TWI857797B - Cleaner station - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cleaner station, including: a housing; a coupling part disposed in the housing and comprising a coupling surface to which at least a part of a cleaner is coupled; a dust collecting part accommodated in the housing, disposed below the coupling part, and configured to store dust in a dust bin of the cleaner; a dust collecting motor accommodated in the housing, disposed below the dust collecting part, and configured to generate a suction force for sucking the dust in the dust bin; a lower portion coupling part disposed closer to a ground surface than is the dust collecting motor and to which the cleaner is coupled; and a flow path part having a flow path that allows an internal space of the dust bin and an internal space of the dust collecting part to communicate with each other, and the flow path part includes: a first flow path communicated with an internal space of the dust bin; and a second flow path disposed to be inclined at a certain angle with respect to the first flow path, thereby minimizing a loss of the flow force for collecting dust.

Description

Vacuum cleaner docking station

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner docking station, and more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner docking station coupled to a vacuum cleaner and configured to suck dust stored in the vacuum cleaner.

Generally speaking, a vacuum cleaner refers to an electrical device that uses electricity to suck air to extract small garbage or dust and fill the garbage or dust into a dust collection container set in the product. This type of vacuum cleaner is usually called a vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum cleaners can be divided into manual vacuum cleaners, which are directly moved by the user to perform cleaning operations, and automatic vacuum cleaners, which perform cleaning operations while moving autonomously. According to the shape of the vacuum cleaner, manual vacuum cleaners can be divided into cylinder vacuum cleaners, upright vacuum cleaners, handheld vacuum cleaners, and stick vacuum cleaners.

Cylinder-type vacuum cleaners have been widely used as household vacuum cleaners in the past. However, recently, in order to improve the convenience of use, there is an increasing trend to use handheld vacuum cleaners and stick-type vacuum cleaners in which a dust collecting cylinder is integrally provided with a vacuum cleaner main body.

In the case of a cylinder vacuum cleaner, a main body and a suction port are connected through a rubber hose or a tube fitting, and in some cases, the cylinder vacuum cleaner can be used in a state where a brush is assembled into the suction port.

Handheld vacuum cleaners (hand-held vacuum cleaners) maximize portability and are lightweight. However, due to the short length of handheld vacuum cleaners, the cleaning area may be limited. Therefore, handheld vacuum cleaners are used to clean local areas, such as tables, sofas, or vehicle interiors.

The user can use a stick vacuum cleaner while standing, so the cleaning operation can be performed without bending over. Therefore, the stick vacuum cleaner is advantageous for the user to clean the area while moving within the wide area. A handheld vacuum cleaner can be used to clean narrow spaces, while a stick vacuum cleaner can be used to clean wide spaces and high places that the user's hands cannot reach. Recently, modular stick vacuum cleaners have appeared, so that the types of vacuum cleaners are actively changed and used to clean various places.

Furthermore, recently, sweeping robots that can autonomously perform cleaning operations without user operation are used. The sweeping robots automatically clean the area to be cleaned by sucking up foreign matter such as dust from the floor while autonomously moving in the area to be cleaned.

To this end, the sweeping robot includes: a distance sensor configured to detect the distance between obstacles such as furniture, office supplies or walls installed in the area to be cleaned; and left and right wheels for moving the sweeping robot.

In this case, the left wheel and the right wheel are configured to be rotated by the left motor and the right motor, respectively, and the sweeping robot cleans the room while autonomously changing its direction by operating the left motor and the right motor.

However, since the dust collecting canister of the handheld vacuum cleaner, stick vacuum cleaner or sweeping robot in the prior art for storing the collected dust has a small capacity, the user needs to frequently empty the dust collecting canister, thus bringing inconvenience to the user.

In addition, since dust is scattered during the process of emptying the dust collecting cylinder, there is a problem that the scattered dust has a harmful effect on the health of the user.

Furthermore, if the remaining dust is not removed from the dust collecting container, there is a problem that the suction power of the vacuum cleaner decreases.

Furthermore, the retained dust may cause unpleasant odor problems if it is not removed from the dust collection container.

Meanwhile, patent document JP2017-189453 discloses a vacuum cleaner docking station configured to collect dust stored in a handheld stick vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner has an extension pipe and an axis of a dust collecting cylinder arranged in parallel to each other, and a vacuum cleaner docking station of the vacuum cleaner has a structure for coupling to the dust collecting cylinder of the vacuum cleaner, and the structure is arranged to face upward. That is, the vacuum cleaner is installed on the upper part of the vacuum cleaner docking station.

However, the docking station may only allow a handheld stick vacuum cleaner to be coupled thereto, and is limited in that it does not have a structure that allows a sweeping robot to be coupled thereto to collect dust stored in a dust collecting cylinder of the sweeping robot.

Meanwhile, patent document US10595692B2 discloses an emptying station of a debris box having a sweeping robot.

In the above patent document, a docking station for docking with a sweeping robot is provided, and the docking station has a flow path through which dust is sucked in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

A dust collecting motor for sucking dust from the sweeping robot at the docking station is arranged above the docking station.

However, the docking station may only allow a sweeping robot to be coupled thereto, and the docking station does not have a structure that allows a stick vacuum cleaner to be coupled thereto to collect dust stored in a dust collecting cylinder of the stick vacuum cleaner.

Furthermore, the flow path of the stop has a portion connected to the dust bag formed parallel to the ground. In this case, there is a limitation that when the motor stops running, the remaining dust may stay in the flow path, and part of the dust may flow back and fly to the outside.

Meanwhile, patent document KR2022-0006850A discloses a vacuum cleaner docking station that is coupled to a handheld stick vacuum cleaner and/or a sweeping robot to collect dust.

The vacuum cleaner docking station comprises: a first flow path, in which the dust in the dust collecting barrel of the handheld stick vacuum cleaner flows; a second flow path, in which the dust in the dust collecting barrel of the sweeping robot flows; and a flow path switching valve for selectively opening and closing the first flow path and the second flow path.

However, the above-mentioned vacuum cleaner docking station does not disclose a specific structure that allows a sweeping robot to be coupled thereto, and therefore, does not disclose the structure of the second flow path.

In addition, the specific arrangement of the first flow path and the second flow path and the structure for selectively opening and closing the first flow path and the second flow path are not disclosed.

Therefore, the above vacuum cleaner docking station is limited in that it does not disclose a structure that minimizes the volume of the coupled vacuum cleaner when both the handheld stick vacuum cleaner and the sweeping robot are coupled thereto.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned vacuum cleaner docking station is also limited in that, although the vacuum cleaner docking station has a structure for selectively connecting a flow path for introducing air from a handheld stick vacuum cleaner and a flow path for introducing air from a sweeping robot, it does not provide a flow path structure that can minimize flow path loss to maximize dust collection capacity.

The present invention is dedicated to solving the above-mentioned problems of the vacuum cleaner system in the prior art. The object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner docking station which can eliminate the inconvenience caused by the user needing to empty the dust collection cylinder all the time.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner docking station which minimizes the occupied space on a horizontal plane to increase space efficiency by coupling a vacuum cleaner to a side surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station.

Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner docking station that allows both a handheld stick vacuum cleaner and a sweeping robot to be coupled thereto.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner docking station which minimizes the loss of flow force for collecting dust.

Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner docking station which enables dust to be quickly sucked into the dust collecting component and does not scatter when the dust collecting cylinder is emptied.

In addition, the present invention aims to provide a vacuum cleaner docking station that allows the dust collected in the dust collecting cylinder to be removed without the user performing any operation, thereby providing convenience for the user.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner docking station capable of removing unpleasant odors caused by residual dust by preventing the residual dust from remaining in a dust collecting container.

Among other things, the present invention aims to provide a vacuum cleaner docking station that allows a vacuum cleaner to be coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station without requiring the user to bend over.

One embodiment is a vacuum cleaner docking station, comprising: a housing; a coupling component disposed in the housing and comprising a coupling surface, to which at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner is coupled; a dust collecting component housed in the housing, disposed below the coupling component, and configured to store dust in a dust collecting barrel of the vacuum cleaner; a dust collecting motor housed in the housing, disposed below the dust collecting component, and configured to generate a suction force for sucking dust in the dust collecting barrel; a lower coupling component disposed closer to the ground than the dust collecting motor and coupled to the vacuum cleaner; and a flow path component having a flow path that connects an inner space of the dust collecting barrel with an inner space of the dust collecting component.

In this case, the flow path component may include: a first vacuum cleaner flow path, connected to a dust channel hole formed in the coupling component; a second vacuum cleaner flow path, connected to a dust suction hole formed in the lower coupling component; and a dust collecting flow path, selectively connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path or the second vacuum cleaner flow path, and connected to the dust collecting component.

In this case, the first vacuum cleaner flow path may include: a first flow path, which is connected to the internal space of the dust collecting component when the discharge cover of the dust collecting cylinder is opened; and a second flow path, which is connected to the first flow path and the dust collecting flow path and is formed at a specific angle relative to the first flow path.

In this case, the second flow path can be arranged to be inclined at a specific dust introduction angle with respect to a vertical line perpendicular to the ground.

In this case, the dust introduction angle may be greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees.

Meanwhile, the flow path component may further include: a flow path switching module configured to selectively connect the first vacuum cleaner flow path or the second vacuum cleaner flow path to the dust collection flow path.

The second flow path may be arranged to be inclined with respect to the dust collection flow path at a specific dust introduction angle.

When the vacuum cleaner is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station, an imaginary dust collecting cylinder penetration line that penetrates the dust collecting cylinder in the longitudinal direction and an imaginary first vacuum cleaner flow path penetration line that penetrates the second flow path in the longitudinal direction may intersect each other in the flow path component.

The imaginary dust collecting tube penetration line and the imaginary dust collecting flow path penetration line that penetrates the dust collecting flow path in the longitudinal direction may intersect each other in the flow path component.

At the same time, the second vacuum cleaner flow path may include: a third flow path connected to the vacuum hole; a fourth flow path connected to the third flow path and formed in a direction perpendicular to the ground; and a fifth flow path connected to the fourth flow path and formed at a specific angle relative to the fourth flow path.

In addition, one end of the fifth flow path connected to the fourth flow path may be arranged to be farther from the ground than the other end of the fifth flow path connected to the flow path switching module.

In addition, the diameter of the fifth flow path can be larger than the diameter of the fourth flow path.

Furthermore, the fifth flow path can be arranged to be closer to the ground than the first vacuum cleaner flow path and farther from the ground than the dust collection flow path.

Another embodiment is a vacuum cleaner docking station, comprising: a housing; a coupling component, which is disposed in the housing and includes a coupling surface, to which at least a portion of a first vacuum cleaner is coupled; a lower coupling component, which is disposed closer to the ground than the coupling component and is coupled to a second vacuum cleaner; a dust collecting component, which is accommodated in the housing, disposed between the coupling component and the lower coupling component, and configured to store dust; and a flow path component, which is formed in the housing and has a flow path that connects the inner space of the dust collecting cylinder of the first vacuum cleaner or the inner space of the dust collecting cylinder of the second vacuum cleaner with the inner space of the dust collecting component, and the flow path component is formed in the housing and has a flow path that connects the inner space of the dust collecting cylinder of the first vacuum cleaner or the inner space of the dust collecting cylinder of the second vacuum cleaner with the inner space of the dust collecting component. The moving path component may include: a first vacuum cleaner flow path, which connects the dust channel hole formed in the coupling component and the internal space of the dust collecting component; a second vacuum cleaner flow path, which connects the dust suction hole formed in the lower coupling component and the internal space of the dust collecting component; a dust collecting flow path, which is arranged closer to the ground than the first vacuum cleaner flow path and is connected to the internal space of the dust collecting component; and a flow path switching module, which is arranged between the first vacuum cleaner flow path and the dust collecting flow path and is configured to selectively connect the first vacuum cleaner flow path or the second vacuum cleaner flow path to the dust collecting flow path.

In this case, the first vacuum cleaner flow path may include: a first flow path, which is connected to the dust channel hole and formed to be parallel to the ground; and a second flow path, which is arranged between the first flow path and the flow path switching module and is formed to be inclined at a specific dust introduction angle with respect to a vertical line perpendicular to the ground.

In addition, the second vacuum cleaner flow path may include: a third flow path, which is connected to the vacuum hole and formed in a direction parallel to the ground; a fourth flow path, which is connected to the third flow path and formed in a direction perpendicular to the ground; and a fifth flow path, which is connected to the fourth flow path and formed at a specific angle relative to the fourth flow path.

At the same time, the flow path component may further include: a connecting hose, which is arranged inside the flow path switching module, and one end of the connecting hose is connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path or the second vacuum cleaner flow path, and the other end is connected to the dust collection flow path.

The one end of the connecting hose may be arranged to be farther from the ground than the other end of the connecting hose.

As described above, according to the vacuum cleaner docking station of the present invention, when the user couples the vacuum cleaner to the vacuum cleaner docking station, the vacuum cleaner docking station detects the coupling of the vacuum cleaner, and the dust in the dust collection cylinder can be removed without the user performing additional operations, thereby providing convenience for the user.

In addition, when the dust collection can is emptied, the vacuum cleaner station will suck the dust in the dust collection can into the inside of the vacuum cleaner station according to the operation of the dust collection motor, so it can prevent the dust from scattering.

Furthermore, by coupling the stick vacuum cleaner to the side surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station and coupling the sweeping robot to the lower side of the vacuum cleaner docking station, the horizontal space occupied by the vacuum cleaner system can be minimized, thereby improving the space efficiency of the vacuum cleaner docking station.

Furthermore, by coupling the stick vacuum cleaner and the sweeping robot to the vacuum cleaner docking station at the same time, the dust in the dust collecting barrel of the stick vacuum cleaner and the dust in the dust collecting barrel of the sweeping robot can be selectively removed as needed.

Furthermore, since the flow path communicating with the dust collecting cylinder of the stick type vacuum cleaner is formed by bending downward once, and the flow path guiding the air to the dust collecting part is formed at a specific angle, the loss of flow force for collecting dust can be minimized.

Furthermore, since the flow path connected to the dust collecting barrel of the sweeping robot is formed at a specific angle, even if foreign matter discharged from the dust collecting barrel of the sweeping robot overcomes gravity and flows back, the backflow can be prevented and sufficient suction force can be provided to collect the dust.

In addition, the vacuum cleaner can be easily coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station without bending over.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention can be modified in various ways and can have various embodiments, and the specific embodiments shown in the drawings will be specifically described below. The description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments, but should be understood that the present invention covers all modifications, equivalents and substitutes that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless clearly described as different meanings in the context, a singular expression may include a plural expression.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention belongs. Unless explicitly defined in the present invention, terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries may be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the prior art, and shall not be interpreted as an ideal or overly formal meaning.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner system including a first vacuum cleaner and a second vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the angle of weight distribution and flow path by using an imaginary line in a vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 7 , a vacuum cleaner system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a vacuum cleaner docking station 100; and vacuum cleaners 200 and 300. In this case, the vacuum cleaners 200 and 300 may include: a first vacuum cleaner 200; and a second vacuum cleaner 300. Meanwhile, the present embodiment may be implemented without certain components, and does not exclude additional components.

The vacuum cleaner system 10 may include a vacuum cleaner docking station 100. A first vacuum cleaner 200 and a second vacuum cleaner 300 may be coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. The first vacuum cleaner 200 may be coupled to a side surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. Specifically, a main body of the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be coupled to a side surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. The second vacuum cleaner 300 may be coupled to a lower portion of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may remove dust from a dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200. The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may remove dust from a dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second vacuum cleaner 300.

At the same time, Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the first vacuum cleaner of the vacuum cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the weight distribution of the first vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention by using an imaginary plane; and Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the lower surface of the dust collecting cylinder of the first vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the structure of the first vacuum cleaner 200 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 .

The first vacuum cleaner 200 may refer to a vacuum cleaner configured to be manually operated by a user. For example, the first vacuum cleaner 200 may refer to a handheld vacuum cleaner or a stick vacuum cleaner.

The first vacuum cleaner 200 may be mounted on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. The first vacuum cleaner 200 may be supported by the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. The first vacuum cleaner 200 may be coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present invention, the direction may be defined based on a state in which the bottom surface (lower surface) of the dust collecting cylinder 220 and the bottom surface (lower surface) of the battery case 230 are placed on the ground.

