A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air treatment chamber, a pre-motor filter and a suction motor. The suction motor and the pre-motor filter are laterally spaced from the air treatment chamber. When the surface cleaning apparatus is positioned on a horizontal surface with the upper end of the air treatment chamber above the lower end of the air treatment chamber, the pre-motor filter is positioned at a higher elevation than the suction motor.

Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for modular vacuum cleaners. An example vacuum cleaner system includes a canister vacuum cleaner device and a robotic vacuum cleaner device, where the robotic vacuum cleaner is removably coupled to or is digitally communicable with the canister vacuum cleaner device. The canister vacuum cleaner device comprises a canister to collect debris, a vertical hollow structure that located towards a rear of the canister and coupled to the canister, a flexible extendable hose, and a housing located below the canister, wherein the housing includes a retractable electrical cord. The robotic vacuum cleaner device comprises: a storage area to collect debris, a battery, a plurality of wheels that are removably coupled to one or more motors, and a lever or a valve structured to direct debris either to the storage area or to the canister.

A vacuum cleaner includes a suction inlet, a motor, and an impeller connected to the motor and operable to generate suction through the suction inlet upon operation of the motor. The vacuum cleaner further includes a power connector mounted to the vacuum cleaner and selectively connectable to a direct current (DC) power source and an alternating current (AC) power source. The power connector includes external terminals accessible from an exterior of the vacuum cleaner. The external terminals are configured for removable mechanical connection to each of the DC power source and an AC power supply cord such that the DC power source and the AC power supply cord are selectively and mechanically connectable to the same external power connector terminals.

In a vacuum cleaner electric blower is driven by power supplied by a secondary battery. A dust-collector is configured to catch and collect dust and dirt sucked by driving the electric blower. A detector is configured to detect a remaining amount of the secondary battery. A controller is configured to control suction force of the electric blower. In the case cleaning is finished when the remaining amount of the secondary battery detected by the detector is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the controller sets the parameter to reduce the suction force of the electric blower for the next cleaning. In the case cleaning is finished when the remaining amount of the secondary battery detected by the detector is not equal to or less than the predetermined value, the controller sets the parameter to increase the suction force of the electric blower for the next cleaning.

A vacuum cleaner assembly includes a vacuum body, a suction wand removably connected to the vacuum body, and an accessory removably connected to the suction wand. A suction motor is disposed in the vacuum body and is configured to create flow through a suction path. An accessory motor is disposed in the accessory. A first power source is configured to supply power to the suction motor and to the accessory motor. A second power source is configured to supply power to the suction motor and to the accessory motor when the first power source falls below a predetermined charge level.

A vacuum cleaner assembly basically includes a vacuum body, a first power source, an accessory, and a second power source. The first power source is configured to create flow through a suction path. The accessory is configured to be removably connected to the vacuum body. The second power source is configured to power the accessory. Each of the first and second power sources is configured to share power with the other of the first and second power sources.

A docking station for a robotic surface cleaning apparatus has a momentum separator. The momentum separator has an upper wall, a lower wall and a first sidewall extending between the upper and lower walls. The first sidewall comprises a side screen and an end wall is spaced from and faces the side screen whereby an up flow chamber is positioned between the end wall and the side screen. The upper wall also comprises an upper screen and an upper end wall is spaced from and faces the upper screen wherein an upper air flow chamber is positioned between the upper end wall and the upper screen.

A surface treatment apparatus may include a first agitator, a second agitator, and a drive system configured to cause the second agitator to rotate concurrently with the first agitator, the drive system including at least a first magnetic gear and a second magnetic gear.

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a base, a portable cleaning unit removably mounted to the base and comprising at least one air treatment member, a portable cleaning unit energy storage member and a portable cleaning unit suction motor. The portable cleaning unit suction motor is operable on power provided by the portable cleaning unit energy storage member when the portable cleaning unit is removed from the base. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises or is connectable to a power cord. When the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the base and when the surface cleaning apparatus is connected to an external source of power by the power cord, the portable cleaning unit energy storage member is chargeable on power provided by the power cord provided by the external source of power and the portable cleaning unit suction motor is concurrently operable on power provided by the power cord provided by the external source of power.

A wet surface cleaner operable in an upright cleaning mode, an auxiliary cleaning mode, and a lift-off cleaning mode. The surface cleaner has a canister assembly that is coupled to a body in the upright cleaning mode and removed from the body in the auxiliary cleaning mode and the lift-off cleaning mode.