includes a station dust cup 120 and a station suction motor 122. In some cases, the base 114 may also include a post-motor filter 115, and the exhaust from the station suction motor 122 is configured to pass through the post-motor filter 115. The post-motor filter 115 can be a high efficiency particulate air (「HEPA」) filter (e.g., a pleated HEPA filter).

[0011] The upduct 116 includes an air channel 124 that is fluidly coupled to the station dust cup 120 and the station suction motor 122, whereby when the station suction motor 122 is activated, air is drawn into the station dust cup 120 through the air channel 124. The receptacle 118 includes a station inlet 126 that is fluidly coupled to the air channel 124, whereby when the station suction motor 122 is activated, air is drawn into the air channel 124 through the station inlet 126. In other words, the upduct 116 fluidly couples the station inlet 126 to the station suction motor 122 and the station dust cup 120.

[0012] As shown, the cleaner dust cup 108 includes a dust cup outlet 128 configured to fluidly couple to the station inlet 126 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is docked with the docking station 102 (e.g., when at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner 100 is received within the receptacle 118). When the station suction motor 122 operates, air is drawn into the station inlet 126 through the dust cup outlet 128. The dust cup outlet 128 can be configured to selectively open and close when the vacuum cleaner 100 is docked with the docking station 102. When the dust cup outlet 128 is in an open configuration, the cleaner dust cup 108 is configured to automatically empty.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a schematic example of a vacuum cleaner 100 having a cleaner dust cup 108 configured to be emptied manually. As shown, the cleaner dust cup 108 is connected (e.g., movably connected, removably connected, and / or pivotably connected) to the main body 200 of the vacuum cleaner 100, whereby the cleaner dust cup 108 can transition between a storage configuration and a manually emptied configuration. For example, as shown, the cleaner dust cup 108 can be pivotably connected to the main body 200 of the vacuum cleaner 100 at a pivot point 202, whereby the cleaner dust cup 108 pivots from a stored configuration to a manually emptied configuration. When in the manually emptied configuration, dust debris within the cleaner dust cup 108 can be emptied from the dust cup open end 204 of the cleaner dust cup 108. The dust cup open end 204 can be opposite the pivot point 202 of the cleaner dust cup 108. Such a configuration can facilitate the dust debris being discharged from the dust cup open end 204 as a result of the pivotal movement of the cleaner dust cup 108.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a schematic example of a vacuum cleaner 100 having a cleaner dust cup 108 in a storage configuration and a dust cup outlet 128 in an open configuration. As shown, the dust cup door 300 may be configured to selectively open and close the dust cup outlet 128, selectively transitioning the dust cup outlet 128 between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The dust cup door 300 can be pivotably connected to the cleaner dust cup 108, whereby the dust cup door 300 pivots to selectively open and close the dust cup outlet 128. For example, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is docked with the docking station 102, the airflow generated by the station suction motor 122 can pivot the dust cup door 300, open the dust cup outlet 128, and enable the dust debris within the cleaner dust cup 108 to be entrained within the airflow. Thus, the dust cup 108 can generally be described as being in an automatically emptied configuration when the dust cup outlet 128 is in the open configuration.

[0015] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a robotic vacuum cleaner 400 that may be an embodiment of the robot cleaner 100 of FIG. 1 and a docking station 402 that may be an embodiment of the docking station 102 of FIG. 1.

[0016] The vacuum cleaner 400 includes a main body 403, a handle 404, a cleaner user interface 406 proximate to the handle 404, a cleaner suction motor 408, a cleaner dust cup 410 pivotally coupled to the main body 403, and a cleaner inlet 412. The cleaner suction motor 408 is fluidly coupled to the cleaner dust cup 410 and the cleaner inlet 412. The cleaner inlet 412 may be configured to removably couple to an accessory 414 (e.g., a cleaning wand). The accessory 414 may be configured to removably couple to an additional accessory 416 (e.g., a floor nozzle).

[0017] The docking station 402 includes a base 418, a station dust cup 420 removably coupled to the base 418, a station suction motor 422 disposed within the base 418, an upduct 424 extending from the base 418, and a receptacle 426 coupled to the upduct 424. The receptacle 426 is configured to receive at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner 400, whereby the vacuum cleaner 400 is removably coupled (docked) to the docking station 402. The receptacle 426 may also be configured to receive at least a portion of the accessory 414, whereby the accessory 414 is removably coupled (docked) to the docking station 402.