In this case, the forward direction may indicate a direction in which the suction component 212 is disposed based on the suction motor 214, and the backward direction may indicate a direction in which the handle 216 is disposed. In addition, based on a state in which the suction component 212 is viewed from the suction motor 214, the right direction may refer to a direction in which a component is disposed on the right side, and the left direction may refer to a direction in which a component is disposed on the left side. In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, an upper side and a lower side may be defined in a direction perpendicular to the ground based on a state in which the bottom surface (lower surface) of the dust collecting cylinder 220 and the bottom surface (lower surface) of the battery case 230 are placed on the ground.

The first vacuum cleaner 200 may include a main body 210. The main body 210 may include: a main body housing 211; a suction component 212; a dust separation component 213; a suction motor 214; an exhaust cover 215; a handle 216; and an operating component 218.

The main body housing 211 may define the appearance of the first vacuum cleaner 200. The main body housing 211 may provide a space in which the suction motor 214 and the filter (not shown) may be accommodated. The main body housing 211 may be formed in a shape similar to a cylinder.

The suction member 212 may protrude outward from the main body housing 211. For example, the suction member 212 may be formed in a cylindrical shape with an inner opening. The suction member 212 may be coupled to the extension pipe 250. The suction member 212 may be referred to as a flow path through which the air containing dust may flow (hereinafter referred to as a "suction flow path").

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, an imaginary line may be defined to penetrate the inside of the suction member 212 having a cylindrical shape. That is, an imaginary suction flow path penetration line a2 may be formed to penetrate the suction flow path in the longitudinal direction.

For example, the suction flow path penetration line a2 may be an imaginary line formed by connecting the origins of a circle formed by cutting the cylindrical suction member 212 in the radial direction in the longitudinal direction (axial direction).

The dust separation component 213 may be communicated with the suction component 212. The dust separation component 213 may separate dust introduced into the dust separation component 213 via the suction component 212. The space in the dust separation component 213 may be communicated with the space in the dust collecting cylinder 220.

For example, the dust separation component 213 can have two or more cyclone components that can use cyclone airflow to separate dust. In addition, the space in the dust separation component 213 can be communicated with the suction flow path. Therefore, the air and dust introduced by the suction component 212 flow spirally along the inner circumferential surface of the dust separation component 213. Therefore, a cyclone airflow can be generated in the inner space of the dust separation component 213.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the imaginary cyclone line a4 may be formed to extend along the upward/downward direction of the dust separating member 213 in which the cyclone airflow is generated.

The suction motor 214 may generate a suction force for sucking air. The suction motor 214 may be accommodated in the main body housing 211. The suction motor 214 may include an impeller that generates a suction force by rotation. For example, the suction motor 214 may be formed in a shape similar to a cylinder.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the imaginary suction motor axis a1 can be formed by extending the rotation axis of the suction motor 214.

The exhaust cover 215 may be disposed on one side in the axial direction of the main housing 211. A filter for filtering air may be accommodated in the exhaust cover 215. For example, a HEPA filter may be accommodated in the exhaust cover 215.

The exhaust cover 215 may have an exhaust port 215 a for exhausting air introduced by the suction force of the suction motor 214 .

A flow guide may be provided on the exhaust cover 215. The flow guide may guide the airflow exhausted through the exhaust port 215a.

The handle 216 can be grasped by the user. The handle 216 can be arranged at the rear side of the suction motor 214. For example, the handle 216 can be formed into a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the handle 216 can be formed into a curved cylindrical shape. The handle 216 can be arranged at a specific angle relative to the main housing 211, the suction motor 214 or the dust separation component 213.

The handle 216 may include: a gripping portion 216a, which is formed in a columnar shape so that a user can grasp the gripping portion 216a; a first extension portion 216b, which is connected to one longitudinal (axial) end of the gripping portion 216a and extends toward the suction motor 214; and a second extension portion 216c, which is connected to the other longitudinal (axial) end of the gripping portion 216a and extends toward the dust collecting tube 220.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, an imaginary grip portion penetration line a3 may be formed to extend in the longitudinal direction (the axial direction of the column) of the grip portion 216a and penetrate the grip portion 216a.

For example, the grip portion penetration line a3 may be an imaginary line formed in the handle 216 having a cylindrical shape, that is, an imaginary line formed parallel to at least a portion of the outer surface (outer circumferential surface) of the grip portion 216a.

The upper surface of the handle 216 may define the appearance of a portion of the upper surface of the first vacuum cleaner 200. Therefore, when the user grasps the handle 216, the components of the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be prevented from contacting the user's arm.

The first extension portion 216b may extend from the grip portion 216a toward the main body housing 211 or the suction motor 214. At least a portion of the first extension portion 216b may extend in a horizontal direction.

The second extending portion 216c may extend from the gripping portion 216a toward the dust collecting cylinder 220. At least a portion of the second extending portion 216c may extend in a horizontal direction.

The operating member 218 may be disposed on the handle 216. The operating member 218 may be disposed on an inclined surface formed in an upper region of the handle 216. The user may input an instruction to operate or stop the first vacuum cleaner 200 through the operating member 218.

The first dust collector 200 may include a dust collecting barrel 220. The dust collecting barrel 220 may be in communication with the dust separating component 213. The dust collecting barrel 220 may store the dust separated by the dust separating component 213.

The dust collecting cylinder 220 may include: a dust collecting cylinder body 221; a discharge cover 222; a dust collecting cylinder compression rod 223; and a compression member (not shown).

The dust collecting tube body 221 may provide a space capable of storing dust separated from the dust separating part 213. For example, the dust collecting tube body 221 may be formed in a shape similar to a cylinder.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the imaginary dust collecting cartridge penetration line a5 may be formed to penetrate the interior (internal space) of the dust collecting cartridge body 221 and extend along the longitudinal direction of the dust collecting cartridge body 221 (ie, the axial direction of the cylindrical dust collecting cartridge body 221).

In this case, the dust collecting cartridge penetration line a5 may be an imaginary line formed perpendicular to the plane and including points on a plane formed by cutting the dust collecting cartridge 220 in the radial direction and the longitudinal direction (the axial direction of the cylindrical dust collecting cartridge body 221).

For example, the dust collecting tube penetration line a5 may be an imaginary line formed perpendicular to the circle and longitudinally passing through the origin of a circle formed by cutting the dust collecting tube 220 in the radial direction.

A part of the lower side (bottom side) of the dust collecting barrel main body 221 may be open. In addition, a lower extension portion 221a may be formed at the lower side (bottom side) of the dust collecting barrel main body 221. The lower extension portion 221a may be formed to block a part of the lower side of the dust collecting barrel main body 221.

The dust collecting barrel 220 may include a discharge cover 222. The discharge cover 222 may be disposed at the lower side of the dust collecting barrel 220. The discharge cover 222 may selectively open or close the lower side of the dust collecting barrel 220 that opens downward.

The discharge cover 222 may include: a cover body 222a; and a hinge part 222b. The cover body 222a may be formed to block a portion of the lower side of the dust collecting barrel body 221. The hinge part 222b may be arranged adjacent to the battery case 230. The torsion spring 222d may be arranged at the hinge part 222b. Therefore, when the discharge cover 222 is separated from the dust collecting barrel body 221, the cover body 222a may be supported by the elastic force of the torsion spring 222d when rotating from the dust collecting barrel body 221 around the hinge part 222b beyond a specific angle.

The drain cap 222 may be coupled to the dust collecting tube 220 by hooking.

Meanwhile, the dust collecting barrel 220 may further include a coupling rod 222c. The discharge cap 222 may be separated from the dust collecting barrel 220 by the coupling rod 222c. The coupling rod 222c may be disposed on the front side of the dust collecting barrel 220. Specifically, the coupling rod 222c may be disposed on the outer surface of the front side of the dust collecting barrel 220. When an external force is applied to the coupling rod 222c, the coupling rod 222c may elastically deform the hook extending from the cap body 222a to release the hook between the cap body 222a and the dust collecting barrel body 221.

When the discharge cover 222 is closed, the lower side of the dust collecting cylinder 220 may be blocked (sealed) by the discharge cover 222 and the lower extension portion 221 a.

The dust collecting cylinder 220 may further include a dust collecting cylinder compression rod 223. The dust collecting cylinder compression rod 223 may be disposed outside the dust collecting cylinder 220 or the dust separation component 213. The dust collecting cylinder compression rod 223 may be disposed outside the dust collecting cylinder 220 or the dust separation component 213 so as to be movable up and down. The dust collecting cylinder compression rod 223 may be connected to a compression member (not shown). When the dust collecting cylinder compression rod 223 is moved downward by an external force, the compression member (not shown) may also be moved downward. Therefore, convenience may be provided to the user. The compression member (not shown) and the dust collecting cylinder compression rod 223 can return to the original position through the elastic member (not shown). Specifically, when the external force applied to the dust collecting cylinder compression rod 223 is removed, the elastic member can move the dust collecting cylinder compression rod 223 and the compression member (not shown) upward.

A compression member (not shown) may be disposed in the dust collecting barrel main body 221. The compression member may move in the inner space of the dust collecting barrel main body 221. Specifically, the compression member may move up and down in the dust collecting barrel main body 221. Therefore, the compression member may compress the dust in the dust collecting barrel main body 221. In addition, when the discharge cover 222 is separated from the dust collecting barrel main body 221 and thus the lower side of the dust collecting barrel 220 is opened, the compression member may move from the upper side of the dust collecting barrel 220 to the lower side of the dust collecting barrel 220, thereby removing foreign matter in the dust collecting barrel 220, such as residual dust. Therefore, the suction force of the dust collector can be improved by preventing the residual dust from staying in the dust collecting cylinder 220. In addition, the odor caused by the residual dust can be eliminated by preventing the residual dust from staying in the dust collecting cylinder 220.

The first vacuum cleaner 200 may include a battery case 230. The battery 240 may be accommodated in the battery case 230. The battery case 230 may be disposed on the lower side of the handle 216. For example, the battery case 230 may have a hexahedral shape opened on the lower side thereof. The rear surface of the battery case 230 may be connected to the handle 216.

The battery case 230 may include a receiving portion opened at its lower side. The battery 240 may be attached or removed through the receiving portion of the battery case 230.

The first vacuum cleaner 200 may include a battery 240 .

For example, the battery 240 may be detachably coupled to the first vacuum cleaner 200. The battery 240 may be detachably coupled to the battery case 230. For example, the battery 240 may be inserted into the battery case 230 from the lower side of the battery case 230. The above configuration may improve the portability of the first vacuum cleaner 200.

In addition, the battery 240 may be integrally disposed in the battery case 230. In this case, the lower surface of the battery 240 is not exposed to the outside.

The battery 240 can supply power to the suction motor 214 of the first vacuum cleaner 200. The battery 240 can be arranged at the lower side of the handle 216. The battery 240 can be arranged at the rear side of the dust collecting cylinder 220. That is, the suction motor 214 and the battery 240 can be arranged not to overlap each other in the upward/downward direction, and to be arranged at different setting heights. Based on the handle 216, the heavy suction motor 214 is arranged at the front side of the handle 216, and the heavy battery 240 is arranged at the lower side of the handle 216, so that the overall weight of the first vacuum cleaner 200 can be evenly distributed. Therefore, when the user grasps the handle 216 and performs a cleaning operation, pressure can be prevented from being applied to the user's wrist.

In the case where the battery 240 according to the embodiment is coupled to the battery case 230, the lower surface of the battery 240 may be exposed to the outside. Because the battery 240 may be placed on the floor when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is placed on the floor, the battery 240 may be immediately separated from the battery case 230. In addition, since the lower surface of the battery 240 is exposed to the outside and thus directly contacts the air outside the battery 240, the cooling performance of the battery 240 may be improved.

Meanwhile, when the battery 240 is integrally fixed to the battery case 230, the number of structures for attaching or detaching the battery 240 and the battery case 230 can be reduced, and thus the overall size of the first vacuum cleaner 200 and the weight of the first vacuum cleaner 200 can be reduced.

The first vacuum cleaner 200 may include an extension pipe 250. The extension pipe 250 may be in communication with the cleaning module 260. The extension pipe 250 may be in communication with the main body 210. The extension pipe 250 may be in communication with the suction part 212 of the main body 210. The extension pipe 250 may be formed in a long cylindrical shape.

The main body 210 may be connected to the extension tube 250. The main body 210 may be connected to the cleaning module 260 through the extension tube 250. The main body 210 may generate suction force by the suction motor 214 and provide the suction force to the cleaning module 260 through the extension tube 250. External dust may be introduced into the main body 210 through the cleaning module 260 and the extension tube 250.

The first vacuum cleaner 200 may include a cleaning module 260. The cleaning module 260 may communicate with the extension tube 250. Therefore, external air may be introduced into the main body 210 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 through the cleaning module 260 and the extension tube 250 by the suction force in the main body 210 of the first vacuum cleaner 200.

The dust in the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first dust collector 200 can be stored in the dust collecting part 170 of the dust collector docking station 100 through gravity and the suction force of the dust collecting motor 191. Therefore, the dust in the dust collecting cylinder 220 can be removed without the need for the user to operate separately, thereby providing convenience for the user. In addition, the inconvenience caused by the user's frequent need to empty the dust collecting cylinder 220 can also be eliminated. In addition, the dust can also be prevented from scattering when the dust collecting cylinder 220 is emptied.

The first vacuum cleaner 200 may be coupled to the side surface of the housing 110. Specifically, the main body 210 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be mounted on the coupling component 120. More specifically, the dust collecting cylinder 220 and the battery case 230 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be coupled to the coupling surface 121, the outer circumferential surface of the dust collecting cylinder main body 221 may be coupled to the dust collecting cylinder guide surface 122, and the suction component 212 may be coupled to the suction component guide surface 126 of the coupling component 120. In this case, the central axis of the dust collecting cylinder 220 may be set in a direction parallel to the ground, and the extension pipe 250 may be set in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

At the same time, Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of the dust collecting cylinder of the second vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is an exploded three-dimensional view of the discharge cover of the second vacuum cleaner in Figure 5.

5 and 6 , the second vacuum cleaner 300 will be described below.

The vacuum cleaner system 10 may include a second vacuum cleaner 300. The second vacuum cleaner 300 may refer to a sweeping robot. The second vacuum cleaner 300 may automatically clean the area to be cleaned by sucking away foreign objects such as dust from the floor while autonomously moving in the area to be cleaned. The second vacuum cleaner 300, i.e., the sweeping robot, may include: a distance sensor configured to detect the distance between the second vacuum cleaner 300 and obstacles such as furniture, office supplies, or walls installed in the area to be cleaned; and left and right wheels for moving the sweeping robot. The second vacuum cleaner 300 may be coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. The dust in the second dust collector 300 may be stored in the dust collecting part 170 through the second dust collector flow path 182 .

The second dust collector 300 may include a dust collecting barrel 310. The dust collecting barrel 310 may store foreign matter such as dust. For example, the dust collecting barrel 310 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. At this time, the bottom surface (lower surface) may be selectively opened or closed. For example, the dust collecting barrel cover 340 may be hingedly coupled to the lower surface of the dust collecting barrel 310, and when the dust collecting barrel cover 340 is opened, the inner space of the dust collecting barrel 310 may be opened. By means of this configuration, the user may directly open the dust collecting barrel cover 340 to empty the dust stored in the dust collecting barrel 310.

Although not shown, a dust separation component may be disposed in the dust collection barrel 310. For example, the dust separation component may have two or more cyclone components capable of separating dust using a cyclonic airflow. Therefore, the air and dust introduced into the interior of the dust collection barrel may be separated from each other while flowing spirally along the inner circumferential surface of the dust separation component.

Meanwhile, the second vacuum cleaner 300 may be coupled to the lower coupling part 160 of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. Dust sucked into the inside of the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second vacuum cleaner 300 may be collected in the dust collecting part 170 through the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182.

The second dust collector 300 may include a dust discharge hole 320. At this time, the dust discharge hole 320 may be provided on the side surface (circumferential surface) of the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second dust collector 300, and through this, the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second dust collector 300 may be communicated with the second dust collector flow path 182. For example, the dust discharge hole 320 may be a quadrilateral hole.

The second vacuum cleaner 300 may include a second vacuum cleaner discharge cover 330. At this time, the second vacuum cleaner discharge cover 330 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the dust discharge hole 320 to close the dust discharge hole 320. To this end, the second vacuum cleaner discharge cover 330 may be disposed in the dust discharge hole 320.

