Patent Publication Number: US-11375862-B2

Title: Cleaner stand and cleaning apparatus having the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0061353, filed on May 29, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The disclosure relates to a cleaner stand and a cleaning apparatus having the same, and more particularly to a cleaner stand having an improved separation structure and a cleaning apparatus having the same. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Generally, a vacuum cleaner is a home appliance that sucks air containing foreign substances such as dust by using vacuum pressure, which is generated by a motor mounted inside a cleaner body, and filters out the foreign substance inside the cleaner body. 
     Particularly, the vacuum cleaner typically includes a motor for generating a suction pressure, and a suction unit in contact with a surface to be cleaned, by the suction pressure generated by the motor. According to the form of the vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner may be classified into a canister-type cleaner, an upright-type cleaner, a handy-type cleaner and a stick-type cleaner. 
     The vacuum cleaner may be used with different cleaning tools depending on the type of surface to be cleaned. In this case, a user is required to separate a cleaning tool from the cleaner and couple the cleaning tool to the cleaner. After the use of the vacuum cleaner, a user may need to change the cleaning tool again upon mounting or storing the vacuum cleaner, and it leads to the inconvenience of the user. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, it is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a cleaner stand including an improved structure for mounting a cleaner and a cleaning apparatus having the same. 
     It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a cleaner stand including an improved separation and coupling structure of a suction unit and a cleaning apparatus having the same. 
     Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a cleaner stand to which a cleaner including a suction unit and a cleaner body removably locked to the suction unit is mounted, according to a direction in which the cleaner body is separated from the cleaner stand, the cleaner stand is configured to allow only the cleaner body, which is separated from the suction unit, to be separated by holding the suction unit, or allow the cleaner body, which is coupled to the suction unit, to be separated by releasing a hold on the suction unit. 
     The cleaner body may operate in one state of a coupled state in which the suction unit is locked to the cleaner body, a separated state in which the cleaner body is separated and apart from the suction unit, and a separable state in which the locking is released to be separable from the suction unit, and when the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand, the cleaner body may operate in the separable state. 
     When the cleaner body is separated from the cleaner, which is mounted to the cleaner stand, in a first direction, the cleaner body may be switched from the separable state into the coupled state and when the cleaner body is separated from the cleaner, which is mounted to the cleaner stand, in a second direction different from the first direction, the cleaner body may be switched from the separable state into the separated state. 
     The first direction may include a forward direction with respect to the cleaner stand, and the second direction may include an upward direction with respect to the cleaner stand. 
     When the cleaner body is separated in the second direction, the suction unit may be kept in a state of being placed in the cleaner stand. 
     The cleaner stand may include an unlocking protrusion configured to press a release button of the cleaner to allow the cleaner body to be operated in the separable state, the unlocking protrusion configured to restrict a movement of the suction unit in the second direction. 
     The unlocking protrusion may include a stopper surface configured to form a lower surface of the unlocking protrusion and configured to be inserted into a groove, which is formed by a pressure applied to the release button, the stopper surface configured to restrict a movement of the suction unit by being in contact with the suction unit when the cleaner body is separated in the second direction. 
     The stopper surface may be formed with a plane perpendicular to the second direction. 
     The cleaner stand may further include a stand body configured to form a receiving space in which the cleaner is placed, and the unlocking protrusion may protrude from the stand body to the receiving space. 
     The cleaner stand may further include a suction unit holder configured to be operated in conjunction with a mounting or separating operation of the suction unit about the receiving space. 
     When the cleaner is mounted on the cleaner stand, the suction unit holder may correspond to a portion apart from a portion corresponding to the unlocking protrusion in the cleaner. 
     The suction unit holder together with the unlocking protrusion may restrict a movement of the suction unit when the cleaner body is separated in the second direction. 
     The suction unit holder may include a holding surface formed with a plane perpendicular to the second direction in a lower surface of the suction unit holder to restrict the movement of the suction unit. 
     The suction unit holder may further include a mounting guide inclined in the first and second directions to guide the cleaner placed in the stand body. 
     The cleaner stand may further include a suction unit holder configured to be elastically movable by the movement of the suction unit, and the unlocking protrusion may be positioned in an end portion of the suction unit holder to elastically press the release button. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a cleaning apparatus includes a cleaner including a cleaner body and a suction unit removably locked to the cleaner body and a cleaner stand to which the cleaner is mounted, and the cleaner body operates in one state of a coupled state in which the suction unit is locked to the cleaner body, a separated state in which the suction unit is separated from the cleaner body, and a separable state in which the suction unit is separable from the cleaner body, and when the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand, the cleaner body is switched from the coupled state into the separable state, when the cleaner is separated from the cleaner stand in a first direction, the cleaner body is switched from the separable state into the coupled state, and when the cleaner is separated from the cleaner stand in a second direction different from the first direction, the cleaner body is switched from the separable state into the separated state. 
     The cleaner may include a release button provided in the suction unit and configured to be pressed to lock or unlock the cleaner body, and the cleaner stand may include a stand body configured to form a receiving space in which a part of the cleaner is placed and an unlocking protrusion formed in the stand body to be exposed to the receiving space and configured to press the release button to allow the cleaner body to operate in the separable state. 
     The cleaner may further include a button groove formed in a way that the release button is pressed, the button groove into which the unlocking protrusion is inserted, and the unlocking protrusion may include a stopper surface formed to face a button groove forming surface forming a lower surface of the button groove, so as to restrict a movement of the suction unit in the second direction. 
