A method for operating a vacuum cleaning appliance, having a filter element, a filter element cleaning device, a control device, a turbine, a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor. The method includes operating the vacuum cleaning appliance to suck in the air stream through the filter element; determining a first pressure reference value; measuring the pressure difference between the first and second pressure values; dedusting the filter element with the aid of the filter element cleaning device if the value of the pressure difference between the first and second pressure values reaches a first threshold value; determining a second pressure reference value after the end of the dedusting of the filter element; determining a difference value between the second and first pressure reference values; and dedusting the filter element if the difference value between the second and first pressure reference values reaches a second threshold value, or switching off the vacuum cleaning appliance if the difference value between the second and first pressure reference values reaches a third threshold value. A vacuum cleaning appliance for carrying out the method.

A method for operating a vacuum cleaning appliance, having a filter element, a filter element cleaning device, a control device, a turbine, a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor. The method includes operating the vacuum cleaning appliance to suck in the air stream through the filter element; determining a first pressure reference value; measuring the pressure difference between the first and second pressure values; dedusting the filter element with the aid of the filter element cleaning device if the value of the pressure difference between the first and second pressure values reaches a first threshold value; determining a second pressure reference value after the end of the dedusting of the filter element; determining a difference value between the second and first pressure reference values; and dedusting the filter element if the difference value between the second and first pressure reference values reaches a second threshold value, or switching off the vacuum cleaning appliance if the difference value between the second and first pressure reference values reaches a third threshold value. A vacuum cleaning appliance for carrying out the method.

Assemblies and method to extract a material from a source of the material may include a vacuum generation and sound attenuation assembly to enhance extraction the material from the source of the material. The vacuum generation and sound attenuation assembly may include a vacuum source including a plurality of vacuum generators. Each of the plurality of vacuum generators may be positioned to cause a vacuum flow between the source of the material and the vacuum generation and sound attenuation assembly. The vacuum generation and sound attenuation assembly may further include a sound attenuation chamber connected to the vacuum source. The sound attenuation chamber may include an attenuation housing at least partially defining a chamber interior volume being positioned to receive at least a portion of the vacuum flow from the vacuum source and attenuate sound generated by the vacuum source.

Assemblies and method to extract a material from a source of the material may include a vacuum generation and sound attenuation assembly to enhance extraction the material from the source of the material. The vacuum generation and sound attenuation assembly may include a vacuum source including a plurality of vacuum generators. Each of the plurality of vacuum generators may be positioned to cause a vacuum flow between the source of the material and the vacuum generation and sound attenuation assembly. The vacuum generation and sound attenuation assembly may further include a sound attenuation chamber connected to the vacuum source. The sound attenuation chamber may include an attenuation housing at least partially defining a chamber interior volume being positioned to receive at least a portion of the vacuum flow from the vacuum source and attenuate sound generated by the vacuum source.

A vacuum collection vehicle may include a chassis, a vacuum container supported by the chassis, a vacuum source separated from the vacuum container by an intermediate wall and a filter. The vacuum source is in pneumatic connection with the filter through the intermediate wall. A plurality of discharge conduits extend through the intermediate wall, extend over and above the filter, along the roof of the vacuum container. The plurality of discharge conduits have a plurality of respective outlets at different locations within the interior of the vacuum container for discharging collected material into different collection receptacles. The filter is sandwiched between the intermediate wall and the plurality of discharge conduits.

A vacuum collection vehicle may include a chassis, a vacuum container supported by the chassis, a vacuum source separated from the vacuum container by an intermediate wall and a filter. The vacuum source is in pneumatic connection with the filter through the intermediate wall. A plurality of discharge conduits extend through the intermediate wall, extend over and above the filter, along the roof of the vacuum container. The plurality of discharge conduits have a plurality of respective outlets at different locations within the interior of the vacuum container for discharging collected material into different collection receptacles. The filter is sandwiched between the intermediate wall and the plurality of discharge conduits.

A vacuum cleaner that includes a suction source configured to generate a suction airflow, a dirt collector in fluid communication with the suction source and configured to separate debris from the suction airflow and the dirt collector is configured to store the debris separated from the suction airflow. The vacuum further includes an infrared sensor operable to output a signal corresponding to a distance to an amount of debris stored in the dirt collector, a controller that receives the signal, and the controller is operable to determine a fill level stored in the dirt collector based on the signal. A visual display displays the fill level stored in the dirt collector.

A vacuum cleaner that includes a suction source configured to generate a suction airflow, a dirt collector in fluid communication with the suction source and configured to separate debris from the suction airflow and the dirt collector is configured to store the debris separated from the suction airflow. The vacuum further includes an infrared sensor operable to output a signal corresponding to a distance to an amount of debris stored in the dirt collector, a controller that receives the signal, and the controller is operable to determine a fill level stored in the dirt collector based on the signal. A visual display displays the fill level stored in the dirt collector.

A robot maintenance station and a robot cleaning system. The robot maintenance station includes a dock base and a maintenance station body, the maintenance station body is configured on the dock base and provided with a suction unit, the suction unit is configured to provide suction power for sucking garbage. The maintenance station body is provided with a garbage receptacle and a suction tube, the suction tube is in flow communication with the suction unit and is configured to guide the garbage into the garbage receptacle, and the garbage receptacle is detachably mounted at a side wall of the maintenance station body. The embodiments realize automatic emptying of the dust box of the cleaning robot, thereby reducing user burden and improving user experience.

A docking station for a robotic vacuum cleaner has a pneumatic transfer mechanism that is used to direct air to the robotic vacuum cleaner to thereby transfer dirt from the robotic vacuum cleaner to a docking station.