In addition, the second dust collector discharge cover 330 may be hingedly coupled to the dust collecting cylinder 310 so that the second dust collector discharge cover 330 may open or close the dust discharge hole 320 according to rotation around the hinge pin 331. In this case, a torsion spring 332 is provided in the hinge pin 331 so that a restoring force may be applied to the second dust collector discharge cover 330 when the second dust collector discharge cover 330 is opened.

With this configuration, when the dust collecting motor 191 generates suction force, the dust discharge hole 320 may be opened as the second dust collector discharge cover 330 rotates toward the outside of the dust collecting cylinder 310 .

In addition, when the dust collecting motor 191 stops operating, the second dust collector discharge cover 330 rotates toward the dust collecting cylinder 310 by the reset force to block the dust discharge hole 320 again. As described above, according to the operation of the dust collecting motor 191, the second dust collector discharge cover 330 can connect the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second dust collector 300 and the second dust collector flow path 182 to each other or block the connection therebetween according to the rotation of the second dust collector discharge cover 330.

Meanwhile, a seal 333 may be disposed in the dust collecting cylinder 310. The seal 333 may be disposed along the circumference of the dust discharge hole 320. The seal 333 may contact the discharge cap 330. By doing so, in a state where the discharge cap 330 closes the dust discharge hole 320, the seal 333 may prevent dust leakage by providing an airtight seal between the dust collecting cylinder 310 and the discharge cap 330.

In addition, in a state where the second vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled to the lower coupling part 160, the seal 333 may contact the side wall of the lower coupling part 160. Therefore, the outer circumferential surface of the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second vacuum cleaner 300 and the lower coupling part 160 may be hermetically sealed by the seal 333. With this configuration, dust introduced into the dust suction hole 162 after passing through the dust discharge hole 320 may be prevented from scattering to the outside.

The second vacuum cleaner 300 may include a counterpart terminal (not shown) for charging the battery 240 when the second vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled to the lower coupling part 160. The counterpart terminal may be provided at a position where the counterpart terminal is connected to a charging terminal (not shown) of the lower coupling part 160 when the second vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled to the lower coupling part 160. For example, the counterpart terminals may be provided in pairs on the upper surface of the second vacuum cleaner 300. When the counterpart terminal is electrically connected to the charging terminal (not shown), the second vacuum cleaner 300 may be charged when power is supplied to the second vacuum cleaner 300.

1 to 7 , a vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the present invention will be described below.

The first vacuum cleaner 200 and the second vacuum cleaner 300 may be disposed on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. The first vacuum cleaner 200 may be coupled to the side surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. Specifically, the main body of the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be coupled to the side surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. The second vacuum cleaner 300 may be coupled to the lower portion of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may remove dust from the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200. The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may remove dust from the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second vacuum cleaner 300.

The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may include a housing 110. The housing 110 may define the appearance of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. Specifically, the housing 110 may be formed in a columnar form including one or more outer wall surfaces. For example, the housing 110 may be formed in a shape similar to a quadrangular prism.

The housing 110 may have a space capable of accommodating the following components: a dust collecting part 170 configured to store dust therein; and a dust suction module 190 configured to generate a flow force for collecting dust from the dust collecting part 170 .

The housing 110 may include: a bottom surface 111 ; an outer wall surface 112 ; and an upper surface 113 .

The bottom surface 111 can support the lower side of the dust suction module 190 along the gravity direction. That is, the bottom surface 111 can support the lower side of the dust collecting motor 191 of the dust suction module 190.

In this case, the bottom surface 111 can be arranged to face the ground. The bottom surface 111 can also be arranged to be parallel to the ground, or to be arranged to be inclined at a specific angle relative to the ground. Even when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled, the above configuration is conducive to stably supporting the dust collecting motor 191 and maintaining the balance of the overall weight.

Meanwhile, the lower coupling part 160 may be coupled to the lower side of the bottom surface 111. The second vacuum cleaner 300 may be coupled to the lower coupling part 160. An inclined portion 161 coupled to the lower surface of the second vacuum cleaner 300 may be provided in the lower coupling part 160. The lower coupling part 160 will be described below.

The outer wall surface 112 may refer to a surface formed along the gravity direction or a surface connected to the bottom surface 111. For example, the outer wall surface 112 may refer to a surface connected to the bottom surface 111 to be perpendicular to the bottom surface 111. As another embodiment, the outer wall surface 112 may be arranged to be inclined at a specific angle relative to the bottom surface 111.

The outer wall surface 112 may include at least one surface. For example, the outer wall surface 112 may include: a first outer wall surface 112a; a second outer wall surface 112b; a third outer wall surface 112c; and a fourth outer wall surface 112d.

In this case, in the present embodiment, the first outer wall surface 112a may be provided on the front surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. In this case, the front surface may refer to a surface to which the first vacuum cleaner 200 or the second vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled. Therefore, the first outer wall surface 112a may define the appearance of the front surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

Meanwhile, in order to understand the present embodiment, the direction is defined as follows. In the present embodiment, the direction can be defined in a state where the first vacuum cleaner 200 is installed on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

In a state in which the first vacuum cleaner 200 is mounted on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, a direction in which the first vacuum cleaner 200 is exposed to the outside of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may be referred to as a forward direction.

From another perspective, when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the direction in which the suction motor 214 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 is set can be called the forward direction. In addition, the direction opposite to the direction in which the suction motor 214 is set on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 can be called the backward direction.

In addition, based on the inner space of the housing 110, the surface facing the front surface may be referred to as the rear surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. Therefore, the rear surface may refer to a direction in which the second outer wall surface 112b is formed.

In addition, based on the internal space of the housing 110, the left side surface when viewing the front surface may be referred to as the left surface, and the right side surface when viewing the front surface may be referred to as the right surface. Therefore, the left surface may refer to the direction in which the third outer wall surface 112c is formed, and the right surface may refer to the direction in which the fourth outer wall surface 112d is formed.

The first outer wall surface 112a may be formed in the form of a flat surface, or the first outer wall surface 112a may be formed in the form of a curved surface as a whole, or may be formed to partially include a curved surface.

The first outer wall surface 112a may have an appearance corresponding to the shape of the first vacuum cleaner 200. Specifically, the coupling member 120 may be disposed on the first outer wall surface 112a. With this configuration, the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 and supported by the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. The specific configuration of the coupling member 120 will be described below.

Meanwhile, a structure for installing various types of cleaning modules 260 used for the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be additionally provided on the first outer wall surface 112a.

In the present embodiment, the second outer wall surface 112b may be a surface facing the first outer wall surface 112a. That is, the second outer wall surface 112b may be provided on the rear surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. In this case, the rear surface may be a surface facing a surface coupled to the first vacuum cleaner 200 or the second vacuum cleaner 300. Therefore, the second outer wall surface 112b may define the appearance of the rear surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

For example, the second outer wall surface 112b can be formed in the form of a flat surface. With this configuration, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 can be in close contact with the wall in the room and can be stably supported.

For another example, a structure for installing various types of cleaning modules 260 used in the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be additionally provided on the second outer wall surface 112b.

In the present embodiment, the third outer wall surface 112c and the fourth outer wall surface 112d may refer to surfaces connecting the first outer wall surface 112a and the second outer wall surface 112b. In this case, the third outer wall surface 112c may be provided on the left side surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, and the fourth outer wall surface 112d may be provided on the right side surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. In addition, the third outer wall surface 112c may be provided on the right side surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, and the fourth outer wall surface 112d may be provided on the left side surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

The third outer wall surface 112c or the fourth outer wall surface 112d may be formed in the form of a flat surface, or the third outer wall surface 112c or the fourth outer wall surface 112d may be formed in the form of a curved surface as a whole, or may be formed to partially include a curved surface.

Meanwhile, a structure for installing various types of cleaning modules 260 used for the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be additionally provided on the third outer wall surface 112c or the fourth outer wall surface 112d.

The upper surface 113 may form the top appearance of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. That is, the upper surface 113 may refer to a surface that is disposed on the highest side of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 along the gravity direction and is exposed to the outside.

For reference, the upper side and the lower side in the present embodiment may refer to the upper side and the lower side in the gravity direction (a direction perpendicular to the ground) in a state where the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 is installed on the ground.

In this case, the upper surface 113 may be disposed to be perpendicular to the ground, or disposed to be inclined at a specific angle relative to the ground.

The operating component 218 may be disposed on the upper surface 113. For example, the operating component 218 may display the status of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the first vacuum cleaner 200, and the second vacuum cleaner 300, as well as information on the cleaning progress status, a map of the area to be cleaned, and the like.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment, the upper surface 113 may be configured to be separable from the outer wall surface 112. In this case, when the upper surface 113 is separated therefrom, the battery 240 separated from the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be accommodated, and a terminal (not shown) for charging the separated battery 240 may be provided in the inner space surrounded by the outer wall surface 112.

FIG8 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a coupling component in a vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG9 is a schematic diagram for illustrating the arrangement of a coupling component and a fixing unit in a vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The coupling component 120 of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 9 .

The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may include a coupling component 120 to which the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled. Specifically, the coupling component 120 may be disposed on the first outer wall surface 112 a, and a main body 210 , a dust collecting cylinder 220 , and a battery case 230 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be coupled to the coupling component 120 .

The coupling member 120 may include a coupling surface 121. The coupling surface 121 may be provided on the side surface of the housing 110. For example, the coupling surface 121 may refer to a surface formed in the form of a groove, wherein the groove is recessed from the first outer wall surface 112a toward the inside of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. That is, the coupling surface 121 may refer to a surface formed to have a stepped portion relative to the first outer wall surface 112a.

The first vacuum cleaner 200 may be coupled to the coupling surface 121. For example, the coupling surface 121 may contact the lower surface of the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 and the lower surface of the battery case 230. In this case, the lower surface may refer to a surface directed toward the ground when the user uses the first vacuum cleaner 200 or places the first vacuum cleaner 200 on the ground.

For example, the angle between the coupling surface 121 and the ground can be a right angle. Therefore, when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the coupling surface 121, the space of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 can be minimized.

For another example, the coupling surface 121 may be arranged to be inclined at a specific angle relative to the ground. Therefore, when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the coupling surface 121, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may be stably supported.

The coupling surface 121 may have a dust passage hole 121a through which air outside the housing 110 may be introduced into the housing 110. The dust passage hole 121a may be formed in the form of a hole corresponding to the shape of the dust collecting cylinder 220 so that dust in the dust collecting cylinder 220 may be introduced into the dust collecting part 170. The dust passage hole 121a may be formed to correspond to the shape of the discharge cap 222 of the dust collecting cylinder 220.

The dust channel hole 121a may be formed to communicate with the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 described below. In addition, when the first vacuum cleaner 200 and the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 are coupled to each other and the discharge cover 222 is opened, the dust channel hole 121a may be formed to communicate with the inner space of the dust collecting cylinder 220.

At the same time, the door 141 can rotate in the dust passage hole 121a. The door 141 can be a rotating body coupled to the housing 110 by hinge, and is configured to rotate in a manner of being hingedly coupled to the housing 110. Therefore, according to the rotation of the door 141, the dust passage hole 121a can be selectively opened or closed. In addition, in a state where the first vacuum cleaner 200 and the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 are coupled to each other, the discharge cover 222 can rotate in the dust passage hole 121a. In a state where the first vacuum cleaner 200 and the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 are coupled to each other, the discharge cover 222 can rotate with the door 141 as the door 141 rotates. Therefore, according to the rotation of the discharge cover 222, the dust passage hole 121a can be selectively opened or closed.

The coupling component 120 may include a dust collecting tube guide surface 122. The dust collecting tube guide surface 122 may be disposed on the first outer wall surface 112a. The dust collecting tube guide surface 122 may be connected to the first outer wall surface 112a. In addition, the dust collecting tube guide surface 122 may be connected to the coupling surface 121.

The dust collecting cylinder guide surface 122 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the outer surface of the dust collecting cylinder 220. The front outer surface of the dust collecting cylinder 220 may be coupled to the dust collecting cylinder guide surface 122. With this configuration, the dust collecting cylinder guide surface 122 may support the dust collecting cylinder 220 by being coupled to the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200.

The coupling member 120 may include a guide protrusion 123. The guide protrusion 123 may be disposed on the coupling surface 121. The guide protrusion 123 may protrude upward from the coupling surface 121. Two guide protrusions 123 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. The distance between the two guide protrusions 123 spaced apart from each other may correspond to the width of the battery case 230 of the first vacuum cleaner 200. With this configuration, the guide protrusion 123 may guide the coupling direction of the first vacuum cleaner 200. In addition, the battery case 230 and the battery 240 may be accommodated between a pair of guide protrusions 123.

The coupling member 120 may include a side wall 124. The side wall 124 may refer to a wall surface provided on two side surfaces of the coupling surface 121, and may be vertically connected to the coupling surface 121. The side wall 124 may be connected to the first outer wall surface 112a. In addition, the side wall 124 may be connected to the dust collecting barrel guide surface 122. That is, the side wall 124 may define a surface connected to the dust collecting barrel guide surface 122. Therefore, the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be stably accommodated.

The coupling component 120 may include a coupling sensor 125. The coupling sensor 125 may detect whether the first vacuum cleaner 200 is actually coupled to the coupling component 120.

The coupling sensor 125 may include a contact sensor. For example, the coupling sensor 125 may include a micro switch (see FIG. 16 ). In this case, the coupling sensor 125 may be disposed on the guide protrusion 123. Therefore, when the battery case 230 or the battery 240 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled between a pair of guide protrusions 123, the battery case 230 or the battery 240 will contact the coupling sensor 125, so that the coupling sensor 125 can detect whether the first vacuum cleaner 200 is actually coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

Meanwhile, the coupling sensor 125 may include a non-contact sensor. For example, the coupling sensor 125 may include an infrared (IR) sensor. In this case, the coupling sensor 125 may be disposed on the sidewall 124. Therefore, when the dust collecting cylinder 220 or the main body 210 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 passes through the sidewall 124 and then reaches the coupling surface 121, the coupling sensor 125 may detect the existence of the dust collecting cylinder 220 or the main body 210.

The coupling sensor 125 may face the dust collecting cylinder 220 or the battery case 230 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 .

The coupling sensor 125 may be a device for determining whether the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled and whether power is supplied to the battery 240 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 .

The coupling part 120 may include a suction part guide surface 126. The suction part guide surface 126 may be provided on the first outer wall surface 112a. The suction part guide surface 126 may be connected to the dust collecting cylinder guide surface 122. The suction part 212 may be coupled to the suction part guide surface 126. The shape of the suction part guide surface 126 may correspond to the shape of the suction part 212. Therefore, convenience may be provided when coupling the main body 210 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 to the coupling surface 121.

The coupling part 120 may include a fixing member entrance hole 127. The fixing member entrance hole 127 may be formed in the form of a long hole along the side wall 124 so that the fixing member 131 can enter and leave the fixing member entrance hole 127. For example, the fixing member entrance hole 127 may be a rectangular hole formed along the side wall 124. The fixing member 131 will be described in detail below.

With this configuration, when the user couples the first vacuum cleaner 200 to the coupling member 120 of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the main body 210 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 can be stably disposed on the coupling member 120 through the dust collecting cylinder guide surface 122, the guide protrusion 123, and the suction member guide surface 126. Therefore, convenience can be provided when coupling the dust collecting cylinder 220 and the battery case 230 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 to the coupling surface 121.

The fixing unit 130 of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 9 .

The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the present invention may include a fixing unit 130. The fixing unit 130 may be disposed on the side wall 124. In addition, the fixing unit 130 may be disposed on the rear surface of the coupling surface 121. The fixing unit 130 may fix the first vacuum cleaner 200 coupled to the coupling surface 121. Specifically, the fixing unit 130 may fix the dust collecting cylinder 220 and the battery case 230 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 coupled to the coupling surface 121.

The fixing unit 130 may include a fixing member 131 configured to fix the dust collecting cylinder 220 and the battery case 230 of the first vacuum cleaner 200, and a fixing component motor 133 configured to operate the fixing component 131. In addition, the fixing unit 130 may further include a fixing component connecting rod 135 configured to transmit power from the fixing component motor 133 to the fixing component 131.

The fixing member 131 may be disposed on the side wall 124 of the coupling part 120 and disposed on the side wall 124 so as to reciprocate to fix the dust collecting cylinder 220. Specifically, the fixing member 131 may be received in the fixing member inlet hole 127.