     The cleaner may further include an insertion groove formed in a position different from the button groove on an outer surface of the suction unit, and the cleaner stand may further include a suction unit holder positioned in the stand body to hold the suction unit, and the suction unit holder may include a holder surface formed to face an insertion groove forming surface forming a lower surface of the insertion groove, so as to restrict a movement of the suction unit in the second direction, together with the stopper surface. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a cleaning apparatus includes a cleaner including a cleaner body, a suction unit removably locked to the cleaner body and a release button configured to perform a separation operation between the cleaner body and the suction unit, and a cleaner stand to which the cleaner is mounted, and the cleaner stand includes a stand body in which the cleaner is placed, a suction unit holder positioned in the stand body to hold the suction unit, and an unlocking protrusion configured to allow the cleaner body and the suction unit to be separable by operating the release button when the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand, and when the cleaner body is separated from the cleaner stand in a first direction, a pressure of the unlocking protrusion applied to the release button is released and as the holding of the suction unit holder applied to the suction unit is released, the suction unit is coupled to the cleaner body so as to be separated together with the cleaner body, and when the cleaner body is separated from the cleaner stand in a second direction different from the first direction, a pressure of the unlocking protrusion applied to the release button is maintained and as the holding of the suction unit holder applied to the suction unit is maintained, the suction unit is separated from the cleaner body and only the cleaner body is separated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus to which a cleaner stand having a different shape is applied, in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a case in which a cleaner body is separated from a suction unit in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of a cleaner stand of the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a relationship between an unlocking protrusion and a release button of the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7A  is an enlarged perspective view of a suction unit holder in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the suction unit holder inserted into a cleaner in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are views illustrating a case in which the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 10, 11 and 12  are views illustrating a relationship between the cleaner and the cleaner stand when the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand, in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  are views illustrating a case in which the cleaner is separated from the cleaner stand, in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are perspective views of a cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  is a view illustrating a case in which a cleaner body is separated from a suction unit in the cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  is a view of a cleaner stand of the cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged perspective view of a suction unit holder in the cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the suction unit holder inserted into the cleaner in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 21  is a view illustrating a case in which the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 22, 23 and 24  are views illustrating a relationship between the cleaner and the cleaner stand when the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand, in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 25 and 26  are perspective views of a cleaning apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 27  is a view illustrating a case in which a cleaner body is separated from a suction unit in the cleaning apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 28  is a view of a cleaner stand of the cleaning apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 29  is an enlarged perspective view of a suction unit holder in the cleaning apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of the suction unit holder inserted into a cleaner in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 31  is a view illustrating a case in which the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 32, 33 and 34  are views illustrating a relationship between the cleaner and the cleaner stand when the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand, in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to still yet another embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments described in the disclosure and configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the disclosure, and may be modified in various different ways at the time of filing of the present application to replace the embodiments and drawings of the disclosure. 
     In addition, the same reference numerals or signs shown in the drawings of the disclosure indicate elements or components performing substantially the same function. 
     Also, the terms used herein are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit and/or restrict the disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this present disclosure, the terms “including”, “having”, and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, elements, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, but elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, a first element may be termed as a second element, and a second element may be termed as a first element. The term of “and/or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items. 
     Hereinafter the disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure and  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus to which a cleaner stand having a different shape is applied, in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     A cleaning apparatus  1  may include a cleaner  10  and a cleaner stand  50 . 
     The cleaner stand  50  may be configured to store the cleaner  10  or allow the cleaner  10  to be mounted thereto. The cleaner  10  may be charged in the cleaner stand  50 . The cleaner stand  50  may include legs  52  to be supported apart from the floor surface. According to the embodiment, the cleaner stand  50  may lean on the wall surface. The cleaner stand  50  is configured to be supported apart from the floor surface through a pair of legs  52 . As well as the cleaner stand  50  is configured to lean on the wall surface, the cleaner stand  50  may be configured to be fixed to the wall surface. However, the shape of the cleaner stand  50  is not limited. For example, through a base  54  placed in the floor surface and a leg  52  connecting the base  54 , a stand body  61  of the cleaner stand  50  may be supported against the floor surface, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, the cleaner stand  50  may be apart from the floor surface through a single leg. 
     The cleaner  10  may include a cleaner body  20  and a suction unit  30 . 
     The cleaner body  20  may include a suction motor (not shown) configured to generate a suction force for sucking foreign substances on a surface to be cleaned, and a dust collector  24  in which the foreign substances suctioned from the surface to be cleaned is collected. The dust collector  24  is positioned upstream of an air flow than the suction motor to filter out and collect dust and dirt, which is contained in the air flowing from the suction unit  30 . The dust collector  24  may be removably mounted to the cleaner body  20 . 
     The cleaner body  20  may include a handle  26  to allow a user to operate the cleaner  10  by gripping the handle  26 . The user may move the cleaner  10  in the front-rear direction by holding the handle  26 . 
     The cleaner body  20  may include a controller  28 . A user may turn on or turn off the cleaner  10  or adjust the intensity of the suction of the cleaner  10  by operating a power button provided in the controller  28 . 
     The suction unit  30  may be mounted to the cleaner body  20  and in contact with a surface to be cleaned. 
     The suction unit  30  may include a suction head  32  and an extension pipe  34 . 
     The suction head  32  is configured to suction foreign substances such as dust, on the surface to be cleaned by being in contact with the surface to be cleaned. 
     The extension pipe  34  may be configured to connect the suction head  32  to the cleaner body  20 . One end of the extension pipe  34  may be pivotally connected to the suction head  32  to allow the suction head  32  to perform the joint movement about the extension pipe  34 . 
     According to the embodiment, a suction unit  30   a  provided with the suction head  32  and the extension pipe  34  is described as an example of the suction unit  30 , but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the suction unit  30  may be a suction unit  30   b  to which a brush is coupled or a suction unit  30   c  including an opening that is narrow to clean a narrow gap. Therefore, there is no limitation in the shape of the suction unit  30 . 
     The cleaner stand  50  may include a connection port  86  to store the various types of suction units  30   b , and  30   c  described above. The connection port  86  may be formed in the cleaner stand  50 . The connection port  86  may be formed to protrude from the cleaner stand  50  and thus various types of suction units may be put and stored therein. 
       FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a case in which a cleaner body is separated from a suction unit in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     The other end of the extension pipe  34  may be removably locked to the cleaner body  20 . The cleaner  10  may include a release button  42 , and the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  may be separated from each other by operating the release button  42 . According to the embodiment, because the release button  42  is positioned at the other end of the extension pipe  34 , the cleaner body  20  is separated from or locked to the extension pipe  34  through the operation of the release button  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the release button  42  may be pressed by a unlocking protrusion  66  to form a holding groove  47  (refer to  FIGS. 4 and 6 ). That is, the unlocking protrusion  66  may be inserted into the holding groove  47  while simultaneously pressing the release button  42 . 
     The cleaner  10  may include a button border  46  surrounding at least a portion of the circumference of the release button  42 . The button border  46  forms the holding groove  47  based on a pressure applied to the release button  42  by the unlocking protrusion  66 . 
     The release button  42  having the elasticity is rotatably connected to the suction unit  30 . A hook  42   a  formed at one end of the release button  42  is engaged with a locking groove  29  formed at one side of the cleaner body  20 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . When a pressing surface  44  of the other end of the release button  42  is pressed, the release button  42  rotates and one end of the release button  42  is separated from the cleaner body  20 , thereby unlocking the cleaner body  20 . That is, the hook  42   a  is separated from the locking groove  29 , and the locking between the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  is released. According to the embodiment, it has been described that the release button  42  is located on the suction unit  30 , but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the release button  42  may be located in the cleaner body  20  and locked and fixed to one side of the suction unit  30 . In addition, the release button  42  is not limited to a configuration that is to be locked or unlocked by pressurization or depressurization. For example, the release button  42  and the unlocking protrusion  66  may be implemented with a contact type sensor or a non-contact type sensor and thus the release button  42  may release the locking by detecting a state in which the cleaner  10  is placed in the cleaner stand  50 . 