[0018] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner 400 and a docking station 402, with the vacuum cleaner 400 undocked from the docking station 402. As shown, the vacuum cleaner 400 may be used independently of accessories 414 and 416, and the accessories 414 and 416 may remain docked with a docking station 402 separate from the vacuum cleaner 400. When the vacuum cleaner 400 is undocked separately from the accessories 414 and 416, the accessories 414 and 416 may be undocked from the docking station 402 independently of the vacuum cleaner 400. In some cases, when the accessories 414 and 416 are undocked from the docking station 402, the vacuum cleaner 400 may be docked with the docking station 402 separately from the accessories 414 and 416.

[0019] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the docking station 402, and FIG. 6A shows an enlarged view corresponding to region 6A of FIG. 6. As shown, the receptacle 426 includes charging contacts 600 configured to electrically couple to the vacuum cleaner 400 (e.g., to charge one or more batteries of the vacuum cleaner 400), one or more accessory aligners 602, one or more cleaner aligners 604, and one or more dust cup aligners 606. In some cases, the docking station 402 may be configured to detect that the vacuum cleaner 400 is docked to the docking station using the charging contacts 600. Additionally, or alternatively, the receptacle 426 may include one or more sensors 601 (e.g., a tactile switch, a Hall effect sensor, and / or any other type of sensor) to detect that the vacuum cleaner 400 is docked to the receptacle. In response to detecting that the vacuum cleaner 400 is docked to the docking station 402, the docking station 402 may cause an ejection operation. In some cases, the docking station 402 may perform an ejection operation in response to detecting that the vacuum cleaner 400 is docked to the docking station 402 and in response to receiving user input.

[0020] As shown, receptacle 426 is defined by one or more receptacle sidewalls 608 shaped to follow the corresponding contours of vacuum cleaner 400 and / or accessory 414, whereby receptacle 426 may generally be described as including a cleaner region 610 and an accessory region 612. For example, receptacle 426 may have a first width 614 and a second width 616, with the first width 614 being greater than the second width 616. The second width 616 may be closer to the base 418 of docking station 402 than the first width 614. In some cases, the second width 616 may generally correspond to the width of accessory 414 (FIG. 4), and the first width 614 may correspond to the width of vacuum cleaner 400 (FIG. 4). Thus, receptacle 426 may generally be described as being configured to receive at least a portion of vacuum cleaner 400 and at least a portion of accessory 414.

[0021] One or more accessory aligners 602 are configured to engage (e.g., contact) accessory 414 to align accessory 414 with receptacle 426. One or more accessory aligners 602 may be grooves configured to receive corresponding portions (e.g., alignment protrusions) of accessory 414. In some cases, at least a portion of one or more accessory aligners 602 is configured to limit movement of accessory 414 along one or more predetermined axes when at least a portion of accessory 414 is engaged with one or more accessory aligners 602. For example, at least a portion of one or more accessory aligners 602 may be configured to limit movement of accessory 414 along the insertion / removal axis 618 of receptacle 426 when at least a portion of accessory 414 is engaged with one or more accessory aligners 602. The insertion / removal axis 618 may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of upduct 424 (e.g., at an angle within 1 degree, 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4 degrees, or 5 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis).

[0022] One or more cleaner aligners 604 are configured to engage (e.g., contact) the body 403 (FIG. 4) of the vacuum cleaner 400 to align the vacuum cleaner 400 with the receptacle 426. The one or more cleaner aligners 604 can be protrusions configured to be received within corresponding grooves of the vacuum cleaner 400 (e.g., within the body 403). In some cases, at least a portion of the one or more cleaner aligners 604 is configured to limit movement of the vacuum cleaner 400 along one or more axes when at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner 400 engages the one or more cleaner aligners 604. For example, at least a portion of the one or more cleaner aligners 604 can be configured to limit movement of the vacuum cleaner 400 along the insertion / removal axis 618 when at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner 400 is engaged with the one or more cleaner aligners 604.