The fixing members 131 may be respectively disposed on both sides of the coupling component 120. For example, a pair of two fixing members 131 may be symmetrically disposed with respect to the coupling surface 121.

The fixing component motor 133 can provide power to move the fixing member 131 (refer to FIG. 16 ).

The fixing component connecting rod 135 can convert the rotational force of the fixing component motor 133 into the reciprocating motion of the fixing member 131 .

The fixed seal 136 may be disposed on the dust collecting tube guide surface 122 to seal the dust collecting tube 220 when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled. With this configuration, when the dust collecting tube 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled, the first vacuum cleaner 200 may press the fixed seal 136 by its own weight to seal the dust collecting tube 220 and the dust collecting tube guide surface 122.

The fixed seal 136 may be disposed on an imaginary extension line of the fixed member 131. With this configuration, when the fixed component motor 133 operates and the fixed member 131 pushes the dust collecting cylinder 220, the circumference of the dust collecting cylinder 220 at the same height may be sealed.

According to an embodiment, the fixed seal 136 can be disposed on the dust collecting tube guide surface 122 and formed in the form of a curve to correspond to the layout of the opening unit 150 described below.

Therefore, when the main body 210 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 is disposed on the coupling component 120, the fixing unit 130 can fix the main body 210 of the first vacuum cleaner 200. Specifically, when the coupling sensor 125 detects that the main body 210 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the coupling component 120 of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the fixing component motor 133 can move the fixing member 131 to fix the main body 210 of the first vacuum cleaner 200.

By this configuration, the suction force of the vacuum cleaner can be improved by preventing the residual dust from staying in the dust collecting cylinder 220. In addition, the odor caused by the residual dust can be removed by preventing the residual dust from staying in the dust collecting cylinder 220.

In FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 , schematic diagrams are shown for explaining the movement of the door unit in the vacuum cleaner docking station to open or close the door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The gate unit 140 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11 .

The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the present invention may include a door unit 140. The door unit 140 may be configured to open or close the dust passage hole 121a.

The door unit 140 may include: a door 141 ; a door motor 142 ; and a door arm 143 .

The door 141 may be hinge-coupled to the coupling surface 121 and may open or close the dust passage hole 121a. The door 141 may include a door body 141a.

The door body 141a may be formed in a shape capable of blocking the dust passage hole 121a. For example, the door body 141a may be formed in a shape similar to a circular plate.

In a state in which the dust passage hole 121a is blocked based on the door main body 141a, the hinge part may be disposed at the upper side of the door main body 141a, and the arm coupling part 141b may be disposed at the lower side of the door main body 141a.

The door body 141a may be formed into a shape capable of sealing the dust passage hole 121a. For example, the diameter of the outer surface of the door body 141a exposed outside the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 is formed to correspond to the diameter of the dust passage hole 121a, and the diameter of the inner surface of the door body 141a disposed in the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the dust passage hole 121a. In addition, a level difference may be defined between the outer surface and the inner surface. At the same time, one or more reinforcing ribs may protrude from the inner surface to connect the hinge part and the arm coupling part 141b and reinforce the supporting force of the door body 141a.

The hinge part may be a device by which the door 141 is hingedly coupled to the coupling surface 121. The hinge part may be provided at an upper end of the door body 141a and coupled to the coupling surface 121.

The arm coupling part 141b may be a device to which the door arm 143 is rotatably coupled. The arm coupling part 141b may be provided at a lower side of the door body 141a, and the door arm 143 may be rotatably coupled to the arm coupling part 141b.

With this configuration, when the door arm 143 pulls the door body 141a in a state where the door 141 closes the dust passage hole 121a, the door body 141a rotates around the hinge member toward the inside of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, thereby opening the dust passage hole 121a. At the same time, when the door arm 143 pushes the door body 141a in a state where the dust passage hole 121a is open, the door body 141a rotates around the hinge member toward the outside of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, thereby closing the dust passage hole 121a.

Meanwhile, in a state where the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 and the discharge cover 222 is separated from the dust collecting cylinder body 210, the door 141 may contact the discharge cover 222. In addition, the discharge cover 222 may rotate as the door 141 rotates.

The door motor 142 may provide power for rotating the door 141. Specifically, the door motor 142 may rotate the door arm 143 in a positive direction or a reverse direction. In this case, the positive direction may refer to a direction in which the door arm 143 pulls the door 141. Therefore, when the door arm 143 rotates in the positive direction, the dust passage hole 121a may be opened. In addition, the reverse direction may refer to a direction in which the door arm 143 pushes the door 141. Therefore, when the door arm 143 rotates in the reverse direction, at least a portion of the dust passage hole 121a may be closed. The positive direction may be opposite to the reverse direction.

The door arm 143 may connect the door 141 and the door motor 142 , and use the power generated by the door motor 142 to open or close the door 141 .

For example, the door arm 143 may include: a first door arm 143a; and a second door arm 143b. One end of the first door arm 143a may be coupled to the door motor 142. The first door arm 143a may be rotated by the power of the door motor 142. The other end of the first door arm 143a may be rotatably coupled to the second door arm 143b. The first door arm 143a may transmit the force transmitted from the door motor 142 to the second door arm 143b. One end of the second door arm 143b may be coupled to the first door arm 143a. The other end of the second door arm 143b may be coupled to the door 141. The second door arm 143b may open or close the dust passage hole 121a by pushing or pulling the door 141.

The door unit 140 may further include a door opening/closing detecting member 144. The door opening/closing detecting member 144 may be disposed in the housing 110 and may detect whether the door 141 is in an open state (refer to FIG. 16 ).

For example, the door opening/closing detection components 144 may be respectively disposed at both ends in the rotation region of the door arm 143. For another example, the door opening/closing detection components 144 may be respectively disposed at both ends in the movement region of the door 141.

Therefore, when the door arm 143 moves to a specific opening position DP1 or when the door 141 is opened to a specific position, the door opening/closing detecting component 144 can detect that the door 141 is opened. In addition, when the door arm 143 moves to a specific closing position DP2 or when the door 141 is moved to a specific position, the door opening/closing detecting component 144 can detect that the door 141 is closed.

The door opening/closing detecting component 144 may include a contact sensor. For example, the door opening/closing detecting component 144 may include a micro switch.

At the same time, the door opening/closing detection component 144 can also include a non-contact sensor. For example, the door opening/closing detection component 144 can include an infrared (IR) sensor.

With this configuration, the door unit 140 can selectively open or close at least a portion of the coupling surface 121, thereby allowing the outside of the first outer wall surface 112a to communicate with the flow path component 180 and/or the dust collecting component 170.

When the discharge cover 222 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 is opened, the door unit 140 may be opened. In addition, when the door unit 140 is closed, the discharge cover 222 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 may also be closed along with the closing of the door unit 140.

When the dust in the dust collecting barrel 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 is removed, the door motor 142 can rotate the door 141, thereby coupling the discharge cover 222 with the dust collecting barrel main body 221. Specifically, the door motor 142 can rotate the door 141, and the rotating door 141 can push the discharge cover 222 toward the dust collecting barrel main body 221.

7 to 12 , the opening unit 150 according to the present invention will be described below.

The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the present invention may include a cover opening unit 150. The cover opening unit 150 may be provided in the coupling member 120, and may open the discharge cover 222 of the first vacuum cleaner 200.

The opening unit 150 may include: a pushing protrusion 151; an opening motor 152; an opening gear 153; a supporting plate 154; and a gear box 155.

When the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled, the push protrusion 151 may move to push the coupling rod 222c.

The push protrusion 151 may be provided on the dust collecting barrel guide surface 122. Specifically, a protrusion moving hole may be formed in the dust collecting barrel guide surface 122, and the push protrusion 151 may pass through the protrusion moving hole and be exposed to the outside.

When coupling the first vacuum cleaner 200, the push protrusion 151 can be disposed at a position where the push protrusion 151 can push the coupling rod 222c. That is, the coupling rod 222c can be disposed on the protrusion moving hole. In addition, the coupling rod 222c can be disposed in the moving area of the push protrusion 151.

The push protrusion 151 can reciprocate linearly to push the coupling rod 222c. Specifically, the push protrusion 151 can be coupled to the gear box 155, so that the linear movement of the push protrusion 151 can be guided. The push protrusion 151 can be coupled to the uncapping gear 153 and move together with the uncapping gear 153 through the movement of the uncapping gear 153.

The opening motor 152 can provide power for moving the push protrusion 151. Specifically, the opening motor 152 can rotate the motor shaft (not shown) in a positive direction or a negative direction. In this case, the positive direction can refer to the direction in which the push protrusion 151 pushes the coupling rod 222c. In addition, the negative direction can refer to the direction in which the push protrusion 151 that has pushed the coupling rod 222c returns to the original position. The positive direction can be opposite to the negative direction.

The uncapping gear 153 may be coupled to the uncapping motor 152 and may move the push protrusion 151 using the power from the uncapping motor 152. Specifically, the uncapping gear 153 may be accommodated in the gear box 355. The opening active gear 153a of the uncapping gear 153 is coupled to the motor shaft of the uncapping motor 152 so that the opening active gear 153a may receive the rotational power from the uncapping motor 152. The opening driven gear 153b may engage with the push protrusion 151, thereby moving the push protrusion 151. For example, the opening driven gear 153b may be formed in the form of a gear so as to engage with the opening driving gear 153a and receive power from the opening driving gear 153a.

In this case, the discharge cover 222 may have a torsion spring 222d. The discharge cover 222 may be rotated at a certain angle or a greater angle and supported at the rotational position by the elastic force of the torsion spring 222d. Therefore, the discharge cover 222 may be opened so that the dust channel hole 121a and the interior of the dust collecting cylinder 220 are connected to each other.

The gear box 155 can be disposed in the housing 110 and disposed at the lower side of the coupling component 120 along the gravity direction, and can accommodate the cover opening gear 153.

The cover-opening detection component 155f may be disposed in the gear box 155. The cover-opening detection component 155f may include a contact sensor. For example, the cover-opening detection component 155f may include a micro switch. Meanwhile, the cover-opening detection component 155f may also include a non-contact sensor. For example, the cover-opening detection component 155f may include an infrared (IR) sensor.

At least one cover-opening detection component 155f can be provided on the inner surface or the outer surface of the gear box 155. For example, an cover-opening detection component 155f can be provided on the inner surface of the gear box 155. In this case, the cover-opening detection component 155f can detect that the push projection 151 has returned to the original position.

For another example, two lid opening detection components 155f can be provided on the outer surface of the gear box 155. In this case, the lid opening detection component 155f can detect the original position and the lid opening position of the push protrusion 151.

Therefore, according to the present invention, since the dust collecting cylinder 220 can be opened by the cover opening unit 150 without the user having to perform additional operations to open the discharge cover 222 of the first vacuum cleaner 200, convenience can be improved.

In addition, since the discharge cover 222 is opened in a state where the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, dust can be prevented from being scattered.

7 , the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the present invention may include a lower coupling member 160. The first vacuum cleaner 200 and the second vacuum cleaner 300 may be coupled to the lower coupling member 160. Specifically, the second vacuum cleaner 300 may be coupled to the lower coupling member 160. In a state where the second vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled to the lower coupling member 160, dust stored in the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second vacuum cleaner 300 may be collected by the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

The lower coupling member 160 may include an inclined portion 161 that allows the second vacuum cleaner 300 to climb to couple with the lower coupling member 160. The inclined portion 161 may be composed of a plurality of inclined surfaces, each of which has a different slope, and each of their slopes may be determined according to the appearance of the bottom of the second vacuum cleaner 300.

The lower coupling part 160 may include a dust suction hole 162, which is disposed in a position corresponding to the position of the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second dust collector 300 when the second dust collector 300 is coupled. More specifically, the dust suction hole 162 may be formed in the side wall of the lower coupling part 160. In this case, the side wall may be formed in a direction perpendicular to the ground and may be disposed to face the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second dust collector 300. Therefore, when the second dust collector 300 is coupled, the dust suction hole 162 may be disposed in a position facing the dust discharge hole 320. For example, the dust suction hole 162 may be disposed farther from the ground than the inclined portion 161.

The dust suction hole 162 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the dust discharge hole 320. For example, the dust suction hole 162 may have a quadrilateral shape. In this case, if the second dust collector discharge cover 330 is opened, the dust suction hole 162 may accommodate at least a portion of the second dust collector discharge cover 330. With this configuration, even when the dust collecting motor 191 is running and the second dust collector discharge cover 330 is opened, the dust discharge hole 320 and the dust suction hole 162 are arranged to be close to each other and communicate with each other.

In addition, the lower coupling member 160 may include a charging terminal (not shown), which is electrically connected to the second vacuum cleaner 300 and supplies power so that the second vacuum cleaner 300 can be charged. When the second vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled, the matching terminal of the second vacuum cleaner 300 and the charging terminal (not shown) of the lower coupling member 160 can be electrically connected to each other, and power is supplied from the lower coupling member 160 to the second vacuum cleaner 300, so that the second vacuum cleaner 300 can be charged.

Meanwhile, a second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 may be formed in the lower coupling member 160. The second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 may be formed to communicate with the vacuum hole 162.

Meanwhile, the dust collecting component 170 will be described below with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 16 .

The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may include a dust collecting component 170. The dust collecting component 170 may be disposed in the housing 110. The dust collecting component 170 may be disposed at the lower side of the coupling component 120 along the gravity direction.

For example, the dust collecting part 170 may refer to a dust collecting bag that collects dust sucked from the inside of the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first dust collector 200 .

Therefore, the dust collecting part 170 may be detachably coupled to the housing 110 .

Therefore, the dust collecting part 170 can be separated from the housing 110 for disposal, and a new dust collecting part 170 can be coupled to the housing 110. That is, the dust collecting part 170 can be defined as a consumable part.

The dust bag can be arranged such that when the dust motor 191 generates suction force, the volume of the dust bag expands to accommodate dust into the interior of the dust bag.

To this end, the dust bag may be formed of a material that allows air to penetrate but does not allow foreign matter such as dust to penetrate. For example, the dust bag may be formed of a non-woven fabric and may have a hexahedral shape based on a state of volume expansion.

Therefore, since the user does not need to tie a dust bag for collecting dust, the convenience of the user can be improved.

In addition, the dust bag can be formed of an opaque material. For example, the dust bag can include a vinyl film roll (not shown). In this case, the dust bag can be bonded by using a bonding machine (not shown). With this configuration, when the dust bag is sealed or bonded, dust or odor collected from the dust bag can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the dust bag. In this case, the dust bag can be installed on the housing 110 through a dust bag filter core (not shown). The dust bag can be replaced through the dust bag filter core as needed.

At the same time, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the present invention may further include a sterilization module 175.

At least one or more sterilization modules 175 may be disposed around the flow path component 180 or the dust collecting component 170 .

The sterilization module 175 is a component configured to sterilize the dust collected in the dust collecting part 170. The sterilization module 175 may include: a light source configured to emit sterilization light; and a protection plate disposed under the light source and configured to protect the light source.

In this case, the light source may include at least one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that can emit sterilizing light having a sterilizing ability capable of killing bacteria. The sterilizing light emitted by the light source may have a wavelength that varies depending on the type of the light emitting diode.

For example, the light source may be a light emitting diode that emits infrared light having a wavelength range of UV-C. Alternatively, for another example, the light source may be a light emitting diode that emits visible light having a wavelength of 405 nm.

The protective plate can be arranged to be spaced apart from the light source at a certain interval at the bottom of the light source to prevent the light source from being damaged. In this case, the protective plate can be formed of a material that allows the light transmittance of the light source to be maximized. For example, the protective plate can be made of quartz.

The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the present invention can hygienically manage the dust collecting part 170 storing the sucked dust for a long time by having a sterilization module 175 for sterilizing the bacteria in the dust collecting part 170, thereby preventing the spread of bacteria.

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a flow path switching module in a flow path component of a vacuum cleaner stop according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a layout relationship between a first vacuum cleaner flow path and a dust collecting flow path in a flow path component of a vacuum cleaner stop according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 15 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a layout relationship between a second vacuum cleaner and a dust collecting flow path in a flow path component of a vacuum cleaner stop according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The flow path component 180 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 15 .

