MODULAR VACUUM CLEANERS

Abstract

Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for modular vacuum cleaners. An example vacuum cleaner system includes a canister vacuum cleaner device and a robotic vacuum cleaner device, where the robotic vacuum cleaner is removably coupled to or is digitally communicable with the canister vacuum cleaner device. The canister vacuum cleaner device comprises a canister to collect debris, a vertical hollow structure that located towards a rear of the canister and coupled to the canister, a flexible extendable hose, and a housing located below the canister, wherein the housing includes a retractable electrical cord. The robotic vacuum cleaner device comprises: a storage area to collect debris, a battery, a plurality of wheels that are removably coupled to one or more motors, and a lever or a valve structured to direct debris either to the storage area or to the canister.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent document claims priority to and benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/223,018, titled “MODULAR VACUUM CLEANERS” and filed on Jul. 18, 2021. The entire content of the aforementioned patent application is incorporated by reference as part of the disclosure of this patent document.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure is directed generally to modular designs and operations for vacuum cleaners and/or robotic vacuum cleaners.

BACKGROUND

Development in vacuum cleaner technology has led to the evolution of vacuum cleaner products from upright vacuum cleaners to handheld vacuum cleaners and from using one time use paper bags to collect debris to using a reusable container that can dispose the collected debris. Vacuum cleaner products can remove debris on a surface using air suction.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for modular vacuum cleaners.

In some aspects, a vacuum cleaner system includes an upright canister vacuum cleaner device and a robotic vacuum cleaner device that is removably coupled to upright canister vacuum cleaner device. The upright canister vacuum cleaner device includes a suction drive device comprising a motor to create a suction force to pull an airflow containing debris into the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, a canister to collect the debris separated from the airflow, a vertical hollow structure that located towards a rear of the canister and coupled to the canister, and a flexible extendable hose included in the vertical hollow structure, wherein a first end of the flexible extendable hose is coupled to a retractable handle portion located on top of the vertical hollow structure, and wherein a second end of the flexible extendable hose that is opposite to the first end is coupled to the canister. The robotic vacuum cleaner device includes a second suction drive device comprising one or more motors to create a second suction force, independent of the suction force creatable by the suction drive device of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein, when operated, the second suction drive device is operable to pull a second airflow containing debris into the robotic vacuum cleaner device, a debris storage area to collect the debris separated from the second airflow, a battery, a plurality of wheels that are removably coupled to the one or more motors of the second suction drive device, a control unit comprising a processor and a memory coupled to processor, wherein the control unit is configured to determine an attachment state of the robotic vacuum cleaner device coupled to the upright canister vacuum cleaner device and a detachment state of the robotic vacuum cleaner device uncoupled to the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein the control unit is configured to shut down the second suction drive device when the attachment state is determined and to allow operation of the second suction drive device when the detachment state is determined, and a lever or a valve structured to direct dirty airflow either to the debris storage area of the robotic vacuum cleaner device or to the canister of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device.

In some aspects, a robotic vacuum cleaner device includes a housing; a suction drive device contained within the housing and comprising one or more motors to create a suction force to pull an airflow containing debris into the robotic vacuum cleaner device; a storage area contained within the housing to collect debris; a battery contained within the housing; a plurality of wheels disposed on a bottom side of the housing that are removably coupled to the one or more motors of the suction drive device; a control unit contained within the housing and comprising a processor and a memory coupled to processor; and a lever or a valve positioned in a channel within the housing to direct debris to the storage area or a hole configured on a side of the housing, wherein the robotic vacuum cleaner device is configured to attach to and operate independently of a separate upright canister vacuum cleaner device.

The subject matter described in this patent document can be implemented in specific ways that provide one or more of the following features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial schematic block diagram of a vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 2A shows an example modular vacuum cleaner that includes a canister vacuum cleaner and a robotic vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 2B shows the example modular vacuum cleaner in which the canister vacuum cleaner is removable from the robotic vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 2C shows another example modular vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 3 shows a partial block diagram of some of the components or devices in a vacuum cleaner, such as a canister vacuum cleaner and/or a robotic vacuum cleaner.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show diagrams of example embodiments of a scent system for a vacuum cleaner, in accordance with the present technology.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of an example embodiment of a docking station for example embodiments of a modular canister-robotic vacuum cleaner, in accordance with the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This patent document describes example designs for modular vacuum cleaners and methods for operating the modular vacuum cleaners. An example vacuum cleaner with a modular design can include at least a canister vacuum cleaner and a robotic vacuum cleaner that can either operate together as a single vacuum cleaner or that can operate independently. In this patent document, a partial schematic block diagram of a vacuum cleaner is described in FIG. 1, and modular designs for vacuum cleaners are described in FIGS. 2A to 2C. The operations performed by the modular vacuum cleaners are further described in FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial schematic block diagram of a vacuum cleaner 100, configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes an upper frame 105 connected to a lower assembly 110 via a joint 115. The joint 115 can facilitate movement of the upper frame 105 relative to the lower assembly 110 while the upper frame 105 and the lower assembly 110 are connected together via the joint 115. For example, the upper frame 105 can pivot, rotate, or otherwise move relative to the lower assembly 110 to facilitate a user's operation of the vacuum cleaner 100, such as pushing and steering the lower assembly 110 along a surface 120 using the upper frame 105.

Accordingly, the upper frame 105 can support a handle portion 125 positioned for a user to grasp during operation of the vacuum cleaner 100, and the lower assembly 110 can optionally carry one or more motility units 130 (such as wheels or tracks) to facilitate travel of the lower assembly 110 along the surface 120. In some embodiments, the motility units 130 can include powered motility units, such as motorized wheels. In other embodiments, the motility units 130 can be unpowered (such as freewheeling or otherwise freely movable), except for the pushing force provided by a user upon the vacuum cleaner 100.

