A vacuum cleaning system including a robotic unit including a traction arrangement that defines a ground plane, and a docking interface for receiving a handheld vacuum cleaner. The docking interface defines a suction port, an electrical port, and a predefined interface geometry. The docking interface is reconfigurable from a first configuration for engaging with a first handheld vacuum cleaner, and a second configuration for engaging with a second handheld vacuum cleaner which is different to the first handheld vacuum cleaner. Conveniently, the system includes a robotic unit or module that is dockable or engageable with multiple handheld vacuum cleaners, thus allowing some flexibility with the type of machine that they are able to use with the robotic unit. This provides a cost effective solution for the user, because if the user upgrades their handheld vacuum cleaner that new handheld vacuum cleaner can still be used with the robotic unit.

A vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction device; an extendable inlet nozzle in fluid communication with the suction device, the extendable inlet nozzle being extendable from a first operable position to a second operable position; a proximity sensor for detecting a surface; and a controller configured to change the suction power of the suction device in dependence on a signal from the proximity sensor and in dependence on the position of the extendable inlet nozzle.

A hand vacuum cleaner has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A handle has a hand grip portion. The handle upwardly and forwardly when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner. A cyclone chamber, a pre-motor filter and a suction motor are positioned in the air flow path. The cyclone axis of rotation and the suction motor axis of rotation each extend in a forward/rearward direction. The handle is positioned at the rear end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the suction motor is located at an upper end of the handle. The suction motor axis of rotation is vertically displaced from the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

Disclosed is a central vacuum system. The central vacuum system comprises a first vacuum device, a second vacuum device, and a hose connected between the first vacuum device and the second vacuum device; the first vacuum device and the second vacuum are controlled by a linked switch, interior of the hose remains positive or slightly negative pressure. A self-operated differential pressure regulating valve arranged at the end of the hose is capable of generating corresponding air resistance under different airflow rate so as to maintain the interior pressure of the hose at a stable slightly positive or negative pressure.

A surface cleaning apparatus has a first air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor and a cyclone positioned in the first air flow path. The cyclone has a cyclone chamber, a first airflow passage, and a second airflow passage. The first airflow passage defines a first tangential air inlet to the cyclone chamber and the second airflow passage defines a second tangential air inlet to the cyclone chamber. The airflow path includes a common airflow passage upstream of the first and second airflow passages and an axis of the common airflow passage intersects the cyclone chamber. At least a portion of the first tangential air inlet is positioned upstream from a location at which the common airflow passage axis intersects the cyclone chamber.

Disclosed herein is a cleaner with improved cleaning efficiency. A cleaner includes a main body having a dust collecting unit and a suction head including a head cover, a base plate having a suction port to suck in foreign substances on a surface to be cleaned and coupled to the head cover, and a brush rotatably provided between the head cover and the base plate, wherein the base plate includes a first inclined portion slantly extending from a front end of the suction port with respect to the surface to be cleaned, and a second inclined portion slantly extending from a rear end of the suction port with respect to the surface to be cleaned, and integrally formed with the first inclined portion.

A surface cleaning apparatus has a first air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor and a cyclone positioned in the first air flow path. The cyclone has a cyclone chamber, a first airflow passage, and a second airflow passage. The first airflow passage and second airflow passage are isolated from each other. The first airflow passage defines a first tangential air inlet to the cyclone chamber and the second airflow passage defines a second tangential air inlet to the cyclone chamber. The second tangential air inlet is positioned around the perimeter of the cyclone chamber sidewall downstream from the first tangential air inlet in the direction of rotation of air in the cyclone chamber.

A hand vacuum cleaner has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor positioned in the air flow path. A cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path has a cyclone axis of rotation that extends in the forward/rearward direction. A pre-motor filter overlies the cyclone chamber.

A hand vacuum cleaner has an inlet conduit that is removably connectable to an accessory tool. An accessory power coupler extends in the same direction as the inlet conduit and is positioned laterally to one side of the inlet conduit The accessory power coupler has electrical connectors, wherein the electrical connectors of the accessory power coupler are inter-engaged with compatible electrical connectors provided on the accessory tool.

A hand vacuum cleaner has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and a suction motor positioned in the air flow path. A cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path has a cyclone air inlet and a cyclone air outlet. A longitudinally extending battery pack which extend upwardly and forwardly when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner. A portion of the dirt collection region is located below a portion of the battery pack.