US20220287528A1 - Vacuum cleaner docking station - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner docking station is disclosed, the vacuum cleaner docking station includes a vacuum cleaner separator and a dock. The vacuum cleaner separator is operable to separate debris from a suction airflow. The vacuum cleaner separator includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, and a debris collector having a debris outlet. The vacuum cleaner separator is removably coupled to the dock. The dock includes an airflow source operable to generate an airflow. The dock further includes a dock debris collector and an airflow outlet in fluid communication with the airflow source such that the airflow generated by the airflow source is discharged from the airflow source through the airflow outlet. Airflow generated by the airflow source of the dock travels through the vacuum cleaner separator and through the debris outlet of vacuum cleaner to blow debris out of the debris outlet and into the dock debris collector.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/159,715, filed Mar. 11, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to docking stations, and more particularly to docking stations for vacuum cleaners.
BACKGROUND
• Vacuum docking systems include docks that are typically used to store and charge floor cleaners. Hand vacuums are used either by themselves or with a connected wand and foot such that the hand vacuum functions as a stick vacuum. The hand vacuum may be removable from the wand, and thus the foot, to function as a hand vacuum separated from the wand and thus the foot. Finally, hand vacuums or vacuums other than hand vacuums may include dust cups that are removable from the rest of the vacuum, for example, for cleaning or emptying debris from the dust cup.
SUMMARY
• In one embodiment, a vacuum cleaner docking station includes a vacuum cleaner separator and a dock. The vacuum cleaner separator is operable to separate debris from a suction airflow. The vacuum cleaner separator includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, and a debris collector having a debris outlet. The vacuum cleaner separator is removably coupled to the dock. The dock includes an airflow source operable to generate an airflow, an airflow outlet in fluid communication with the airflow source such that the airflow generated by the airflow source is discharged from the airflow source through the airflow outlet, and a dock debris collector. The vacuum cleaner separator is configured to be coupled to the dock with the vacuum cleaner separator in fluid communication with the airflow outlet of the dock and the debris outlet of the vacuum cleaner in fluid communication with the dock debris collector such that the airflow generated by the airflow source of the dock travels through the vacuum cleaner separator and through the debris outlet of the vacuum cleaner separator to blow debris out of the debris outlet and into the dock debris collector
• In another embodiment, a vacuum cleaner docking station is operated by a user, the vacuum cleaner docking station includes a vacuum cleaner operable to separate debris from a suction airflow. The vacuum cleaner includes a first sidewall that faces in a direction away from the user and away from a floor in a normal in-use vacuuming position of the vacuum cleaner. A second sidewall faces in a direction toward the user and toward the floor in the normal in-use vacuuming position of the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner further includes a debris collector having a debris outlet. A dock is configured to receive and store the vacuum cleaner in a docked position, the dock including a dock debris collector, and in the docked position the dock is configured to selectively couple the dock debris collector and the debris collector of the vacuum cleaner such that the dock debris collector receives debris separated by the vacuum cleaner from the debris outlet of the debris collector of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is coupled to the dock. The vacuum cleaner is coupled to the dock by the user with the second sidewall facing in a direction toward the user and the first side wall faces in a direction away from the user.
• In another embodiment a vacuum cleaner docking station includes a vacuum cleaner separator, the vacuum cleaner separator operable to separate debris from a suction airflow, the vacuum cleaner separator having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall. The vacuum cleaner docking station further includes a dock, the vacuum cleaner separator removably coupled to the dock, the dock including, a first sidewall configured to face a reference plane, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall and configured to face a user. In regular use of the vacuum cleaner separator, the vacuum cleaner separator is advanced in an advancing direction extending away from the first sidewall of the vacuum cleaner separator. The vacuum cleaner separator is configured to be coupled to the dock with the vacuum cleaner separator in fluid communication with the dock and with the first sidewall of the vacuum cleaner adjacent the first sidewall of the dock and the second sidewall of the vacuum cleaner adjacent the second sidewall of the dock.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a docking station system having a vacuum assembly disposed from a dock in accordance with a first embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the docking station system ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a side view of the docking station system ofFIG. 1 with the vacuum assembly connected to the dock.
• FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of an actuator of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 3 taken along section line4-4 inFIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the docking station system ofFIG. 3 with the section taken through a separator of the vacuum cleaner.
• FIG. 6 is a front view of a docking station system in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 7 is a side view of the docking station system ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 8 is a partial cross section view of the docking station system ofFIG. 7 with the section taken through a separator of the vacuum cleaner.
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner for use in a docking station system in accordance with a third embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 10 is a side view of the docking station system including the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 9.
• FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the docking station system taken along section line11-11 inFIG. 10 and showing a valve in a closed position.
• FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the docking station system taken along section line11-11 inFIG. 10 and showing the valve in an aligned position.
• FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a dock for use in a docking station system in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the docking station system including the dock ofFIG. 13.
• FIG. 15 is a side view of the docking station system ofFIG. 14.
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a dock for use in a docking station system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the docking station system including the dock ofFIG. 16 with a lid of the dock in an open position.
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the docking station system including the dock ofFIG. 16 with the lid of the dock in a closed position.
• FIG. 19 is partial cross sectional side view of the docking station system ofFIG. 16 with the section taken through a separator of a dust bin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Before any embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
• FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a first embodiment of a vacuumcleaner docking station100. Thedocking station100 includes adock108 configured to receive avacuum cleaner104 and discharge dirt and debris contained inside thevacuum cleaner104 into thedock108. In the first embodiment, thevacuum cleaner104 is ahand vacuum104A. Thehand vacuum104A may be replaced by a stick or other type of vacuum. Thevacuum cleaner104 may also be other types ofvacuums104B,104C including awand112 and afoot116, or avacuum cleaner separator104D,104E removed from a vacuum cleaner. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, thevacuum cleaner104 defines a longitudinal axis LA extending therethrough. In each embodiment of thedocking station100, thevacuum cleaner104 is operable to be connected with thedock108 to be placed in fluid communication with thedock108. Thedock108 includes anairflow source120 configured to impart fluid flow through both thedock108 and thevacuum cleaner104, as will be discussed in detail with various embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, theairflow source120 includes a blower such as a centrifugal fan, axial fan, or other fan arrangement.
• As illustrated inFIG. 3, thevacuum104A includes avacuum separator132 having a dirty air inlet124 (FIG. 5) configured to receive dirty air. Thevacuum separator132 is configured to separate dirty air from debris during use of the vacuum cleaner. Adebris outlet128 is operable to be opened to remove debris from thevacuum separator132 after use of the vacuum cleaner. Thedebris outlet128 is fluidly connected to thedirty air inlet124. Thevacuum separator132 can be, for example and without limitation, a cyclonic separator or a filter. As illustrated inFIG. 5, thevacuum separator132 of thevacuum104A is a cyclonic separator with ashroud133. With continued reference toFIG. 5, thevacuum104A further includes abody106 housing amotor136 and animpeller140 connected to themotor136 for rotation therewith. Theimpeller140 generates an airflow in thevacuum104A when themotor136 is rotated to draw air from the vacuumcleaner inlet114 through theseparator132 coupled to the body to avacuum exhaust port220. Themotor136 is powered by abattery144. Thevacuum separator132 further includes aclean air outlet130 adjacent theimpeller140.
