Abstract: A vacuum cleaner, which has a cleaning attachment through which dirt and dust are drawn, includes a lighting device that illuminates a surface to be cleaned. The lighting device includes a bulb in a groove that is formed at the cleaning attachment's front, thus horizontally illuminating the surface. Preferably, the bulb is a halogen lamp which is of predetermined length. The groove includes a plurality of air holes so that outside air can flow into the groove. A filter is provided in the air holes to prevent dust and dirt from getting into the groove. The lighting device may be detachably mounted on the cleaning attachment, and includes a case and a bulb installed in the case for illumination. The case includes a plurality of locking pieces that securely fit into a slit formed on the cleaning attachment so that the lighting device is connected to the cleaning attachment.

Abstract: A water/air separating mechanism receives dirty water, and separates the air from the dirty water before discharging the air. The mechanism includes a housing in which there is disposed a motor which sucks the dirty water and air along a passage which includes an interruption located above a water chamber. The interruption includes a water outlet spaced horizontally from an air inlet. Water leaving the outlet gravitates into the water chamber, and the air travels to the air inlet. That air passes through the motor and then travels through a zig-zag passage before being discharged from the body. A floating valve in the water chamber is arranged to close the air inlet when the water reaches a certain level. A wave dissipation device in the chamber resists the creation of waves in the chamber.