The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may include a flow path member 180. The flow path member 180 may connect the dust collecting cylinders 220 and 310 of the vacuum cleaners 200 and 300 to the dust collecting member 170. That is, the flow path member 180 may connect the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 or the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second vacuum cleaner 300 to the dust collecting member 170.

The flow path component 180 may include: a first vacuum cleaner flow path 181; a second vacuum cleaner flow path 182; a flow path switching module 183; and a dust collection flow path 184.

The first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 is disposed inside the housing 110 and is connected to the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 as a passage.

The first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 may connect the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 to the dust collecting part 170. The first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 may be disposed at the rear side of the coupling surface 121. The first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 may refer to a space between the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 and the dust collecting part 170.

The first vacuum flow path 181 may be formed to extend rearward from the coupling member 120, bend, and then extend downward.

Specifically, the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 includes a first flow path 181a. The first flow path 181a is communicated with the dust passage hole 121a, and may be formed at the rear side of the coupling member 120 along the front-rear direction of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

In a state where the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 and the door 141 and the discharge cover 222 are opened, the inner space of the dust collecting cylinder 220, the dust passage hole 121a, and the first flow path 181a may communicate with each other.

Since the first flow path 181a is formed along the front-rear direction of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, sufficient space can be provided for the air and foreign matter introduced into the dust collecting cylinder 220 inside the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

In addition, the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 includes a second flow path 181 b. The second flow path 181 b may be communicated with the first flow path 181 a and may be formed along the upward/downward direction of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

In this case, the length of the second flow path 181b in the upward/downward direction can be formed to be longer than the length of the first flow path 181a in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, the loss of the flow path can be minimized.

The diameter of the upper portion of the second flow path 181b may be formed to be larger than the diameter of the lower portion thereof. That is, the second flow path 181b may be formed to have a shape in which its diameter narrows from the upper portion toward the lower portion. With this configuration, air and foreign matter introduced from the inside of the dust collecting cylinder 220 may be collected and sucked into the dust collecting component 170, and the flow rate may increase toward the lower portion of the second flow path 181b, thereby increasing the suction force.

Meanwhile, in the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the second flow path 181b may be formed perpendicular to the ground, or may be formed at a specific angle relative to the ground.

Specifically, an imaginary line passing through the inside of the second flow path 181b may be formed in the present embodiment. That is, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 of the present invention may include an imaginary first vacuum cleaner flow path passing line P1 passing through the second flow path 181b in the longitudinal direction.

The first vacuum cleaner flow path penetration line P1 may be formed along the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the second flow path 181b and formed to penetrate the interior of the second flow path 181b.

At the same time, the lower portion of the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 can be connected to the flow path switching module 183. Specifically, the lower portion of the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 can be connected to the connecting hose 1832 provided in the flow path switching module 183. That is, the lower portion of the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 can be connected to the flow path formed inside the connecting hose 1832 (hereinafter referred to as "connecting flow path").

With this configuration, dust in the first dust collector 200 can pass through the first dust collector flow path 181 through the connecting flow path and the dust collecting flow path 184 and move to the dust collecting part 170 .

The second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 is disposed in the housing 110 and connected to the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second vacuum cleaner 300 .

The second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 may connect the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second vacuum cleaner 300 to the dust collecting component 170 .

The second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 may be formed at a rear position of the lower coupling member 160, and may be bent and extend upward.

Specifically, the second vacuum flow path 182 includes a third flow path 182a. The third flow path 182a can be connected to the vacuum hole 162 and can be formed at a rear position of the vacuum hole 162 along the front-rear direction. For example, the third flow path 182a can be formed at a rear position from the vacuum hole 162 along a direction parallel to the ground.

The inner space of the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second dust collector 300, the dust suction hole 162 and the third flow path 182a can be connected to each other. That is, when the dust collecting motor 191 is running, the second dust collector discharge cover 330 can be opened by the suction force of the dust collecting motor 191. In this case, the inner space of the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second dust collector 300, the dust suction hole 162 and the third flow path 182a are connected to each other, and the dust stored in the dust collecting cylinder 310 can pass through the dust suction hole 162 and the third flow path 182a.

In addition, the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 includes a fourth flow path 182b. The fourth flow path 182b is connected to the third flow path 182a and can be formed along the upward/downward direction of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. That is, the fourth flow path 182b can be bent upward from the third flow path 182a in a direction perpendicular to the ground. When the dust collecting motor 191 operates, the dust stored in the dust collecting cylinder 310 can flow upward while overcoming gravity through the suction force of the dust collecting motor 191.

In addition, the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 includes a fifth flow path 182c. The fifth flow path 182c may be connected to the fourth flow path 182b and may be formed at a specific angle relative to the ground.

The fifth flow path 182c may be disposed between the first flow path 181a and the dust collection flow path 184.

Since the fifth flow path 182c is arranged farther from the ground than the dust collecting flow path 184, it is possible to prevent foreign matter (dust) entering the dust collecting flow path 184 from flowing back to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182. In addition, since the fifth flow path 182c is arranged closer to the ground than the first flow path 181a, it is beneficial to minimize the distance that foreign matter in the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second vacuum cleaner 300 rises and flows while overcoming gravity.

The fifth flow path 182c may refer to a path bent at a specific angle from the fourth flow path 182b.

One axial end of the fifth flow path 182c is connected to the fourth flow path 182b. In addition, the other axial end of the fifth flow path 182c can be connected to the connecting hose 1832 provided in the flow path switching module 183.

In this case, at least a portion of one end of the fifth flow path 182c can be disposed at a higher position than the other end thereof. With this configuration, air and foreign matter that have passed through the fourth flow path 182b can be moved to the dust collection flow path 184 by gravity.

At the same time, an imaginary line passing through the inside of the fifth flow path 182c may be formed in the present embodiment. That is, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 of the present invention may include an imaginary second vacuum cleaner flow path penetration line P2 passing through the fifth flow path 182c in the longitudinal direction.

The second vacuum cleaner flow path penetration line P2 may be formed along the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the fifth flow path 182c and formed to penetrate the interior of the fifth flow path 182c.

At the same time, the diameter of the fourth flow path 182b can be formed to be larger than the diameter of the fifth flow path 182c. In this case, the flow rate of air and foreign matter flowing through the fourth flow path 182b can be faster than the flow rate of air and foreign matter flowing through the fifth flow path 182c. Therefore, the dust stored in the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second vacuum cleaner 300 can rise and flow along the fourth flow path 182b while overcoming gravity, and then can flow downward along the fifth flow path 182c.

With this configuration, the second dust collector flow path 182 can collect dust stored in the second dust collector 300 disposed closer to the ground than the dust collecting part 170.

The fifth flow path 182c can be connected to the fourth flow path 182b.

At the same time, the lower portion of the fifth flow path 182c can be connected to the flow path switching module 183. Specifically, the lower portion of the fifth flow path 182c can be connected to the connecting hose 1832 provided in the flow path switching module 183. That is, the lower portion of the fifth flow path 182c can be connected to the flow path formed inside the connecting hose 1832 (hereinafter referred to as "connecting flow path").

With this configuration, the dust in the second dust collector 300 can pass through the second dust collector flow path 182 through the connecting flow path and the dust collecting flow path 184 and move to the dust collecting part 170 .

The flow path switching module 183 is configured to selectively connect the dust collection flow path 184 to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 or the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182.

The flow path switching module 183 selectively connects the dust collecting component 170 disposed in the housing 110 to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 or the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 .

The flow path switching module 183 may be disposed between the dust collecting part 170, the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181, and the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182. The flow path switching module 183 may selectively open or close the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 or the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the weakening of the suction force caused by opening a plurality of vacuum cleaner flow paths 181 and 182 at the same time.

For example, when only the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 , the flow path switching module 183 may connect the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 to the dust collecting component 170 and disconnect the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 from the dust collecting component 170 .

In addition, when only the second vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 , the flow path switching module 183 may connect the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 to the dust collecting component 170 and disconnect the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 from the dust collecting component 170 .

To help understand the direction, the direction of the flow path switching module 183 will be defined below. Based on the housing 1831, the direction in which the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 is located can be defined as a backward direction. Based on the housing 1831, the direction in which the drive cam 1836 is located can be defined as a forward direction. Based on the housing 1831, the direction in which the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 is located can be defined as an upward direction. Based on the housing 1831, the direction in which the dust collecting part 170 is located can be defined as a downward direction.

The flow path switching module 183 is disposed inside the housing 110 .

The flow path switching module 183 includes: a housing 1831; a connecting hose 1832; a first connecting rod 1833; a second connecting rod 1834; a switching motor 1835; and a driving cam 1836.

The flow path switching module 183 includes a housing 1831. The housing 1831 is configured to form an appearance and form a frame to which other components are coupled or supported.

The housing 1831 is formed in a container shape having a space therein, and includes: a first vacuum cleaner flow path connection portion 1831b connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181; and a second vacuum cleaner flow path connection portion 1831c connected to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182. In addition, the housing 1831 includes: a dust collection flow path connection portion 1831d connected to the dust collection flow path 184.

The outer shell 1831 may be formed in an arc shape on the inner circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831 constitutes a part of an imaginary circle around the central axis. Referring to FIG. 13 , the central axis 1831 a of the outer shell 1831 is arranged along the left-right direction of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 .

The first vacuum cleaner flow path connection portion 1831b may protrude radially outward from the housing 1831. The first vacuum cleaner flow path connection portion 1831b may protrude upward. A flange is formed at one end of the first vacuum cleaner flow path connection portion 1831b and is inserted into a groove formed in the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 to be connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181.

The second vacuum cleaner flow path connection portion 1831c may protrude radially outward from the housing 1831. The second vacuum cleaner flow path connection portion 1831c may protrude rearward from the housing 1831. A flange is formed at one end of the second vacuum cleaner flow path connection portion 1831c and is inserted into a groove formed in the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 to be connected to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182.

The dust collection flow path connection part 1831d may protrude radially outward from the housing 1831. The dust collection flow path connection part 1831d may protrude downward. A flange is formed at one end of the dust collection flow path connection part 1831d and is inserted into a groove formed in the dust collection flow path 184 to be connected to the dust collection flow path 184.

The housing 1831 may be detachably coupled to the housing 110. The housing 1831 is inserted into the housing 110 and is fixed when the flanges formed in the first vacuum cleaner flow path connection portion 1831b, the second vacuum cleaner flow path connection portion 1831c, and the dust collection flow path connection portion 1831d are inserted into the grooves of the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181, the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, and the dust collection flow path 184. Then, the housing 1831 may be screwed into the housing 110 by at least one or more screws.

The flow path switching module 183 may include a connecting hose 1832. The connecting hose 1832 is configured to selectively connect the dust collection flow path 184 to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 or the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182.

The connecting hose 1832 is selectively coupled to any one of the first vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831b and the second vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831c when the inlet 1832a moves along the inner circumferential surface of the housing 1831. The outlet 1832b of the connecting hose 1832 is coupled to the dust collection flow path connecting portion 1831d.

That is, the connecting hose 1832 can be arranged inside the flow path switching module 183, and one end of the connecting hose 1832 can be connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 or the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, and the other end of the connecting hose 1832 can be connected to the dust collection flow path 184.

The inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 may be disposed at a higher position than the outlet 1832b of the connecting hose 1832. That is, one end of the connecting hose 1832 may be disposed farther from the ground than the other end of the connecting hose 1832.

With this configuration, air and dust introduced into the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 can be accelerated by gravity and can be discharged to the outlet 1832b of the connecting hose 1832. Therefore, even if the connecting hose 1832 is bent at a certain angle, loss of the flow path can be prevented.

The connecting hose 1832 may be formed of an elastic material. For example, the connecting hose 1832 may be made of a rubber or resin material. Therefore, the connecting hose 1832 may be deformed during travel.

Alternatively, the connecting hose 1832 may have a fold in at least one portion thereof. Therefore, the connecting hose 1832 may be deformed in structure.

The inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 can be selectively coupled to one of the first vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831b and the second vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831c. The connecting hose 1832 can be coupled to the first vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831b to allow communication between the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 and the dust collecting component 170. Alternatively, the connecting hose 1832 can be coupled to the second vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831c to allow communication between the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 and the dust collecting component 170.

The inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 moves along the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831. Specifically, the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 moves along the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831 while being spaced a certain distance from the outer shell 1831. Therefore, in the process of the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 moving along the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831, it is helpful to prevent the sealing member 1832c provided at the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 from being damaged.

The outlet 1832b of the connecting hose 1832 is coupled to the dust collecting flow path connecting portion 1831d. The outlet 1832b of the connecting hose 1832 is fixedly coupled to the dust collecting flow path connecting portion 1831d, and is always connected to the dust collecting component 170.

The flow path switching module 183 includes a first connecting rod 1833. The first connecting rod 1833 is configured to transmit the power of the motor to the connecting hose 1832 to move the connecting hose 1832.

One side of the first connecting rod 1833 can be rotatably coupled to the housing 1831, and the other side thereof is coupled to the connecting hose 1832.

The first connecting rod 1833 rotates around a rotating shaft 1833a provided at one side. The first connecting rod 1833 is rotatably coupled to the outer housing 1831 through the rotating shaft 1833a of the first connecting rod 1833. The first connecting rod 1833 is rotatably coupled to the outer housing 1831.

The rotation shaft 1833a of the first link 1833 serves as a rotation center for rotating the first link 1833. The rotation shaft 1833a of the first link 1833 is rotatably coupled to the housing 1831.

The connecting portion 1833 b of the first connecting rod 1833 extends from the rotating shaft 1833 a of the first connecting rod 1833 in one direction, is connected to the connecting hose 1832 , and is disposed at one end of the first connecting rod 1833 .

The connecting portion 1833b of the first connecting rod 1833 is hingedly coupled to the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832. The first connecting rod 1833 is connected to the connecting hose 1832 through the connecting portion 1833b of the first connecting rod 1833. Therefore, when the first connecting rod 1833 rotates, the connecting hose 1832 can move.

The first connecting rod 1833 extends from the rotating shaft 1833a. The connecting portion 1833b of the first connecting rod 1833 is provided at the rear end of the first connecting rod 1833. The connecting portion 1833b of the first connecting rod 1833 may be connected to the rear side of the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832.

The first connecting rod 1833 includes a gear portion 1833c.

The gear portion 1833c of the first link 1833 may extend from the rotation axis 1833a of the first link 1833 in a direction opposite to the connection portion 1833b. The first link 1833 may extend forward from the rotation axis 1833a of the first link 1833, and the gear portion 1833c of the first link 1833 is disposed at a front end of the first link 1833.

The gear portion 1833c of the first connecting rod 1833 has a gear formed at the front end. The gear portion 1833c of the first connecting rod 1833 is connected to the gear portion 1836c of the driving cam 1836. Specifically, the gear portion 1833c of the first connecting rod 1833 is engaged with the gear portion 1836c of the driving cam 1836.

The first connecting rod 1833 includes a side wall 1833d.

The side wall 1833d of the first connecting rod 1833 is configured to prevent the separation of the flow path switching module 183 when the connecting hose 1832 is located at a specific position. Specifically, when the connecting hose 1832 is not coupled to the first vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831b but is coupled to the second vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831c, or the connecting hose 1832 is located between the first vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831b and the second vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831c, the side wall 1833d can prevent the separation of the flow path switching module 183.

The side wall 1833d of the first connecting rod 1833 extends radially outward from the gear portion 1833c of the first connecting rod 1833.

That is, the side wall 1833d of the first link 1833 is disposed in a portion of the gear portion 1833c of the first link 1833. That is, a portion of the gear portion 1833c of the first link 1833 overlaps with the side wall 1833d, and the remaining portion thereof does not overlap with the side wall 1833d. In addition, a portion of the gear portion 1836c of the driving cam 1836 engaged with the gear portion 1833c of the first link 1833 may overlap with the side wall 1833d according to the rotation of the driving cam 1836.

Therefore, in the process that the assembly including the housing 1831 and the first link 1833 moves to the side surface of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the gear portion 1836c of the driving cam 1836 and the side wall 1833d of the first link 1833 are stuck to each other, thereby limiting the separation of the assembly.

Specifically, when the gear portion 1836c of the driving cam 1836 and the side wall 1833d are arranged at positions where they overlap each other according to the rotation of the driving cam 1836, the side wall 1833d is caught by the gear portion 1836c of the driving cam 1836 and the assembly cannot be separated. On the contrary, since the gear portion 1836c of the driving cam 1836 and the side wall 1833d are arranged at positions where they do not overlap each other, the flow path switching module 183 can be easily separated.