[0023] One or more dust cup aligners 606 are configured to engage with a cleaner dust cup 410 (FIG. 4) to align the dust cup outlet with the station inlet 620 of the receptacle 426. As shown, there can be a plurality of dust cup aligners 606 disposed on opposite sides of the station inlet 620. The one or more dust cup aligners 606 can be grooves configured to receive at least a portion of the cleaner dust cup 410. In some cases, at least a portion of the one or more dust cup aligners 606 is configured to limit movement of the vacuum cleaner 400 along one or more axes when at least a portion of the cleaner dust cup 410 engages with the one or more dust cup aligners 606. For example, at least a portion of the one or more dust cup aligners 606 can be configured to limit movement of the vacuum cleaner 400 along the insertion / removal axis 618 when at least a portion of the cleaner dust cup 410 is engaged with the one or more dust cup aligners 606. The dust cup aligner 606 can be further configured to encourage engagement of the clean dust cup 410 with a seal 624 that extends around the outer periphery of the station inlet 620. The seal 624 can be elastically deformable such that when the vacuum cleaner 400 is received within the receptacle 426, the seal 624 is at least partially compressed. For example, the seal 624 can include thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”).

[0024] Referring to FIG. 7, which shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the receptacle 426, one or more dust cup aligners 606 may include a dust cup aligner groove 700 defined by a first groove sidewall 702 and a second groove sidewall 704. The first and second groove sidewalls 702 may be configured to facilitate the formation of a seal between the seal portion 624 and the cleaner dust cup 410 (FIG. 6A) and / or to reduce wear on the seal portion 624 resulting from repeated docking and undocking of the vacuum cleaner 400 with the docking station 402. The first groove sidewall 702 may include a first sidewall portion 706 and a second sidewall portion 708, and the first sidewall portion 706 intersects the second sidewall portion 708 to form a sidewall portion angle θ. The sidewall portion angle θ may be an obtuse angle extending between the surfaces of the first sidewall portion 706 and the second sidewall portion 708 facing the second groove sidewall 704. The second sidewall portion 708 may form a groove angle α with the second groove sidewall 704, such that a separation distance 709 extending between the second groove sidewall portion 708 and the second groove sidewall 704 decreases in the direction of the base 418 of the docking station 402. In other words, the dust cup aligner groove 700 may include a tapered region that tapers in the direction of the base 418.

[0025] The groove angle α extends from the surface of the second sidewall portion 708 facing the second groove sidewall 704 to the second groove sidewall 704. The groove angle α may be in the range of, for example, 1 degree to 20 degrees. As a further example, the groove angle α may be in the range of, for example, 5 degrees to 15 degrees. As yet a further example, the groove angle α may be, for example, about 10 degrees (e.g., within 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5% of this angle).

[0026] The first and / or second groove sidewalls 702 and / or 704 may include chamfered regions 710 and / or 712 configured to facilitate insertion of at least a portion of the cleaner dust cup 410 (FIG. 4) into the dust cup aligner groove 700. The first groove sidewall 702 has a first sidewall height 714, and the second groove sidewall 704 has a second sidewall height 716. The first sidewall height 714 may be greater than the second sidewall height 716. Thus, movement of the vacuum cleaner 400 along the insertion / removal axis 618 may be restricted only for a portion of the dust cup aligner groove 700 (e.g., the portion of the dust cup aligner groove 700 that extends between the first groove sidewall 702 and the second groove sidewall 704).

[0027] FIGS. 8 and 9 show perspective views of the vacuum cleaner 400. As shown, the body 403 of the vacuum cleaner 400 includes one or more cleaner alignment grooves 800 configured to cooperate with a docking station 402 (e.g., one or more cleaner aligners 604 (FIG. 6A) of the receptacle 426), and the cleaner dust cup 410 includes a dust cup alignment protrusion 802 configured to cooperate with a docking station 402 (e.g., the dust cup aligner 606 (FIG. 6A)). The dust cup alignment protrusion 802 may include a dust cup outlet 804 configured to be selectively opened and closed by a dust cup door 806, whereby debris within the cleaner dust cup 410 may selectively pass through the dust cup outlet.