• During normal operation of thevacuum104A, electric power is transmitted from thebattery144 to themotor136 for rotating theimpeller140 and generating an airflow within thevacuum104A. During normal operation of thevacuum104A, thevacuum104A is not connected to thedock108. Thedirty air inlet124 functions as an inlet to receive dirty air and debris. Further, the separatordirty air inlet124 passes the dirty air and debris from the vacuumcleaner inlet114 to theseparator132. Theseparator132 separates the debris from the clean air. The debris is retained in theseparator132 and falls into adebris collector148. The clean air passes through theseparator132 through theshroud133 and is exhausted from thevacuum104A through theclean air outlet130 and ultimately thevacuum exhaust port220.
• With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, thedebris collector148 includes adust bin door152. Thedust bin door152 is pivotably connected to thedebris collector148 by ahinge154. An operator can open thedust bin door152 by pivoting thedust bin door152 relative to thedebris collector148 to empty collected debris within thedebris collector148. Thedust bin door152 includes alatch156 that connects thedust bin door152 to thedebris collector148 to retain debris in the debris collector148 (FIG. 4) when a user is not emptying thedebris collector148. The other embodiments of thedocking station100 and thevacuum cleaner104 may include adust bin door152 similar to that described with respect to the first embodiment and thevacuum cleaner104A.
• With continued reference toFIG. 3, thevacuum104A may include anidentifier160 unique to a characteristic of thevacuum104A. In the illustrated embodiment, the characteristic of thevacuum104A is anidentifier160 specific to the type or model of thevacuum104A. Theidentifier160 may be, for example, and without limitation, aphysical identifier160 such as a bar code or geometric shape, or asoftware identifier160 such as a unique signal. Theidentifier160 may be positioned on an exterior portion of thevacuum104A so to be readily accessible by either a user or thedock108. In the case of a software orsignal identifier160, avacuum contact164 is provided on thevacuum104A. Thevacuum contact164 is configured to engage and electrically connect to another contact. Thecontact164 is operable to transfer electricity to and from thevacuum104A. The electricity transferred through thevacuum contact164 may be related to theidentifier160, for powering thebattery144, both, or another electrical function of thevacuum104A. Optionally, thevacuum104A includes acontroller168. Among other functions, thecontroller168 is operable to send asignal identifier160 through thevacuum contact164.
• With reference toFIG. 5, thedock108 includes adock housing172 that surrounds each of the components of thedock108. Thedock108 further includes theblower120 and ablower duct176 having aninlet176A in fluid communication with theblower120 and anoutlet176B. Theoutlet176B functions as anairflow outlet176B in fluid communication with theairflow source120 such that the airflow generated by theairflow source120 is discharged from theairflow source120 through theairflow outlet176B. Thedock108 includes areturn duct180. Considering thedock108 by itself, in the illustrated embodiment, thereturn duct180 is not in fluid communication with theblower duct176 such that when theblower120 is operated and thevacuum104 is not connected to the dock, airflow from theblower120 is exhausted by theoutlet176B to the surroundings. Thereturn duct180 includes aninlet180A and anoutlet180B (FIG. 3). Thedock108 further includes anexhaust opening184 in fluid communication with thereturn duct180. Theexhaust opening184 is located adjacent theoutlet180B of thereturn duct180. Thedock108 includes adock debris collector188 located between thereturn duct180 and theexhaust outlet180. The illustrateddock debris collector188 is a filter bag, such as a vacuum cleaner filter bag, but may be, for example and without limitation, a cyclonic or non-cyclonic separator or a filter.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 2 andFIG. 4, thereturn duct180 may include anactuator192 that pivotably opens thedust bin door152 upon connection of thevacuum104A to thedock108. Thus, upon connection of thevacuum104A to thedock108, fluid may pass through thevacuum104A from thedirty air inlet124, through theseparator132, and through thedebris outlet128. In the illustrated embodiment, theactuator192 is in the form of a protrusion on the interior periphery of thereturn duct180 adjacent theinlet180A of thereturn duct180. In the illustrated embodiment, theactuator192 rotates thelatch156 to an open position, and as illustrated inFIG. 5, thedust bin door152 freely pivots away from thedebris collector148 or is pushed open by the airflow from theblower120. Othersuch actuators192 on thedock108 or on thevacuum104A may otherwise open thedust bin door152 upon connection of thevacuum104A to thedock108. In one embodiment, thedock108 activates an actuator disposed on the vacuum (not shown) that moves thelatch156. In one embodiment, the actuator is electrically or pneumatically activated with blower operation. With thedust bin door152 open, thedebris collector148 of thevacuum104A opens into thereturn duct180.
• As illustrated inFIG. 5, thedock108 includes aseal196 adjacent theinlet end180A of thereturn duct180. Theseal196 circumscribes theinlet end180A of thereturn duct180 for engaging outer walls of thedebris collector148. As such, theseal196 directs air and debris into thedock debris collector188. In thevacuum104A, the opening formed by the opendust bin door152 forms thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum104A.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 2, 3, and 5, thevacuum104A is configured to be connected to thedock108. In the illustrated embodiment, thevacuum104A is translated into engagement with thedock108. Thevacuum104A is aligned with and connects the vacuumcleaner inlet114 with theblower duct outlet176B. Thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum104A is aligned with and connects with thereturn duct inlet180A. Upon connection of thevacuum104A to thedock108, theactuator192 opens thedust bin door152. Theseal196 engages outer walls of thedebris collector148. As such, thevacuum cleaner separator132 is configured to be coupled to thedock108 with thevacuum cleaner separator132 in fluid communication with theairflow outlet176B of thedock108 and thedebris outlet128 of theseparator132 in fluid communication with thedock debris collector188 such that the airflow generated by theairflow source120 of thedock108 travels through thevacuum cleaner separator132 and through thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum cleaner separator132 to blow debris out of thedebris outlet128 and into thedock debris collector188.
• Thedock108 may include asensor200 that determines that thevacuum104A is connected to thedock108. Thesensor200 may be in the form of a sensor or a mechanical switch. As will be described in detail below, thesensor200 may be a user-activatable switch. Additionally or alternatively, thedock108 may further include apressure sensor204. Thepressure sensor204 is mounted to be in operative communication with theblower duct176. Thepressure sensor204 monitors a pressure within theblower duct176.
• Thedock108 may further include adock controller208 operable to electrically communicate with thedock sensors200,204 and theblower120. Thedock108 may further comprise adock contact212 connected to thedock controller208 operable to electrically communicate with thevacuum104A through thevacuum contact164 when thedock108 is connected to thevacuum104A. In one embodiment, thedock contact212 is operable to electrically communicate with thedock sensors200,204. In the first embodiment of thedocking station100 as illustrated inFIG. 3, thedock contact212 is located adjacent theoutlet end176B of theblower duct176. As such, thedock contact212 is configured to operatively engage thevacuum contact164 when thevacuum104A and thedock108 are connected.
• In one embodiment, when thevacuum104A is connected to thedock108, thedock controller208 determines fromsensor200 that the vacuum is connected and thedock controller208 operates theblower120 for a predetermined period of time to empty thedebris collector148 of thevacuum104A, for example, for a period of 5 or 10 or 15 or 30 seconds or another desired duration. In one embodiment, the duration of blower operation may be determined by the type or model of vacuum attached to thedock108. In one example, when thevacuum104A is connected to thedock108, thevacuum contact164 and thedock contact212 are mechanically and electrically connected and operable to transfer electricity between thevacuum104A and thedock108. When thevacuum104A is connected to thedock108, thevacuum controller168 sends a signal to thedock controller208 through thedock contact212, the signal indicative of the type ofvacuum104A or another characteristic. Thecontroller208 receives the signal indicative of the characteristic. And, based on the signal indicative of the characteristic of thevacuum104A, thecontroller208 operates theblower120 for a predetermined period of time. In the illustrated embodiment, thecontroller208 may operate theblower120, for example, for a period of 5 or 10 or 15 or 30 seconds or another desired duration. Alternatively, thecontroller208 may operate theblower120 to operate in a pulse-like fashion by delivering airflow that increases and decreases for a period of time. Alternatively, thecontroller208 may operate theblower120 such that power sent to the motor is received in a pulse-like fashion that increases and decreases for a period of time.