In some embodiments, the lower assembly 110 carries a suction input 135, which receives a suction airflow to pull debris (such as waste or particles) from the surface 120. To aid in releasing debris from the surface 120, the lower assembly 110 can also carry a brush 140. The brush 140 can agitate debris on the surface 120 to facilitate release of the debris and suction of the debris into the suction input 135. In some embodiments, the brush 140 is motorized such that it rotates against the surface 120. In some embodiments, the suction input 135 includes a main suction input (e.g., as shown as 230 in FIG. 2C) and one or more auxiliary suction inputs (e.g., as shown as 232 in FIG. 2C).

In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes one or more suction and collection components 145 (also referred to as suction and collection unit 145) to facilitate providing suction to the suction input 135 and collection of debris from the suction input 135. For example, the suction and collection components 145 can include: a suction drive unit 150 (e.g., one or more motors, one or more fans, etc.) operatively connected to the suction input 135 to provide the suction airflow; a filtration unit 155 (e.g., cyclone separator, one or more porous filters, etc.) operatively connected between the suction input 135 and the suction drive unit 150 to remove debris from the suction airflow passing from the suction input 135 to the suction drive unit 150; and/or a debris collection chamber 160 (e.g., dustbin canister) operatively connected to the filtration unit 155 to collect debris that is filtered from the suction airflow. In some embodiments, the suction and collection components 145 can include a debris passage 165 between the filtration unit 155 and the debris collection chamber 160 to facilitate passage of debris from the filtration unit 155 to the debris collection chamber 160. The suction and collection components 145 can be connected to the suction input 135 via an airflow pathway 170. For example, the airflow pathway 170 can connect the suction input 135 to the filtration unit 155. In some embodiments, the suction drive unit 150 includes a motor, fan, or other suitable source of airflow suction. The debris collection chamber 160 can be removable and replaceable from the vacuum cleaner 100 to facilitate emptying the debris collection chamber 160.

In some embodiments, some or all of the suction and collection components 145 can be carried by the upper frame 105. For example, the upper frame 105 can include a base 175 positioned to support some or all of the suction and collection components 145. In some embodiments, the base 175 can store a power cord 180 for connecting the vacuum cleaner 100 to an external power source. In some embodiments, the base 175 can house electronic components, including but not limited to a power converter (e.g., AC/DC conversion) and/or a power supply (e.g., a battery).

In some embodiments, the joint 115 can facilitate separation of the upper frame 105 from the lower assembly 110. In such embodiments, some or all of the suction and collection components 145 can be carried by the lower assembly 110, such that the lower assembly 110 and the suction and collection components 145 can form a lower vacuum unit 185 that can be operable independently of the upper frame 105 and the handle portion 125. In some embodiments, the airflow pathway 170 can include a hose that is detachable from the lower assembly 110, in which the detachable end of the hose can allow for attachment pieces (not shown), e.g., such as a pet hair brush, dusty brush, crevice tool, etc., to attach to the hose's detachable end and allow a user to vacuum clean surfaces difficult or otherwise unreachable by the lower assembly 110.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates a vacuum cleaner 100 configured in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology, in other embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 can be configured in other ways.

FIG. 2A shows an example modular vacuum cleaner 200. The upper frame of the vacuum cleaner 200 includes an upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 that is located above a lower assembly of the vacuum cleaner 200 that includes a robotic vacuum cleaner 210 (also known as lower vacuum unit). The upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 includes a debris collection chamber 204 that includes a handle 214 located on top of the debris collection chamber 204. The side wall of the debris collection chamber 204 can include a hole through which a removable scent pod 216 (as further illustrated in FIG. 2B) can be inserted.

The upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 includes a vertical structure 206 to support the debris collection chamber 204 and/or components of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202, and to provide a handle that allows a user to direct motion of the vacuum cleaner 200. In some embodiments, the vertical structure 206 can be configured as a hollow pole, e.g., cylindrical, rectangular, or other shape, which can reduce weight of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 and/or allow for wiring or hoses to pass through at least a portion of the vertical structure 206. As shown in the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, the debris collection chamber 204 can be coupled to the vertical structure 206, which is located towards a rear of the debris collection chamber 204 and that includes a retractable handle portion 208 on top of the vertical structure 206. The vertical structure 206 can be referred to as or included in an upper frame (e.g., shown as 105 in FIG. 1). One end of the vertical structure 206 can extend past the top of the debris collection chamber 204 and another end of the vertical hollow structure 206 can extend up to the bottom of the debris collection chamber 204. Hollow embodiments of the vertical structure 206 can include within it a flexible extendable hose (as illustrated as 212 in FIG. 2B) that is coupled to the retractable handle portion 208 on one end of the flexible extendable hose and that is coupled to the debris collection chamber 204 on another opposite end of the flexible extendable hose.

The upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 includes a component housing 218 located below the debris collection chamber 204. The component housing 218 can store a retractable electrical cord 220 when fully or mostly retracted. The electrical cord 220 can be coupled to the suction and collection unit (shown as 145 in FIG. 1) which can be located in or above the housing 218, where the motor in the suction and collection unit can generate the air suction. The bottom surface of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 includes a hole that extends upwards into the debris collection chamber 204 so that debris collected by the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 can be collected into the debris collection chamber 204 if the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 is coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner 210. In some embodiments, if the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 is not coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, a lever or valve in the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 can cover the hole that extends upwards into the debris collection chamber 204 so that debris does not fall out of the hole in the bottom of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 when not coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner 210. In some embodiments, if the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 is not coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 can couple to a reversibly attachable floor head (e.g., which may include a brushroll agitator and/or motility components) to allow the user to vacuum clean a surface using the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 independently from the robotic vacuum cleaner 210.

The bottom portion of the vacuum cleaner 200 includes a robotic vacuum cleaner 210. In some embodiments, the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 can have a circular outer shape, a top surface, and a bottom surface that includes a plurality of openings for air intake, one or more motility units, brush roller, etc. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2C, the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 can have a square or a rectangular shape, or the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 can have another shape.

The upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 can be removably coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 in several ways. In some embodiments, the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 can be coupled to a top region of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210. In some embodiments, the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 can be coupled to a side region of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210.

FIG. 2B shows a diagram illustrating the bottom of the debris collection chamber 204 of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 can be removably coupled to the top of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, in some embodiments. FIG. 2B shows that a top of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 can include a depressed region 222 so that when the debris collection chamber 204 is coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, at least some of the bottom region of the debris collection chamber 204 is inserted into the top of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210. The depressed region 222 can be offset from the center of the top of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 so that if the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 is operated with the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, the user can pivot, rotate, or otherwise move the canister vacuum cleaner 204 (using the retractable handle portion 208) relative to a horizontal robotic vacuum cleaner 210 and/or the user can use the canister vacuum cleaner 204 to easily steer/maneuver the robotic vacuum cleaner 210. As shown in FIG. 2B, the depressed region 222 can include a hole 224 through which debris that is collected by the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 enters the debris collection chamber 204 of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 (e.g., from the bottom hole of the debris collection chamber 204 not shown in the drawing of FIG. 2B). In some embodiments, the hole 224 can be covered with a lid or cover so that when the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 is not coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, the lid or cover can be located on or in the hole 224 to prevent debris from escaping through the hole 224.

In some embodiments, the depressed region 222 can include an electrical connector that can couple with an electrical connector located on the bottom of the debris collection chamber 204 so that electrical power can be provided to the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 or so that electrical power can be provided by the battery in the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 to the canister vacuum cleaner 204. The robotic vacuum cleaner 210 includes a battery can be charged using the electrical power provided by the electrical cord 220 from the debris collection chamber 204. In some embodiments, the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 can be removably coupled to a docking station (not shown in FIGS. 2A-2C), where the docking station can provide electrical power to robotic vacuum cleaner 210.

FIG. 2C shows another example of a modular vacuum cleaner for removably coupling the vertical structure 206 to a rear region of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210. In this example, the vertical structure 206 includes within or is structure as a hollow tube to allow airflow within (e.g., air carrying debris sucked from a surface to be cleaned). A bottom end of the hollow vertical structure 206 can be coupled to or can include a right-angle hollow structure 228. The right-angle hollow structure 228 can have one end that can be coupled to the hollow vertical structure 206 and another opposite end that includes a hole so that when the hollow vertical structure 206 is coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaning device 210, the air and any debris can be sucked up from the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 into the vertical hollow structure 206 (as shown by the arrow pointing up in the vertical hollow structure 206) and into the debris collection chamber 204 (shown previously in FIGS. 2A and 2B, but not shown in FIG. 2C). The rear region of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 can have an indented region 226 that includes a hole 224 that can be coverable. The bottom end of the vertical structure 206 and/or the indented region 226 can include one or more connection mechanism(s) 229, such as one or more magnets or interconnection hook system, or other, which can allow the vertical hollow structure 206 and the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 to be removably coupled. In some embodiments, other types of mechanical connections between the vertical structure 206 and robotic vacuum cleaner 210 are possible. For example, a releasable mechanical coupling structure can be used to couple/decouple the vertical hollow structure 208 and the robotic vacuum cleaner 210.

The robotic vacuum cleaner 210 includes one or more motors that can be removably coupled to the motility units (e.g., wheels) located on the bottom of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210. In some embodiments, when the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 is removed from the top of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, the one or more motors located in the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 is coupled to the motility units of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 so that the one or more motors can operate to move the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 without assistance from a user. When the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 is coupled to the top of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, the motor decouples from the motility units of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 so that a user can move the debris collection chamber 204 and robotic vacuum cleaner 210 together in a desired direction.

The robotic vacuum cleaner 210 includes a movable lever or a movable valve that can direct debris collected by the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 either to a storage area in the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 or to the debris collection chamber 204. If the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 is decoupled from the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, then the movable lever or valve directs the debris to be stored in a storage area within the robotic vacuum cleaner 210. If the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 is coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, then the movable lever or valve directs the debris to the debris collection chamber 204.

The robotic vacuum cleaner 210 can include an air suction motor to generate air suction so that when the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 operates without assistance from a user, the air suction motor can generate the air suction to pick up debris on from a surface and deposit the debris in either the storage area in the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 or in the debris collection chamber 204. When the debris collection chamber 204 is coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, the air suction motor can be disabled since the motor in the debris collection chamber 204 generates the air suction that can enable the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 to collect debris.

The robotic vacuum cleaner 210 can include a brush roller. The brush roller is coupled to a motor so that when the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 is operated together with or separately from the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202, the motor coupled to the brush roller can operate to rotate the brush roller to direct debris to an opening on the bottom of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210.

In some embodiments, the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 can include an ultraviolet (UV) light device that can generate UV light to disinfect bacteria or other microorganisms in the suction airflow by the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202. The upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 may include a particulate filter unit which comprises two or more filters to remove particulates (including the dust, dirt, microbes (having just been sterilized), etc.) from the air flow.

FIG. 3 shows a partial block diagram of some of the components or devices in a vacuum cleaner 300, such as an upright canister vacuum cleaner and/or a robotic vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 300 includes at least one processor 320 and a memory 310 having instructions stored thereupon. The processor 320 and memory 310 can be included in the canister vacuum cleaner or in the robotic vacuum cleaner. The instructions upon execution by the at least one processor 320 configure the vacuum cleaner 300 to perform various operations, such as those described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 2B. In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 300 can include a module to determine vacuumed location(s) 340 and/or a module to determine location(s) to vacuum 350. In various implementations, for example, the modules 340 and/or 350 can be configured as hardware modules comprising at least a processor and at least a memory to store instructions thereon for the at least one processor to execute to perform operations in accordance with the module, i.e., determining vacuumed locations (by the module 340) and/or determining location(s) to vacuum (by the module 350); whereas, for example, the modules 340 and/or 350 can be configured as software modules comprising code stored on the memory 310 to be executed by the processor(s) 320 to perform the operations in accordance with the, i.e., the operations described for the module to determine vacuumed location(s) 340, the operations described for the module to determine location(s) to vacuum 350, and/or the operations described in the various embodiments described in this patent document.