     According to the operation of the release button  42 , the cleaner body  20  is configured to be operated in three states; a coupled state  20   a  (refer to  FIGS. 2, 8, 9 , and  13 ) in which the cleaner body  20  is locked to the suction unit  30 , a separated state  20   c  (refer to  FIGS. 4 and 14 ) in which the cleaner body  20  is separated and apart from the suction unit  30 , and a separable state  20   b  (refer to  FIGS. 1 and 10 ) in which the locking of the suction unit  30  is released and thus the cleaner body  20  is separable. The separable state  20   b  of the cleaner body  20  represents a state in which the release button  42  is operated. That is, it represents that the cleaner body  20  is not separated from the suction unit  30  but only the release button  42  is pressed. 
     The suction unit  30  may include a holding groove  36 . The holding groove  36  may be formed at the other end of the extension pipe  34 . The holding groove  36  is configured to correspond to a suction unit holder  70  described later. The holding groove  36  may be formed in a concave shape to allow the suction unit holder  70  to be inserted thereinto and the holding groove  36  may be formed by a groove forming surface  38 . 
     The holding groove  47  formed by the operation of the release button  42  may be referred to as a first holding groove  47 , and the holding groove  36  of the suction unit  30  may be referred to as a second holding groove  36 . 
       FIG. 5  is a view of a cleaner stand of the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure,  FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a relationship between an unlocking protrusion and a separation button of the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure,  FIG. 7A  is an enlarged perspective view of a suction unit holder in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure and  FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the suction unit holder inserted into a cleaner in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     The cleaner stand  50  may be configured to store or charge the cleaner  10 . The cleaner  10  may be mounted to the cleaner stand  50 . 
     The cleaner stand  50  may include the stand body  61  receiving a part of the cleaner  10 , and the suction unit holder  70  on which the suction unit is mounted. 
     The stand body  61  may include a seating surface  64  forming a receiving space  62  in which at least one part of the cleaner  10  is placed. The cleaner  10  may be mounted or separated in the forward direction, the upward direction or the diagonal direction between the forward direction and the upward direction with respect to the cleaner stand  50 . That is, the receiving space  62  may be configured to be opened in the forward direction, the upward direction or the diagonal direction between the forward direction and the upward direction with respect to the cleaner stand  50 . 
     The stand body  61  includes a body seating surface  64   a  for forming a body receiving space  62   a  in which the cleaner body  20  is placed, and a pipe seating surface  64   b  forming a pipe receiving space  62   b  in which the suction unit  30  is placed. That is, the receiving space  62  may include the body receiving space  62   a  and the pipe receiving space  62   b . The seating surface  64  may include the body seating surface  64   a  and the pipe seating surface  64   b.    
     The stand body  61  may include an opening groove  65 . The opening groove  65  is configured to allow the body of the suction unit  30 , which is seated on the pipe receiving space  62   b , to pass through when the cleaner  10  is mounted thereon. Because one end of the suction unit  30  is mounted on the receiving space  62   b , the remaining part of the suction unit  30  is placed in the outside of cleaner stand  50 . The opening groove  65  is configured to allow the body of the suction unit  30  to pass therethrough to prevent the suction unit  30  from interfering with the cleaner stand  50 . 
     The cleaner stand  50  may include the unlocking protrusion  66 . The unlocking protrusion  66  releases the locking of the suction unit  30  to the cleaner body  20  by pressing the pressing surface  44  of the release button  42 . 
     The unlocking protrusion  66  is in contact the release button  42  provided on the cleaner  10  when the cleaner  10  is seated in the receiving space  62 . According to the embodiment, a contact protrusion presses the release button  42  and thus the locking between the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  is released by the release button  42 . That is, because the release button  42  is in contact with the unlocking protrusion  66  or the release button  42  is pressed by the unlocking protrusion  66 , the cleaner body  20  may be switched from the coupled state  20   a  into the separable state  20   b.    
     The unlocking protrusion  66  may be formed on the seating surface  64  forming the receiving space  62 . As the unlocking protrusion  66  is positioned at a position corresponding to the release button  42  of the cleaner  10 , the unlocking protrusion  66  is configured to release the locking of the release button  42 , which locks the cleaner body  20  in the suction unit  30 , when the cleaner  10  is placed in the receiving space  62 . The unlocking protrusion  66  may be placed between the suction unit holders  70  described later. In addition, the release button  42  may be positioned in a direction directed to the unlocking protrusion  66 . Therefore, when the cleaner  10  is placed in the cleaner stand  50 , the release button  42  may be not exposed to the outside. 
     The unlocking protrusion  66  may include a stopper surface  68 . The unlocking protrusion  66  is configured to restrict the upward movement of the suction unit  30  through the stopper surface  68  while pressing the release button  42 . The stopper surface  68  may form the lower surface of the unlocking protrusion  66 . The stopper surface  68  may be formed with a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The stopper surface  68  of the unlocking protrusion  66  is directed to the downward direction, and a movement restricting surface  48  forming the lower portion of the holding groove  47  formed in the release button  42  is formed to be directed to the upward direction. When the unlocking protrusion  66  is inserted into the holding groove  47 , the stopper surface  68  and the movement restricting surface  48  face each other. With this configuration, when the suction unit  30  is moved upward, the stopper surface  68  and the movement restricting surface  48  are in surface contact with each other so as to prevent the upward movement of the suction unit  30 . That is, the cleaner body  20  is separated from the suction unit  30  and operates in the separated state  20   c.    
     The cleaner stand  50  may include the suction unit holder  70 . The suction unit holder  70  is provided in the stand body  61  and configured to hold the suction unit  30 . The suction unit holder  70  may be a part of the stand body  61 . Particularly, the holding groove  36  may be formed at one side of the suction unit  30 , and the suction unit holder  70  may be inserted into the holding groove  36 . The holding groove  36  may correspond to the suction unit holder  70 . According to the embodiment, one side of the extension pipe  34 , a pair of holding grooves  36  are provided such that a single holding groove is provided on one of both sides of the extension pipe  34  and the other holding groove is provided on the other side of the extension pipe  34 . One pair of the suction unit holders  70  are provided by corresponding to the one pair of the holding grooves  36 . However, the arrangement and the number of the holding groove  36  and the suction unit holder  70  are not limited thereto. The holding groove  36  may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the suction unit holder  70 . That is, the groove forming surface  38  forming the holding groove  36  may be configured to correspond to the outer surface of the suction unit holder  70 . 
     The suction unit holder  70  may be provided on the pipe seating surface  64   b . The suction unit holder  70  may protrude from the pipe seating surface  64   b . At least a part of the suction unit holder  70  may be inserted into an insertion hole  64   c  formed in the pipe seating surface  64   b . The suction unit holder  70  may be operated with the elasticity. Particularly, the cleaner stand  50  may further include an elastic member  78  (refer to  FIG. 12 ). One end of the elastic member  78  is fixed to the cleaner stand  50 , and the other end of the elastic member  78  is fixed to the suction unit holder  70 . Therefore, the elastic member  78  is configured to allow the suction unit holder  70  to perform the elastic movement and to return to its original position. With this configuration, during the cleaner  10  is seated in the cleaner stand  50 , at least one part of the suction unit holder  70  is inserted into the insertion hole  64   c  by being pressed by the outer surface of the cleaner body  20  or the suction unit  30 , and after the cleaner  10  is seated in the cleaner stand  50 , the suction unit holder  70  protrudes from the pipe seating surface  64   b  and inserted into the holding groove  36  of the suction unit  30 . 
