Vacuum cleaning machine

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 including a suction motor, a suction inlet, and a dust cup. The suction motor is configured to cause air to flow through the suction inlet 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 in the air. At least a portion of the debris entrained in the air can be deposited in the dust cup for later disposal by a user of the vacuum cleaner. The disposal frequency can be at least partially based 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] FIG. 1 is a schematic example of a docking station and a docked vacuum cleaner in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic example of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 having a manually emptied dust cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a schematic embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1, having a dust cup configured to automatically empty, consistent with the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a docking station and a docked vacuum cleaner, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 4, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, in which one or more accessories of the vacuum cleaner remain docked to the docking station, while the vacuum cleaner is undocked from the docking station of Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the docking station of Figure 4, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A is an enlarged view of a portion of the docking station in Figure 4, corresponding to area 6A in Figure 6, which is consistent with the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle of the docking station of Figure 4 for receiving the vacuum cleaner of Figure 4, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 4, having a closed dust cup outlet, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] Figure 8A is an enlarged view of a portion of the vacuum cleaner in Figure 4, corresponding to area 8A in Figure 8, which is consistent with the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 4, having an open dust cup outlet, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner and docking station of Figure 4, along line XX of Figure 4, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0005] This 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 fluid-coupled to the cleaner suction inlet and the cleaner dust cup, thereby drawing air into the cleaner dust cup through the cleaner suction inlet when activated. The air drawn through the cleaner suction inlet may contain debris encompassed therein. At least a portion of the debris encompassed in the air is deposited in the cleaner dust cup for later disposal. The cleaner dust cup may include a first emptying configuration and a second emptying configuration for removing debris from the cleaner dust cup. The first emptying configuration may correspond to a manual emptying configuration (e.g., a configuration in which the user empties the cleaner dust cup and places it into a waste receptacle), and the second emptying configuration may correspond to an automatic emptying configuration (e.g., a configuration for emptying the cleaner dust cup using a docking station).

[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 into the station suction inlet and through the station dust cup. The receptacle is configured to interact with the vacuum cleaner so that the vacuum cleaner is detachably coupled to the docking station (docks with 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 switched to an automatic emptying configuration. When in the automatic emptying configuration, the cleaner dust cup and the station dust cup are fluid-coupled so that when the station suction motor is activated, at least some of the 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 the user is exposed to debris collected by the vacuum cleaner (for example, as a result of removing debris during the emptying process). For example, the station dust cup may be configured to have a larger capacity than the cleaner dust cup (for example, at least twice the capacity). In this way, the user may dispose of the collected debris less frequently, reducing the user's exposure to debris.

[0008] Figure 1 shows a schematic embodiment of a cleaning system 101 having a vacuum cleaner 100 detachably 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 fluid-coupled to the cleaner inlet 110 and the cleaner dust cup 108, so that when the cleaner suction motor 106 is activated, air flows through the cleaner inlet 110 into the cleaner dust cup 108. The air flowing through the cleaner inlet 110 may contain entrained debris. At least some of the entrained debris in the air may accumulate 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, wherein the cleaner dust cup 108 can be configured to have the first emptying configuration when the vacuum cleaner 100 is undocked from the docking station 102, and can be configured to have the second emptying configuration when the vacuum cleaner 100 is docked with the docking station 102. Therefore, the first emptying configuration may generally be called a manual emptying configuration, and the second emptying configuration may generally be called an automatic emptying configuration.

[0009] The user interface 112 can be positioned on and / or close to the handle 104 (for example, within 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 35%, or 50% of the maximum dimensions of the handle 104). The user interface 112 may include one or more of the following toggles: a start toggle (for example, a toggle for starting the suction motor 106), a cleaning operation toggle (for example, a toggle for increasing the suction force of the suction motor 106), a dust cup empty toggle (for example, a toggle for switching to a configuration where the cleaner dust cup 108 is manually emptied), and / or any other toggles.

[0010] The docking station 102 includes a base 114, an upduct 116 extending from the base 114, and a receptacle 118 connected 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 exhaust from the station suction motor 122 is configured to pass through the post-motor filter 115. The post-motor filter 115 may be a high-efficiency particulate air ("HEPA") filter (e.g., a pleated HEPA filter).

