A vacuum cleaner includes: a sensor configured to generate sensor signals based on sensed motion and orientation of the vacuum cleaner; a vacuum motor; and a controller configured to: process the generated sensor signals to determine a type of cleaning activity being performed by a user using the vacuum cleaner; and in response to determining that the type of cleaning activity comprises one or more of: spot cleaning, crevice cleaning, and elevated cleaning, increase the power of the vacuum motor.

A vacuum cleaner includes: a sensor configured to generate sensor signals based on sensed motion and orientation of the vacuum cleaner; a human-computer interface, HCI; and a controller configured to: process the generated sensor signals to determine a type of cleaning activity being performed by a user using the vacuum cleaner; and control the HCI to provide a recommendation to the user of the vacuum cleaner in dependence on the determined type of cleaning activity.

The handheld vacuum cleaner (10) includes a housing (22), a handle (42), a suction opening (90), and a debris separator (14). The debris separator (14) includes a generally horizontal cyclone (66). An airflow rotate about a cyclone axis (70) to separate debris from the airflow. The cyclone axis (70) being generally perpendicular to an inlet axis (222). A suction source (170) is operable to generate the airflow. The suction source (170) including a suction source axis (186), a motor (178), and a fan (182) rotated by the motor (178) about the suction source axis (186). The suction source axis (186) is positioned at an obtuse angle relative to the inlet axis (222) and perpendicular to the cyclone axis (70). A debris collector (18) is in fluid communication with the debris outlet (126). The debris collector (18) is configured to receive the debris separated from the airflow. The debris collector (18) extends below the suction source (170).

The handheld vacuum cleaner (10) includes a housing (22), a handle (42), a suction opening (90), and a debris separator (14). The debris separator (14) includes a generally horizontal cyclone (66). An airflow rotate about a cyclone axis (70) to separate debris from the airflow. The cyclone axis (70) being generally perpendicular to an inlet axis (222). A suction source (170) is operable to generate the airflow. The suction source (170) including a suction source axis (186), a motor (178), and a fan (182) rotated by the motor (178) about the suction source axis (186). The suction source axis (186) is positioned at an obtuse angle relative to the inlet axis (222) and perpendicular to the cyclone axis (70). A debris collector (18) is in fluid communication with the debris outlet (126). The debris collector (18) is configured to receive the debris separated from the airflow. The debris collector (18) extends below the suction source (170).

A surface cleaning apparatus includes a floor cleaning unit and a portable surface cleaning unit. The floor cleaning unit includes a surface cleaning head, an upper section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between an upright storage position and a rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position, a charger having an energy storage member, and an air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to a floor cleaning unit air outlet. The portable surface cleaning unit is connectable to the floor cleaning unit, and includes a portable surface cleaning unit air inlet connectable in air flow communication with the floor cleaning unit air outlet, a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor. When fully charged, the energy storage member stores sufficient stored power to recharge the capacitor at least twice.

A vacuum cleaner includes: a sensor configured to generate sensor signals based on sensed motion and orientation of the vacuum cleaner; a user input device; a vacuum motor; and a controller configured to: activate the vacuum motor in response to activation of the user input device by a user; in response to activation of the vacuum motor, process the generated sensor signals to determine whether the vacuum cleaner is actively being used by the user; and in response to determining that the vacuum cleaner is actively being used, retain the vacuum motor in an activated state.

A vacuum cleaner includes: a sensor configured to generate sensor signals based on sensed motion and orientation of the vacuum cleaner; a user input device; a vacuum motor; and a controller configured to: activate the vacuum motor in response to activation of the user input device by a user; in response to activation of the vacuum motor, process the generated sensor signals to determine whether the vacuum cleaner is actively being used by the user; and in response to determining that the vacuum cleaner is actively being used, retain the vacuum motor in an activated state.

A vacuum cleaner includes: a sensor configured to generate sensor signals based on sensed motion and orientation of the vacuum cleaner; a vacuum motor; and a controller configured to: process the generated sensor signals to determine a type of cleaning activity being performed by a user using the vacuum cleaner; and in response to determining that the type of cleaning activity includes cleaning a surface at least partially obstructed by an object, decrease the power of the vacuum motor.

A reconfigurable upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises a surface cleaning head and a support structure moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head. The support structure comprises a lower portion having a lower longitudinal axis and an upper portion having an upper longitudinal axis, the lower portion having a lower end moveably coupled to the surface cleaning head and an upper end that is rotatably coupled to the upper portion about a rotational axis that is generally transverse to the forward direction, wherein, the support structure is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the lower portion and the upper portion are generally aligned with each other and an operating position in which the lower portion is rotated rearward with respect to the surface cleaning head and the upper portion is rotated in the forward direction with respect to the lower portion. A hand vacuum cleaner comprising a suction motor and an air treatment member is removably mounted to the support structure. An air flow path comprises a flexible hose.

A reconfigurable upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises a surface cleaning head and a support structure moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head. The support structure comprises a lower portion having a lower longitudinal axis and an upper portion having an upper longitudinal axis, the lower portion having a lower end moveably coupled to the surface cleaning head and an upper end that is rotatably coupled to the upper portion about a rotational axis that is generally transverse to the forward direction, wherein, the support structure is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the lower portion and the upper portion are generally aligned with each other and an operating position in which the lower portion is rotated rearward with respect to the surface cleaning head and the upper portion is rotated in the forward direction with respect to the lower portion. A hand vacuum cleaner comprising a suction motor and an air treatment member is removably mounted to the support structure. An air flow path comprises a flexible hose.