[0028] As shown, the dust cup door 806 is configured to move between a closed position (FIG. 8) and an open position (FIG. 9). For example, the dust cup door 806 can be pivotally coupled to the cleaner dust cup 410 (e.g., dust cup alignment protrusion 802), whereby the dust cup door 806 pivots between the open and closed positions. The dust cup door 806 can be biased toward the closed position (e.g., using a spring such as a torsion spring). When the dust cup door 806 is in the open position, the cleaner dust cup 410 can generally be described as being configured to automatically empty.

[0029] The vacuum cleaner 400 (e.g., cleaner dust cup 410) can include a retainer 808. The retainer 808 may be movably (e.g., slidably) coupled to the dust cup alignment protrusion 802, and the retainer 808 is configured to move between a locked position (FIG. 8) and an unlocked position (FIG. 9). When the retainer 808 is in the locked position, the dust cup door 806 is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position (e.g., the pivotal movement of the dust cup door 806 can be substantially prevented). When the retainer 808 is in the unlocked position, the dust cup door 806 can move from the closed position to the open position. The retainer 808 can be biased toward the locked position (e.g., using a spring such as a compression spring).

[0030] The retainer 808 can be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position when the vacuum cleaner 400 is docked with the docking station 402. For example, the receptacle 426 can include an actuating protrusion 626 (FIG. 6A) that extends laterally (e.g., perpendicularly) with respect to the insertion / removal shaft 618. The actuating protrusion 626 is configured to engage (e.g., contact) the retainer 808 when the vacuum cleaner 400 is received by the receptacle 426. The engagement of the actuating protrusion 626 with the retainer 808 causes the retainer to move (e.g., slide) from the locked position to the unlocked position when the vacuum cleaner 400 is docked with the docking station 402.

[0031] The dust cup alignment protrusion 802 is configured to cooperate with the dust cup aligner 606. For example, the dust cup alignment protrusion 802 may have a shape (e.g., a wedge shape) generally corresponding to the shape of the dust cup aligner groove 700 (FIG. 7). For example, the shape of the dust cup alignment protrusion 802 may be such that the second groove side wall 704 engages (e.g., contacts) the dust cup alignment protrusion 802 and prompts the dust cup alignment protrusion 802 to engage (e.g., contact) the sealing portion 624 (FIG. 6A). The engagement between the sealing portion 624 and the dust cup alignment protrusion 802 may at least partially compress the sealing portion 624. For example, the sealing engagement surface 810 of the dust cup alignment protrusion 802 may engage the sealing portion 624 that forms at least a partial seal. The formation of the partial seal may reduce the outflow of debris when the cleaner dust cup 410 is empty.

[0032] In some cases, and referring to FIG. 8A (an enlarged view generally corresponding to region 8A of FIG. 8), the dust cup alignment protrusion 802 may further include an alignment lip 803 that extends outwardly from the protrusion sidewall 805 of the dust cup alignment protrusion 802 by a first extension distance 807. The dust cup alignment protrusion 802 may include a plurality of alignment lips 803, and each alignment lip 803 extends along an opposing longitudinal side surface of the dust cup alignment protrusion 802. The alignment lip 803 may be configured to engage at least a portion of the dust cup aligner 606. In some cases, the alignment lip 803 may include at least a portion of the sealing engagement surface 810 of the dust cup alignment protrusion 802. The dust cup alignment protrusion 802 may include an alignment protrusion 809 (in addition to, or as an alternative to, the alignment lip 803). The alignment protrusion 809 may extend from the protrusion sidewall 805 by a second extension distance 811, and the second extension distance 811 is greater than the first extension distance 807. The alignment protrusion 809 may be configured to engage at least a portion of the dust cup aligner 606. In some cases, the alignment protrusion 809 may include at least a portion of the sealing engagement surface 810 of the dust cup alignment protrusion 802.

[0033] As shown, the sealing engagement surface 810 of the dust cup alignment protrusion 802 forms a protrusion angle β with the cleaner longitudinal axis 812. The protrusion angle β may generally correspond to the groove angle α (FIG. 7). The protrusion angle β may be in the range of, for example, 1 degree to 20 degrees. As a further example, the protrusion angle β may be in the range of, for example, 5 degrees to 15 degrees. As yet a further example, the protrusion angle β may be, for example, about 10 degrees (e.g., within 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5% of this angle).