The vacuum cleaner 300 can include a transceiver 330 (e.g., a cellular transceiver, Bluetooth transceiver, and/or Wi-Fi transceiver, etc.) can send information to and/or receive information from another device (e.g., a mobile device). The transceiver 330 can be a cellular transceiver and/or a Wi-Fi transceiver. The vacuum cleaner 300 can include one or more suction and collection components 370, e.g., which can include various embodiments of the suction and collection unit 145 as previously described in connection with various embodiments of a vacuum cleaner shown in FIGS. 1-2C in this patent document. The vacuum cleaner 300 can include one or more motility units 380 (e.g., for the robotic vacuum cleaner) as previously described in connection with various embodiments of a vacuum cleaner shown in FIGS. 1-2C in this patent document. In some embodiments, the canister vacuum cleaner can be operated independently from the robotic vacuum cleaner so that each of the two vacuum cleaners can include the components/devices shown for the vacuum cleaners 300 and each of the two vacuum cleaners can wirelessly connect with each other and exchange or send information.

The vacuum cleaner 300 include one or more sensors 360 that can provide sensor information that can be processed by the at least one processor 320. The one or more sensors may include any one or more of LiDAR sensor(s), camera(s), global positioning system (GPS) device, proximity sensors, touch sensors, Bluetooth sensors, etc. The module to determine vacuumed location(s) 340 can obtain the sensor data and determine, from the sensor data, the location(s) where the vacuum cleaner 300 has vacuumed in an area. The module to determine vacuumed location(s) 340 can provide the location(s) where the vacuum cleaner 300 has vacuumed in an area to the module to determine location(s) to vacuum 350. The module to determine location(s) to vacuum 350 can determine, based at least on the locations(s) that have been vacuumed, one or more locations or one or more areas that have not been vacuumed or that have yet to be vacuumed. The module to determine location(s) to vacuum 350 can send a message via the transceiver 330 to another device (e.g., mobile device) to display the message. The message may include the identification of the location(s) that have not been vacuumed so that a user may operate the vacuum cleaner 300 to vacuum those locations. In some embodiments, the device that receives the message may display a map of an area that shows location(s) that have been vacuumed and location(s) that have not been vacuumed.

In some embodiments, the module to determine location(s) to vacuum 350 can, based at least on the locations(s) that have been vacuumed (e.g., vacuumed by a user), determine location(s) or area(s) that the robotic vacuum cleaner does not need to vacuum. In such embodiments, the module to determine location(s) to vacuum 350 can send instructions to one or more motors in the one or more motility units to keep out of the location(s) or area(s) that have been vacuumed. In some embodiments, if the module to determine location(s) to vacuum 350 determines that a location that was previously vacuumed is now inaccessible, the module to determine locations(s) to vacuum 350 can send a message to another device, where the message upon display on another device notifies the user to vacuum the location that is inaccessible or to move an obstruction that caused the location to be inaccessible.

In some embodiments, the canister vacuum cleaner can be operated independently from the robotic vacuum cleaner so that the two vacuum cleaners can wirelessly connect with each other and exchange or send information. Thus, in some embodiments the canister vacuum cleaner and the robotic vacuum cleaner can use digital communication to communicate with each other. For example, the determine location(s) to vacuum 350 in the canister vacuum cleaner can send information to the module to determine locations(s) to vacuum 350 in the robotic vacuum cleaner, where the information indicates location(s) where the robotic vacuum cleaner should go to vacuum locations(s) in an area. The module to determine location(s) to vacuum 350 in the robotic vacuum cleaner can send instructions to one or more motors in the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 to direct the vacuum cleaner 200 to the one or more locations or one or more areas that have not been vacuumed that are determined by the module to determine location(s) to vacuum 350. For example, the module to determine location(s) to vacuum 350 can determine a trajectory to operate the vacuum cleaner 200 using a current location of the vacuum cleaner 200 and the one or more locations or one or more areas that have not been vacuumed.

FIG. 4A shows a diagram of an example embodiment of a scent system, including one or more scent pods and/or packs, for a vacuum cleaner, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, for example, the vacuum cleaner 200 can include a scent pod and/or pack 247 disposed in or at a filter 251 (e.g., mesh filter) of a particulate filter unit 255 that excludes the dirt, dust, etc. particulates of a certain size. The location of the scent pod and/or pack 247 coupled to or proximate with the filter 251 can optimize the scent distribution in the air distributed within and outside of the vacuum cleaner 200 since, typically, air flow along the airflow pathway 170 can be at its highest speeds (e.g., when air swirls to separate the dirt, dust, etc. particulates), promoting greater diffusion of the volatile scented substance(s) in the airflow. Some example embodiments of the scent pod or pack 247 can include a conical shape or be configured to interface with a conically shaped filter, illustrated in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4B shows a diagram 241 of example embodiments of the scent pods and/or packs 247 configured at the first filter 251. Examples of the scent pods and/or packs 247 are illustrated as “scent stoppers 247S,” where the scent pods and/or packs 247 are configured in a hemispherical-, cylindrical-, semi-conical-, or dome-shaped (or other-shaped) scent storage/delivery structure 247S3 disposed underneath an upper base 247S1 with a handle portion 247S2, which allows the scent structure 247S3 of the scent stopper 247S to be inserted in an upper region of the example cone mesh filter 251F (with the upper base 247S1 resting on a top wall of the cone mesh filter 251F) and removed (e.g., for replacement) by use of the handle portion 247S2. Similar examples of the scent pods and/or packs 247 are illustrated as “scent pods 247P,” where the scent pods and/or packs 247 are configured in an insertable inverse cone or array of projections as the scent storage/delivery structure 247P3 disposed underneath an upper base 247P1 with a handle portion 247P2, which allows the scent structure 247P3 of the scent pod 247P to be inserted in an upper region of the example cone mesh filter 251F (with the upper base 247S1 resting on a top wall of the cone mesh filter 251F) and removed (e.g., for replacement) by use of the handle portion 247P2.