More specifically, when the connecting hose 1832 is coupled to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181, the side wall 1833d of the first connecting rod 1833 and the driving cam 1836 are arranged so as not to overlap each other in the front-to-back direction. In addition, when the connecting hose 1832 is coupled to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, the side wall 1833d of the first connecting rod 1833 and the driving cam 1836 are arranged so as to overlap each other in the front-to-back direction. In addition, when the connecting hose 1832 is disposed between the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 and the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, the side wall 1833d of the first connecting rod 1833 and the driving cam 1836 are disposed to overlap each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, since the flow path switching module 183 can be separated only when the connecting hose 1832 is coupled to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181, it is beneficial to prevent the dust falling through the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 from scattering during coupling or separation.

The flow path switching module 183 includes a second connecting rod 1834. The second connecting rod 1834 is configured to move the connecting hose 1832 together with the first connecting rod 1833.

One side of the second connecting rod 1834 is rotatably coupled to the housing 1831 , and the other side thereof is coupled to the connecting hose 1832 .

The second connecting rod 1834 rotates around a rotating shaft 1834a disposed at one side. One side of the second connecting rod 1834 is rotatably coupled to the outer shell 1831. The second connecting rod 1834 rotates around a rotating shaft 1834a disposed at one side. The rotating shaft 1834a of the second connecting rod 1834 may be disposed at one end of the second connecting rod 1834. The second connecting rod 1834 is rotatably coupled to the outer shell 1831.

The rotation shaft 1834a of the second link 1834 serves as a rotation center for rotating the second link 1834. The rotation shaft 1834a of the second link 1834 extends from the second link 1834 toward the housing 1831. The rotation shaft 1834a of the second link 1834 is rotatably coupled to the housing 1831.

The second link 1834 extends in one direction from a rotation axis 1834a of the second link 1834, and a connecting portion 1834b connected to the connecting hose 1832 is provided at one end thereof.

The connecting portion 1834b of the second connecting rod 1834 is hingedly coupled to the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832. The second connecting rod 1834 is connected to the connecting hose 1832 through the connecting portion 1834b of the second connecting rod 1834. Therefore, when the second connecting rod 1834 rotates, the connecting hose 1832 can move.

One side of the second connecting rod 1834 is coupled to the housing 1831, and the other side of the second connecting rod 1834 is coupled to the connecting hose 1832. Specifically, one end of the second connecting rod 1834 is a rotating shaft 1834a, and is coupled to the housing 1831. The other end of the second connecting rod 1834 is a connecting portion 1834b, and is hingedly coupled to the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832.

The rotation shaft 1834a of the second connecting rod 1834 is provided at the lower portion of the second connecting rod 1834 and is rotatably coupled to the housing 1831. The second connecting rod 1834 extends upward from the rotation shaft 1834a of the second connecting rod 1834. The upper portion of the second connecting rod 1834 is provided with a connecting portion 1834b of the second connecting rod 1834. The connecting portion 1834b of the second connecting rod 1834 can be connected to the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832.

Therefore, during the movement of the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832, the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 can move in a manner spaced a certain distance from the outer shell 1831.

At least one of the rotation axis 1833 a of the first connecting rod 1833 or the rotation axis 1834 a of the second connecting rod 1834 is disposed to be spaced apart from the central axis 1831 a of the housing 1831 .

The rotation axis 1833a of the first link 1833 may be disposed in front of the central axis 1831a of the housing 1831. The rotation axis 1834a of the second link 1834 may be disposed below the central axis 1831a of the housing 1831. The rotation axis 1833a of the first link 1833 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the rotation axis 1834a of the second link 1834.

By this configuration, the rotation axis 1833a of the first connecting rod 1833 and the rotation axis 1834a of the second connecting rod 1834 serve as two focal points, and the connecting hose 1832 can move while drawing an elliptical trajectory. That is, the moving trajectory of the connecting portion 1833b of the first connecting rod 1833 and the moving trajectory of the connecting portion 1834b of the second connecting rod 1834 are misaligned, and the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 moves in an elliptical trajectory.

Therefore, the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 may be spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the housing 1831 by a certain distance or more.

When the connecting hose 1832 is coupled to one of the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 or the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, the connecting hose 1832 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831, and when the connecting hose 1832 moves from one of the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 or the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 to the other, the connecting hose 1832 is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831.

Therefore, the seal 1832c of the connecting hose 1832 is not damaged due to friction or the like when it moves between the first vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831b and the second vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831c.

When it comes to the flow path switching module 183, the radius of curvature of the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831 can be formed to be smaller than the radius of curvature formed by the trajectory formed by the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832. The trajectory in which the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 moves is formed to be elliptical, and the radius of curvature of the ellipse can be larger than the radius of curvature of the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831.

The trajectory of the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 is an ellipse with the rotation axis 1833a of the first connecting rod 1833 and the rotation axis 1834a of the second connecting rod 1834 as the focus, and of course, the curvature radius formed by the trajectory of the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 is formed to be larger than the curvature radius of the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831.

Since the curvature radius of the ellipse is formed to be larger than the curvature radius of the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831, when moving along the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831, the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 can be spaced inward from the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831.

The flow path switching module 183 includes a plurality of connecting rods, one side of each connecting rod is rotatably coupled to the housing 1831, and the other side is coupled to the connecting hose 1832. These connecting rods can be a first connecting rod 1833 and a second connecting rod 1834.

The radius of curvature of the track at one end of at least one of the plurality of connecting rods connected to the housing 1831 may be greater than the radius of curvature of the inner circumferential surface of the housing 1831. The radius of curvature R2 of the second track may be greater than the radius of curvature of the inner circumferential surface of the housing 1831, and the radius of curvature R1 of the first track may be greater than the radius of curvature R2 of the second track and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 1831.

The length of the first link 1833 may be formed to be longer than the length of the second link 1834 .

When the flow path switching module 183 is viewed from one side, the first connecting rod 1833 may intersect with the second connecting rod 1834.

Since the length of the first connecting rod 1833 is different from the length of the second connecting rod 1834 and the first connecting rod 1833 and the second connecting rod 1834 intersect with each other, the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 can be spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the outer shell 1831 while moving between the first vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831b and the second vacuum cleaner flow path connecting portion 1831c.

The flow path switching module 183 includes: a switching motor 1835; and a driving cam 1836.

The switching motor 1835 is disposed on one side of the housing 1831 and is configured to generate power for moving the connecting hose 1832.

The switching motor 1835 can be a bidirectional motor that can rotate in two directions. That is, the switching motor 1835 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. For example, when the switching motor 1835 rotates in the clockwise direction, the connecting hose 1832 is connected to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182. Conversely, when the switching motor 1835 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the connecting hose 1832 is connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181.

The drive cam 1836 is coupled to the switching motor 1835 and is configured to transmit the power of the switching motor 1835 to the first connecting rod 1833.

The driving cam 1836 is coupled to the switching motor 1835 and includes a sensing unit 1836 b protruding toward one side, and the driving cam 1836 is configured to transmit the power of the switching motor 1835 to the connecting hose 1832.

The driving cam 1836 is coupled to the shaft of the switching motor 1835. Therefore, the driving cam 1836 rotates integrally with the shaft of the switching motor 1835.

The driving cam 1836 includes a gear portion 1836c. The gear portion 1836c of the driving cam 1836 may be formed in a shape protruding radially outward from the driving cam 1836.

The gear portion 1836c of the driving cam 1836 is connected to the gear portion 1833c of the first connecting rod 1833. That is, the gear portion 1836c of the driving cam 1836 is gear-connected with the gear portion 1833c of the first connecting rod 1833. Therefore, when the driving cam 1836 rotates in the clockwise direction, the first connecting rod 1833 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and when the driving cam 1836 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the first connecting rod 1833 rotates in the clockwise direction.

The flow path switching module 183 includes a sensing unit 1836b and a position sensor 1837, and can determine the position of the connecting hose 1832.

The sensing unit 1836b is formed in the drive cam 1836 and protrudes radially outward from the shaft of the switching motor 1835.

The position sensor 1837 is disposed on one side of the sensing unit 1836b, is turned on or off by the sensing unit 1836b, and detects the position of the connecting hose 1832.

For example, the position sensor 1837 includes a micro switch. The micro switch is disposed on one side of the sensing unit 1836b. Therefore, when the micro switch is pressed (ON) by the sensing unit 1836b, the micro switch generates a signal. Conversely, when the micro switch is not pressed (OFF) by the sensing unit 1836b, the micro switch does not generate a signal.

The signal is transmitted to the control unit 400, and the control unit 400 can determine the position of the connecting hose 1832 based on whether the signal is generated and the sending time of the signal.

The sensing unit 1836b may be composed of a plurality of surfaces. The plurality of surfaces may be outer circumferential surfaces formed on the radially outer side of the rotating shaft 1836a around the driving cam 1836, and each of the plurality of surfaces may have a different radius from each other around the rotating shaft 1836a of the driving cam 1836.

Specifically, in the sensing unit 1836b, when a surface having a relatively large radius contacts the switch of the position sensor 1837, the surface presses the switch of the position sensor 1837 to turn on the position sensor 1837, and the position sensor 1837 sends an ON signal to the control unit 400. Conversely, in the position sensor 1837, a surface having a relatively small radius faces the switch of the position sensor 1837, the surface does not press the switch of the position sensor 1837, and turns off the position sensor 1837, and the position sensor 1837 does not send an OFF signal to the control unit 400 or does not send a signal to the control unit 400.

The flow path switching module 183 may further include an elastic member 1838. The elastic member 1838 is configured to help the inlet 1832a of the connecting hose 1832 move.

One side of the elastic member 1838 is connected to the housing 1831 , and the other side is connected to the second connecting rod 1834 .

The elastic member 1838 can be a torsion spring.

When the connecting hose 1832 is connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181, the elastic member 1838 is stretched. In addition, when the connecting hose 1832 is connected to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, the elastic member 1838 is squeezed.

In a state where the connecting hose 1832 is connected to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, the elastic member 1838 helps the connecting hose 1832 to move to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181. The first connecting rod 1833 can easily guide the connecting hose 1832 connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 by pulling the connecting hose 1832 backward. Different from the above, the first connecting rod 1833 guides the connecting hose 1832 connected to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 by pushing the connecting hose 1832 forward and upward, however, a problem may occur that a part of the connecting hose 1832 is stuck on the moving path of the connecting hose 1832. In this case, when the elastic force of the elastic member 1838 pulls the connecting portion 1834b of the second connecting rod 1834, the connecting hose 1832 can be easily separated from the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182.

The flow path switching module 183 includes: a stop sensor 1839; and a stop member 1836d, thereby preventing the connecting hose 1832 from moving beyond a specific limit position.

The stopper 1836d is disposed on one side of the driving cam 1836. The stopper 1836d protrudes radially outward from the driving cam 1836.

The stop sensor 1839 can be arranged adjacent to the drive cam 1836.

The stop sensor 1839 may be an infrared sensor or a contact sensor. When the stop member 1836d is disposed adjacent to the stop sensor 1839, the stop sensor 1839 may detect the position of the stop member 1836d and generate a signal. In addition, the signal generated by the stop sensor 1839 is sent to the control unit 400.

When the control unit 400 receives a signal from the stop sensor 1839, the control unit 400 determines that the connecting hose 1832 is fully coupled to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 and can stop the operation of the switching motor 1835.

The flow path switching module 183 according to the present embodiment may be detachably coupled to the housing 110. A chamber in which the flow path switching module 183 is disposed is formed in the housing 110, and the flow path switching module 183 is disposed in the chamber and connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181, the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, and the dust collection flow path 184.

Since dust flows in the flow path switching module 183 together with air, the flow path switching module 183 may be contaminated by dust or may malfunction due to clogged dust. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to separate and easily clean the flow path switching module 183. According to the present invention, since the flow path switching module 183 can be easily coupled to the housing 110 or separated from the housing 110, it has the advantage of easy separation and cleaning.

The connecting hose 1832 and the first connecting rod 1833 are coupled to the housing 1831 to form an assembly, and the assembly can be integrally coupled to the housing 110 or separated from the housing 110. The housing 1831, the connecting hose 1832, the first connecting rod 1833, and the second connecting rod 1834 can form an assembly. The assembly can be assembled before being coupled to the housing 110 and can be handled as a component that can be coupled to the housing 110 or separated from the housing 110.

When each flange is slidably inserted into the flange groove, the assembly can be coupled to the housing 110. After the assembly is coupled to the housing 110, the assembly can be more firmly fixed by screws or the like.

The flow path switching module 183 may be detachably coupled to the housing 110, and when the flow path switching module 183 is connected to one of the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 and the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, the flow path switching module 183 may be detached from the housing 110. For example, when the connecting hose 1832 is connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181, the flow path switching module 183 may be detached, but when the connecting hose 1832 is connected to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, the detachment may be limited because the side wall 1833d is caught by the gear portion 1836c of the driving cam 1836.

One side of the dust collecting flow path 184 is selectively connected to the first dust collecting flow path 181 or the second dust collecting flow path 182, and the other side thereof is connected to the dust collecting part 170. For example, the upper end of the dust collecting flow path 184 is selectively connected to one of the first dust collecting flow path 181 or the second dust collecting flow path 182, and the lower end thereof is connected to the dust collecting part 170.

At the same time, an imaginary line penetrating the dust collection flow path 184 can be formed in this embodiment. That is, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 of the present invention can include an imaginary dust collection flow path penetrating line P3 penetrating the dust collection flow path 184 in the longitudinal direction.

The dust flow path penetration line P3 is formed along the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the dust flow path 184 and is formed to penetrate the inside of the dust flow path 184. The dust flow path penetration line P3 may be set parallel to the vertical line V.

The inlet of the dust collection flow path 184 is coupled to the outer shell 1831 and communicates with the connecting hose 1832 coupled to the outer shell 1831.

As shown in the above-mentioned Fig. 14, when the connecting hose 1832 is connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181, the dust collection flow path 184 is connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181, so that air can flow therein. Differently, as shown in Fig. 15, when the connecting hose 1832 is connected to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, the dust collection flow path 184 is connected to the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182, so that air can flow therein.

Meanwhile, the vacuum module 190 will be described below with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 16 .

The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may include a vacuum cleaner module 190. The vacuum cleaner module 190 may include: a dust collecting motor 191; a first filter (not shown); and a second filter (not shown).

The dust collecting motor 191 may be disposed below the dust collecting member 170. The dust collecting motor 191 may generate a suction force in the flow path member 180. Therefore, the dust collecting motor 191 may provide a suction force capable of sucking dust in the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200.

The dust collecting motor 191 can generate suction force by rotating. For example, the dust collecting motor 191 can be formed into a shape similar to a cylinder.

At the same time, an imaginary dust collecting motor axis C extending the rotation axis of the dust collecting motor 191 may be formed in this embodiment.

A first filter (not shown) may be disposed between the dust collecting component 170 and the dust collecting motor 191. The first filter may be a pre-filter.

The second filter (not shown) may be disposed between the dust collecting motor 191 and the outer wall surface 112. The second filter (not shown) may be a HEPA filter.

Meanwhile, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may further include a charging component 128. The charging component 128 may be disposed on the coupling component 120. The charging component 128 may be electrically connected to the first vacuum cleaner 200 coupled to the coupling component 120. The charging component 128 may supply power to a battery of the first vacuum cleaner 200 coupled to the coupling component 120.

In addition, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may include a side door (not shown). The side door may be disposed in the housing 110. The side door may selectively expose the dust collecting component 170 to the outside. Therefore, the user may easily remove the dust collecting component 170 from the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

Meanwhile, FIG. 16 is a block diagram for illustrating a control configuration of a vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The control configuration according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 16 .

The vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a control unit 400 configured to control the coupling component 120, the fixing unit 130, the door unit 140, the opening unit 150, the lower coupling component 160, the dust collecting component 170, the flow path component 180, and the vacuum module 190.

The control unit 400 may include a printed circuit board and components mounted on the printed circuit board.

When the coupling sensor 125 detects the coupling of the first vacuum cleaner 200, the coupling sensor 125 may send a signal indicating that the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the coupling member 120. In this case, the control unit 400 may receive the signal from the coupling sensor 125 and determine that the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the coupling member 120.

In addition, when the charging part 128 supplies power to the battery 240 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 , the control unit 400 may determine that the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the coupling part 120 .