[0034] The cleaner dust cup 410 is pivotally connected to the body 403 of the vacuum cleaner 400 about a dust cup pivot axis 814. The cleaner dust cup 410 is configured to pivot from a storage configuration to a manually emptied configuration about the dust cup pivot axis 814. As shown, when in the storage configuration, the cleaner dust cup 410 extends along the cleaner longitudinal axis 812 between the inlet end 816 of the body 403 and the handle 404. When the cleaner dust cup 410 pivots to the manually emptied position, the open end 818 of the cleaner dust cup 410 is exposed. As shown, the open end 818 is received within the body 403 when the cleaner dust cup 410 is in the storage configuration. Thus, the cleaner dust cup 410 can generally be described as being configured to pivot such that the open end 818 is selectively received within the body 403. The open end 818 and the dust cup outlet 804 can be on different sides of the cleaner dust cup 410.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner 400 docked with the docking station 402 of FIG. 4, taken along line X-X of FIG. 4. As shown, the dust cup door 806 is in the open position. The dust cup door 806 can be moved from the closed position to the open position in response to the station suction motor 422 (FIG. 4) being activated. For example, the airflow generated by the station suction motor 422 can urge the dust cup door 806 toward the open position. When the station suction motor 422 is stopped, the dust cup door 806 can move to the closed position (e.g., as a result of gravity and / or a biasing force). When the dust cup door 806 is in the open position, at least a portion of the dust cup door 806 passes through the station inlet 620 and is at least partially received within the receptacle cavity 1000 of the receptacle 426. In other words, when the dust cup outlet 804 is open, at least a portion of the dust cup door 806 is received within the receptacle cavity 1000.

[0036] The airflow generated by the station suction motor 422 can flow along the discharge channel 1002. As shown, the discharge channel 1002 extends from the cleaner dust cup 410 into the receptacle cavity 1000 and reaches into the station dust cup 420 through the air channel 1004 of the upduct 424.

[0037] An example of a vacuum cleaner consistent with the present disclosure may include a main body and a dust cup connected to the main body. The dust cup may include an open end configured to be selectively received within the main body and a dust cup outlet configured to be selectively opened and closed.

[0038] In some cases, the dust cup may further include a dust cup door configured to selectively open and close the dust cup outlet. In some cases, the dust cup door may be pivotally connected to the dust cup. In some cases, the dust cup may further include a retainer configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, and when the retainer is in the locked position, pivotal movement of the dust cup door is substantially prevented. In some cases, the retainer may be biased toward the locked position. In some cases, the dust cup may further include a dust cup alignment protrusion configured to cooperate with a docking station, and the dust cup alignment protrusion includes the dust cup outlet. In some cases, the main body may include an alignment groove configured to cooperate with the docking station. In some cases, the dust cup outlet and the open end may be on different sides of the dust cup.

[0039] One example of a cleaning system consistent with the present disclosure may include a vacuum cleaner having a main body and a cleaner dust cup coupled to the main body, and a docking station, the vacuum cleaner being configured to dock with the docking station. The cleaner dust cup may include an open end configured to be selectively received within the main body and a dust cup outlet configured to be selectively opened and closed, the dust cup outlet and the open end being on different sides of the cleaner dust cup. The docking station may include a base having a suction motor and a station dust cup, an upduct extending from the base, and a receptacle having a station inlet, the receptacle being configured to receive at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner, and the upduct fluidly coupling the station inlet to the suction motor and the station dust cup.