• In one embodiment, the sensor is a user-activatable switch operable to turn theblower120 on and off. In another embodiment, the user-activatable switch activates thedock controller208 to operate theblower120 for a predetermined period after which thecontroller208 turns off the blower.
• Thedock controller208 monitors a signal from thepressure sensor204 indicative of the pressure within theblower duct176 and determines if the pressure within theblower duct176 is outside of a predetermined range. Variations in the pressure are indicative of the operation of thedocking station100, and pressures outside of a predetermined range may indicate a fault, for example, if thedust bin door152 is closed, if thedock debris collector188 is clogged, or if airflow is otherwise blocked. In one embodiment, thedock controller208 operates theblower120 to empty thedebris collector148 for a duration that is a function of the pressure measured by thepressure sensor204.
• Thedock controller208 may also monitor for signals from thesensor200 indicative of when the connection between thevacuum104A and thedock108 is made. Thesensor200, thepressure sensor204, and thevacuum controller168, are configured to send a signal indicative of a characteristic to thedock controller208.
• In one embodiment, thevacuum controller168 controls the operation of thedock108. In such an embodiment, thevacuum controller168 monitors for signals from thesensor200 indicative of when the connection between thevacuum104A and thedock108 is made and sends a signal to operate theblower120 through thevacuum contact164 to thedock contact212 to thecontroller208. Thevacuum controller168 also monitors for a signal from thepressure sensor204 indicative of the pressure within theblower duct176, and/or thedock controller208 monitors thepressure sensor204 and operatively signals to thevacuum controller168.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, thedock108 is powered by apower source216. Thepower source216 may be a battery or household AC power. Thepower source216 may directly or indirectly power theblower120, thedock controller208 and thesensors200,204. When thevacuum104A is connected to thedock108, the connection between thevacuum contact164 and thedock contact212 may electrically transfer power from thepower source216 of thedock108 to thebattery144 of thevacuum104A. As such, a user may charge thevacuum battery144 by connection of thevacuum104A to thedock108 between thevacuum contact164 and thedock contact212. In one embodiment, such as illustrated inFIG. 6, thedock108 is configured to receiveadditional batteries144 or other accessories that are separate from thevacuum cleaner104B. In this embodiment, thedock108 is configured to charge theadditional batteries144 when theadditional batteries144 are connected to thedock108. Thedock108 thus functions as a charging and storage station when theadditional batteries144 or other accessories are connected.
• As illustrated inFIG. 5, when thevacuum104A, and thus, thevacuum separator132 is connected to thedock108, thedirty air inlet124 is fluidly connected to theoutlet176B of theblower duct176. Similarly, when thevacuum104A is connected to thedock108, thedebris outlet128 is fluidly connected to thereturn duct180. More specifically, thedebris outlet128 is fluidly connected to theinlet end180A of thereturn duct180. When thevacuum104A is fluidly connected to thedock108 and theblower120 is operated, fluid flow from theblower120 passes debris from thevacuum separator132 to thedock debris collector188 and fluid passes through theexhaust opening184. When theblower120 is operated, fluid flow from theblower120 passes debris from thevacuum separator132 to thedock debris collector188.
• In the illustrated embodiment shown inFIG. 5 of thedocking station100 with thevacuum104A, the flow of fluid from theblower120 passes from theblower120 into theblower duct176, from theblower duct176 into thedirty air inlet124 of thevacuum separator132, and through thevacuum separator132. From thevacuum separator132, fluid flow is passed through thedebris outlet128 and into theinlet180A of thereturn duct180. The fluid then passes through thedock debris collector188 to theoutlet180B of thereturn duct180 and through theexhaust opening184 to the surroundings. If thevacuum separator132 is a cyclonic separator, the airflow around thecyclonic separator132 aids in wiping dust and debris from theshroud133 of thevacuum separator132.
• Additionally or alternatively, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, thevacuum exhaust port220 provides a flow path to exhaust air from thedocking station100 when theblower120 is operated and thedock debris collector188 is filled or clogged. Upon clogging of thedock debris collector188, increased pressure in thedock debris collector188 causes at least a portion of the fluid entering throughinlet124 to flow through theshroud133 andoutlet130, and to be exhausted from thevacuum104A through thevacuum exhaust port220.
• FIGS. 6-8 illustrate a second embodiment of thedocking station100 in which thevacuum cleaner104 is avacuum104B including awand112 and afoot116 having a suction inlet nozzle118 (FIG. 7), and airflow is passed through both thefoot116 and thewand112. Each of the second through fifth embodiments of thedocking station100 may include any of the features of the first embodiment of thedocking station100. In the second embodiment of thedocking station100, thevacuum104B includes thevacuum separator132 operable to separate debris from a suction airflow during use of thevacuum cleaner104B. Thevacuum separator132 includes a dirty air inlet124 (FIG. 8), aclean air outlet130, and adebris collector148 having adebris outlet128. Some of the features of the first embodiment may be rearranged or modified for operation with the second embodiment and thevacuum104B. For example, thedocking station100 in accordance with the second embodiment has adock contact212 which is located adjacent thefoot116 as opposed to thedock contact212 of the first embodiment which is located adjacent theoutlet end176B of theblower duct176.
• Thevacuum cleaner104B includes thevacuum separator132 having thedirty air inlet124 and thedebris outlet128 as described above with reference to thevacuum cleaner104A and the first embodiment of thedocking station100. Thewand112 has a first end112A connected to thedirty air inlet124 of thevacuum separator132 and an opposite second end112B. Thefoot116 is connected to the second end112B of thewand112.
• In the second embodiment of thedocking station100, theblower duct176 is configured to deliver air to thevacuum cleaner104B through thesuction inlet nozzle118 of thefoot116. When thevacuum cleaner104B is connected to thedock108, thedirty air inlet124 of thevacuum separator132 is connected to theoutlet176B of theblower duct176 through thewand112, and thedebris outlet128 is connected to thereturn duct180. More specifically, thedebris outlet128 is fluidly connected to theinlet end180A of thereturn duct180. When thevacuum cleaner104B is fluidly connected to thedock108, fluid flow from theblower120 passes debris from thedebris collector148 to thedock debris collector188 and fluid passes through at least theexhaust opening184.
• During normal operation of thevacuum104B, electric power is transmitted from thebattery144 to themotor136 for rotating theimpeller140 and generating an airflow within thevacuum104B. During normal operation of thevacuum104B, thevacuum104B is not connected to thedock108. The suction inlet nozzle118 (FIG. 7) of thefoot116 functions as an inlet to receive dirty air and debris and is in fluid communication with thedirty air inlet124 in the vacuum124B. In thevacuum104B, the opening formed by the opendust bin door152 forms thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum104B. Further, the separatordirty air inlet124 passes the dirty air and debris from thefoot116 and thewand112 to theseparator132. Theseparator132 separates the debris from the clean air. The debris is retained in theseparator132 and falls into adebris collector148 with thedust bin door152 closed. The clean air passes through theseparator132 and through theshroud133 and is exhausted from the vacuum assembly through theclean air outlet130 and ultimately thevacuum exhaust port220. Alternatively, thewand112 and thus thefoot116 can be removed from the vacuumcleaner inlet114 of thevacuum104B to operate thevacuum104B as a hand vacuum, similar to thehand vacuum104A.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 6-7, in thedocking station100 in accordance with the second embodiment, thedock108 includes a base224 on which the foot is supported when thevacuum104B is connected to thedock108 and thevacuum104B is fluidly connected to thedock108. Thebase224 of thedock108 includes aplenum228 in fluid communication with theoutlet176B of the blower duct and configured to be fluidly connected with theinlet nozzle118 of thefoot116 such that when theblower120 is operated, fluid flow from theblower120 passes through, successively, theplenum228, thefoot116, thewand112, the separatordirty air inlet124, thedebris outlet128 with thedust bin door152 open, thereturn duct180, and theexhaust opening184. In one embodiment, thebase224 includes a seal230 (FIG. 7) disposed to surround theinlet nozzle118 when thefoot116 is seated on thebase224. Theseal230 directs airflow from theplenum228 into theinlet nozzle118 when thevacuum104B is connected to thedock108.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 6, 7, and 8, thevacuum104B is configured to be connected to thedock108. In the illustrated embodiment, thevacuum104B engages thedock108 with thefoot116 on the base224 aligning theplenum228 with theinlet nozzle118. Thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum104B is aligned with and connects with thereturn duct inlet180A. Upon connection of thevacuum104B to thedock108, thedust bin door152 may be opened in a manner described with respect to the first embodiment. Theseal196 engages outer walls of thedebris collector148. As such, thevacuum cleaner separator132 is configured to be coupled to thedock108 with thevacuum cleaner separator132 in fluid communication with theairflow outlet176B of thedock108 and thedebris outlet128 of theseparator132 in fluid communication with thedock debris collector188 such that the airflow generated by theairflow source120 of thedock108 travels through thevacuum cleaner separator132 and through thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum cleaner separator132 to blow debris out of thedebris outlet128 and into thedock debris collector188. Theblower120 may be controlled in a manner described with respect to the first embodiment.
