Method for operating a dirt collecting device for a sweeping vehicle or for a vacuum cleaner nozzle of a floor or upright vacuum cleaner, which each comprise a suction fan with controllable speed and/or power, wherein in a first method step, the suction power of the suction fan is set at such a low level that the suction pressure in the dirt collecting device or the vacuum cleaner nozzle is merely sufficient to convey and deposit the absorbed coarse dirt into the intermediate container, and to convey the absorbed fine dirt into a downstream collection container, (normal operation); and that in a second method step, the filling level in the intermediate container is detected with respect to the coarse dirt deposited therein; and that in a third method step, if the filling level in the intermediate container is exceeded, the suction power of the suction fan is increased such that the coarse dirt, which is temporarily deposited in the intermediate container, becomes dispersible and is conveyed into the downstream collection container (emptying mode).

A multi-mode cleaning apparatus with suction may include a wand with a handle, a suction motor for providing suction, a bare floor unit configured to be movable by the wand and fluidly coupled to the suction motor, and a sweeper unit configured to be movable by the wand and fluidly coupled to the suction motor. The bare floor unit is configured for use in a suction only mode. The sweeper unit includes a rotatable brush roll and is configured for use in a brush roll only mode or a suction and brush roll mode.

A multi-mode cleaning apparatus with suction may include a wand with a handle, a suction motor for providing suction, a bare floor unit configured to be movable by the wand and fluidly coupled to the suction motor, and a sweeper unit configured to be movable by the wand and fluidly coupled to the suction motor. The bare floor unit is configured for use in a suction only mode. The sweeper unit includes a rotatable brush roll and is configured for use in a brush roll only mode or a suction and brush roll mode.

A dirt separator includes a separating chamber defined by an outer wall, the separating chamber having a longitudinal axis; an air inlet into the separating chamber; and a shroud comprising a screen through which air is able to flow out of the separation chamber. The shroud further includes a shroud skirt extending about one end of the shroud, the shroud skirt being fixed to the rest of the shroud at a first, fixed edge, and having a second, free edge. The skirt shroud is formed of a deformable material and includes a plurality of ribs formed on a surface of the skirt.

A cleaner includes: a main body that forms an external shape; a dust container that is separably combined with the main body and stores dust separated from air; a dust container cover that is configured to open and close the dust container; a handle unit that is disposed behind the dust container; and an operating member that is configured to provide operation force to the dust container cover by moving in a first direction and to release a holding mechanism for preventing separation of the dust container from the main body by moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

A cleaner includes: a main body that forms an external shape; a dust container that is separably combined with the main body and stores dust separated from air; a dust container cover that is configured to open and close the dust container; a handle unit that is disposed behind the dust container; and an operating member that is configured to provide operation force to the dust container cover by moving in a first direction and to release a holding mechanism for preventing separation of the dust container from the main body by moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

A vacuum cleaner includes an air inlet, a filter, a fan, and a main air outlet. The filter has a clean side and an unclean side. An unclean air chamber is formed between the air inlet and the unclean side of the filter. A first air chamber is formed between the clean side of the filter and the fan. An air outlet chamber is formed between the fan and the main air outlet. The upstream end of the air outlet chamber is connected to the first air chamber. An airflow may enter the vacuum cleaner from an external environment via the air inlet under the action of the fan, and sequentially passes through the unclean air chamber, the filter, the first air chamber and the air outlet chamber the main air outlet. The vacuum cleaner may include a self-cleaning air passage and an air supply air passage.

A mobile robot system includes a docking station and a mobile robot. The docking station includes a platform, first and second charging contacts on the platform, and first and second ramp features on the platform. The robot includes a housing, first and second drive wheels, first and second raised charging contacts on a bottom of the housing, and a cleaning module including at least one rotatable cleaning head that extends below the bottom of the housing. The robot is movable from an approach position with the robot spaced apart from a front of the platform to a docked position with the robot on the platform and the docking station charging contacts engaged with the robot charging contacts. As the robot moves from the approach position to the docked position, the robot engages the first and second ramp features and the cleaning mechanism is lifted over the docking station charging contacts.

A cleaner includes a main body having an opening, a suction motor accommodated in the main body and configured to generate suction force, an opening cover separably coupled to the main body and configured to cover the opening, a motor housing configured to surround the suction motor, a flow guide disposed to surround at least a portion of the motor housing and spaced apart from the motor housing, and a filter mechanism disposed between the motor housing and the flow guide and including a filter member configured to filter dust contained in introduced air. The filter member is disposed to surround the motor housing, and the filter member includes a first filter unit and a second filter unit extends in a direction in which the first and second filter units cross each other.

A station for a cleaning device is provided. The station includes an accommodation chamber configured to be docked with the dust canister, a housing configured to have a dust bag disposed therein, a cover configured to open and close one region of the housing, a holder configured to be detachable to the dust bag and selectively communicate the dust bag with the accommodation chamber, and a lever configured to have one end disposed in one region of the housing and rotate in a first direction to selectively interfere with the cover. The lever rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction to close the cover based on the dust bag being mounted on the holder and in communication with the accommodation chamber.