When the control unit 400 determines that the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the coupling member 120 , the control unit 400 may operate the fixing member motor 133 to fix the first vacuum cleaner 200 .

When the fixing member 131 or the fixing member connecting rod 135 moves to the specific fixing point FP1, the fixing detection member 137 may send a signal indicating that the first vacuum cleaner 200 is fixed. The control unit 400 may receive the signal indicating that the first vacuum cleaner 200 is fixed from the fixing detection member 137 and determine that the first vacuum cleaner 200 is fixed. When the control unit 400 determines that the first vacuum cleaner 200 is fixed, the control unit 400 may stop the operation of the fixing member motor 133.

At the same time, when the operation of emptying the dust collecting cylinder 220 is completed, the control unit 400 can rotate the fixing component motor 133 in the reverse direction to release the first vacuum cleaner 200.

When the control unit 400 determines that the first vacuum cleaner 200 is fixed to the coupling member 120 , the control unit 400 may operate the door motor 142 to open the door 141 of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 .

When the door 141 or the door arm 143 reaches a specific opening position DP1, the door opening/closing detection component 144 may send a signal indicating that the door 141 is opened. The control unit 400 may receive a signal indicating that the door 141 is opened from the door opening/closing detection component 144 and determine that the door 141 is opened. When the control unit 400 determines that the door 141 is opened, the control unit 400 may stop the operation of the door motor 142.

At the same time, when the operation of emptying the dust collecting cylinder 220 is completed, the control unit 400 can rotate the door motor 142 in the reverse direction to close the door 141.

When the control unit 400 determines that the door 141 is opened, the control unit 400 may operate the cover opening motor 152 to open the discharge cover 222 of the first vacuum cleaner 200.

When the control unit 400 receives a signal indicating that the discharge cap 222 is opened from the cover opening detection part 155f, the control unit 400 may determine that the discharge cap 222 is opened. When the control unit 400 determines that the discharge cap 222 is opened, the control unit 400 may stop the operation of the cover opening motor 152.

When the second vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled to the lower coupling member 160 , power is supplied to the second vacuum cleaner 300 through a charging terminal (not shown), and the control unit 400 may determine that the second vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled to the lower coupling member 160 .

The control unit 400 may control the sterilization module 175. For example, the control unit 400 may operate the sterilization module 175 at specific intervals after dust is collected in the dust collecting part 170 to sterilize viruses or microorganisms inside or outside the dust collecting part 170.

The control unit 400 may control the flow path switching module 183 of the flow path member 180. The control unit 400 may control the switching motor 1835 to move the connecting hose 1832. The connecting hose 1832 may be selectively connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 or the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182. Therefore, the control unit 400 may selectively open or close the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 or the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 by moving the connecting hose 1832.

The control unit 400 may operate the dust collecting motor 191 to suck the dust in the dust collecting cylinder 220 .

The control unit 400 may operate the display unit 410 to display the emptying status and charging status of the dust collecting cylinder of the first vacuum cleaner 200 or the second vacuum cleaner 300 .

Meanwhile, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the present invention may include a display unit 410.

The display unit 410 may be disposed on the housing 110, on an independent display device, or on a terminal such as a mobile phone.

The display unit 410 may be configured to include at least one of a display panel capable of outputting letters and/or patterns and a speaker capable of outputting voice signals and sounds. The user may easily determine the current operating status, remaining time, etc. based on the information output by the display unit 410.

Meanwhile, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a memory 430. The memory 430 may contain various data for driving and operating the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

Meanwhile, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include an input unit 440. The input unit 440 generates key data input by the user to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. To this end, the input unit 440 may include a keyboard, a dome switch, a touch panel (static pressure type or capacitive type). Specifically, when the touch panel and the display unit 410 form a layered structure relative to each other, the touch panel may be referred to as a touch screen.

The arrangement relationship between the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 and the flow path member 180 when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is mounted on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 , 14 and 15 .

In the present invention, the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be mounted on the outer wall surface 112 of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. For example, the dust collecting cylinder 220 and the battery case 230 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be coupled to the coupling surface 121 of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. That is, the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be mounted on the first outer wall surface 112a.

In this case, the suction motor axis a1 can be defined as being perpendicular to the first outer wall surface 112a. That is, the suction motor axis a1 can be defined as being parallel to the ground. The suction motor axis a1 can be defined on a plane perpendicular to the ground. In addition, the suction motor axis a1 can be defined on a plane perpendicularly intersecting the first outer wall surface 112a. The suction motor axis a1 can refer to the direction in which the suction force of the suction motor 214 is applied.

The suction flow path through line a2 can be defined as being parallel to the first outer wall surface 112a. The suction flow path through line a2 can be defined in the direction of gravity. That is, the suction flow path through line a2 can be defined as being perpendicular to the ground. In addition, the suction flow path through line a2 can be defined on a plane that intersects perpendicularly with the first outer wall surface 112a. The suction flow path through line a2 can refer to the direction in which external air is introduced according to the operation of the suction motor 214 or the dust collecting motor 191.

The grip portion penetration line a3 may be defined as being inclined at a specific angle relative to the first outer wall surface 112a. In addition, the grip portion penetration line a3 may be defined as being inclined at a specific angle relative to the ground. The grip portion penetration line a3 may be defined on a plane perpendicularly intersecting the first outer wall surface 112a.

The cyclone line a4 may be defined as being perpendicular to the first outer wall surface 112a. That is, the cyclone line a4 may be defined as being parallel to the ground. The cyclone line a4 may be defined on a plane perpendicular to the ground. The cyclone line a4 may be defined on a plane perpendicular to the first outer wall surface 112a. The cyclone line a4 may refer to the axis of the cyclonic flow of air introduced into the first vacuum cleaner 200.

The dust collecting tube penetration line a5 can be defined as being perpendicular to the first outer wall surface 112a. In other words, the dust collecting tube penetration line a5 can be defined as being parallel to the ground. The dust collecting tube penetration line a5 can be defined on a plane perpendicular to the ground. In addition, the dust collecting tube penetration line a5 can be defined on a plane perpendicularly intersecting the first outer wall surface 112a. The dust collecting tube penetration line a5 can refer to the direction in which air and foreign matter are introduced into the first flow path 181a through the dust collecting tube 220 according to the operation of the dust collecting motor 191.

The dust collecting motor axis C may be defined as being perpendicular to the ground. The dust collecting motor axis C may be defined as being parallel to at least one of the first outer wall surface 112a, the second outer wall surface 112b, the third outer wall surface 112c, and the fourth outer wall surface 112d. The dust collecting motor axis C may refer to the direction in which the suction force of the dust collecting motor 191 is applied.

The first vacuum cleaner flow path penetration line P1 can be defined by the angle difference between the dust introduction angle (θ) and a vertical line V perpendicular to the ground.

In this case, the vertical line V may be an imaginary line formed in a direction perpendicular to the ground. In addition, the vertical line V may be set to be parallel to the dust collecting motor axis C. Therefore, the vertical line V may refer to the direction in which the suction force is applied to the dust collecting flow path 184. In addition, the vertical line V may refer to the direction of gravity based on the state in which the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 is placed on the ground.

In other words, the second flow path 181b of the first vacuum cleaner flow path 181 and the dust collection flow path 184 may be set to be inclined at the above-mentioned dust inflow angle.

At the same time, the second vacuum cleaner flow path through line P2 can be defined to be inclined at a specific dust suction angle (β) relative to a horizontal line H parallel to the ground.

In this case, the horizontal line H may be an imaginary line extending parallel to the ground.

At the same time, the dust flow path through line P3 can be defined as parallel to a vertical line V perpendicular to the ground.

In this case, the dust collection flow path penetration line P3 may refer to the direction of air passing through the first dust collector flow path 181 or the second dust collector flow path 182 and introduced into the dust collecting part 170.

At the same time, the following will describe the relationship among the suction motor axis a1, the suction flow path through line a2, the holding part through line a3, the cyclone line a4, the dust collecting tube through line a5, the dust collecting motor axis C, the vertical line V, the horizontal line H, the first vacuum cleaner flow path through line P1 and the second vacuum cleaner flow path through line P2 in the vacuum cleaner system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The vertical line V may intersect the suction motor axis a1 perpendicularly. Alternatively, the vertical line V may intersect the cyclone line a4 perpendicularly. Alternatively, the vertical line V may intersect the dust collecting tube penetration line a5 perpendicularly.

The horizontal line H can be set to be parallel to the suction motor axis a1. Alternatively, the horizontal line H can be set to be parallel to the cyclone line a4. Alternatively, the horizontal line H can be set to be parallel to the dust collection tube penetration line a5.

The first vacuum cleaner flow path penetration line P1 may be set to be inclined at a dust introduction angle (θ) with respect to the vertical line V. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14 , the dust introduction angle (θ) may refer to an angle at which the first vacuum cleaner flow path penetration line P1 rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction relative to the vertical line V.

If the dust introduction angle (θ) is 0 degrees, the direction in which the dust collecting motor 191 applies the suction force and the direction in which the second flow path 181 b is formed are set parallel to each other, and thus, air and foreign matter can be stored without losing the flow path.

At the same time, the greater the dust introduction angle (θ), the more the flow path loss increases. That is, when the folding angle of the portion where the second flow path 181b is connected to the dust collection flow path 184 increases more, the flow path loss may also increase more.

Therefore, the desired dust introduction angle (θ) is 0 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less. If the dust introduction angle (θ) is 10 degrees or less, the loss of the flow path is 5% or less regardless of the diameter of the flow path. Therefore, if the dust introduction angle (θ) is 10 degrees or less, the suction force for dust will not decline.

Different from the above, if the dust introduction angle (θ) exceeds 10 degrees, the loss of the flow path may increase. Specifically, if the diameter of the flow path is smaller, the loss of the flow path may increase sharply. For example, if the dust introduction angle (θ) exceeds 10 degrees, and the diameter D of the flow path is the same as the curvature radius R of the curved flow path, the loss of the flow path may be more than 14%. Therefore, if the dust introduction angle (θ) exceeds 10 degrees, the loss of the suction force due to the loss of the flow path will occur.

Therefore, since the dust introduction angle (θ) is implemented to be greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees in this embodiment, there is an advantage of preventing the suction force from declining during dust suction.

At the same time, the dust collection tube through-line a5 may intersect with the first vacuum cleaner flow path through-line P1. In this case, the dust collection tube through-line a5 and the first vacuum cleaner flow path through-line P1 may intersect with each other in the flow path part 180. In addition, the dust collection tube through-line a5 may intersect with the first vacuum cleaner flow path through-line P1 with an angle difference of a specific drop angle (α).

In this case, since the vertical line V and the dust collecting cylinder penetration line a5 can intersect each other perpendicularly, and the vertical line V and the first dust collector flow path penetration line P1 can intersect at an angle difference of the dust introduction angle (θ), the magnitude of the descending angle (α) can be 90°-dust introduction angle (α=90°-θ). For example, the descending angle (α) can be greater than 80 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

Therefore, in addition to collecting foreign objects in the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200, the suction force of the dust collecting motor 191 can also be used to collect foreign objects by gravity.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the upper diameter of the second flow path 181b is formed to be larger than the lower diameter thereof, there is an advantage that the flow velocity gradually increases as the air flows downward.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the dust collecting barrel penetration line a5 is perpendicular to the dust collecting motor axis C, in the process of collecting foreign matter in the dust collecting barrel 220, it still has the advantages of minimizing the loss of the flow path and maximizing the dust collecting capacity.

At the same time, the second vacuum cleaner flow path through line P2 can be defined as being inclined at a dust suction angle (β) relative to the horizontal line H. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15 , the dust suction angle (β) can refer to an angle at which the second vacuum cleaner flow path through line P2 rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction relative to the horizontal line H.

The dust suction angle (β) may refer to the descending angle of the air containing dust that has passed through the fourth flow path 182b. In addition, the dust suction angle (β) may refer to the reflux angle of the air existing in the dust collection flow path 184 or the connecting hose 1832 back to the fourth flow path 182b.

In this case, the dust extraction angle (β) can exceed 0 degrees.

By this configuration, even if the operation of the dust collecting motor 191 is terminated, the dust that has passed through the fourth flow path 182b can flow to the dust collecting flow path 184 by gravity, and will not stay in the fifth flow path 182c. Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the operation of the dust collecting motor 191 is terminated, it has the advantage of preventing the dust in the air from flowing back and scattering.

In addition, the dust suction angle (β) may be set to be smaller than the above-mentioned descending angle (α).

This may mean that the fifth flow path 182c is disposed between the first flow path 181a and the dust collection flow path 184. Therefore, the height of the upper end in the gravity direction may be set closer to the ground than the first flow path 181a. Therefore, there is an advantage of minimizing the distance that the air exhausted from the second vacuum cleaner 300 rises and flows along the fourth flow path 182b while overcoming gravity.

In addition, since the diameter of the fourth flow path 182b in this embodiment is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the fifth flow path 182c, the flow rate of air passing through the fourth flow path 182b is faster than the flow rate of air passing through the fifth flow path 182c, thereby providing sufficient suction force for the second vacuum cleaner 300.

When the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the suction motor axis a1 may intersect the dust collecting motor axis C at a specific angle.

In addition, in a state where the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the suction motor axis a1 may intersect a vertical line V perpendicular to the ground at a specific angle.

At the same time, when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the handle 216 can be arranged to be farther from the ground than the suction motor axis a1. With this configuration, when the user grasps the handle 216, the relatively heavy suction motor 214 is located at the lower side of the gravity direction, and the user can couple the first vacuum cleaner 200 to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 or detach the first vacuum cleaner 200 from the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 simply by moving the first vacuum cleaner 200 in a direction parallel to the ground. Therefore, convenience can be provided to the user.

The suction flow path through line a2 may intersect with the suction motor axis a1, the grip portion through line a3, the cyclone line a4 or the dust collecting tube through line a5.

For example, the suction flow path through line a2 may intersect perpendicularly with the suction motor axis a1. In addition, the suction flow path through line a2 and the grip portion through line a3 may intersect each other at a specific angle. In addition, the suction flow path through line a2 may intersect perpendicularly with the cyclone line a4. In addition, the suction flow path through line a2 may intersect perpendicularly with the dust collection tube through line a5.

When the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 , the suction flow path through line a2 may be defined as being parallel to the dust collecting motor axis C. With this configuration, the occupied space on the horizontal plane may be minimized when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 .

In this case, the coupling member 120 may be disposed between the suction flow path through line a2 and the dust collecting motor axis C. The fixing member 131 may be disposed between the suction flow path through line a2 and the dust collecting motor axis C. The opening unit 150 may be located between the suction flow path through line a2 and the dust collecting motor axis C. With this configuration, the user may couple the first vacuum cleaner 200 to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 or detach the first vacuum cleaner 200 from the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, fix the dust collecting cylinder 220, and open the dust collecting cylinder 220 simply by moving the first vacuum cleaner 200 in a direction parallel to the ground. Therefore, convenience can be provided to the user.

The grip portion penetration line a3 may intersect with the suction motor axis a1, the suction flow path penetration line a2, the cyclone line a4 or the dust collecting tube penetration line a5.

When the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the height of the intersection between the grip portion penetration line a3 and the suction flow path penetration line a2 from the ground can be equal to or less than the maximum height of the housing 110. With this configuration, the overall volume can be minimized in a state where the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

The grip portion penetration line a3 may intersect the dust collecting motor axis C at a specific angle. In this case, the intersection point P6 between the grip portion penetration line a3 and the dust collecting motor axis C may be located in the housing 110. This configuration has the advantage that, in a state where the user grasps the first vacuum cleaner 20, the user can couple the first vacuum cleaner 200 to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 simply by pushing the arm toward the side of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. In addition, since the relatively heavy dust collecting motor 191 is accommodated in the housing 110, even if the user pushes the first vacuum cleaner 200 into the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 with force, the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 can be prevented from shaking.

The cyclone line a4 can be defined as being coaxial with the suction motor axis a1 or the dust collecting tube penetration line a5. This configuration has the effect of reducing the flow path loss during the cleaning process.

Although not shown, as another example, the cyclone line a4 may be defined to be parallel to the suction motor axis a1 or the dust collection tube penetration line a5 at a certain interval. As another example, the cyclone line a4 may be defined to be perpendicular to the suction motor axis a1 or the dust collection tube penetration line a5.

