Patent Description:
In general, a vacuum cleaner is a device that is equipped with a fan motor generating suction power, and through the suction power generated by the fan motor, suctions foreign substances, such as dust, together with air, separates the foreign substances contained in the suctioned air from the air, and collects the dust to perform cleaning.

The vacuum cleaner includes a dust collecting chamber for collecting foreign substances, and a user needs to periodically separate the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber from the vacuum cleaner and discharge the separated foreign substances from the dust collecting chamber. <CIT> discloses a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner body and a charging stand. <CIT> discloses a vacuum cleaner and a charging stand. <CIT> discloses a cleaner support mechanism and a cleaner unit.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a cleaning apparatus including a docking station of a vacuum cleaner capable of automatically discharging foreign substances from a dust collecting chamber.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a cleaning apparatus including a docking station capable of discharging foreign substances from a dust collecting chamber while charging a battery of a vacuum cleaner.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a cleaning apparatus including: a vacuum cleaner including a battery configured to generate a suction force and a dust collecting chamber in which foreign substances suctioned by the suction force are collected; and a docking station connected to the vacuum cleaner and having a long axis extending in a first direction, wherein the docking station includes: a charging part provided to come in contact with the battery to charge the battery; a docking part connected to the dust collecting chamber to remove the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber; and a suction device configured to suction the foreign substances and internal air in the dust collecting chamber docked onto the docking part, wherein the docking part includes a docking opening that is opened in a second direction different from the first direction such that at least a portion of the dust collecting chamber is inserted into the docking opening.

The charging part may be disposed upward of the docking part in the first direction.

The first direction may be provided in a direction corresponding to an upper side and lower side direction of the docking station, and the second direction may be provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

The first direction may be provided in a direction corresponding to an upper side and lower side direction of the docking station, and the second direction may be provided in a direction inclined with respect to the first direction.

The dust collecting chamber may include a body provided in a cylindrical shape formed around an extension axis extending in one direction, and may be provided to be inserted into the docking part in an extending direction of the extension axis of the dust collecting chamber.

The vacuum cleaner may further include: a suction unit configured to suction foreign substances; and an extension pipe connecting the suction unit and the dust collecting chamber to each other and having a long axis extending in one direction, and the long axis of the extension pipe and the extension axis of the dust collecting chamber may be provided to be substantially perpendicular to each other.

The vacuum cleaner may further include: a suction unit configured to suction foreign substances; and an extension pipe connecting the suction unit and the dust collecting chamber to each other and having a long axis extending in one direction, and while the dust collecting chamber is docked onto the docking part, the vacuum cleaner may be supported on the docking station such that the long axis of the extension pipe extends in a direction corresponding to the first direction.

The dust collecting chamber may further include: a dust collecting chamber opening that is opened in a direction corresponding to the extending direction of the extension axis of the body and formed at one end of the body; and a dust collecting chamber door configured to open and close the dust collecting chamber opening, and while the dust collecting chamber is inserted into the docking opening, the dust collecting chamber door may be provided to be disposed inside the docking part.

The dust collecting chamber may further include a fixing member provided to fix the dust collecting chamber door to the body, and when pressed by an external force, release the fixing of the dust collecting chamber door, and the docking part may be configured to press the fixing member in response to the dust collecting chamber being inserted into the docking opening.

The docking part may include an opening guide configured to press the fixing member in response to the dust collecting chamber being inserted into the docking opening.

The dust collecting chamber door may be provided to rotate about a rotation shaft disposed at one side of one end of the body, and the dust collecting chamber may be provided such that, when the dust collecting chamber is inserted into the docking opening, the rotation shaft may be disposed on an upper end of the dust collecting chamber in the first direction.

The dust collecting chamber may further include an elastic member disposed in an extending direction of the rotating shaft for the dust collecting chamber door to be biased in a direction toward the body.

The dust collecting chamber may further include a pair of magnetic members disposed on the body and the dust collecting chamber door, respectively.

The dust collecting chamber door may be provided to be rotated about the rotation shaft by a suction air current formed in the suction device when the suction device is driven.

The docking station may further include a collecting part configured to collect foreign substances inside the dust collecting chamber flowing through a suction air current formed by the suction device, wherein the charging part, the docking part, the collecting part, and the suction device may be sequentially arranged in the first direction.