     The suction unit holder  70  may include a mounting guide  72 . 
     When the cleaner  10  is seated in the cleaner stand  50 , the mounting guide  72  of the suction unit holder  70  may be pressed by the outer surface of the cleaner  10 . At least one part of the suction unit holder  70  may be inserted into the insertion hole  64   c  by being pressed by the outer surface of the cleaner  10 . Particularly, the suction unit holder  70  may be pressed by the outer surface of the suction unit  30 . For this operation, the mounting guide  72  may be formed to be inclined to the seating surface  64 . 
     The mounting guide  72  is inclined to allow the cleaner  10  to be placed in the cleaner stand  50  in various directions. 
     The mounting guide  72  may include first to third guide slopes  72   a ,  72   b  and  72   c . In the suction unit holder  70 , the mounting guide  72  may be inclined from a protruding portion  71 , which is the most protruded from the pipe seating surface  64   b . The cleaner  10  may be seated in the forward direction, the upward direction or the diagonal direction between the forward direction and the upward direction with respect to the cleaner stand  50 . By corresponding to a direction in which the cleaner  10  is seated in the cleaner stand  50 , the first guide slope  72   a  is inclined to be close to the pipe seating surface  64   b  as the first guide slope  72   a  becomes closer to the front end in the suction unit holder  70 , and the second guide slope  72   b  is inclined to be close to the pipe seating surface  64   b  as the second guide slope  72   b  becomes closer to the upper end in the suction unit holder  70 . The third guide slope  72   c  may be configured to connect the first guide slope  72   a  to the second guide slope  72   b . Because the second guide slope  72   b  is inclined to be closer to the pipe seating surface  64   b  as the second guide slope  72   b  becomes closer to the upper end, an upper portion of the second guide slope  72   b  may be closer to the pipe seating surface  64   b  than a lower portion of the second guide slope  72   b.    
     According to the embodiment, the first and second guide slopes  72   a  and  72   b  are configured to form an edge of the mounting guide  72 , and the third guide slope  72   c  is configured to form an inclined surface between the first and second guide slopes  72   a  and  72   b . The third guide slope  72   c  may be formed of an inclined curved surface. However, the shape of the guide slop is not limited thereto. Therefore, the first and second guide slopes  72   a  and  72   b  may have an inclined surface by chamfering. There is no limitation in the shape of the first to third guide slopes  72   a ,  72   b , and  72   c  as long as being inclined in different directions. Alternatively, the first to third guide slopes  72   a ,  72   b , and  72   c  may be formed as inclined straight edges, or inclined planes, but is not limited thereto and thus the first to third guide slopes  72   a ,  72   b , and  72   c  may be formed as inclined curved edges or inclined curved surfaces. 
     The first to third guide slopes  72   a ,  72   b  and  72   c  may be inclined to be close to the pipe seating surface  64   b  in different directions from the protruding portion  71 , respectively. With this configuration, the suction unit holder  70  may operate although the cleaner  10  is inserted in the receiving space  62  of the cleaner stand  50  in various directions. In addition, after the cleaner  10  is inserted into the receiving space  62 , the suction unit holder  70  may be inserted into the holding groove  36 . 
     The suction unit holder  70  may include a separation guide  74 . 
     When the cleaner  10  seated on the cleaner stand  50  is separated from the cleaner stand  50 , the separation guide  74  of the suction unit holder  70  is pressed by the cleaner  10  to allow at least a part of the suction unit holder  70  to be inserted into the insertion hole  64   c . At least a part of the suction unit holder  70  may be inserted into the seating surface  64   c  by being pressed by the groove forming surface  38  of the holding groove  36  or the suction unit  30 . 
     By corresponding to a direction in which the cleaner  10  is separated from the front side of the cleaner stand  50 , the separation guide  74  may be inclined to be close to the pipe seating surface  64   b  as the separation guide  74  becomes closer to the rear end from the suction unit holder  70 . The separation guide  74  may be inclined from the protruding portion  71  to be close to the pipe seating surface  64   b  as the separation guide  74  becomes closer to the rear end. According to the embodiment, the separation guide  74  is formed with an inclined surface, which is inclined rearward, and an edge of the inclined surface, but is not limited thereto. The separation guide  74  may be formed with an inclined planar surface or an inclined curved surface, or an inclined straight edge or an inclined curved edge. With this configuration, when the cleaner  10  is separated from the receiving space  62  of the cleaner stand  50  to the front side, at least a part of the suction unit holder  70  may be inserted into the seating surface  64   c  because the separation guide  74  is pressed by the groove forming surface  38 . In this process, because the release button  42  is apart from the unlocking protrusion  66  and the state of the cleaner body  20  is switched from the separable state  20   b  into the coupled state  20   a , the cleaner body  20  together with the suction unit  30  is separated from the cleaner stand  50 . 
     The groove forming surface  38  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) may include first and second slope forming surfaces  39   a  and  39   b  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) inclined to correspond to the mounting guide  72  and the separation guide  74 . The groove forming surface  38  may include a movement restricting surface  40  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) corresponding to the stopper surface  76  described later. The movement restricting surface  40  is configured to form a lower surface of the holding groove  36 . A movement restricting surface  48  of the lower surface of the first holding groove  47  into which the unlocking protrusion  66  is inserted may be referred to as a first movement restricting surface  48  and a movement restricting surface  40  of the lower surface of the second holding groove  36  may be referred to as a second movement restricting surface  40 . The first holding groove  47  may be referred to as a button groove, and the first movement restricting surface  48  may be referred to as a button groove forming surface. The second holding groove  36  may be referred to as an insertion groove, and the second movement restricting surface  40  may be referred to as an insertion groove forming surface. 
     The suction unit holder  70  may include a stopper surface  76  (refer to  FIG. 7B ). 
     The stopper surface  76  allows the suction unit holder  70  to restrict the movement of the suction unit  30  when the cleaner  10  seated in the cleaner stand  50  is separated from the cleaner stand  50 . 
     The stopper surface  76  may form the lower surface of the suction unit holder  70 . The stopper surface  76  may be formed with a planar surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The stopper surface  76  of the suction unit holder  70  is directed downward and the movement restricting surface  40 , which forming the lower portion of the holding groove  36  is directed upward. The stopper surface  76  is in contact with the movement restricting surface  40  when the suction unit holder  70  is inserted into the holding groove  36 , and thus the stopper surface  76  is configured to prevent the upward movement of the suction unit  30 . 
