Abstract: The present invention relates to a robot (1) configured to exhibit a robot identity and/or a robot personality at least partly through execution of computer-readable program code. The robot comprises a robot head (3) configured for connection to a face part (9; 9A, 9B) including a display surface, the robot being configured to cause the display of a face image depicting a face of said robot on said display surface. The robot head (3) is configured for detachable connection to said face part to allow detachable connection of different face parts (9; 9A, 9B) to the robot head, and the robot (1) is configured to automatically adapt said robot identity and/or said robot personality based on the face part currently being connected to the robot head (3). This allows a user of the robot to change character of the robot, i.e. to change the robot identity and/or personality, by connection of different face parts to the robot head.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a main separating unit, a filter, an auxiliary separating unit, a vacuum source adapted to generate an airstream, and airflow passages configured to operate in a vacuum cleaning mode and a filter cleaning mode. In the vacuum cleaning mode, the airflow passages are configured to direct the airstream through the main separating unit and then through the filter in a first direction, and the airflow substantially bypasses the auxiliary separating unit. In the filter cleaning mode, the airflow passages are configured to direct the airstream through the filter in a second direction, opposite the first direction, and then through the auxiliary separating unit. A method for operating a vacuum cleaner is also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a vacuum, a filtering unit, a switching device for switching between a vacuum cleaning and filter cleaning modes, and a separating unit is disclosed. In the vacuum cleaning mode, the vacuum forces a first air stream in a first air stream path through the filtering unit, in a first direction, to filter out dust from the dust laden air stream. In the filter cleaning mode, the vacuum forces a second air stream in a second air stream path through the filtering unit, in a second direction reverse to the first direction, to remove dust from the filtering unit. In the filter cleaning mode, the separating unit is in the air path between the vacuum and the filtering unit to separate dust removed from the filtering unit. In the vacuum cleaning mode, the separating unit is not in an air stream path.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll clutch having a motor, clutch assembly input rotated by the motor, brushroll, clutch assembly output to rotate the brushroll, drive clutch, and starter clutch. The drive clutch is connected to the clutch assembly output and moveable between a first position in which it does not directly contact the clutch assembly input and a second position in which it directly contacts the clutch assembly input to transmit a first torque directly from the clutch assembly input to the clutch assembly output. The starter clutch is connected to the drive clutch and moveable between a first position in which it does not engage the clutch assembly input and a second position in which it engages the clutch assembly input to transmit a second torque from the clutch assembly input to the drive clutch to move the drive clutch into the second drive clutch position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a housing with a dust container having an inlet for dust laden air, a filter unit comprising a flexible filter body, a motor fan unit for generating a flow of air through the inlet and through the filter unit, and a dust removing means configured to agitate the flexible filter body in response to a force applied to the dust removing means.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner clutch assembly having an input driven by a motor, an output to drive an agitator, a starter clutch and a drive clutch. The starter clutch moves between an engaged position in which it receives a first drive torque from the input, and a disengaged position in which it receives substantially no torque directly from the input. The drive clutch is moveable between an engaged position in which it receives a second drive torque from the input, and a disengaged position in which it receives substantially no torque directly from the input. When engaged, the starter clutch is coupled to the drive clutch to transmit the first drive torque to the drive clutch to move the drive clutch into the engaged drive clutch position. When engaged, the drive clutch is coupled to the clutch assembly output to transmit the second drive torque to the output.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle with a nozzle housing, an outlet opening on the housing, a suction opening on a side of the housing facing a surface to be cleaned, at least one roller connected to the housing to support the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and a sealing member on the nozzle. The suction opening communicates with the outlet opening to draw debris through the suction opening when a suction source is connected to the outlet. The roller has an essentially air tight material and rotates such that the roller surface moves towards the suction opening to sweep debris towards the suction opening. The sealing member has a sealing portion in close apposition to at least part of the roller. The sealing portion partly surrounds and substantially restricts airflow across a sealed portion of the roller located essentially opposite the surface being cleaned. The roller also functions as an air barrier.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base with an inlet facing a surface, a handle connected to the base, an air passage connecting the base inlet to the handle, and a removable handheld unit. The handheld has an inlet nozzle, a dirt separator, a vacuum fan to generate a working airflow into the inlet nozzle and through the dirt separator, and a housing joining the handheld, the dirt separator and the vacuum fan. The vacuum has a docking latch with a first latch position in which the latch holds the handheld in an operating position on the handle, and a second position in which the latch permits removal of the handheld from the operating position. The vacuum also has a safety catch with a catch member on the handle and a second member on the handheld. The catch members resiliently hold the handheld unit on the handle in a partially-removed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner of a type comprising an elongated support body (1) including a handle (3) in an upper end of the support body, a nozzle device attached to a lower end of the support body by means of a rotatable joint, and a vacuum unit, including an electric motor, a fan and a debris collecting compartment, being accommodated in the support body. An upper portion of the support body (1) is provided with a layer (7, 8) of a slip reducing material at least on a rear surface thereof.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a main separating unit, a filter, an auxiliary separating unit, a vacuum source adapted to generate an airstream, and airflow passages configured to operate in a vacuum cleaning mode and a filter cleaning mode. In the vacuum cleaning mode, the airflow passages are configured to direct the airstream through the main separating unit and then through the filter in a first direction, and the airflow substantially bypasses the auxiliary separating unit. In the filter cleaning mode, the airflow passages are configured to direct the airstream through the filter in a second direction, opposite the first direction, and then through the auxiliary separating unit. A method for operating a vacuum cleaner is also provided.