• FIGS. 9-12 illustrate a third embodiment of thedocking station100 in which thevacuum cleaner104 is avacuum104C. Thevacuum104C has many common elements as described with respect to thevacuum104B of the second embodiment described above and with reference toFIGS. 6-8. Thevacuum104C includes thefoot116 having thesuction inlet nozzle118 and apassageway112′ between thesuction inlet nozzle118 and theseparator132. Thepassageway112′ of the third embodiment is similar to thewand112 of the second embodiment. Thepassageway112′ is interchangeably named awand112′. Thepassageway112′ has avalve236 connectable to thedock108. In the third embodiment, thepassageway112′ extends between thesuction inlet nozzle118 and theseparator132. Many features of the second embodiment of thedocking station100 apply equally to the third embodiment of thedocking station100. However, the third embodiment of thedocking station100 passes airflow into avalve236 on thewand112′. In the illustrated embodiment, thevalve236 is disposed on thewand112′. In other embodiments, thevalve236 may be provided in another airpath as desired for other vacuum cleaners, such as a passageway between the foot and the separator on an upright vacuum or any other desired arrangement cooperative with the docking station.
• Thewand112′ of thevacuum cleaner104C includes anaperture232. Theaperture232 is located at an intermediate position between thefirst end112′A and thesecond end112′B of thewand112′. Thevacuum cleaner104C further includes avalve236.FIG. 11 illustrates thevalve236 in a closed position. Thevalve236 in the closed position covers the aperture and airflow during operation of thevacuum104C passes from thefoot116, through thewand112′, and into thevacuum cleaner104C.FIG. 12 illustrates thevalve236 in an open position with theaperture232 aligned with theblower duct outlet176B such that theblower duct176 is in fluid communication with theaperture232, and thus, thewand112′ at the intermediate position between thefirst end112′A and thesecond end112′B of thewand112′.
• Thevalve236 is movable between the open position (FIG. 12) and the closed position (FIG. 11). The valve includes atab240 positioned to engage acorresponding protrusion244 on thedock housing172 when thevacuum104C is docked on thedock108. Thetab240 engages the protrusion at a height corresponding to thevalve236 being in the open position when thevacuum104C and thewand112′ are fully docked. After thetab240 engages theprotrusion244, continued movement of thevacuum104C andwand112′ into the docked position causes thevalve236 to slide axially along thewand112′ from the closed position (FIG. 11) to the open position (FIG. 12). Thevalve236 includes avalve aperture246 configured to align with theaperture232 of thewand112′ in the open position (FIG. 12). As such, when thevalve236 is moved to the open position (FIG. 12), theblower outlet duct176B is placed in fluid communication with theaperture232. As such, in the third embodiment of thedocking station100, fluid passes to thevacuum104C through only a portion of thewand112′ between theaperture232 and the second end112B.
• As illustrated inFIG. 12, aseal248 is provided on thedock108 disposed at the end of theblower duct outlet176B. Theseal248 is configured to engage thevalve236 around thevalve aperture246 to direct airflow from theblower duct176 into thevalve aperture246 andwand aperture232. Referring toFIG. 10, thebase224 of this embodiment may include a blockingseal254 disposed to engage thesuction inlet nozzle118 to inhibit airflow from exiting through thesecond wand end112′B and through thenozzle118. The blockingseal254 thereby directs airflow entering thewand aperture232 to be directed to thefirst wand end112′A and the separatordirty air inlet124. In one embodiment, thebase224 is shaped to cover thesuction inlet nozzle118.
• Thevalve236 may include aspring252 connected between thewand112′ and thevalve236 urging thevalve236 toward the closed position (FIG. 11). When thevacuum104C andwand112′ are undocked, the spring pulls thevalve236 to the closed position (FIG. 11). As illustrated inFIG. 10, thespring252 may be covered by aspring cover250 to protect thespring252 from the environment.
• FIGS. 13-15 illustrate a fourth embodiment of thedocking station100 in which avacuum cleaner separator104D is removed from thevacuum cleaner104 before engaging thedock108, and airflow from thedock108 is passed to the dirty air inlet124 (FIG. 15) of thevacuum cleaner separator132 to thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum cleaner separator132.
• In the fourth embodiment, thevacuum cleaner separator104D (FIGS. 13-15) is configured for use in a vacuum cleaner (not shown), and is removable from the vacuum cleaner for emptying dirt and debris from thevacuum cleaner separator104D with thedock108. When attached to the vacuum cleaner, thevacuum cleaner separator104D functions to separate dirty air from debris during operation of the vacuum cleaner. Thevacuum cleaner separator104D includes thevacuum cleaner separator132, and thevacuum cleaner separator104D is attachable to thedock108 to fluidly connect thedirty air inlet124 of thevacuum cleaner separator104D with theairflow outlet176B and thedebris end128 of thevacuum cleaner separator132 with thedock debris collector188.
• As such, in the fourth embodiment, theblower duct176 is configured to deliver air to thevacuum cleaner separator104D through thedirty air inlet124. When thevacuum cleaner separator104D is removed from the vacuum and connected to thedock108, thevacuum cleaner separator132 is in fluid communication with thedock108 such that thedirty air inlet124 is connected with theoutlet176B of theblower duct176 and thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum cleaner separator132 is fluidly connected to thereturn duct180. More specifically, thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum cleaner separator132 is fluidly connected to theinlet end180A of thereturn duct180. When thevacuum cleaner separator104D is fluidly connected to thedock108 and theblower120 is operated, fluid flow from theairflow source120 passes debris from thedebris collector148 to thedock debris collector188 and fluid passes through theexhaust opening184.
• In normal operation of thevacuum cleaner separator104D when attached to a vacuum cleaner, thedirty air inlet124 is an inlet configured to receive dirty air and debris, thevacuum separator132 is configured to separate debris from the clean air, where the debris is retained in theseparator132 and falls into adebris collector148 with thedust bin door152 closed. The clean air passes through theseparator132 and through theshroud133 and is exhausted from the vacuum assembly through theclean air outlet130 and ultimately through a vacuum exhaust port of the vacuum cleaner. When thevacuum cleaner separator104D separated from the vacuum cleaner and is attached to thedock108, thedirty air inlet124 of thevacuum cleaner separator104D is directly fluidly connected to the outlet of theblower duct176B such that when theblower120 is operated, fluid flow from theblower120 passes through thedirty air inlet124 of thevacuum cleaner separator104D towards thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum cleaner separator104D with thedust bin door152 open through thevacuum separator132.
• As illustrated inFIG. 13, the fourth embodiment of thedocking station100 includes afirst seal196 and asecond seal258. Thefirst seal196 corresponds with theseal196 of the first embodiment of thedocking station100. In other words, thefirst seal196 is adjacent theinlet end180A of thereturn duct180, and is configured to circumscribe theinlet end180A of thereturn duct180 for engaging outer walls of thevacuum cleaner separator104D. Thesecond seal258 is provided on theblower duct outlet176B to engage thevacuum cleaner separator104D around thedirty air inlet124 to direct air from theblower duct176 into thedirty air inlet124.
• Upon connection of thevacuum104D to thedock108, thedust bin door152 may be opened byactuator192 in a manner described with respect to the first embodiment. Theseal196 engages outer walls of thedebris collector148 and thesecond seal258 engages around thedirty air inlet124 such that the airflow generated by theairflow source120 of thedock108 travels through thevacuum cleaner separator132 and through thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum cleaner separator132 to blow debris out of thedebris outlet128 and into thedock debris collector188. Theblower120 may be controlled in a manner described with respect to the first embodiment.
• In operation of the fourth embodiment of thedocking station100, airflow generated by theblower120 passes through, successively, theblower duct176,dirty air inlet124 of thevacuum cleaner separator132, thevacuum separator132, thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum cleaner separator132, thereturn duct180, and theexhaust opening184.
• FIGS. 16-19 illustrate a fifth embodiment of thedocking station100 in which avacuum cleaner separator104E is removed from thevacuum cleaner104 before engaging thedock108, and airflow is passed from theblower duct180 into thevacuum cleaner separator132 through what is theclean air outlet130 during normal operation of thevacuum cleaner separator104E. In the fifth embodiment, thedirty air inlet124 that typically receives dirty air in normal operation of thevacuum cleaner separator104E is sealed from the surroundings.