     When the cleaner  10  is seated on the cleaner stand  50 , the cleaner body  20  operates in the separable state  20   b . When the cleaner body  20  is separated from the cleaner stand  50  to the upper side, the movement restricting surface  40  of the suction unit  30  is in contact with the stopper surface  76  so as to restrict the movement of the suction unit  30 . That is, the cleaner body  20  is separated from the suction unit  30  and then operates in the separated state  20   c.    
     The stopper surface  68  of the unlocking protrusion  66  may be referred to as a first stopper surface  68  (refer to  FIG. 8 ), and the stopper surface  76  of the suction unit holder  70  may be referred to as a second stopper surface  76 . The first stopper surface  68  is in contact with the second movement restricting surface  48  to restrict the upward movement of the suction unit  30  on the side of the release button  42  of the suction unit  30 . The second stopper surface  76  is in contact with the second movement restricting surface  40  to restrict the upward movement of the suction unit  30  on both sides of the suction unit  30 . The first and second stopper surfaces and the first and second movement restricting surfaces are arranged along the periphery of the suction unit  30  to restrict the upward movement of the suction unit  30 , and thus the cleaner body  20  may be stably switched from the separable state  20   b  into the separated state  20   c . The second stopper surface  76  may be referred to as a holder surface. 
     The cleaner stand  50  may include a body holder  80 . The body holder  80  may be configured to elastically protrude from the seating surface  64  or configured to allow at least a part thereof to be elastically inserted into the inside of the seating surface  64 . That is, after the body holder  80  is pressed by the cleaner body  20 , the body holder  80  may perform the elastic movement and return to its original position when the cleaner body  20  is seated or when the cleaner body  20  is separated. 
     The body holder  80  is configured to stably support the cleaner body  20  when the cleaner body  20  is seated on the cleaner stand  50 . The body holder  80  may include a first body guide surface  81 , and the first body guide surface  81  is inclined to allow the body holder  80  to be inserted into the inside of the seating surface  64  by an external force of the cleaner body  20  when the cleaner body  20  is inserted into the receiving space  62 . The first body guide surface  81  may be inclined to be close to the seating surface  64  as the first body guide surface  81  becomes closer to the forward end. The body holder  80  may include a second body guide surface  82  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). The second body guide surface  82  is provided on the rear portion of the body holder  80 , and configured to be inclined to allow the body holder  80  to be inserted into the inside of the seating surface  64  by an external force of the cleaner body  20  when the cleaner  10  seated in the cleaner stand  50  is separated from the cleaner stand  50 . The second body guide surface  82  may be inclined to be close to the seating surface  64  as the second body guide surface  82  becomes closer to the rearward end. 
     The body holder  80  may include a third body guide surface  83 . The third body guide surface  83  is provided in the upper portion of the body holder  80 , and configured to be inclined to guide the insertion of the cleaner  10  from the upper side or the diagonal direction to the receiving space  62 . 
     The cleaner stand  50  may include a buffer member  84 . 
     The buffer member  84  may be formed on the seating surface  64 . The buffer member  84  may alleviate the collision between the outer surface of the cleaner body  20  and the seating surface  64  of the cleaner stand  50  when the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  50 . According to the embodiment, a pair of the buffer member  84  are provided and positioned symmetrically with respect to the body seating surface  64   a . However, the number and arrangement of the buffer members  84  are not limited thereto. 
     Hereinafter the operation of mounting or separating the cleaner in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described. 
     First, an operation of mounting the cleaner  10  to the cleaner stand  50  will be described. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are views illustrating a case in which the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     The cleaner  10  may be placed on the cleaner stand  50  in a state where the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  are locked to each other. That is, in the coupled state  20   a  or the separated state  20   c , the cleaner body  20  may be placed in the receiving space  62  of the cleaner stand  50 . 
     The cleaner  10  may be placed in the forward direction, the upward direction or the diagonal direction between the forward direction and the upward direction with respect to the cleaner stand  50 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate that the cleaner  10  is placed in the forward direction, and the diagonal direction with respect to the cleaner stand  50 , but is not limited thereto. The cleaner  10  may be placed in the cleaner stand  50  in the upward direction. 
     During the cleaner  10  is mounted to the cleaner stand  50 , the mounting guide  72  of the suction unit holder  70  is elastically inserted into the seating surface  64  by the pressure of the outer surface of the cleaner  10 . The first to third guide slopes  72   a ,  72   b  and  72   c  are inclined in the forward direction, the upward direction or the diagonal direction between the forward direction and the upward direction in the suction unit holder  70 . Therefore, through the first to third guide slopes  72   a ,  72   b  and  72   c , the suction unit holder  70  is operated in conjunction with the mounting operation of the cleaner  10  despite of the different mounting direction of the cleaner  10 . When the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  50 , the suction unit holder  70  returns to its original position with the elasticity and then inserted into the holding groove  36  of the suction unit  30 . 
     Next, a state in which the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  50  will be described. 
       FIGS. 10 to 12  are views illustrating a relationship between the cleaner and the cleaner stand when the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand, in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     When the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  50 , the release button  42  is operated to allow the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  to be separable. That is, the unlocking protrusion  66  presses the release button  42  and then inserted into the first holding groove  47  generated by the movement of the release button  42 . In this process, the cleaner body  20  is switched from the coupled state  20   a  into the separable state  20   b . In a state in which only the suction unit  30  is mounted on the cleaner stand  50 , when the cleaner body  20  in the separated state  20   c  is mounted on the cleaner stand  50 , the cleaner body  20  is switched from the separated state  20   c  into the separable state  20   b . As the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  50 , the release button  42  of the cleaner  10  is operated by being in contact with the unlocking protrusion  66  or by being pressed by the unlocking protrusion  66 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Therefore, the locking between the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  is released. In addition, the suction unit holder  70  is inserted into the second holding groove  36  of the cleaner  10 . 
     Next, an operation of separating the cleaner  10  from the cleaner stand  50  will be described. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  are views illustrating a case in which the cleaner is separated from the cleaner stand, in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     When the cleaner body  20  is separated frontward from the cleaner stand  50 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the release button  42  is apart from the unlocking protrusion  66 . That is, the release button  42  allows the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  to be locked to each other, again. In other words, the cleaner body  20  is switched from the separable state  20   b  into the coupled state  20   a.    
     When the cleaner body  20  is separated frontward from the cleaner stand  50 , the suction unit holder  70  is pressed as the separation guide  74  slides on the inclined groove forming surface  38  of the holding groove  36 . The suction unit holder  70  is inserted into the seating surface  64 . The cleaner  10  is separated from the receiving space  62 , and at the same time, the suction unit holder  70  returns to its original position with the elasticity. 
     With this operation, the cleaner body  20  is switched into the coupled state  20   a , and the user can use the cleaner  10  equipped with the suction unit  30 . 