A cleaning apparatus including: a vacuum cleaner including a battery for generating a suction force, a dust collecting chamber in which foreign substances suctioned by the suction force are collected; and a docking station connected to each of the battery and the dust collecting chamber,
wherein the docking station includes: a body including a docking surface having a docking opening to which the dust collecting chamber is docked and having a long axis extending in a first direction; a charging part connected to the battery and formed on an upper side of the docking surface in the first direction; a docking part communicating with the docking opening and provided to allow at least a part of the dust collecting chamber to be inserted thereinto remove foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber; and a suction device configured to suction the foreign substances and internal air in the dust collecting chamber docked onto the docking part, wherein the dust collecting chamber is provided to be inserted into the docking opening in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

In addition, the docking station may be provided such that the charging part and the suction device are simultaneously operated.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provide a cleaning apparatus including: a vacuum cleaner including a suction unit configured to suction foreign substances, a dust collecting chamber configured to collect the foreign substances suctioned from the suction unit, and an extension pipe connecting the suction unit to the dust collector and having a long axis extending in one direction; and a docking station connected to the vacuum cleaner and having a long axis extending in a first direction, wherein the docking station includes: a body including a docking surface having a docking opening to which the dust collecting chamber is docked and having a long axis extending in a first direction; a docking part communicating with the docking opening and provided to allow the dust collecting chamber to be inserted in a second direction different from the first direction to remove foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber; and a suction device configured to suction the foreign substances and internal air in the dust collecting chamber docked onto the docking part, wherein the dust collecting chamber is provided in a cylindrical shape having a long axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the extension pipe.

In addition, the second direction may correspond to a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

In addition, the vacuum cleaner may further include a cleaner body having a motor for forming a suction air current, and the dust collecting chamber may be integrally formed with the cleaner body.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the cleaning apparatus can allow the docking station of the vacuum cleaner to charge the battery of the vacuum cleaner while automatically removing foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber of the vacuum cleaner.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, when the dust collecting chamber of the vacuum cleaner is inserted into the docking station in a direction substantially perpendicular to a upper side and lower side direction, foreign substances collected in the dust collecting can be effectively removed.

Embodiments described in the specification and configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary examples of the disclosure, and various modifications may replace the embodiments and the drawings of the disclosure at the time of filing of the present application.

Further, identical symbols or numbers in the drawings of the disclosure denote components or elements configured to perform substantially identical functions.

Further, terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to limit to the disclosure. The singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms "include," "including," "have," and/or "having" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Further, it should be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, the elements are not limited by the terms, and the terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The term "and/or" includes combinations of one or all of a plurality of associated listed items.

Further, the terms "upper side," "lower side," "upper side and lower side direction," and the like used herein are defined with reference to the drawings, and the shape and the location of the components are not limited by the terms.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a docking station of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure, <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which a vacuum cleaner of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure is separated from a docking station, <FIG> is a view illustrating a side cross-section of a part of a docking station in a state in which a vacuum cleaner of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure is docked onto a docking station, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a part of a vacuum cleaner of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG>, a cleaning apparatus <NUM> may include a cleaner <NUM> and a docking station <NUM>.

The cleaner <NUM> may include a cleaner body <NUM>, an extension pipe <NUM> detachably coupled to the cleaner body <NUM>, a suction unit <NUM> detachably coupled to the extension pipe <NUM>, and a dust collecting chamber <NUM> connected to the cleaner body.

The cleaner body <NUM> may include a suction motor (not shown) that generates a suction force required to suction foreign substances on a surface to be cleaned.

The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be disposed upstream of the suction motor (not shown) in an air current, to filter out dust or dirt in the air introduced through the main suction unit <NUM> and collect the filtered dust or dirt. The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be integrally formed with the cleaner body <NUM>. When the cleaner body <NUM> and the dust collecting chamber <NUM> are referred to as being integrally formed with each other, the cleaner body <NUM> and the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may provide a structure in which the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is not arbitrarily separated from the cleaner body <NUM> in use. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be provided to be detachable from the cleaner body <NUM>.

The cleaner body <NUM> may include a handle <NUM> to be gripped by a user for manipulation of the cleaner <NUM>. The user may hold the handle <NUM> and move the cleaner <NUM> in the front-rear direction.