• Thevacuum cleaner separator104E includes apre-motor filter256 disposed within or adjacent theclean air outlet130 of thevacuum cleaner separator132. In use in the vacuum cleaner of the fifth embodiment, thepre-motor filter256 is configured to cleanse relatively clean environmental air of debris prior to contacting theimpeller140 of the vacuum cleaner (not shown). Thepre-motor filter256 has a dirty side (i.e., an upstream side)256B and an oppositedownstream side256A. Debris collects at the dirty side256B when the vacuum cleaner operates as air travels through thepre-motor filter256 to the downstream side of the filter before contacting theimpeller140. The fifth embodiment of thedocking station100 relates to delivering air into thepre-motor filter256 so that air enters the downstream side of thepre-motor filter256, pushing dust and debris from thepre-motor filter256, then into theseparator132 and ultimately into thedock debris collector188. In other words, when theseparator132 is positioned in thedock108, thepre-motor filter256 is disposed between theblower tube outlet176B of thedocking station100 and thevacuum separator132 such that, when thevacuum cleaner separator104E is connected to thedock108 and theblower120 is operated, air enters thedownstream side256A of thepre-motor filter256, pushing debris from thepre-motor filter256 into thedebris collector148 and into thedock debris collector188.
• In the fifth embodiment of the docking station system, as illustrated inFIGS. 16-18, thedock108 includes a manifold260 in fluid communication with theblower duct outlet176B. The manifold260 is formed within alid264 that is pivotably connected to thedock108. Thelid264 is pivotable between an open position (FIGS. 16-17) in which thevacuum cleaner separator104E is connectable to thedock108, and a closed position (FIG. 18) in which the manifold260 fluidly connects theblower duct outlet176B with theclean air outlet130 of thevacuum cleaner separator104E.
• Similar to thevacuum cleaner separator104D fourth embodiment, thevacuum cleaner separator104E is removable from a vacuum cleaner. During normal operation of thevacuum cleaner separator104E when the separator is attached to thevacuum cleaner104, the separatordirty air inlet124 is an inlet configured to pass dirty air and debris from the environment to theseparator132. Theseparator132 separates the debris from the clean air. The debris is retained in theseparator132 and falls into thedebris collector148 with the dust bin door closed. During normal operation of thevacuum cleaner separator104E, theclean air outlet130 exhausts clean air from theseparator132 to a vacuum exhaust port of the vacuum cleaner, and ultimately to the surroundings. Thepre-motor filter256 is configured to separate debris from the air prior to ejection to the surroundings. The opening formed by the open dust bin door152 (illustrated with regards to the first embodiment inFIG. 3) forms the dustbin debris outlet128 configured to exhaust debris from the vacuum cleaner. When thevacuum cleaner separator104E is removed from the vacuum cleaner and attached to the dock, thedownstream side256A of thefilter256 and theclean air outlet130 of thevacuum cleaner separator104E are fluidly connected to the outlet of theblower duct176B such that when theblower120 is operated, fluid flow from theblower120 passes through thepre-motor filter256 of thevacuum cleaner separator104E towards thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum cleaner separator104E through thevacuum separator132.
• As illustrated inFIG. 16, the fifth embodiment of thedocking station100 includes afirst seal196, asecond seal266, and athird seal268. Thefirst seal196 is adjacent theinlet end180A of thereturn duct180 and is configured to circumscribe theinlet end180A of thereturn duct180 for engaging outer walls of thevacuum cleaner separator104E. Thesecond seal266 is provided on thedock108 to fluidly seal thedirty air inlet124 from the surroundings (seeFIG. 19) to inhibit airflow from exiting through thedirty air inlet124. Thethird seal268 is provided on thelid264 around the manifold260 to fluidly connectblower duct outlet176B with thevacuum cleaner separator104E around perimeter of theclean air outlet130 and/or the perimeter of thepre-motor filter256 to direct air from theblower duct176 into the downstream side of thepre-motor filter256A.
• Upon connection of thevacuum104E to thedock108, thedust bin door152 may be opened byactuator192 in a manner described with respect to the first embodiment. Theseal196 engages outer walls of thedebris collector148 and thesecond seal266 blocks thedirty air inlet124 inhibiting airflow generated by theairflow source120 of thedock108 from passing out of thedirty air inlet124. The user closes thelid264 to engage thethird seal268 around theclean air outlet130 and/or thefilter256 connecting theblower exhaust duct176B to thevacuum cleaner separator132. In operation of the fifth embodiment of the docking station system, airflow generated by theblower120 passes through, successively, theblower duct176, thedownstream side256A of thepre-motor filter256 of thevacuum cleaner separator132, thevacuum separator132, thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum cleaner separator132, thereturn duct180, and theexhaust opening184. Theblower120 may be controlled in a manner described with respect to the first embodiment.
• Each of the embodiments of thedocking station100 include thedock108 including theblower120 which generates fluid flow which passes debris from thevacuum cleaner104 to thedock debris collector188. As previously mentioned, various other elements of the first embodiment of thedocking station100 may be applied to the other embodiments of thedocking station100. Other variations of the described and illustrated embodiments are possible.
• Each of thevacuum cleaners104 is movable between an in-use position (e.g.,FIG. 2) decoupled from thedock108 and a docked position (e.g.,FIG. 3) coupled to thedock108. In transitioning between the in-use position (FIG. 2) and the docked position (FIG. 3), a user grasping ahandle324 of the vacuum cleaner104 (e.g., thevacuum cleaner104A inFIGS. 2, 3) does not have to rotate thevacuum cleaner104 about the longitudinal axis LA to couple thevacuum cleaner104 to thedock108. Accordingly, the user is relieved from having to twist thehandle324 to couple or decouple thevacuum cleaner104 to or from thedock108. Insertion and removal of thevacuum cleaner104 to and from thedock108 is simplified. Movement of thevacuum cleaner104 to both insert and remove thevacuum cleaner104 from thedocket108 are in directions similar to how thevacuum cleaner104 is moved during normal operation. This configuration along with thevacuum contact164 and thedock contact212 can further simplify electrically coupling thevacuum cleaner104 to thedock108.
• Each of the vacuumcleaner separators132,104D,104E each defines a plurality of surfaces. Each of the vacuumcleaner separators132,104D,104E defines a first sidewall300 (i.e., a “surface”) configured to generally face a reference plane W when thevacuum104 is moving in a forward direction. The reference plane W in the description and claims herein is defined to be a vertical plane of reference in front of a user as the user approaches the reference plane W along a direction perpendicular to the plane. The reference plane W may be, for example, a wall, an imaginary plane, or the like. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the reference plane W may extend transverse to the surface S. More specifically, the reference plane W may be perpendicular to the surface S. As used here, the reference plane W may be behind thedock108 as a frame of reference as a user approaches thedock108 with a separator to connect to the dock. Thedock108 is configured to have a docking side, which is a side toward which a user is or may be positioned while coupling thevacuum104 to thedock108. The docking side, and as such the user, is positioned on the opposite side of thedock108 from the reference plane W during docking. Thefirst sidewall300 of thevacuum104 is a surface that faces the docking side and the reference plane W when in the docked position (FIG. 3). Thefirst sidewall300 would also be oriented toward the reference plane W when thevacuum104 is used during normal vacuuming operation as the user approaches the reference plane W. Thefirst sidewall300 also faces in a direction away from the user and generally away from the floor S in a normal in-use vacuuming position (not shown). Thevacuum104 connects to thedock108 with thefirst sidewall300 facing the docking side and facing the reference plane W. That is, the user simply sets thevacuum104 onto to dock108 in much the same way as the user moves thevacuum104 during in-use normal vacuuming operation.
• Each of the vacuumcleaner separators132,104D,104E further defines asecond sidewall304 opposite thefirst sidewall300. Thesecond sidewall304 faces toward a user of thedocking station100 in the docked position (FIG. 3) when the user is positioned on the docking side, or the opposite side of thedock108 from the reference plane W. Thesecond sidewall304 also faces in a direction toward the user and generally toward the floor S in a normal in-use vacuuming position (not shown).
• Each of the vacuumcleaner separators132,104D,104E further defines atop end308 and an oppositebottom end312 supported on thedock108 when theseparator132,104D,104E is coupled to thedocking station100. Theseparators132,104D,104E each further defines a firstlateral sidewall316 generally corresponding with a left side of theseparator132,104D,104E and an opposite secondlateral sidewall320 generally corresponding with a right side of theseparator132,104D,104E.