Also shown in FIG. 4B is a diagram 242 depicting an example housing of the particulate filter unit 255, wherein example embodiments of the scent pods and/or packs 247 (e.g., such as the scent stoppers 247S or the scent pods 247P) can be attached to an inside surface of a lid of the housing. For instance, when the lid is closed, the example scent pods and/or scent packs 247 sits in a swirl zone during operations of the vacuum cleaner, distributing scented substance(s) in the airflow.

Referring back to FIG. 4A, in some embodiments, for example, the vacuum cleaner 200 can also or alternatively include a scent pod and/or pack 248 disposed at or proximate to a second filter 252 of the particulate filter unit 255. Moreover, for example, the vacuum cleaner 200 can also or alternatively include a scent pod and/or pack 249 disposed at or proximate to the third filter 253 (e.g., example HEPA filter or example active carbon filter) of the particulate filter unit 255.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of an example embodiment of a docking station for example embodiments of the modular vacuum cleaner 200, in accordance with the present technology. As shown in the diagram, the vacuum cleaner 200, which includes the example upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 reversibly coupleable and in data communication with the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, can be docked in a docking station 500. The docking station 500 includes a housing structure 501 that can be configured to be upright and shaped to interfacing components from the vacuum cleaner 200. For example, the housing can include a curved front face 501F that is shaped to abut a correspondingly curved body of the lower assembly of the vacuum cleaner 200, e.g., the robotic vacuum cleaner 210. The docking station 500 includes an inlet 502 to interface with a corresponding outlet (not shown) on the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 that is coupled to an internal debris storage area of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 that may collect debris separated from airflow within the robotic vacuum cleaner 210, e.g., during independent cleaning operations of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210. The docking station 500 includes a debris collection chamber (dustbin) 532 to collect debris that can be transferred from one or both of (i) the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 to the debris collection chamber 532 of the docking station 500 and/or (ii) the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 to the debris collection chamber 532 of the docking system 500. As such, in some embodiments, the docking station 500 can include an upright inlet (not shown) to interface with a corresponding outlet (not shown) on the debris collection chamber 204 of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 such that the debris collected by the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 can be received (collected) by the docking station 500, in the debris collection chamber (dustbin) 532.

The docking station 500 includes a transfer channel 510 that is coupled to the inlet 502 and the debris collection chamber 532 to transfer the collected debris from the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 to be received at the debris collection chamber 532. In some embodiments, for example, the docking station 500 can include a branch of the transfer channel 510 that is coupled to the upright inlet to connect the upright inlet to the debris collection chamber 532 for the transfer of the collected debris from the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202, e.g., to be received at the debris collection chamber 532. In some embodiments, for example, the upright inlet is connected to the debris collection chamber 532 via a second, separate transfer channel (not shown). The docking station 500 can include suction drive unit, such as a motor, fan or other suction-force devices, (not shown) to create a suction force (fluidically coupled to the transfer channel 510) to pull debris from the debris collection unit of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 and/or the debris collection chamber 204 of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 to the debris collection chamber 532 of the docking station 500. For example, in some implementations, the docking station 500 can interface with the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 and/or the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 to open an access point into the respective debris collection unit of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 and/or debris collection chamber 204 of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202, e.g., via a lever or a valve. For example, the lever or valve can operate to allow the suction force created by the suction drive unit of the docking station 500 to pull collected debris in the debris collection unit of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 and/or in the debris collection chamber 204 of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 into the debris collection chamber 532 of the docking station 500. In some example implementations, the debris collected by the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 can be evacuated by first transferring such debris to the debris collection chamber 204 of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 (e.g., via a bottom hole of the debris collection chamber 204) and subsequently evacuated from the debris collection chamber 204 (e.g., combined with any debris already in the debris collection chamber 204) by the suction force created in the transfer channel 510 to be collected in the debris collection chamber 532 of the docking station 500.

The docking station 500 includes an attachment grip 506 to reversibly attach to a base region 203 of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202, e.g., which can be configured as a shape that corresponds to the shape of the inner region of the attachment grip 506 so as to allow the attachment grip 506 to secure to the base region 203. In some embodiments, for example, the attachment grip 506 can include a moveable grip mechanism that allows outward arms of the attachment grip 506 to compress against the outer wall of the base region 203 on the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202. In some embodiments, for example, the attachment grip 506 can include one or more projection structures (not shown) that can be inserted into corresponding cavities (not shown) along the outer wall of the base region 203 on the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 to interlock and enhance securement to the attachment grip 506; or, vice versa, the attachment grip 506 can include one or more corresponding cavities that interface with projection structure(s) along the outer wall of the base region 203. In some embodiments, for example, the attachment grip 506 is moveable in a vertical direction (e.g., up and down), which can enable the docking station 500 to lift the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 and detach the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 from the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 when the vacuum cleaner 200 is docked at the docking station 500. In this manner, for example, the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 can be remotely and/or automatically programmed to disengage from the docking station 500 and perform a cleaning protocol independent of the upright vacuum cleaner 210 (e.g., which is lifted upward to be disengaged from the robotic vacuum cleaner 210).

The docking station 500 can include a data processing unit 550 in data communication with functional units of the docking station 500, such as the suction drive unit, sensors associated with the transfer channel 510 and/or debris collection chamber 532, the attachment grip 506 (e.g., an actuator unit of the attachment grip 506), and/or other units of the docking station 500 to monitor and/or control activity of the docking station 500, e.g., such as whether the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 is docked, actuate movement of the attachment grip 506 (e.g., to operate the actuator unit of the attachment grip 506 to compress to compress arms of the attachment grip 506 and/or move the attachment grip 506 up and down for detachment of the upright canister vacuum cleaner 202 with the robotic vacuum cleaner 210), create a suction force to pull debris from the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 to the debris collection chamber 532, and/or control interface and opening of the inlet 502 with the debris collection unit of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 to enable collected debris transfer.

