The present invention relates to an autonomously operable vacuum cleaner that has a modular design. The vacuum cleaner in this respect comprises a cleaning head module as well as a separate canister module. The cleaning head module and the canister module are in this respect connected to one another via a hose so that dust sucked in via the cleaning head module can be conveyed into the canister module.

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner robot comprising a dust collector arrangement mounted on wheels, a suction hose and a floor nozzle mounted on wheels, where the floor nozzle is fluidically connected to the dust collector arrangement via the suction hose, also comprising a motorized fan unit for suctioning an air stream in through the floor nozzle, where the motorized fan unit is arranged between the floor nozzle and the dust collector arrangement in such a manner that an air stream suctioned in through the floor nozzle flows through the motorized fan unit and into the dust collector arrangement. where the dust collector arrangement comprises a drive device in order to drive at least one of the wheels of the dust collector arrangement, and where the floor nozzle comprises a drive device in order to drive at least one of the wheels of the floor nozzle.

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner robot comprising a floor nozzle supported on wheels and a dust collection unit, wherein the floor nozzle comprises a driving device for driving at least one of the wheels of the floor nozzle, wherein one of the wheels, a plurality of or all of the wheels of the floor nozzle are omnidirectional wheels, wherein the floor nozzle comprises a base plate with a base surface, which, when the vacuum cleaner robot is in operation, faces the surface to be cleaned, the base plate having provided therein an air flow channel, which extends parallel to the base surface and through which air to be cleaned enters the floor nozzle, and wherein the floor nozzle comprises a rotating means for rotating the air flow channel about an axis perpendicular to the base surface.

A robot cleaner includes a main body having a suction motor; a moving unit to automatically move the main body; and a suction module to be in communication with the suction motor and to clean a floor, wherein an accommodating portion in which a part of the suction module is accommodated is provided at a lower portion of a front side of the main body, and while the suction module is located in the accommodating portion, a part of the suction module is disposed to be vertically overlapped with the main body, and another part of the suction module protrudes toward both sides from a front portion of the main body, and still another part of the suction module protrudes to a front of the main body.

A robot cleaner includes a main body having a suction motor; a moving unit to automatically move the main body; and a suction module to be in communication with the suction motor and to clean a floor, wherein an accommodating portion in which a part of the suction module is accommodated is provided at a lower portion of a front side of the main body, and while the suction module is located in the accommodating portion, a part of the suction module is disposed to be vertically overlapped with the main body, and another part of the suction module protrudes toward both sides from a front portion of the main body, and still another part of the suction module protrudes to a front of the main body.

An upright vacuum cleaner includes a main-body part (10) having a dust-collection chamber (14) fluidly connected to a motor chamber (13) via a coupling pipe (15). A fan (13f) and a motor (13m) are housed in the motor chamber. A cleaner head (20) is pivotably and fluidly connected to the main-body part and suctions air through a suction opening (23) when a suction force is generated by the fan and the motor in the motor chamber. A straight suction passageway (24) extends through a central portion of the interior of the cleaner head in plan view. One or more batteries (50) is/are disposed within the cleaner head spaced apart (outward) from the suction passageway in the plan view.

An upright vacuum cleaner includes a main-body part (10) having a dust-collection chamber (14) fluidly connected to a motor chamber (13) via a coupling pipe (15). A fan (13f) and a motor (13m) are housed in the motor chamber. A cleaner head (20) is pivotably and fluidly connected to the main-body part and suctions air through a suction opening (23) when a suction force is generated by the fan and the motor in the motor chamber. A straight suction passageway (24) extends through a central portion of the interior of the cleaner head in plan view. One or more batteries (50) is/are disposed within the cleaner head spaced apart (outward) from the suction passageway in the plan view.

A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning head and a brushroll. The cleaning head includes a cleaning head body having an agitator chamber including an opening on an underside of the cleaning head body. The brushroll is rotatably mounted to the cleaning head body such that a portion of the brushroll extends below the underside for directing debris into the opening. The brushroll includes an elongated body extending laterally between a first and second end region, a slit opening extending between the first and second end region, angular stationary teeth extending proximate to an edge of the slit opening, and a cutting blade configured to be at least partially received within the slit opening and to move laterally between the first and second end regions. The cutting blade bar includes teeth that are configured to engage with the stationary teeth to cut hair.

A surface cleaning apparatus is provided. The surface cleaning apparatus includes a dirt inlet, a rotatable brushing member, and a brush motor drivingly connected to the rotatable brushing member. The brush motor includes a plurality of field coils, a first motor sub-unit, a second motor sub-unit, and a motor controller. The first motor sub-unit includes a first rotor portion, a first stator portion, and a first field coil. The second motor sub-unit includes a second rotor portion, a second stator portion, and a second field coil. The first and second rotor portions are rotatable about a motor axis and are drivingly connected to the brushing member. The second motor sub-unit is axially spaced along the motor axis from the first motor sub-unit. The motor controller is operable to direct electric current through the plurality of field coils generating magnetic fields and driving rotation of the rotor portions.

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).