• Finally, thevacuum cleaners104A,104B each include thehandle324. Thehandle324 includes afirst end324aand an oppositesecond end324boriented for a user to grasp thehandle324 in a normal grasping position to maneuver thevacuum cleaner104A,104B during use. The normal grasping position in the description and claims herein is defined to be a user grasping the handle with the user's index finger IF closer to thefirst end324aof thehandle324 and the user's little (i.e., pinky) finger LF closer to thesecond end324bof thehandle324. A user grasps thehandle324 of the vacuum cleaner104 (e.g., thevacuum cleaner104A inFIGS. 2, 3) in the normal grasping position to transition between the docked position (FIG. 3 and the in-use position (FIG. 2), and does not have to rotate thevacuum cleaner104 about the longitudinal axis LA to couple thevacuum cleaner104 to thedock108. In the illustrated embodiments, thehandle324 is located adjacent thetop end308 of theseparator132. In the illustrated embodiments, thebattery144 is located adjacent thehandle324 and thesecond sidewall304. Accordingly, when in both the normal in-use vacuuming position and the docked position (FIG. 3), thebattery144 is positioned adjacent the user and between the user and the reference plane W. Other location of thehandle324 and thebattery144 are possible as desired for the application.
• Thedock108 also defines a plurality of surfaces. Thedock108 defines afirst sidewall400 configured to face the reference plane W. The dock further defines asecond sidewall404 opposite thefirst sidewall400. Thesecond sidewall404 is the docking side configured to face a user during docking. Thedock108 further defines atop end408 and an oppositebottom end412 supported on a surface S. The surface S is a floor or floor surface cleaned by thevacuum cleaner104. Thedock108 further defines a firstlateral sidewall416 generally corresponding with a left side of thedock108 and an opposite secondlateral sidewall420 generally corresponding with a right side of thedock108.
• In regular use of theseparators132,104D,104E, theseparator132,104D,104E assembled as a vacuum cleaner is advanced at least partially in an advancing direction extending away, typically forwardly, from thefirst sidewall300 thereof. In regular use of theseparators132,104D,104E, theseparator132,104D,104E as a vacuum cleaner is retreated at least partially in a retreating direction extending away, typically rearwardly, from thesecond sidewall304 thereof. In regular use of thevacuum104A,104B, the user grasps thehandle324 to maneuver thevacuum104A,104B in the advancing and retreating directions across a surface to be cleaned, or to move the vacuum to desired locations.
• While theseparator132,104D,104E is coupled to thedock108, theseparator132,104D,104E approaches thedock108 with afirst sidewall300 of theseparator132,104D,104E facing thefirst sidewall400 of thedock108. In one embodiment, thebottom end312 is coupled to thetop end408 of thedock108. As illustrated in the embodiment ofFIG. 2, thevacuum104A houses theseparator132, and thevacuum104A is translated along arrow A1 to couple thedebris outlet128 of thevacuum104A in fluid communication with thereturn duct inlet180A of thedock108. Accordingly, the fluid flow path from theblower120 can pass through theseparator132,140D,104E as described above. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, the direction of insertion along arrow A1 extends along the longitudinal axis LA through the vacuum cleaner.
• FIG. 3 illustrates the position in which thevacuum104A is coupled to thedock108. In this position, thefirst sidewall300 of theseparator132 is adjacent thefirst sidewall400 of thedock108 and thesecond sidewall304 of theseparator132 is adjacent thesecond sidewall404 of thedock108. As illustrated inFIG. 3, thefirst sidewall300 of the separator132 (a component of thevacuum104A) faces thefirst sidewall400 of thedock108. Thesecond sidewall304 of the separator132 (a component of thevacuum104A) faces thesecond sidewall404 of thedock108. Accordingly, thesecond sidewall304 of theseparator132 is configured to face the user (e.g., where the user is positioned to the left of thedock108, thevacuum104A, and theseparator132 as viewed inFIG. 3) when thevacuum cleaner separator132 is coupled to thedock108. In coupling thevacuum104A including theseparator132 to thedock108, neither thevacuum104A nor theseparator132 was rotated about the arrow A1 and longitudinal axis LA. Rather, theseparator132 is aligned with thedock108, and is translated along the arrow A1. Accordingly, a user can grasp thehandle324 during both regular operation of thevacuum104A,104B and during docking of thevacuum104A,104B onto thedock108. This eliminates the need for a user to twist thevacuum104A,104B, or theseparator104D,104E prior to coupling thevacuum104A,104B, or theseparator104D,104E to thedock108. Similarly, when thevacuum104A,104B is uncoupled from the dock, the vacuum is oriented with thefirst sidewall300 facing away from the user as in the use orientation eliminating the need for a user to twist and re-orient thevacuum104A,104B prior to using the vacuum.
• Components of thevacuum104A face certain surfaces of theseparator132. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 2, 3, and 5, thebattery144 faces thesecond sidewall304. Accordingly, thebattery144 is spaced from the reference plane W and is readily accessible to a user when thevacuum104A is coupled to the dock. Thebattery144 may face a user in both the in-use position (FIG. 2) as well as the docked position (FIG. 3). With this location of thebattery144, thebattery144 may be selectively coupled to thevacuum104A by a user positioned adjacent thesecond sidewall304 without requiring the user to reach over or around thevacuum104A. Accordingly, thebattery144 is more accessible to a user in the docked position (FIG. 3) of thevacuum104A.
• With continued reference toFIG. 5, thehandle324 of thevacuum104A extends in a direction between the first end of theseparator132 and the second end of theseparator132. In the illustrated embodiment, thehandle324 is angled and extends at least partially in a direction between thetop end308 and thebottom end312. Thehandle324 permits a user to connect or disconnect the vacuum cleaner104A from thedock108 by moving the vacuum cleaner104A along the axis A1. The handle permits the user to connect or disconnect the vacuum cleaner104A from thedock108 with thefirst sidewall300 facing away from the user as in the use orientation, without requiring rotation of thevacuum cleaner104A about the longitudinal axis LA or the arrow A1.
• Components of thedock108 face certain surfaces of thedock108. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3, theblower duct176, and theairflow outlet176B thereof are positioned adjacent thesecond sidewall404 of thedock108. Theexhaust opening184, which is downstream of thedock debris collector188, is positioned adjacent thefirst sidewall400 of the dock. Theblower120 is positioned adjacent both thefirst sidewall400 and thebottom end412 of thedock108. As illustrated inFIG. 6, thebattery144 may be separable from thevacuum104B and coupled to thedock108 adjacent both the secondlateral sidewall420 and thetop end408 of thedock108. Other positions of theairflow outlet176B, theexhaust opening184, theblower120, and thebattery144 are possible.
• With continued reference toFIG. 6, thevacuum104B is supported upon thedock108 with thefoot116 resting upon thebase224. Thebase224 is located adjacent thebottom end412 of thedock108, and is supported upon the surface S. Turning toFIG. 7, thewans112 is adjacent thesecond sidewall404 of thedock108.
• The various embodiments ofvacuums104A-104C andvacuum separators104D-104E have different locations of vacuumcleaner inlets114 andseparator inlets124. In thevacuums104A-104C and thevacuum separator104D, theseparator inlet124 is adjacent thesecond sidewall304 of theseparators132,104D. As illustrated inFIG. 19, when thevacuum separator104E is coupled to thebase108, theairflow outlet176B and theseparator inlet124 are each adjacent thetop end308 of theseparator104E. Thesuction inlet114 may be positioned on thebody106 of thevacuums104A-104C. In other embodiments, thevacuum cleaner separator104D-104E may include thesuction inlet114. Positioning of thesuction inlet114 varies as desired for the application.
• The various embodiments ofvacuums104A-104C andvacuum separators104D,104E have different locations ofdebris outlets128. In thevacuums104A-104C, thedebris outlets128 are adjacent thefirst sidewall300 of theseparator132. As best illustrated inFIG. 5, in these embodiments, theairflow outlet176B is positioned adjacent thesecond sidewall404 of thedock108, and faces thetop end408 of thedock108.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 19, in thevacuum separators104D,104E, thedebris outlets128 are adjacent thesecond sidewall304 of theseparators104D,104E. In these embodiments, theblower duct176 is adjacent thefirst sidewall400 of thedock108. In the embodiment ofFIG. 15, theair outflow outlet176B is adjacent thefirst sidewall400 of thedock108, and extends towards thesecond sidewall404 of thedock108. In the embodiment ofFIG. 19, theairflow outlet176B of theduct176 is positioned adjacent thetop end408 of thedock108, and faces thebottom end412 of thedock108. Other locations of thedebris outlets128 andblower duct176 are possible.
• FIG. 15 illustrates the position in which theseparator132 is coupled to thedock108. In this position, thefirst sidewall300 of theseparator132 is adjacent thefirst sidewall400 of thedock108 and thesecond sidewall304 of theseparator132 is adjacent thesecond sidewall404 of thedock108. As illustrated inFIG. 15, thefirst sidewall300 of theseparator132 faces thefirst sidewall400 of thedock108. Thesecond sidewall304 of theseparator132 faces thesecond sidewall404 of thedock108. Accordingly, thesecond sidewall304 of theseparator132 is configured to face the user (e.g., where the user is positioned to the right of thedock108, thevacuum104A, and theseparator132 as viewed inFIG. 15) when thevacuum cleaner separator132 is coupled to thedock108.
• One or more independent features and/or advantages of the invention may be set forth in the following claims.