When the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the cyclone line a4 may intersect with the longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. That is, the flow axis of the dust separation part 213 may intersect with the longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. In this case, the intersection between the flow axis of the dust separation part 213 and the longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may be located in the housing 110, more specifically, in the flow path part 180.

When the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the cyclone line a4 may intersect with the dust collecting motor axis C. In this case, an intersection point P5 may exist between the cyclone line a4 and the dust collecting motor axis C. The intersection point P5 between the cyclone line a4 and the dust collecting motor axis C may be located in the housing 110, more specifically, in the flow path member 180. With this configuration, in a state where the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be stably supported on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, and the loss of the flow path during the operation of emptying the dust collecting cylinder 220 may be reduced.

The cyclone line a4 may intersect the dust collecting motor axis C at a specific angle.

The dust collecting tube penetration line a5 can be defined as coaxial with the suction motor axis a1 or the cyclone line a4. This configuration has the effect of reducing the flow path loss during the cleaning process.

When the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the dust collection tube penetration line a5 may intersect with the longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. That is, the longitudinal axis of the dust collection tube 220 may intersect with the longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. In this case, the intersection between the longitudinal axis of the dust collection tube 220 and the longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 may be located in the housing 110, more specifically, in the flow path member 180.

The dust collecting tube penetration line a5 may intersect the dust collecting motor axis C at a specific angle.

At the same time, when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the handle 216 can be arranged to be farther from the ground than the dust collecting cylinder threading line a5. With this configuration, when the user grasps the handle 216, the user can couple the first vacuum cleaner 200 to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 or detach the first vacuum cleaner 200 from the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 simply by moving the first vacuum cleaner 200 in a direction parallel to the ground. Therefore, convenience can be provided to the user.

At the same time, when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the battery 240 can be arranged to be farther from the ground than the dust collection tube threading line a5. In this configuration, since the battery 240 pushes the main body 210 of the first vacuum cleaner 200 by the weight of the battery 240, the first vacuum cleaner 200 can be stably supported on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100.

At the same time, the dust collecting tube through-line a5 and the dust collecting flow path through-line P3 can intersect each other. In this case, the dust collecting tube through-line a5 and the dust collecting flow path through-line P3 can intersect each other in the flow path component 180.

In this case, the dust collecting tube penetration line a5 and the dust collecting flow path penetration line P3 may intersect each other perpendicularly.

Therefore, in addition to collecting foreign objects in the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first vacuum cleaner 200, the suction force of the dust collecting motor 191 can also be used to collect foreign objects by gravity.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the imaginary plane S1 may be defined in the direction of the long axis connecting the front side and the rear side of the first vacuum cleaner 200, and the entire weight of the first vacuum cleaner 200 may be concentrated on the plane S1.

Specifically, the imaginary plane S1 may include at least two of the suction motor axis a1, the suction flow path through line a2, the grip portion through line a3, the cyclone line a4, the dust collecting tube through line a5, and the dust collecting motor axis C. That is, the plane S1 may be an imaginary plane defined by connecting two imaginary straight lines, and may include an imaginary plane defined by expanding and extending the two imaginary straight lines.

The imaginary extension plane of the plane S1 may pass through the first vacuum cleaner 200 .

For example, the imaginary extension plane of plane S1 may pass through the suction component 212. Alternatively, the imaginary extension plane of plane S1 may pass through the dust separation component 213. Alternatively, the imaginary extension plane of plane S1 may pass through the suction motor 214. Alternatively, the imaginary extension plane of plane S1 may pass through the handle 216. Alternatively, the imaginary extension plane of plane S1 may pass through the dust collecting cylinder 220.

In addition, when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is mounted on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 , the imaginary extension plane of the plane S1 may penetrate at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 .

Therefore, when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is mounted on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100 , the plane S1 may penetrate (go through) the housing 110 .

The imaginary extension plane of the plane S1 may penetrate the flow path member 180. In this case, the loss of the air flow path connected from the dust collecting cylinder 220 to the dust collecting member 170 may be minimized.

Meanwhile, when the first vacuum cleaner 200 is mounted on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the dust collecting barrel 220 may be surrounded by the dust collecting barrel guide surface 122. The first flow path 181a may be disposed at the rear side of the dust collecting barrel 220, and when the dust collecting barrel 220 is opened, the inner space of the dust collecting barrel 220 may be communicated with the first flow path 181a. In addition, the second flow path 181b may be bent downward (toward the ground) from the first flow path 181a.

Meanwhile, when the second vacuum cleaner 300 is mounted on the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the dust discharge hole 320 may be communicated with the dust suction hole 162 of the lower coupling member 160. The third flow path 182a may be disposed at the rear side of the dust collecting cylinder 310, and when the dust collecting motor 191 operates, the inner space of the dust collecting cylinder 310 may be communicated with the third flow path 182a. In addition, the fifth flow path 182c may be bent downward at a specific angle from the fourth flow path 182b.

In addition, the dust collecting part 170 may be arranged closer to the ground than the second flow path 181b. In addition, the flow path switching module 183 may be arranged between the second flow path 181b and the dust collecting part 170. In addition, the fifth flow path 182c may be arranged between the first flow path 181a and the dust collecting part 170. In addition, the dust suction module 190 may be arranged closer to the ground than the dust collecting part 170. Furthermore, the third flow path 182a may be arranged closer to the ground than the dust suction module 190.

With this configuration, according to the present invention, the first vacuum cleaner 200 can be coupled to the upper side of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, and the second vacuum cleaner 300 can be coupled to the lower side of the vacuum cleaner docking station 100. Therefore, in a state where both the first vacuum cleaner 200 and the second vacuum cleaner 300 are coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station 100, the occupied space on the horizontal plane can be minimized.

In addition, according to the present invention, even if the first dust collector flow path 181 communicating with the dust collecting cylinder 220 of the first dust collector 200 is formed by bending downward once, the loss of the flow force for collecting dust can be prevented.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, even if the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 connected to the dust collecting cylinder 310 of the second vacuum cleaner 300 is set at a lower position than the dust collecting motor 191, and the second vacuum cleaner flow path 182 is formed by bending twice, dust (foreign matter) can be prevented from flowing back and dust can be fully sucked.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, the specific embodiments are only used to specifically illustrate the present invention and are not limited thereto. It is obvious that a person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can modify or change the present invention without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Simple modifications or changes to the present invention fall within the scope of the present invention, and the specific protection scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the invention application patent.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0124604 filed on September 22, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

10: Vacuum cleaner system 100: Vacuum cleaner docking station 110: Housing 111: Bottom surface 112: Outer wall surface 112a: First outer wall surface 112b: Second outer wall surface 112c: Third outer wall surface 112d: Fourth outer wall surface 113: Upper surface 120: Coupling component 121: Coupling surface 121a: Dust channel hole 122: Dust collecting barrel guide surface 123: Guide protrusion 124: Side wall 125: Coupling sensor 126: Suction component guide surface 127: Fixed component inlet hole 128: Charging component 130: Fixed unit 131: Fixed component 133: Fixed component motor 135: Fixed component connecting rod 136: Fixed seal 137: Fixed detection component 140: Door unit 141: Door 141a: Door body 141b: Arm coupling component 142: Door motor 143: Door arm 143a: First door arm 143b: Second door arm 144: Door open/close detection component 150: Opening unit 151: Pushing protrusion 152: Opening motor 153: Opening gear 153a: Opening driving gear 153b: Opening driven gear 154: Support plate 155: Gear box 155f: lid opening detection component 160: lower coupling component 161: inclined portion 162: dust suction hole 170: dust collection component 175: sterilization module 180: flow path component 181: first vacuum cleaner flow path 181a: first flow path 181b: second flow path 182: second vacuum cleaner flow path 182a: third flow path 182b: fourth flow path 182c: fifth flow path 183: flow path switching module 184: dust collection flow path 190: vacuum module 191: dust collecting motor 200: vacuum cleaner, first vacuum cleaner 210: main body 211: main body shell 212: suction component 213: dust separation component 214: suction motor 215: exhaust cover 215a: exhaust port 216: handle 216a: grip part 216b: first extension part 216c: second extension part 218: operating part 220: dust collecting cylinder 221: dust collecting cylinder main body 221a: lower extension part 222: discharge cover 222a: cover main body 222b: hinge part 222c: coupling rod 222d: torsion spring 230: Battery housing 240: Battery 250: Extension tube 260: Cleaning module 300: Vacuum cleaner, second vacuum cleaner 310: Dust collecting cylinder 320: Dust discharge hole 330: Discharge cover 331: Hinge pin 332: Torsion spring 333: Seal 340: Dust collecting cylinder cover 400: Control unit 410: Display unit 430: Memory 440: Input unit 1831: Housing 1831a: Center axis 1831b: First vacuum cleaner flow path connection part 1831c: Second vacuum cleaner flow path connection part 1831d: Dust collection flow path connection part 1832: Connection hose 1832a: Inlet 1832b: Outlet 1832c: Seal 1833: First connecting rod 1833a: Rotating shaft 1833b: Connecting part 1833c: Gear part 1833d: Side wall 1834: Second connecting rod 1834a: Rotating shaft 1834b: Connecting part 1835: Switching motor 1836: Driving cam 1836a: Rotating shaft 1836b: Sensing unit 1836c: Gear part 1836d: stopper 1837: position sensor 1838: elastic member 1839: stop sensor a1: suction motor axis a2: suction flow path through line a3: grip part through line a4: cyclone line a5: dust collection tube through line C: dust collection motor axis H: horizontal line P1: first dust collector flow path through line P2: second dust collector flow path through line P3: dust collection flow path through line P5, P6: intersection S1: imaginary plane V: vertical line α: descending angle β: dust suction angle θ: dust introduction angle

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner system including a first vacuum cleaner and a second vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for illustrating the first vacuum cleaner of the vacuum cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining weight distribution by using an imaginary plane passing through the first vacuum cleaner in the vacuum cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for illustrating the lower surface of the dust collecting cylinder of the first vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view for illustrating the dust collecting cylinder of the second vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the discharge cover of the second vacuum cleaner of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the weight distribution and the angle of the flow path in the vacuum cleaner docking station by using an imaginary line in the vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the coupling component in the vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the fixing unit in the vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the state in which the door unit in the vacuum cleaner docking station blocks the dust channel hole according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the state in which the door unit in the vacuum cleaner docking station opens the dust channel hole according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a cover opening unit of a vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a flow path switching module in a flow path component of a vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a layout relationship between a first vacuum cleaner flow path and a dust collection flow path in a flow path component of a vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a layout relationship between a second vacuum cleaner and a dust collection flow path in a flow path component of a vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a block diagram for illustrating the control configuration in a vacuum cleaner docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10: Vacuum cleaner system

100: Vacuum cleaner stop

110: Shell

112: Outer wall surface

112a: first outer wall surface

112c: Third outer wall surface

112d: Fourth outer wall surface

113: Upper surface

200: Vacuum cleaner, first vacuum cleaner

218: Operating parts

300: Vacuum cleaner, second vacuum cleaner

Claims (16)

A vacuum cleaner docking station includes: a housing; a coupling component disposed in the housing and including a coupling surface, to which at least a portion of a first vacuum cleaner is coupled; a dust collecting component housed in the housing, disposed below the coupling component, and configured to store dust in a dust collecting barrel of the first vacuum cleaner; a dust collecting motor housed in the housing, disposed below the dust collecting component, and configured to generate a suction force for sucking dust in the dust collecting barrel; a lower coupling component disposed closer to the ground than the dust collecting motor and coupled to a second vacuum cleaner; and a flow path component having a function of causing the dust collecting barrel to move downward. The inner space of the coupling component and the inner space of the dust collecting component are connected to each other, wherein the flow path component includes: a first dust collector flow path connected to a dust channel hole formed in the coupling component; a second dust collector flow path connected to a dust suction hole formed in the lower coupling component; a dust collecting flow path selectively connected to the first dust collector flow path or the second dust collector flow path and connected to the dust collecting component; and a connecting hose, one end of which is connected to the first dust collector flow path or the second dust collector flow path, and the other end is connected to the dust collecting flow path. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 1, wherein the first vacuum cleaner flow path includes: a first flow path, which is connected to the internal space of the dust collecting component when a discharge cover of the dust collecting cylinder is opened; and a second flow path, which is connected to the first flow path and the dust collecting flow path and is formed at a specific angle relative to the first flow path. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 2, wherein the second flow path is arranged to be inclined at a specific dust introduction angle relative to a vertical line perpendicular to the ground. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 3, wherein the dust introduction angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 10 degrees. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 1, wherein the flow path component further comprises: a flow path switching module configured to selectively connect the first vacuum cleaner flow path or the second vacuum cleaner flow path to the dust collection flow path. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 2, wherein the second flow path is arranged to be inclined at a specific dust introduction angle with respect to the dust collection flow path. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 2, wherein, when the first vacuum cleaner is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station, an imaginary dust collecting cylinder penetration line that penetrates the dust collecting cylinder in the longitudinal direction and an imaginary first vacuum cleaner flow path penetration line that penetrates the second flow path in the longitudinal direction intersect each other in the flow path component. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 1, wherein, when the first vacuum cleaner is coupled to the vacuum cleaner docking station, an imaginary dust collection barrel penetration line that penetrates the dust collection barrel in the longitudinal direction and an imaginary dust collection flow path penetration line that penetrates the dust collection flow path in the longitudinal direction intersect each other in the flow path component. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 1, wherein the second vacuum cleaner flow path includes: a third flow path connected to the vacuum hole; a fourth flow path connected to the third flow path and formed in a direction perpendicular to the ground; and a fifth flow path connected to the fourth flow path and formed at a specific angle relative to the fourth flow path. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 9, wherein the flow path further comprises: a flow path switching module configured to selectively connect the first vacuum cleaner flow path or the second vacuum cleaner flow path to the dust collection flow path, and wherein one end of the fifth flow path connected to the fourth flow path is set farther from the ground than the other end of the fifth flow path connected to the flow path switching module. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 9, wherein the diameter of the fifth flow path is larger than the diameter of the fourth flow path. A vacuum cleaner stop as described in claim 9, wherein the fifth flow path is arranged to be closer to the ground than the first vacuum cleaner flow path and farther from the ground than the dust collection flow path. A vacuum cleaner docking station comprises: a housing; a coupling component disposed in the housing and comprising a coupling surface, to which at least a portion of a first vacuum cleaner is coupled; a lower coupling component disposed closer to the ground than the coupling component and coupled to a second vacuum cleaner; a dust collecting component accommodated in the housing and disposed between the coupling component and the lower coupling component, and The housing is configured to store dust; and a flow path component formed inside the housing and having a flow path that connects the inner space of a dust collecting cylinder of the first vacuum cleaner or the inner space of a dust collecting cylinder of the second vacuum cleaner with the inner space of the dust collecting component, wherein the flow path component includes: a first vacuum cleaner flow path, a dust channel hole formed in the coupling component The first vacuum cleaner is provided with a second vacuum cleaner flow path, which makes a vacuum hole formed in the lower coupling part and the internal space of the dust collecting part communicate with each other; a dust collecting flow path, which is arranged closer to the ground than the first vacuum cleaner flow path and communicates with the internal space of the dust collecting part; a flow path switching module, which is arranged at the first vacuum cleaner flow path The first vacuum cleaner flow path and the dust collecting flow path are configured to selectively connect the first vacuum cleaner flow path or the second vacuum cleaner flow path to the dust collecting flow path; and a connecting hose is arranged inside the flow path switching module, and one end of the connecting hose is connected to the first vacuum cleaner flow path or the second vacuum cleaner flow path, and the other end is connected to the dust collecting flow path. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 13, wherein the first vacuum cleaner flow path includes: a first flow path connected to the dust channel hole and formed parallel to the ground; and a second flow path arranged between the first flow path and the flow path switching module and formed to be inclined at a specific dust introduction angle to a vertical line perpendicular to the ground. A vacuum cleaner stop as described in claim 13, wherein the second vacuum cleaner flow path includes: a third flow path connected to the vacuum hole and formed in a direction parallel to the ground; a fourth flow path connected to the third flow path and formed in a direction perpendicular to the ground; and a fifth flow path connected to the fourth flow path and formed at a specific angle relative to the fourth flow path. A vacuum cleaner docking station as described in claim 13, wherein the one end of the connecting hose is arranged to be farther from the ground than the other end of the connecting hose.