     An operation of separating the cleaner body  20  upward from the cleaner stand  50  as shown in  FIG. 14  will be described. 
     When the cleaner body  20  is separated upward from the cleaner stand  50 , the first movement restricting surface  68  of the unlocking protrusion  66  is locked to the first stopper surface  48  of the first holding groove  47 . In addition, as for the suction unit holder  70 , the second movement restricting surface  40  is locked to the second stopper surface  76  of the second holding groove  36 . That is, the first and second stopper surfaces  48  and  76  face the first and second movement restricting surfaces  68  and  40 , and thus the suction unit holder  70  prevents the upward movement of the suction unit  30 . According to the embodiment, it has been described that the first and second stopper surfaces  48  and  76  face the first and second movement restricting surfaces  68  and  40 , but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, it is sufficient that any one stopper faces a corresponding movement restricting surface. 
     The release button  42  is configured to keep the pressure with the unlocking protrusion  66  when the cleaner body  20  is separated upward from the cleaner stand  50 . That is, because the upward movement of the suction unit  30  is restricted by the suction unit holder  70  and the unlocking protrusion  66 , the pressure of the unlocking protrusion  66  applied to the release button  42  of the suction unit  30  is maintained. Accordingly, the cleaner body  20  is separated from the suction unit  30 . That is, the cleaner body  20  is switched from the separable state  20   b  into the separated state  20   c.    
     As for the direction in which the cleaner body  20  is separated, the forward direction may be defined as a first direction and the upward direction may be defined as a second direction. However, the first and second directions are not limited to the forward direction and the upward direction. Therefore, the first and second directions may vary according to the arrangement of the stopper surface  76 , the suction unit holder  70 , the unlocking protrusion  66  or the release button  42 . According to the embodiment, because the stopper surface  76  is a plane directed downward and the movement restricting surface  40  is a plane directed upward, the suction unit holder  70  restricts the upward movement of the suction unit  30 . Alternatively, the stopper surface  76  may be a plane directed diagonally downward and the movement restricting surface  40  may be a plane directed diagonally upward. In this case, the suction unit holder  70  may restrict the diagonal movement of the suction unit  30 . 
     The first and second directions are not limited to the forward direction and the upward direction, and thus the first and second directions may be defined as different directions. According to the embodiment, the first direction has been described as the forward direction from the cleaner stand  50 , but is not limited thereto. Therefore, the first direction may include the diagonal direction between the forward direction and the upward direction. 
     As mentioned above, by changing the direction in which the cleaner  10  is separated from the cleaner stand  50 , it is possible to separate only the cleaner body  20  or separate the cleaner body  20  on which the suction unit  30  is mounted. It is possible to couple or separate various cleaning tools to or from the cleaner body  20  by controlling the coupling direction or the separation direction of the cleaner  10 . 
     Hereinafter a cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. 
     In the description, the same elements as those described above will not be described again. In this embodiment, a separation button position of a cleaner, a suction unit holder, and an unlocking protrusion are different from those of the above-described embodiment. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  are perspective views of a cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure,  FIG. 17  is a view illustrating a case in which a cleaner body is separated from a suction unit in the cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure, and  FIG. 18  is a view of a cleaner stand of the cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , a cleaner stand  150  may include a suction unit holder  170 . The suction unit holder  170  is provided in a stand body  61  and configured to hold a suction unit  30 . 
     The suction unit holder  170  may be provided on a pipe seating surface  64   b . The suction unit holder  170  may protrude from the pipe seating surface  64   b  or at least a part of the suction unit holder  170  may be inserted into an insertion hole  64   c  formed in the pipe seating surface  64   b . The suction unit holder  170  may be operated with the elasticity through an elastic member  178  (refer to  FIG. 24 ). With this configuration, in the process of being mounted on the cleaner stand  150 , the suction unit holder  170  is pressed by the outer surface of a cleaner body  20  or the suction unit  30  and thus at least a part of the suction unit holder  170  is inserted into the insertion hole  64   c . After a cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  150 , the suction unit holder  170  protrudes from the pipe seating surface  64   b  and then inserted into a holding groove  147  of the suction unit  30 . 
     The cleaner stand  150  may include an unlocking protrusion  166 . The unlocking protrusion  166  is configured to be in contact with a release button  142  provided in the cleaner  10  when the cleaner  10  is seated in a receiving space  62 . According to the embodiment, a contact protrusion presses a pressing portion  144  of the separation button  142  and thus the locking between the cleaner body  20  and the cleaner body  20  is released by the release button  142 . 
     The unlocking protrusion  166  may be provided in the suction unit holder  170 . Particularly, the unlocking protrusion  166  may be configured to protrude rearward from an end portion of the suction unit holder  170 . That is, the unlocking protrusion  166  may be configured to protrude from the end portion of the suction unit holder  170  toward the receiving space  62 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the release button  142  may be located on a side opposite to a direction in which the cleaner  10  is inserted into the receiving space  62 . When the cleaner  10  is inserted into the cleaner stand  150 , the suction unit holder  170  elastically returns to its original position, and the unlocking protrusion  166  formed at the end of the suction unit holder  170  presses the release button  142  positioned in the cleaner  10 . With this operation, the cleaner body  20  is switched from the coupled state  20   a  into the separable state  20   b  while the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  150 . 
     The release button  142  may form a holding groove  147  by being pressed by the unlocking protrusion  166 . That is, the unlocking protrusion  166  may be inserted into the holding groove  147  while simultaneously pressing the release button  142 . 
     The cleaner  10  may include a button border  146  surrounding at least a portion of the circumference of the release button  142 . The button border  146  forms the holding groove  147  based on a pressure applied to the release button  142  by the unlocking protrusion  166 . 
       FIG. 19  is an enlarged perspective view of a suction unit holder in the cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure and  FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the suction unit holder inserted into a cleaner in the cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
     The suction unit holder  170  may include a mounting guide  172 . 
     When the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  150 , the mounting guide  172  of the suction unit holder  170  may be pressed by the outer surface of the cleaner  10 . At least one part of the suction unit holder  170  may be inserted into the insertion hole  64   c  by being pressed by the outer surface of the cleaner  10 . Particularly, the suction unit holder  170  may be pressed by the outer surface of the suction unit  30 . 
     In the suction unit holder  170 , the mounting guide  172  may be inclined to be close to the pipe seating surface  64   b  as the mounting guide  172  becomes closer to the front end. Particularly, the mounting guide  172  may be inclined from a protruding portion, which is the most protruded from the pipe seating surface  64   b , to be close to the pipe seating surface  64   b  as the mounting guide  172  becomes closer to the front end. 
     The suction unit holder  70  may include a separation guide  174 . 