Claims (37)

What is claimed is:

1. A vacuum cleaner docking station comprising:

a vacuum cleaner separator, the vacuum cleaner separator operable to separate debris from a suction airflow, the vacuum cleaner separator including a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, and a debris collector having a debris outlet;

a dock, the vacuum cleaner separator removably coupled to the dock, the dock including,

an airflow source operable to generate an airflow,

an airflow outlet in fluid communication with the airflow source such that the airflow generated by the airflow source is discharged from the airflow source through the airflow outlet,

a dock debris collector,

wherein the vacuum cleaner separator is configured to be coupled to the dock with the vacuum cleaner separator in fluid communication with the airflow outlet of the dock and the debris outlet of the vacuum cleaner separator in fluid communication with the dock debris collector such that the airflow generated by the airflow source of the dock travels through the vacuum cleaner separator and through the debris outlet of the vacuum cleaner separator to blow debris out of the debris outlet and into the dock debris collector.

2. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 1, further comprising a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner including,

a body,

the vacuum cleaner separator coupled to the body

the body or the vacuum cleaner separator including a vacuum suction inlet, and

a suction source in fluid communication with the suction inlet and the vacuum cleaner separator, the suction source operable to generate the suction airflow through the suction inlet to draw debris from a surface being cleaned into the vacuum cleaner separator through the dirty air inlet of the vacuum cleaner separator.

3. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 2, wherein the suction inlet is removably coupled to the airflow outlet of the dock such that airflow generated by the airflow source of the dock travels through the suction inlet of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner separator is coupled to the dock.

4. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 2,

wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises a wand and a foot, the wand pivotally coupled to the foot, the foot including a foot suction inlet, and the wand provides fluid communication between the foot suction inlet and the vacuum suction inlet,

wherein the foot suction inlet is removably coupled to the airflow outlet of the dock such that airflow generated by the airflow source of the dock travels through the foot suction inlet, the wand, and the suction inlet of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner separator is coupled to the dock.

5. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 2,

wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises a wand and a foot, the wand pivotally coupled to the foot, the foot including a foot suction inlet, and the wand provides fluid communication between the foot suction inlet and the vacuum suction inlet,

wherein the wand includes an aperture, wherein the wand aperture is removably coupled to the airflow outlet of the dock such that airflow generated by the airflow source of the dock travels through the aperture, the wand, and the separator when the vacuum cleaner is coupled to the dock.

6. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 5, wherein the wand includes a valve movable between an open position to open the aperture and a closed position to close the aperture, and wherein the valve of the wand is biased toward the closed position.

7. The vacuum cleaner docking station according toclaim 2,

wherein the vacuum includes a foot having a suction inlet nozzle and a passageway between the suction inlet nozzle and the separator,

wherein the passageway has a valve connectable to the airflow outlet of the dock such that airflow generated by the airflow source of the dock travels through the valve, the passageway, and the separator when the vacuum cleaner is coupled to the dock.

8. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 2, wherein the vacuum cleaner separator is uncoupled from the body of the vacuum cleaner in order to couple the vacuum cleaner separator to the dock such that the dirty air inlet of the vacuum cleaner separator is coupled to the airflow outlet of the dock so that the airflow generated by the airflow source travels from the airflow outlet of the dock and through the dirty air inlet of the vacuum cleaner separator.

9. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 2, wherein the vacuum cleaner separator is uncoupled from the body of the vacuum cleaner in order to couple the vacuum cleaner separator to the dock such that the clean air outlet of the vacuum cleaner separator is coupled to the airflow outlet of the dock so that the airflow generated by the airflow source travels from the airflow outlet of the dock and through the clean air outlet of the vacuum cleaner separator.

10. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 9, wherein the vacuum cleaner separator includes a filter having a downstream side and a dirty side, wherein the airflow generated by the airflow source travels through the filter in the direction from the downstream side to the dirty side pushing dust and debris from the filter before passing through the debris outlet of the vacuum cleaner separator.

11. The vacuum cleaner docking station according toclaim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner separator includes a door that moves between an open position to open the debris outlet and a closed position to close the debris outlet, and wherein the door is automatically opened when the vacuum cleaner separator is coupled to the dock.

12. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 11, wherein the vacuum cleaner separator includes a latch that retains the door in the closed position, wherein either the dock or the vacuum cleaner separator includes an actuator that operates the latch to allow the door to move to the open position when the vacuum cleaner separator is coupled to the dock.

13. The vacuum cleaner docking station according toclaim 1, wherein the dock debris collector includes a filter bag.

14. The vacuum cleaner docking station according toclaim 1, wherein the dock includes a return duct in fluid communication with the dock debris collector, wherein the vacuum cleaner separator is received in the return duct when the vacuum cleaner separator is coupled to the dock such that debris travels out of the debris outlet, through the return duct, and into the dock debris collector.

15. The vacuum cleaner of the docking station ofclaim 14, wherein the return duct includes a seal that seals against the vacuum cleaner separator.

16. The vacuum cleaner of the docking station according toclaim 1, wherein the airflow source includes a motor and a fan.

17. The vacuum cleaner docking station according toclaim 1, wherein the dock includes a sensor operable to determine a characteristic regarding the vacuum cleaner docking station and to send a signal to a dock controller, the dock controller being operable to operate the airflow source in accordance with the signal.

18. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 17, wherein the sensor is operable to determine whether the vacuum cleaner separator is attached to the dock, and the dock controller operates the airflow source based on the attachment of the vacuum cleaner separator to the dock.

19. The vacuum cleaner docking station according toclaim 17, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the airflow source, the pressure sensor operable to sense a pressure of fluid from the airflow source, and the dock controller operates the airflow source in accordance with the pressure.

20. The vacuum cleaner docking station according toclaim 17, wherein the vacuum cleaner separator further includes an identifier indicative of a characteristic of the vacuum cleaner separator, the sensor is operable to sense the identifier, and the dock controller operates the airflow source in accordance with the identifier.

21. The vacuum cleaner docking station according toclaim 1,

wherein the vacuum cleaner separator includes a vacuum contact and the dock includes a dock contact,

wherein when the vacuum cleaner separator is connected to the dock, the vacuum contact and the dock contact are electrically connected and operable to transfer electricity between the vacuum cleaner separator and the dock.

22. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 21,

wherein the vacuum cleaner separator includes a vacuum controller and the dock includes a dock controller,

wherein when the vacuum cleaner separator is connected to the dock and the vacuum contact is electrically connected to the dock contact, the vacuum controller sends a signal to the dock controller through the vacuum contact and the dock contact indicative of a characteristic of the vacuum cleaner separator.

23. The vacuum cleaner docking station according toclaim 21, wherein the dock is configured to receive and charge a battery separate from the vacuum cleaner.

24. A vacuum cleaner docking station operated by a user, the vacuum cleaner docking station comprising:

a vacuum cleaner operable to separate debris from a suction airflow, the vacuum cleaner including,

a first sidewall that faces in a direction away from the user in a normal in-use vacuuming position of the vacuum cleaner,

a second sidewall that faces in a direction toward the user in the normal in-use vacuuming position of the vacuum cleaner, and

a debris collector having a debris outlet; and

a dock configured to receive and store the vacuum cleaner in a docked position, the dock including a dock debris collector, and in the docked position the dock is configured to selectively couple the dock debris collector and the debris collector of the vacuum cleaner such that the dock debris collector receives debris separated by the vacuum cleaner from the debris outlet of the debris collector of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is coupled to the dock;

wherein the vacuum cleaner is coupled to the dock by the user with the second sidewall facing in a direction toward the user and the first side wall faces in a direction away from the user.

25. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 24, wherein in the normal in-use vacuuming position, the second sidewall faces away from a reference plane and in the docked position, the second sidewall also faces away from the reference plane.

26. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 24, wherein the vacuum cleaner is moved to the docked position by the user without rotating the second sidewall away from the user.

27. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 24, wherein the vacuum cleaner includes a handle that is configured to be used by the user to move the vacuum cleaner into the docked position and also to move the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is being used in the normal in-use vacuuming position.

28. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 27, wherein the handle is used to move the vacuum cleaner to the docked position by the user without rotating the second sidewall away from the user.

29. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 24, wherein the vacuum cleaner includes a battery, wherein the battery is adjacent the second sidewall.

30. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 29, wherein

the vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum contact,

the dock includes a dock contact, and

when the vacuum cleaner is coupled to the dock in the docked position, the vacuum contact is electrically coupled to the dock contact to charge the battery.

31. A vacuum cleaner docking station comprising:

a vacuum cleaner separator, the vacuum cleaner separator operable to separate debris from a suction airflow, the vacuum cleaner separator having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall;

a dock, the vacuum cleaner separator removably coupled to the dock, the dock including,

a first sidewall configured to face a reference plane,

a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall,

wherein in regular use of the vacuum cleaner separator, the vacuum cleaner separator is advanced in an advancing direction extending away from the first sidewall of the vacuum cleaner separator; and

wherein the vacuum cleaner separator is configured to be coupled to the dock with the vacuum cleaner separator in fluid communication with the dock and with the second sidewall of the vacuum cleaner separator facing the second sidewall of the dock and with the second sidewall of the vacuum cleaner separator facing away from the reference plane.

32. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 31, wherein

the vacuum cleaner separator further includes

a dirty air inlet,

a clean air outlet,

a debris collector having a debris outlet,

the dock further includes

an airflow source operable to generate an airflow,

an airflow outlet in fluid communication with the airflow source such that the airflow generated by the airflow source is discharged from the airflow source through the airflow outlet,

a dock debris collector, and

wherein the vacuum cleaner separator is configured to be coupled to the dock with the vacuum cleaner separator in fluid communication with the airflow outlet of the dock and the debris outlet of the vacuum cleaner separator in fluid communication with the dock debris collector such that the airflow generated by the airflow source of the dock travels through the vacuum cleaner separator and through the debris outlet of the vacuum cleaner separator to blow debris out of the debris out of the debris outlet and into the dock debris collector.

33. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 31, further comprising a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner including,

a body,

the vacuum cleaner separator coupled to the body

a suction inlet, and

a suction source in fluid communication with the suction inlet and the vacuum cleaner separator, the suction source operable to generate suction airflow through the suction inlet to draw debris from a surface being cleaned into the vacuum cleaner separator.

34. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 33, wherein the suction source is powered by a battery and the battery is coupled to the body, when the vacuum cleaner separator is coupled to the dock the battery of the vacuum cleaner is adjacent the second sidewall of the dock.

35. The vacuum cleaner docking station according ofclaim 34,

wherein the vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum contact and the dock includes a dock contact, and

wherein when the vacuum cleaner is connected to the dock, the vacuum contact and the dock contact are electrically connected and operable to transfer electricity between the vacuum cleaner separator and the dock.

36. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 33, wherein the body further includes a handle configured for a user to grasp the handle during regular use of the vacuum cleaner separator and the handle configured for a user to couple the vacuum cleaner separator to the dock.

37. The vacuum cleaner docking station ofclaim 33,

wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises a wand and a foot, the wand pivotally coupled to the foot, the foot including a foot suction inlet, and the wand provides fluid communication between the foot suction inlet and the suction inlet of the body,

wherein the foot suction inlet is removably coupled to the airflow outlet of the dock such that airflow generated by the airflow source of the dock travels through the foot suction inlet, the wand, and the suction inlet of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner separator is coupled to the dock.

Images