[0011] The upduct 116 includes an air channel 124 which is fluid-coupled to the station dust cup 120 and the station suction motor 122, thereby causing the station suction motor 122 to draw air into the station dust cup 120 through the air channel 124 when activated. The receptacle 118 includes a station inlet 126 which is fluid-coupled to the air channel 124, thereby causing the station suction motor 122 to draw air into the air channel 124 through the station inlet 126 when activated. In other words, the upduct 116 fluid-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 connect to the station inlet 126 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is docked with the docking station 102 (for example, when at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner 100 is received in the receptacle 118). When the station suction motor 122 is activated, air is drawn through the dust cup outlet 128 into the station inlet 126. The dust cup outlet 128 may be configured to be selectively opened and closed when the vacuum cleaner 100 is docked with the docking station 102. When the dust cup outlet 128 is in the open configuration, the cleaner dust cup 108 is configured to empty automatically.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a schematic embodiment of a vacuum cleaner 100 having a cleaner dust cup 108 in a manually emptyable configuration. As shown, the cleaner dust cup 108 is connected (e.g., movably, detachably, and / or pivotally) to the body 200 of the vacuum cleaner 100 so that the cleaner dust cup 108 can transition between a retracted configuration and a manually emptyable configuration. For example, as shown, the cleaner dust cup 108 can be pivotally connected to the body 200 of the vacuum cleaner 100 at a pivot point 202 so that the cleaner dust cup 108 pivots from a retracted configuration to a manually emptyable configuration. When in the manually emptyable configuration, the debris in the cleaner dust cup 108 can be expelled from the dust cup open end 204 of the cleaner dust cup 108, thereby emptying the cleaner dust cup. The dust cup open end 204 may face the pivot point 202 of the cleaner dust cup 108. This configuration may facilitate the expulsion of debris from the open end 204 of the cleaner dust cup as a result of the pivoting movement of the cleaner dust cup 108.

[0014] Figure 3 shows a schematic embodiment of a vacuum cleaner 100 having a cleaner dust cup 108 in a retracted 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 and closed configuration. The dust cup door 300 can be pivotably connected to the cleaner dust cup 108, thereby allowing the dust cup door 300 to pivot and 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 may cause the dust cup door 300 to pivot, opening the dust cup outlet 128 and allowing debris in the cleaner dust cup 108 to be carried into the airflow. Therefore, the dust cup 108 can generally be described as being configured to automatically empty when the dust cup outlet 128 is in an open configuration.

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

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

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

[0018] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner 400 and docking station 402, with the vacuum cleaner 400 undocked from docking station 402. As shown, the vacuum cleaner 400 may be used independently of accessories 414 and 416, which may remain docked with the vacuum cleaner 400 and a separate docking station 402. When the vacuum cleaner 400 is undocked independently of accessories 414 and 416, accessories 414 and 416 may be undocked from docking station 402 independently of the vacuum cleaner 400. In some cases, when accessories 414 and 416 are undocked from docking station 402, the vacuum cleaner 400 may be docked with docking station 402 independently of 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 is configured to electrically couple to the vacuum cleaner 400 (e.g., for charging one or more batteries of the vacuum cleaner 400), and includes 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 a discharge operation. In some cases, the docking station 402 may perform a discharge 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 of accessory 414 (e.g., alignment protrusions). 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 insertion / removal axis 618 of receptacle 426 when at least a portion of accessory 414 is engaged with one or more accessory aligners 602. 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) with the body 403 (Figure 4) of the vacuum cleaner 400 in order to align the vacuum cleaner 400 with the receptacle 426. One or more cleaner aligners 604 may be protrusions configured to be received in corresponding grooves of the vacuum cleaner 400 (e.g., within the body 403). In some cases, at least a portion of one or more cleaner aligners 604 is configured to restrict the movement of the vacuum cleaner 400 to one or more axes when at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner 400 is engaged with one or more cleaner aligners 604. For example, at least a portion of one or more cleaner aligners 604 may be configured to restrict the movement of the vacuum cleaner 400 to the insertion / removal axis 618 when at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner 400 is engaged with one or more cleaner aligners 604.

[0023] One or more dust cup aligners 606 are configured to engage with the cleaner dust cup 410 (Figure 4) to align the dust cup outlet with the station inlet 620 of the receptacle 426. As shown, there may be multiple dust cup aligners 606 positioned on opposite sides of the station inlet 620. One or more dust cup aligners 606 may be grooves configured to receive at least a portion of the cleaner dust cup 410. In some cases, at least a portion of one or more dust cup aligners 606 is configured to restrict the movement of the vacuum cleaner 400 to one or more axes when at least a portion of the cleaner dust cup 410 is engaged with one or more dust cup aligners 606. For example, at least a portion of one or more dust cup aligners 606 may be configured to restrict the movement of the vacuum cleaner 400 to the insertion / removal axis 618 when at least a portion of the cleaner dust cup 410 is engaged with one or more dust cup aligners 606. The dust cup aligner 606 may be further configured to facilitate the engagement of the clean dust cup 410 with a sealing portion 624 extending around the outer circumference of the station inlet 620. The sealing portion 624 may be elastically deformable so that it is at least partially compressed when the vacuum cleaner 400 is received in the receptacle 426. For example, the sealing portion 624 may include thermoplastic polyurethane ("TPU").