In some embodiments, for example, the docking station 500 can include an ultraviolet (UV) light device 520 that can generate UV light to disinfect bacteria or other microorganisms in the waste airflow within the transfer channel 510 of the docking station 500. In some embodiments, for example, the docking station 500 may include a particulate filter unit (not shown) which comprises one or more filters to remove particulates (including the dust, dirt, microbes (having just been sterilized), etc.) from the air flow, e.g., such as HEPA filter(s) and/or charcoal filter(s). In some embodiments, for example, the docking station 500 includes one or more scent pods and/or packs, which can include example embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. In some embodiments, for example, the docking station 500 includes a battery charging unit to electrically couple to a battery of the robotic vacuum cleaner 210 to charge the battery.

Examples

The examples and embodiments disclosed herein can be combined with each other, and further examples of the present technology include more or fewer elements than the elements in the examples.

In some embodiments in accordance with the present technology (example A1), a vacuum cleaner system includes a canister vacuum cleaner device and a robotic vacuum cleaner device that is removably coupled to or is digitally communicable with the canister vacuum cleaner device. The canister vacuum cleaner device includes a canister to collect debris, wherein a top of the canister includes a handle, a vertical hollow structure that located towards a rear of the canister and coupled to the canister, a flexible extendable hose included in the vertical hollow structure, wherein a first end of the flexible extendable hose is coupled to a retractable handle portion located on top of the vertical hollow structure, and wherein a second end of the flexible extendable hose that is opposite to the first end is coupled to the canister, and a housing located below the canister, wherein the housing includes a retractable electrical cord. The robotic vacuum cleaner device includes a storage area to collect debris, a battery, a plurality of wheels that are removably coupled to one or more motors, and a lever or a valve structured to direct debris either to the storage area or to the canister.

Example A2 includes the vacuum cleaner system of any of examples A1-A4, wherein a top surface of the robotic vacuum cleaner includes a depressed region in which at least some of a bottom region of the canister vacuum cleaner device is removably coupled to the top surface of the robotic vacuum cleaner device, and wherein the depressed region includes a first hole though which debris is directed to a second hole on a bottom surface of the canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein the second hole extends from the bottom surface of the canister into the canister.

Example A3 includes the vacuum cleaner system of any of examples A1-A4, wherein a rear portion of the robotic vacuum cleaner includes an indented region in which vertical hollow structure is removably coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner device, and wherein the indented region includes a first hole though which debris is directed to a second hole on a bottom end of the vertical hollow structure.

Example A4 includes the vacuum cleaner system of any of examples A1-A3, wherein the upright canister vacuum cleaner device comprises a canister handle positioned on a top side of the canister.

In some embodiments in accordance with the present technology (example A5), A robotic vacuum cleaner device includes a storage area to collect debris, a battery, a plurality of wheels that are removably coupled to one or more motors, a lever or a valve structured to direct debris to the storage area.

Example A6 includes the robotic vacuum cleaner device of any of examples A5-A7, wherein a top surface of the robotic vacuum cleaner includes a depressed region that includes a first coverable hole.

Example A7 includes the robotic vacuum cleaner device of any of examples A5-A6, wherein a rear portion of the robotic vacuum cleaner includes an indented region that includes a first coverable hole.

In some embodiments in accordance with the present technology (example B1), a vacuum cleaner system includes an upright canister vacuum cleaner device and a robotic vacuum cleaner device that is removably coupled to upright canister vacuum cleaner device. The upright canister vacuum cleaner device includes a suction drive device comprising a motor to create a suction force to pull an airflow containing debris into the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, a canister to collect the debris separated from the airflow, a vertical hollow structure that located towards a rear of the canister and coupled to the canister, and a flexible extendable hose included in the vertical hollow structure, wherein a first end of the flexible extendable hose is coupled to a retractable handle portion located on top of the vertical hollow structure, and wherein a second end of the flexible extendable hose that is opposite to the first end is coupled to the canister. The robotic vacuum cleaner device includes a second suction drive device comprising one or more motors to create a second suction force, independent of the suction force creatable by the suction drive device of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein, when operated, the second suction drive device is operable to pull a second airflow containing debris into the robotic vacuum cleaner device, a debris storage area to collect the debris separated from the second airflow, a battery, a plurality of wheels that are removably coupled to the one or more motors of the second suction drive device, a control unit comprising a processor and a memory coupled to processor, wherein the control unit is configured to determine an attachment state of the robotic vacuum cleaner device coupled to the upright canister vacuum cleaner device and a detachment state of the robotic vacuum cleaner device uncoupled to the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein the control unit is configured to shut down the second suction drive device when the attachment state is determined and to allow operation of the second suction drive device when the detachment state is determined, and a lever or a valve structured to direct dirty airflow either to the debris storage area of the robotic vacuum cleaner device or to the canister of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device.

Example B2 includes the vacuum cleaner system of any of examples B1-B14, further comprising: a docking station to removably attach at least the robotic vacuum cleaner, the docking station including a housing, an inlet on the housing, a transfer channel within the housing and coupled to the inlet, and a debris collection chamber disposed in the housing and coupled to the transfer channel, wherein the docking station is operable to transfer the collected the debris separated from the second airflow in the debris storage area of the robotic vacuum to the debris collection chamber of the docking station.

Example B3 includes the vacuum cleaner system of any of examples B1-B14, wherein the lever or valve of the robotic vacuum cleaner is automatically controllable by the control unit of the robotic vacuum cleaner based on a determined state, or wherein the lever or valve of the robotic vacuum cleaner is manually controllable.