Abstract: A cleaning device with an elongated housing having a grip at one end and a cleaning head at another end, a dirt collection device and a vacuum source. The cleaning head has a rotary agitator, a first inlet opening having a first cross-sectional area, and a second inlet opening having a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area may be substantially less than the first cross-sectional area. The second inlet opening may be above the first inlet opening. There also may be a fluid supply tank and an associated pump, and the pump and agitator may be driven by the same motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an elongated support body, a nozzle attached to a lower end of the elongated support body by an articulated joint, a motor, a fan unit, a debris container, and an air passage that extends from the nozzle device, past the articulated joint by a flexible hose and to an air passage in the support body. The flexible hose is formed with a generally rectangular cross section.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner overload clutch having an overload cog, a spring mount, and an overload spring. The spring is engaged with the cog to provide torque transfer, and disengaged from the cog to terminate torque transfer. The spring may not reengage until the parts stop rotating. A weight may be provided to bias the spring into the disengaged position, and the spring may have an engagement portion that is captured between the overload cog and a wall on the spring holder when the clutch is engaged. The clutch may be part of a system including a motor and agitator, and may have other features, such as a graduated engagement clutch.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner clutch assembly having an input driven by a motor, an output to drive an agitator, a starter clutch and a drive clutch. The starter clutch moves between an engaged position in which it receives a first drive torque from the input, and a disengaged position in which it receives substantially no torque directly from the input. The drive clutch is moveable between an engaged position in which it receives a second drive torque from the input, and a disengaged position in which it receives substantially no torque directly from the input. When engaged, the starter clutch is coupled to the drive clutch to transmit the first drive torque to the drive clutch to move the drive clutch into the engaged drive clutch position. When engaged, the drive clutch is coupled to the clutch assembly output to transmit the second drive torque to the output.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a vacuum, a filtering unit, switching means for switching between a vacuum cleaning and filter cleaning modes, and a separating unit. In the vacuum cleaning mode, the vacuum forces a first air stream in a first air stream path through the filtering unit, in a first direction, to filter out dust from the dust laden air stream. In the filter cleaning mode, the vacuum forces a second air stream in a second air stream path through the filtering unit, in a second direction reverse to the first direction, to remove dust from the filtering unit. In the filter cleaning mode, the separating unit is in the air path between the vacuum and the filtering unit to separate dust removed from the filtering unit. In the vacuum cleaning mode, the separating unit is not in an air stream path.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base with an inlet facing a surface, a handle connected to the base, an air passage connecting the base inlet to the handle, and a removable handheld unit. The handheld has an inlet nozzle, a dirt separator, a vacuum fan to generate a working airflow into the inlet nozzle and through the dirt separator, and a housing joining the handheld, the dirt separator and the vacuum fan. The vacuum has a docking latch with a first latch position in which the latch holds the handheld in an operating position on the handle, and a second position in which the latch permits removal of the handheld from the operating position. The vacuum also has a safety catch with a catch member on the handle and a second member on the handheld. The catch members resiliently hold the handheld unit on the handle in a partially-removed position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an elongated support body, a nozzle attached to a lower end of the elongated support body by an articulated joint, a motor, a fan unit, a debris container, and an air passage that extends from the nozzle device, past the articulated joint by a flexible hose and to an air passage in the support body. The flexible hose is formed with a generally rectangular cross section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle of the kind being adapted to be moved over a floor (6) or other surface to be cleaned, comprising an outlet opening (2), which is adapted to be connected to a vacuum source, a suction opening (3) in a side of the vacuum cleaner nozzle facing the surface to be cleaned which is in fluid communication with the outlet opening to allow withdrawal of debris and dust from the surface through the suction opening, and at least one rotatable roller (4), which is adapted to at least partly support the vacuum cleaner nozzle against the surface and is formed of an essentially air tight material. The at least one rotatable roller (4) is either an idle roller, which is rolling along as the nozzle is moved over the surface, or is driven in a direction of rotation such that a portion of its envelope surface, which is facing the surface to be cleaned, is moved towards the suction opening (3) to accomplish sweeping of debris and dust towards the suction opening.

Abstract: A hand held vacuum cleaner comprises a housing (10) with a dust container (7) having an inlet (8) for dust laden air; a filter unit (11) with a filter body; and a motor fan unit (6) for generating a flow of air through the inlet (8) and through the filter unit (11). The filter body is flexible and the vacuum cleaner further comprises dust removing means configured to collapse and expand the flexible filter body in response to a force applied to the dust removing means (29).

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner of a type comprising an elongated support body (1) including a handle (3) in an upper end of the support body, a nozzle device attached to a lower end of the support body by means of a rotatable joint, and a vacuum unit, including an electric motor, a fan and a debris collecting compartment, being accommodated in the support body. An upper portion of the support body (1) is provided with a layer (7, 8) of a slip reducing material at least on a rear surface thereof.