Abstract: A multi cyclone dust-collecting apparatus including a dust-collecting housing; a first cyclone; a plurality of secondary cyclones; and a cover unit is provided. The dust-collecting housing has a suction pipe, which draws in ambient air. The first cyclone is disposed in the dust-collecting housing and has a first inlet port formed on a lower portion thereof to fluidly communicate with the suction pipe. The first inlet port and an air outlet port of the first cyclone have the same axis. The plurality of secondary cyclones are arranged outside the first cyclone at a predetermined interval and disposed in the dust-collecting housing. The cover unit guides the air discharged from the first cyclone to the respective secondary cyclones, filters again the air separated out from the dirt particles in the secondary cyclones, and discharges cleaned air outwardly.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided that includes a cleaner body; a cyclone body rotatably mounted in the cleaner body; a dust receptacle detachably mounted in the cleaner body and disposed below the cyclone body; and a locking unit locking and releasing the cyclone body and the dust receptacle with respect to each other.

Abstract: A robot cleaner system for detecting an external recharging apparatus which is positioned in a non-detectable area by an upper camera thereof, and a docking method for docking the robot cleaner system with the external recharging apparatus. The robot cleaner system includes an external recharging apparatus with a power terminal connected to a utility power supply, a recharging apparatus recognition mark formed on the external recharging apparatus, and a robot cleaner, having a recognition mark sensor that detects the recharging apparatus recognition mark, and a rechargeable battery. The robot cleaner automatically docks to the power terminal to recharge the rechargeable battery. The recharging apparatus recognition mark is made of retroreflective material or a metal tape, and the recognition mark sensor may be a photosensor or a proximity sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a driving apparatus for a robot cleaner enabling drive wheels to be in contact with a floor all the time. The driving apparatus for a robot cleaner includes a robot cleaner main body, driving motors mounted in the robot cleaner main body, and for transferring power to drive wheels, driving motor housings hinged with the robot cleaner main body, and for accommodating the driving motors therein, and pressure members disposed between the robot cleaner main body and the driving motor housings, and for pressing the driving motor housings. Accordingly, the driving motor housings are mounted to rotate about the center of the rotation hinges so that the drive wheels come in contact with the floor all the time, preventing the drive wheels from being lifted over the floor and making lost rotations due to curved portions of the floor or obstacles.

Abstract: A bendable extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner that comprise at least two sections capable of being bent relative to each other according to user's selection comprising a first extension pipe section; a second extension pipe section pivotably connected to the first extension pipe section; and a release handle selectively for locking the first and second extension pipe sections in a predetermined configuration, wherein the first and second extension pipe sections are released from the locking configuration when a user depresses the release handle.

Abstract: A bendable extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner with a body bent by a button manipulation that forms a sealed fluid passage between a vacuum cleaner body and a suction brush, is disclosed. The bendable extension pipe includes a first extension pipe and a second extension pipe. The first and second extension pipes are rotatably connected. A locking button is elastically disposed on the first extension pipe to restrict rotation of the first and the second extension pipes. A sealing cover prevents the locking button from moving out of joint of the first and second extension pipes and seals the first and the second extension pipes.

Abstract: A motor overload preventing apparatus for a vacuum cleaner includes a damper body and an resilient member. The damper body has an opening/closing portion formed on one end, to selectively block a tapered aperture of a body frame of the vacuum cleaner, and the opening/closing portion is tapered to correspond in shape with the aperture. The resilient member resiliently biases the opening/closing portion toward a direction of closing the aperture. The damper body is movably disposed to rotate so as to selectively open and close the aperture, and to this end, it is preferred that the damper body is connected by a hinge to the body frame. Satisfactory sealing can be ensured even when there is surface contact between the opening/closing portion and the aperture without requiring additional material, such as a rubber. Additionally, the number of components can be reduced, and with the omission of flexible material, such as rubber, the manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a driving apparatus for a robot cleaner enabling drive wheels to be in contact with a floor all the time. The driving apparatus for a robot cleaner includes a robot cleaner main body, driving motors mounted in the robot cleaner main body, and for transferring power to drive wheels, driving motor housings hinged with the robot cleaner main body, and for accommodating the driving motors therein, and pressure members disposed between the robot cleaner main body and the driving motor housings, and for pressing the driving motor housings. Accordingly, the driving motor housings are mounted to rotate about the center of the rotation hinges so that the drive wheels come in contact with the floor all the time, preventing the drive wheels from being lifted over the floor and making lost rotations due to curved portions of the floor or obstacles.

Abstract: A location mark detecting method of a robot cleaner capable of accurately detecting location marks from an image captured by an upwardly looking camera. The location mark detecting method comprises the steps of obtaining from the image object marks to be compared with the reference location marks, determining whether shapes of the object marks are identical to those of the reference location marks, determining whether a distance separating the object marks is identical to that between the reference location marks if it is determined that the shapes are identical, determining whether a surrounding image of the object marks is identical to that of the reference location marks if it is determined that the distances are identical, and identifying the object marks as the location marks if it is determined that the surrounding images are identical.

Abstract: A robot cleaner system for detecting an external recharging apparatus which is positioned in a non-detectable area by an upper camera thereof, and a docking method for docking the robot cleaner system with the external recharging apparatus. The robot cleaner system includes an external recharging apparatus with a power terminal connected to a utility power supply, a recharging apparatus recognition mark formed on the external recharging apparatus, and a robot cleaner, having a recognition mark sensor that detects the recharging apparatus recognition mark, and a rechargeable battery. The robot cleaner automatically docks to the power terminal to recharge the rechargeable battery. The recharging apparatus recognition mark is made of retroreflective material or a metal tape, and the recognition mark sensor may be a photosensor or a proximity sensor.