Example B4 includes the vacuum cleaner system of example B3 or any of examples B1-B14, wherein the automatically controllable lever or valve is configured to direct the dirty airflow to the debris storage area of the robotic vacuum cleaner device when the determined state is the detachment state, and to direct the dirty airflow to canister of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device when the determined state is the attachment state.

Example B5 includes the vacuum cleaner system of any of examples B1-B14, wherein a top surface of the robotic vacuum cleaner device includes a depressed region in which at least some of a bottom region of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device is removably coupled to the top surface of the robotic vacuum cleaner device.

Example B6 includes the vacuum cleaner system of example B5 or any of examples B1-B14, wherein the depressed region includes a first hole though which debris is directed to a second hole on a bottom surface of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein the second hole extends from the bottom surface of the canister into the canister.

Example B7 includes the vacuum cleaner system of any of examples B1-B14, wherein a rear portion of the robotic vacuum cleaner device includes an indented region in which the vertical hollow structure of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device is removably coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner device, wherein the indented region includes a first hole though which debris is directed to a second hole on a bottom end of the vertical hollow structure.

Example B8 includes the vacuum cleaner system of example B7 or any of examples B1-B14, wherein the upright canister vacuum cleaner device and the robotic vacuum cleaner device are removably coupled by magnets.

Example B9 includes the vacuum cleaner system of any of examples B1-B14, wherein the robotic vacuum cleaner device is in digital communication with an electronic circuit of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device.

Example B10 includes the vacuum cleaner system of example B9 or any of examples B1-B14, wherein the electronic circuit of the upright canister vacuum cleaner includes a transceiver in wireless communication with a transceiver of the control unit of the robotic vacuum cleaner, and wherein the upright canister vacuum cleaner is operably independent from the robotic vacuum cleaner such that both the upright canister vacuum cleaner and the robotic vacuum cleaner wirelessly connect with each other and exchange or send information pertaining to a surface to be cleaned, including information about a portion of the surface already vacuumed by at least one of the upright canister vacuum cleaner or the robotic vacuum cleaner.

Example B11 includes the vacuum cleaner system of any of examples B1-B14, wherein the upright canister vacuum cleaner device comprises a canister handle positioned on a top side of the canister.

Example B12 includes the vacuum cleaner system of any of examples B1-B14, wherein the upright canister vacuum cleaner device comprises a storage housing located below the canister, wherein the storage housing includes a retractable electrical cord.

Example B13 includes the vacuum cleaner system of example B12 or any of examples B1-B14, wherein the suction drive device is contained within the storage housing.

Example B14 includes the vacuum cleaner system of any of examples B1-B13, wherein the upright canister vacuum cleaner device includes a filtration unit configured before the canister in an airflow passage leading to the suction drive device, wherein the filtration unit includes at least one of a cyclone separator or one or more filter sheets.

In some embodiments in accordance with the present technology (example B15), a robotic vacuum cleaner device includes a housing; a suction drive device contained within the housing and comprising one or more motors to create a suction force to pull an airflow containing debris into the robotic vacuum cleaner device; a storage area contained within the housing to collect debris; a battery contained within the housing; a plurality of wheels disposed on a bottom side of the housing that are removably coupled to the one or more motors of the suction drive device; a control unit contained within the housing and comprising a processor and a memory coupled to processor; and a lever or a valve positioned in a channel within the housing to direct debris to the storage area or a hole configured on a side of the housing, wherein the robotic vacuum cleaner device is configured to attach to and operate independently of a separate upright canister vacuum cleaner device.

Example B16 includes the robotic vacuum cleaner device of any of examples B15-B20, or of any of examples B1-B14, wherein the control unit is configured to determine an attachment state of the robotic vacuum cleaner device coupled to the upright canister vacuum cleaner device and a detachment state of the robotic vacuum cleaner device uncoupled to the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein the control unit is configured to shut down the suction drive device of the robotic vacuum cleaner device when the attachment state is determined.

Example B17 includes the robotic vacuum cleaner device of any of examples B15-B20, or of any of examples B1-B14, wherein the side includes a top side of the robotic vacuum cleaner device that includes a depressed region that includes the hole, which includes a moveable cover or expose the hole.

Example B18 includes the robotic vacuum cleaner device of any of examples B15-B20, or of any of examples B1-B14, wherein the side includes a rear side of the robotic vacuum cleaner device that includes an indented region that includes the hole, which includes a moveable cover to cover or expose the hole.

Example B19 includes the robotic vacuum cleaner device of any of examples B15-B20, or of any of examples B1-B14, wherein the lever or valve is automatically controllable by the control unit based on a determined state.

Example B20 includes the robotic vacuum cleaner device of example B19 or any of examples B15-B18, or of any of examples B1-B14, wherein the lever or valve is configured to direct the dirty airflow to the storage area of the robotic vacuum cleaner device when the determined state is the detachment state, and to direct the dirty airflow to the hole on the side of the robotic vacuum cleaner device to allow the upright canister vacuum cleaner device to pull the dirty air when the determined state is the attachment state.

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and are not necessarily drawn consistently from one figure to another. Instead, emphasis is placed on clearly illustrating the principles of the present technology.

Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operations described in this patent document can be implemented in various systems, digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. The computer readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of matter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combination of one or more of them. The term “data processing unit” or “data processing apparatus” encompasses all apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. The apparatus can include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Computer readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of nonvolatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

While this patent document contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this patent document in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described in this patent document should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments.