[0024] Referring to Figure 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 sealing portion 624 and the cleaner dust cup 410 (Figure 6A) and / or to reduce wear on the sealing 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, the first sidewall portion 706 intersecting 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, thereby reducing the separation distance 709 extending between the second groove sidewall portion 708 and the second groove sidewall 704 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 can be in the range of, for example, 1 to 20 degrees. As a further example, the groove angle α can be in the range of, for example, 5 to 15 degrees. As yet another example, the groove angle α can be, for example, about 10 degrees (for example, 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 areas 710 and / or 712 configured to facilitate the insertion of at least a portion of the cleaner dust cup 410 (Figure 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, the movement of the vacuum cleaner 400 along the insertion / removal axis 618 may be restricted to only a portion of the dust cup aligner groove 700 (for example, a portion of the dust cup aligner groove 700 extending between the first groove sidewall 702 and the second groove sidewall 704).

[0027] Figures 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 of the receptacle 426 (Figure 6A)), and the cleaner dust cup 410 includes a dust cup alignment projection 802 configured to cooperate with a docking station 402 (e.g., a dust cup aligner 606 (Figure 6A)). The dust cup alignment projection 802 may include a dust cup outlet 804 configured to be selectively opened and closed by a dust cup door 806, thereby allowing debris in the cleaner dust cup 410 to selectively pass through the dust cup outlet.

[0028] As shown, the dust cup door 806 is configured to move between a closed position (Figure 8) and an open position (Figure 9). For example, the dust cup door 806 can be pivotably connected to the cleaner dust cup 410 (e.g., the dust cup alignment projection 802), thereby allowing the dust cup door 806 to pivot 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 empty automatically.

[0029] The vacuum cleaner 400 (e.g., cleaner dust cup 410) may include a retainer 808. The retainer 808 may be movably (e.g., slidably) connected to the dust cup alignment projection 802, and the retainer 808 is configured to move between a locked position (Figure 8) and an unlocked position (Figure 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., pivotal movement of the dust cup door 806 may 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 may be biased toward the locked position (e.g., using a spring such as a compression spring).

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

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

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

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

[0034] The cleaner dust cup 410 is pivotably connected to the body 403 of the vacuum cleaner 400 around a dust cup pivot shaft 814. The cleaner dust cup 410 is configured to pivot around the dust cup pivot shaft 814 from a retracted configuration to a manually emptied configuration. As shown, when in the retracted configuration, the cleaner dust cup 410 extends along the cleaner's 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 receptacled within the body 403 when the cleaner dust cup 410 is in the retracted configuration. Therefore, the cleaner dust cup 410 can generally be described as being configured to pivot such that the open end 818 is selectively receptacled within the body 403. The open end 818 and the dust cup outlet 804 can be located on different sides of the cleaner dust cup 410.

[0035] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner 400 docked with the docking station 402 of Figure 4, along line XX of Figure 4. As shown, the dust cup door 806 is in the open position. The dust cup door 806 can move from the closed position to the open position in response to the activation of the station suction motor 422 (Figure 4). For example, the airflow generated by the station suction motor 422 may propel the dust cup door 806 toward the open position. When the station suction motor 422 is stopped, the dust cup door 806 may move toward the closed position (for example, as a result of gravity and / or 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 may 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 through the air channel 1004 of the up duct 424 into the station dust cup 420.

[0037] An embodiment of a vacuum cleaner consistent with the present disclosure may include a body and a dust cup connected to the body. The dust cup may include an open end configured to selectively receive dust into the 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 pivotably 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, such that 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 projection configured to cooperate with a docking station, the dust cup alignment projection including the dust cup outlet. In some cases, the body may include an alignment groove configured to cooperate with a docking station. In some cases, the dust cup outlet and open end may be located on different sides of the dust cup.

[0039] One embodiment of a cleaning system consistent with the present disclosure may include a vacuum cleaner having a body and a cleaner dust cup coupled to the 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 into the body and a dust cup outlet configured to be selectively opened and closed, the dust cup outlet and 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 connecting the station inlet to the suction motor and station dust cup.