     When the cleaner  10 , which is mounted on the cleaner stand  150 , is separated from the cleaner stand  150 , the separation guide  174  of the suction unit holder  170  is pressed by the cleaner  10  to allow at least a part of the suction unit holder  170  to be inserted into the insertion hole  64   c.    
     By corresponding to a direction in which the cleaner  10  is separated from the front side of the cleaner stand  150 , the separation guide  174  may be inclined to be close to the pipe seating surface  64   b  as the separation guide  174  becomes closer to the rear end. Particularly, the separation guide  174  may be inclined from a protruding portion to be close to the pipe seating surface  64   b  as the separation guide  174  becomes closer to the rear end. 
     The suction unit holder  70  may include a stopper surface  176  (refer to  FIG. 20 ). 
     The stopper surface  176  allows the suction unit holder  170  to restrict the movement of the suction unit  30  when the cleaner  10  mounted on the cleaner stand  150  is separated from the cleaner stand  150 . 
     The stopper surface  176  may form the lower surface of the suction unit holder  170 . Particularly, the stopper surface  176  may form the lower surface of the unlocking protrusion  166 . The stopper surface  176  may be formed with a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The stopper surface  176  of the suction unit holder  170  is directed downward and a movement restricting surface  148  forming the lower portion of the holding groove  147  is directed upward. The stopper surface  176  is in contact with the movement restricting surface  148  when the suction unit holder  170  is inserted into the holding groove  147 , and thus the stopper surface  176  is configured to prevent the upward movement of the suction unit  30 . 
     Hereinafter the operation of mounting or separating the cleaner on or from the cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. 
     First, an operation of mounting the cleaner  10  on the cleaner stand  150  will be described. 
       FIG. 21  is a view illustrating a case in which the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     The cleaner  10  may be mounted on the cleaner stand  150  in a state where the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  are locked to each other. That is, the cleaner body  20  in the coupled state  20   a  may be mounted on the receiving space  62  of the cleaner stand  150 . 
     The cleaner  10  may be mounted in the forward direction, the upward direction or the diagonal direction between the forward direction and the upward direction with respect to the cleaner stand  150 .  FIG. 21  illustrates that the cleaner  10  is mounted in the forward direction of the cleaner stand  150 , but is not limited thereto. The cleaner  10  may be mounted in the cleaner stand  150  in the upward direction or the diagonal direction. 
     During the cleaner  10  is mounted to the cleaner stand  150 , the mounting guide  172  of the suction unit holder  170  is elastically inserted into the seating surface  64  by being pressed by the outer surface of the cleaner  10 . When the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  150 , the suction unit holder  170  elastically returns to its original position and the unlocking protrusion  166  is inserted into the holding groove  147  by pressing the release button  142 . 
     Next, a state in which the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  150  will be described. 
       FIGS. 22 to 24  are views illustrating a relationship between the cleaner and the cleaner stand when the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand, in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     When the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  150 , the release button  142  is operated to allow the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  to be separable. That is, the cleaner body  20  is switched from the coupled state  20   a  into the separable state  20   b . As the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  150 , the release button  142  of the cleaner  10  is operated by being in contact with the unlocking protrusion  166  or by being pressed by the unlocking protrusion  66 , as illustrated in  FIG. 22 . Therefore, the locking between the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  is released. In addition, the unlocking protrusion  66  formed in the end portion of the suction unit holder  170  is inserted into the holding groove  147  generated by the pressure of the release button  142 . 
     Next, an operation of separating the cleaner  10  from the cleaner stand  150  will be described. The separation will be described with reference to the above mentioned drawings. 
     When the cleaner  10  is separated frontward from the cleaner stand  150 , the cleaner  10  is separated by pushing the suction unit holder  170 , and the unlocking protrusion  166  releases the pressure applied to the release button  142 . That is, the release button  142  is separated from the unlocking protrusion  166 . The release button  142  locks the cleaner body  20  to the suction unit  30  again. The cleaner body  20  is switched from the separable state  20   b  into the coupled state  20   a.    
     When the cleaner body  20  is separated upward from the cleaner stand  150 , the movement restricting surface  148  of the suction unit  30  is in contact with the stopper surface  176  and restricts the movement of the suction unit  30 . That is, the cleaner body  20  is separated from the suction unit  30  and thus the cleaner body  20  operates in the separated state  20   c.    
     As for the direction in which the cleaner body  20  is separated, the forward direction may be defined as a first direction and the upward direction may be defined as a second direction. However, the first and second directions are not limited to the forward direction and the upward direction. Therefore, the first and second directions may vary according to the arrangement of the stopper surface  176 , the suction unit holder  170 , the unlocking protrusion  166  or the release button  142 . According to the embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the forward direction from the cleaner stand  150 , but is not limited thereto. The first direction may include the diagonal direction between the forward direction and the upward direction. 
     Hereinafter a cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. 
     In the description, the same elements as those described above will not be described again. In this embodiment, a separation button position of a cleaner, a suction unit holder, and an unlocking protrusion are different from those of the above-described embodiment. 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  are perspective views of a cleaning apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure,  FIG. 27  is a view illustrating a case in which a cleaner body is separated from a suction unit in the cleaning apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure,  FIG. 28  is a view of a cleaner stand of the cleaning apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure,  FIG. 29  is an enlarged perspective view of a suction unit holder in the cleaning apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure and  FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of the suction unit holder inserted into a cleaner in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     A cleaner stand  250  may include a suction unit holder  270 . The suction unit holder  270  is provided in a stand body  61  and configured to hold the suction unit  30 . Particularly, a holding groove  247  may be formed on one side of the suction unit  30 , and the suction unit holder  270  may be inserted into a holding groove  247 . The suction unit holder  270  may be provided on a pipe seating surface  64   b.    
     The cleaner stand  250  may include an unlocking protrusion  266 . The unlocking protrusion  266  is configured to be in contact with a release button  242  provided in the cleaner  10  when the cleaner  10  is mounted on a receiving space  62 . According to the embodiment, the unlocking protrusion  266  presses a pressing portion  244  of the release button  242  and thus the locking between the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  is released by the release button  242 . 
     The unlocking protrusion  266  may be provided in the suction unit holder  270 . The unlocking protrusion  266  may form a protrusion of the suction unit holder  270 . That is, the unlocking protrusion  266  may be contained in the suction unit holder  270 , thereby forming a part of the suction unit holder  270 . According to the embodiment, the unlocking protrusion  266  is configured to correspond to the protrusion  71  of  FIG. 7A , but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, a plurality of protrusions may be formed in the suction unit holder  270  and at least one of the protrusions may serve as the unlocking protrusion  266 . 
     The release button  242  may be positioned on both sides of the cleaner  10 . Particularly, the release button  242  may be positioned on both sides of the suction unit  30 . According to the embodiment, a pair of the release buttons  242  is provided such that a single release button  242  is positioned on one of the both sides of the suction unit  30  and the other thereof is positioned on the other side of the suction unit  30 , but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, a single release button  242  may be positioned on only one side of the suction unit  30 . 