[0040] In some cases, the station inlet can be configured to be in fluid communication with the dust cup outlet when the vacuum cleaner is docked with the docking station. In some cases, the cleaner dust cup can further include a dust cup door configured to selectively open and close the dust cup outlet. In some cases, the receptacle may include a receptacle cavity, and when the dust cup outlet is open, the receptacle cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the dust cup door. In some cases, the dust cup door may be configured to pivot to selectively open and close the dust cup outlet, and the airflow generated by the suction motor pivots the dust cup door to open the dust cup outlet. In some cases, the cleaner dust cup can further include a retainer configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, and when the retainer is in the locked position, movement of the dust cup door is substantially prevented. In some cases, the receptacle can include an actuating protrusion configured to move the retainer from the locked position to the unlocked position when the vacuum cleaner is docked with the docking station. In some cases, the actuating protrusion can extend laterally with respect to the insertion / removal axis of the receptacle. In some cases, the retainer can be biased toward the locked position. In some cases, the receptacle can include a dust cup aligner configured to align the dust cup outlet with the station inlet. In some cases, the dust cup aligner may include a groove, and the groove includes a tapered region that tapers in the direction of the base. In some cases, the receptacle can include a cleaner aligner. In some cases, the vacuum cleaner can include an alignment groove configured to cooperate with the cleaner aligner. In some cases, the dust cup can be pivotally connected to the body.

[0041] While the principles of the present invention are described in this specification, those skilled in the art should understand that this description is provided by way of example only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Other embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described in this specification. Modifications and substitutions by those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention and should not be limited except as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: a main body; a dust cup connected to the main body, the dust cup comprising: an open end configured to be selectively received within the main body; and a dust cup outlet configured to be selectively opened and closed; The vacuum cleaner comprising the above.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the dust cup further comprises a dust cup door configured to selectively open and close the dust cup outlet.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the dust cup door is pivotally connected to the dust cup.

4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the dust cup further comprises a retainer configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, and wherein pivotal movement of the dust cup door is substantially prevented when the retainer is in the locked position.

5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the dust cup outlet and the open end are on different sides of the dust cup.

6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the dust cup further comprises a dust cup alignment protrusion configured to cooperate with a docking station, the dust cup alignment protrusion including the dust cup outlet.

7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes an alignment groove configured to cooperate with a docking station.

8. A cleaning system, comprising: a vacuum cleaner having a main body and a cleaner dust cup connected to the main body; and a docking station configured such that the vacuum cleaner docks with the docking station, the docking station including: wherein the cleaner dust cup comprises: an open end configured to be selectively received within the main body; and a dust cup outlet configured to be selectively opened and closed, the dust cup outlet and the open end being on different sides of the cleaner dust cup; wherein the docking station comprises: a base having a suction motor and a station dust cup; and an upduct extending from the base; A receptacle having a station inlet, the receptacle being configured to receive at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner, and the upduct fluidly connecting the station inlet to the suction motor and the station dust cup, a receptacle. A cleaning system.

9. The cleaning system according to claim 8, wherein the station inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with the dust cup outlet when the vacuum cleaner is docked with the docking station.

10. The cleaning system according to claim 9, wherein the cleaner dust cup further includes a dust cup door configured to selectively open and close the dust cup outlet.

11. The cleaning system according to claim 10, wherein the receptacle includes a receptacle cavity, and the receptacle cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the dust cup door when the dust cup outlet is open.

12. The cleaning system according to claim 10, wherein the dust cup door is configured to pivot to selectively open and close the dust cup outlet, and the airflow generated by the suction motor pivots the dust cup door to open the dust cup outlet.

13. The cleaning system according to claim 10, wherein the cleaner dust cup further includes a retainer configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, and movement of the dust cup door is substantially prevented when the retainer is in the locked position.

14. The cleaning system according to claim 13, wherein the receptacle includes an actuating protrusion configured to move the retainer from the locked position to the unlocked position when the vacuum cleaner is docked with the docking station.

15. The cleaning system according to claim 14, wherein the actuating protrusion extends in a transverse direction with respect to the insertion / removal axis of the receptacle.

16. The cleaning system according to claim 8, wherein the dust cup is pivotally connected to the main body.

17. The cleaning system according to claim 8, wherein the receptacle includes a dust cup aligner configured to align the dust cup outlet with the station inlet.

18. The cleaning system according to claim 17, wherein the dust cup aligner includes a groove, and the groove includes a tapered region that tapers in the direction of the base.

19. The cleaning system according to claim 17, wherein the receptacle includes a cleaner aligner.

20. The cleaning system according to claim 19, wherein the vacuum cleaner includes an alignment groove configured to cooperate with the cleaner aligner.

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