[0040] In some cases, the station inlet may be configured to fluidly connect to the dust cup outlet when the vacuum cleaner is docked with the docking station. In some cases, the cleaner dust cup may 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 configured to receive at least a portion of the dust cup door when the dust cup outlet is open. 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 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, movement of the dust cup door is substantially prevented. In some cases, the receptacle may include an operating projection configured to move a retainer from a locked position to an unlocked position when the vacuum cleaner is docked with the docking station. In some cases, the operating projection may extend laterally with respect to the insertion / removal axis of the receptacle. In some cases, the retainer may be biased toward the locked position. In some cases, the receptacle may 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, the groove including a tapered region tapering toward the base. In some cases, the receptacle may include a cleaner aligner. In some cases, the vacuum cleaner may include an alignment groove configured to cooperate with the cleaner aligner. In some cases, the dust cup may be pivotably connected to the body.

[0041] While the principles of the present invention are described herein, those skilled in the art should understand that this description is illustrative only and not limited to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments, in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Modifications and substitutions by those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the invention and should not be limited other than by the following claims. [Note 1] A cleaning system, A vacuum cleaner having a main body and a cleaner dust cup connected to the main body, A docking station comprising a docking station configured such that the vacuum cleaner docks with the docking station, The aforementioned cleaner dust cup, An open end configured to be selectively received within the main body, A dust cup outlet configured to be selectively opened and closed, wherein the dust cup outlet and the open end are located on different sides of the cleaner dust cup, The docking station, A base having a suction motor and a station dust cup, An upduct extending from the base, A receptacle having a station inlet, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner, and the up duct fluidly connects the station inlet to the suction motor and the station dust cup, Cleaning system. [Note 2] The cleaning system according to Appendix 1, wherein the station inlet is configured to be fluidly connected to the dust cup outlet when the vacuum cleaner is docked with the docking station. [Note 3] The cleaning system according to Appendix 2, further comprising a dust cup door configured to selectively open and close the cleaner dust cup outlet. [Note 4] The cleaning system according to Appendix 3, 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. [Note 5] The cleaning system according to Appendix 3, 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. [Note 6] The cleaning system according to Appendix 3, further comprising a retainer configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the retainer is in the locked position, movement of the dust cup door is substantially prevented. [Note 7] The cleaning system according to Appendix 6, wherein the receptacle includes an operating projection configured to move the retainer from the locked position to the unlocked position when the vacuum cleaner is docked with the docking station. [Note 8] The cleaning system according to Appendix 7, wherein the operating projection extends transversely with respect to the insertion / removal axis of the receptacle. [Note 9] The cleaning system according to Appendix 1, wherein the dust cup is pivotably connected to the main body. [Note 10] The cleaning system according to Appendix 1, wherein the receptacle includes a dust cup aligner configured to align the dust cup outlet with the station inlet. [Note 11] The cleaning system according to Appendix 10, wherein the dust cup aligner includes a groove, and the groove includes a tapered region that tapers toward the base. [Note 12] The cleaning system according to Appendix 10, wherein the receptacle includes a cleaner aligner. [Note 13] The cleaning system according to Appendix 12, wherein the vacuum cleaner includes an alignment groove configured to cooperate with the cleaner aligner.

Claims

1. It is a vacuum cleaner, The main unit and A dust cup for collecting debris, connected to the main body and configured to pivot in a first direction about a dust cup pivot axis, is configured to selectively switch between a manual emptying configuration and an automatic emptying configuration, The dust cup is, An open end configured to be selectively received within the main body, A dust cup outlet configured to be selectively opened and closed, A dust cup door configured to pivot around a door pivot axis to selectively open and close the dust cup outlet, comprising a dust cup door configured to pivot in the first direction with its open end received within the main body, When transitioning to the manual emptying configuration, the dust cup pivots in the first direction around the dust cup pivot axis, exposing the open end and discharging the debris from the open end. When transitioning to the automatic emptying configuration, the dust cup door pivots in the first direction about the door pivot axis to expose the dust cup outlet, allowing the dust and debris to be sucked out from the dust cup outlet. Vacuum cleaner.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a retainer configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the retainer is in the locked position, the pivotal movement of the dust cup door is substantially prevented.

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

4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the dust cup further includes a dust cup alignment projection configured to cooperate with a docking station, and the dust cup alignment projection includes the dust cup outlet.

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

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