Only a few implementations and examples are described and other implementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on what is described and illustrated in this patent document.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner system, comprising:

an upright canister vacuum cleaner device, comprising: a suction drive device comprising a motor to create a suction force to pull an airflow containing debris into the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, a canister to collect the debris separated from the airflow, a vertical hollow structure that located towards a rear of the canister and coupled to the canister, and a flexible extendable hose included in the vertical hollow structure, wherein a first end of the flexible extendable hose is coupled to a retractable handle portion located on top of the vertical hollow structure, and wherein a second end of the flexible extendable hose that is opposite to the first end is coupled to the canister; and

a robotic vacuum cleaner device that is removably coupled to upright canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein the robotic vacuum cleaner device comprises: a second suction drive device comprising one or more motors to create a second suction force, independent of the suction force creatable by the suction drive device of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein, when operated, the second suction drive device is operable to pull a second airflow containing debris into the robotic vacuum cleaner device, a debris storage area to collect the debris separated from the second airflow, a battery, a plurality of wheels that are removably coupled to the one or more motors of the second suction drive device, a control unit comprising a processor and a memory coupled to processor, wherein the control unit is configured to determine an attachment state of the robotic vacuum cleaner device coupled to the upright canister vacuum cleaner device and a detachment state of the robotic vacuum cleaner device uncoupled to the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein the control unit is configured to shut down the second suction drive device when the attachment state is determined and to allow operation of the second suction drive device when the detachment state is determined, and a lever or a valve structured to direct dirty airflow either to the debris storage area of the robotic vacuum cleaner device or to the canister of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device.

2. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 1, further comprising:

a docking station to removably attach at least one of the robotic vacuum cleaner or the upright canister vacuum cleaner device,

the docking station including a housing, an inlet on the housing, a transfer channel within the housing and coupled to the inlet, and a debris collection chamber disposed in the housing and coupled to the transfer channel,

wherein the docking station is operable to transfer at least one of the collected the debris separated from the second airflow in the debris storage area of the robotic vacuum or the collected debris separated from the airflow in the canister of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device to the debris collection chamber of the docking station.

3. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 1, wherein the lever or valve of the robotic vacuum cleaner is automatically controllable by the control unit of the robotic vacuum cleaner based on a determined state, or wherein the lever or valve of the robotic vacuum cleaner is manually controllable.

4. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 3, wherein the automatically controllable lever or valve is configured to direct the dirty airflow to the debris storage area of the robotic vacuum cleaner device when the determined state is the detachment state, and to direct the dirty airflow to canister of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device when the determined state is the attachment state.

5. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the robotic vacuum cleaner device includes a depressed region in which at least some of a bottom region of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device is removably coupled to the top surface of the robotic vacuum cleaner device.

6. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 5, wherein the depressed region includes a first hole though which debris is directed to a second hole on a bottom surface of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein the second hole extends from the bottom surface of the canister into the canister.

7. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 1, wherein a rear portion of the robotic vacuum cleaner device includes an indented region in which the vertical hollow structure of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device is removably coupled to the robotic vacuum cleaner device, wherein the indented region includes a first hole though which debris is directed to a second hole on a bottom end of the vertical hollow structure.

8. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 7, wherein the upright canister vacuum cleaner device and the robotic vacuum cleaner device are removably coupled by magnets.

9. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 1, wherein the robotic vacuum cleaner device is in digital communication with an electronic circuit of the upright canister vacuum cleaner device.

10. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 9, wherein the electronic circuit of the upright canister vacuum cleaner includes a transceiver in wireless communication with a transceiver of the control unit of the robotic vacuum cleaner, and wherein the upright canister vacuum cleaner is operably independent from the robotic vacuum cleaner such that both the upright canister vacuum cleaner and the robotic vacuum cleaner wirelessly connect with each other and exchange or send information pertaining to a surface to be cleaned, including information about a portion of the surface already vacuumed by at least one of the upright canister vacuum cleaner or the robotic vacuum cleaner.

11. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 1, wherein the upright canister vacuum cleaner device comprises a canister handle positioned on a top side of the canister.

12. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 1 wherein the upright canister vacuum cleaner device comprises a storage housing located below the canister, wherein the storage housing includes a retractable electrical cord.

13. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 12, wherein the suction drive device is contained within the storage housing.

14. The vacuum cleaner system of claim 1, wherein the upright canister vacuum cleaner device includes a filtration unit configured before the canister in an airflow passage leading to the suction drive device, wherein the filtration unit includes at least one of a cyclone separator or one or more filter sheets.

15. A robotic vacuum cleaner device, comprising:

a housing;

a suction drive device contained within the housing and comprising one or more motors to create a suction force to pull an airflow containing debris into the robotic vacuum cleaner device;

a storage area contained within the housing to collect debris;

a battery contained within the housing;

a plurality of wheels disposed on a bottom side of the housing that are removably coupled to the one or more motors of the suction drive device;

a control unit contained within the housing and comprising a processor and a memory coupled to processor; and

a lever or a valve positioned in a channel within the housing to direct debris to the storage area or a hole configured on a side of the housing,

wherein the robotic vacuum cleaner device is configured to attach to and operate independently of a separate upright canister vacuum cleaner device.

16. The robotic vacuum cleaner device of claim 15, wherein the control unit is configured to determine an attachment state of the robotic vacuum cleaner device coupled to the upright canister vacuum cleaner device and a detachment state of the robotic vacuum cleaner device uncoupled to the upright canister vacuum cleaner device, wherein the control unit is configured to shut down the suction drive device of the robotic vacuum cleaner device when the attachment state is determined.

17. The robotic vacuum cleaner device of claim 15, wherein the side includes a top side of the robotic vacuum cleaner device that includes a depressed region that includes the hole, which includes a moveable cover or expose the hole.

18. The robotic vacuum cleaner device of claim 15, wherein the side includes a rear side of the robotic vacuum cleaner device that includes an indented region that includes the hole, which includes a moveable cover to cover or expose the hole.

19. The robotic vacuum cleaner device of claim 15, wherein the lever or valve is automatically controllable by the control unit based on a determined state.

20. The robotic vacuum cleaner device of claim 19, wherein the lever or valve is configured to direct the dirty airflow to the storage area of the robotic vacuum cleaner device when the determined state is the detachment state, and to direct the dirty airflow to the hole on the side of the robotic vacuum cleaner device to allow the upright canister vacuum cleaner device to pull the dirty air when the determined state is the attachment state.