     The release button  242  may form the holding groove  247  by being pressed by the unlocking protrusion  266  provided in the suction unit holder  270 . That is, the unlocking protrusion  266  may be inserted into the holding groove  247  while simultaneously pressing the release button  242 . 
     The cleaner  10  may include a button border  246  surrounding at least a portion of the circumference of the release button  242 . The button border  246  forms the holding groove  247  when the release button  242  is pressed by the unlocking protrusion  266 . 
     The suction unit holder  270  may include a stopper surface  276  (refer to  FIG. 30 ). 
     The stopper surface  276  allows the suction unit holder  270  to restrict the movement of the suction unit  30  when the cleaner  10  mounted on the cleaner stand  250  is separated from the cleaner stand  250 . 
     The stopper surface  276  may form the lower surface of the suction unit holder  270 . The stopper surface  276  may be formed with a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The stopper surface  276  of the suction unit holder  270  is directed downward, and a movement restricting surface  248  forming the lower portion of the holding groove  247  is directed upward. The stopper surface  276  is in contact with the movement restricting surface  248  when the suction unit holder  270  is inserted into the holding groove  247 , and thus the stopper surface  276  is configured to prevent the upward movement of the suction unit  30 . 
     Hereinafter the operation of mounting or separating the cleaner on or from the cleaning apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. 
     First, an operation of mounting the cleaner  10  on the cleaner stand  250  will be described. 
       FIG. 31  is a view illustrating a case in which the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     The cleaner  10  may be mounted on the cleaner stand  250  in a state where the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  are locked to each other. That is, the cleaner body  20  in the coupled state  20   a  may be mounted on the receiving space  62  of the cleaner stand  250 . 
     The cleaner  10  may be mounted in the forward direction, the upward direction or the diagonal direction between the forward direction and the upward direction with respect to the cleaner stand  250 .  FIG. 31  illustrates that the cleaner  10  is mounted in the forward direction of the cleaner stand  250 , but is not limited thereto. The cleaner  10  may be mounted on the cleaner stand  250  in the upward direction or the diagonal direction. 
     During the cleaner  10  is mounted to the cleaner stand  250 , a mounting guide  272  of the suction unit holder  270  is elastically inserted into a seating surface  64  by the pressure of the outer surface of the cleaner  10 . When the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  250 , the suction unit holder  270  elastically returns to its original position and the unlocking protrusion  266  is inserted into the holding groove  247  by pressing the release button  242 . 
     Next, a state in which the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  250  will be described. 
       FIGS. 32 to 34  are views illustrating a relationship between the cleaner and the cleaner stand when the cleaner is mounted to the cleaner stand, in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     When the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  250 , the release button  242  is operated to allow the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  to be separable. That is, the cleaner body  20  is switched from the coupled state  20   a  into the separable state  20   b . As the cleaner  10  is mounted on the cleaner stand  250 , the release button  242  of the cleaner  10  is operated by being in contact with the unlocking protrusion  266  or by being pressed by the unlocking protrusion  266 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 32 to 34 . Therefore, the locking between the cleaner body  20  and the suction unit  30  is released. In addition, the unlocking protrusion  266  is inserted into the holding groove  247  of the cleaner  10 . 
     Next, an operation of separating the cleaner  10  from the cleaner stand  250  will be described. The separation will be described with reference to the above mentioned drawings. 
     When the cleaner  10  is separated frontward from the cleaner stand  250 , the cleaner  10  is separated by pushing the suction unit holder  270 , and the unlocking protrusion  266  releases the pressure applied to the release button  242 . That is, the release button  242  is apart from the unlocking protrusion  266 . The release button  242  locks the cleaner body  20  to the suction unit  30  again. The cleaner body  20  is switched from the separable state  20   b  into the coupled state  20   a.    
     When the cleaner body  20  is separated upward from the cleaner stand  250 , the movement restricting surface  248  of the suction unit  30  is in contact with the stopper surface  276  and restricts the movement of the suction unit  30 . That is, the cleaner body  20  is separated from the suction unit  30  and thus the cleaner body  20  operates in the separated state  20   c.    
     As for the direction in which the cleaner body  20  is separated, the forward direction may be defined as a first direction and the upward direction may be defined as a second direction. However, the first and second directions are not limited to the forward direction and the upward direction. Therefore, the first and second directions may vary according to the arrangement of the stopper surface  276 , the suction unit holder  270 , the unlocking protrusion  266  or the release button  242 . According to the embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the forward direction from the cleaner stand  250 , but is not limited thereto. The first direction may include the diagonal direction between the forward direction and the upward direction. 
     Hereinafter a cleaning apparatus according to still yet another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. 
     In the description, the same elements as those described above will not be described again. 
       FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to still yet another embodiment of the disclosure. 
     A cleaner stand  450  may be configured to store or charge a cleaner  10 . The cleaner stand  450  may include a plurality of stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c  on which the cleaner  10  is mounted. The cleaner stand  450  may include legs  52  to allow the stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c  to be supported apart from the floor surface. According to the embodiment, the stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c  may lean on the wall surface. The stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c  are configured to be supported apart from the floor surface through a pair of legs  52 . As well as, the stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c  is configured to lean on the wall surface, the cleaner stand  450  may be configured to be fixed to the wall surface. However, the shape of the cleaner stand  50  is not limited thereto. 
     The suction unit  30  may include a first suction unit  30   a  provided with a suction head  32  and an extension pipe  34 , a suction unit  30   b  to which a brush is coupled and a suction unit  30   c  including an opening that is narrow to clean a narrow gap. 
     According to the embodiment, the plurality of stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c  may be provided, and different suction unit  30  may be installed in each of the stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c . That is, the stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c  may include first, second and third stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c , and different suction units  30   a ,  30   b  and  30   c  may be installed in the stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c , respectively. 
     With this arrangement, it is possible to mount the cleaner body  20  to any one of the first, second and third stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c , selectively. In addition, it is possible to separate the cleaner body  20  in the coupled state  20   a , in which any one suction unit among the suction units  30   a ,  30   b  and  30   c  is mounted to the cleaner body  20 , or to separate the cleaner body  20  in the separated state  20   c.    
     According to the embodiment, it has been illustrated that the stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b  and  61   c  are arranged side by side in the left and right direction, but is not limited thereto. For example, the stand bodies  61   a ,  61   b , and  61   c  may be arranged in a circular shape and thus directed in different directions. 
     As is apparent from the above description, it is possible to stably mount the cleaner to the cleaner stand by improving a mounting structure of the cleaner about the cleaner stand. 
     The suction unit of the cleaner may be easily separated and coupled, thereby providing convenience to the user. 
     Various types of cleaners may be available by changing directions in which the cleaner is separated from the cleaner stand. 
     A user may easily select various suction units according to the purpose of use. 
     Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.