The cleaner body <NUM> may include a dust collection guide <NUM> for guiding foreign substances into the dust collecting chamber <NUM> by connecting the dust collecting chamber <NUM> to the extension pipe <NUM> and the suction unit <NUM>.

The dust collection guide <NUM> may be coupled to the above-described extension pipe <NUM> while guiding the foreign substances to the dust collecting chamber <NUM> as described above. In addition, the dust collection guide <NUM> may be provided to be directly coupled to the suction unit <NUM> other than the extension pipe <NUM> or may be coupled to other components, such as an auxiliary suction unit.

The extension pipe <NUM> may extend to have a long axis X extending in one direction.

Accordingly, the user may have an increased convenience of cleaning by coupling various components to the dust collection guide <NUM> according to the cleaning situation.

The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be provided in a cylindrical shape having an extension axis Y extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the long axis X of the extension pipe <NUM> extends. In detail, the dust collection guide <NUM> may be coupled to the extension pipe <NUM> such that the long axis X of the extension pipe <NUM> faces in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the extension axis Y of the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may include a cylindrical body <NUM> extending in the extending direction of the extension axis Y.

The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be provided to collect foreign substances through centrifugal rotation separation through the cylindrical body <NUM>. The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may include a multi-cyclone to collect foreign substances by centrifugal rotation separation.

The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may include a dust collecting chamber door <NUM> that is disposed at a side opposite to a portion connected to the dust collection guide <NUM> in the extending direction of the extension axis Y and configured to open and close the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

When a large amount of foreign substances is collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM>, the user may open the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> to discharge the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> from the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

In detail, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> may be provided to open and close a dust collecting chamber opening <NUM> that is formed at one end of the body <NUM> of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> and provided to be open in the extending direction of the extension axis Y.

The dust collecting chamber opening <NUM> may be openable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the long axis X of the extension pipe <NUM> extends.

The handle <NUM> may be disposed at a side of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> opposite to a side in which the extension pipe <NUM> is disposed.

The cleaner <NUM> may include a battery <NUM> provided to provide a driving force to the cleaner <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be detachably mounted to the cleaner body <NUM>. Specifically, the battery <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the handle <NUM>.

Accordingly, the battery <NUM> may be disposed at a side of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> opposite to a side in which the extension pipe <NUM> is disposed.

The battery <NUM> may be electrically connected to a charging terminal <NUM> provided in the docking station <NUM> to be described below. The battery <NUM> may be charged by receiving power from the charging terminal <NUM> provided in the docking station <NUM>.

The docking station <NUM> may be configured for the cleaner <NUM> to be stored or mounted thereon. The cleaner <NUM> may be charged in the docking station <NUM>.

The docking station <NUM> may include a body housing <NUM> that forms the external appearance of the docking station <NUM>.

The body housing <NUM> may be provided to have a long axis extending in one direction. The long axis of the body housing <NUM> may preferably be provided to extend in the upper side and lower side direction. Accordingly, the docking station <NUM> may be provided in the shape of a box extending approximately in the upper side and lower side direction.

The docking station <NUM> may include a charging part <NUM> onto which the handle <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM> is docked to supply the battery <NUM> with power.

The charging part <NUM> may include a battery mounting part <NUM> on which the battery <NUM> is mounted, a battery guide <NUM> for guiding the mounting of the battery <NUM> and a charging terminal <NUM> for supplying power to the battery <NUM> in response to the battery <NUM> being mounted on the charging part <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> may be provided detachably from the cleaner body <NUM>. Accordingly, the cleaner <NUM> may be provided to be coupled with one or more replaceable batteries <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> may be disposed to be exposed to the outside as in the embodiment of the disclosure, but may be disposed inside the cleaner body <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM> with being exposed to the outside. In this case, the charging part <NUM> may be provided to seat at least a portion of the cleaner body <NUM>, in which the battery <NUM> is disposed, thereon to charge the battery <NUM>.

The cleaner <NUM> may approach the docking station <NUM> in a second direction B, which is a direction approximately perpendicular to the first direction A, which is the extending direction of the docking station <NUM>, to be docked onto the docking station <NUM>. This is to allow the battery <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM> to be docked onto the docking station <NUM> at the same time as the dust collecting chamber <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>.

The conventional docking station, is provided to, when the cleaner is docked onto the docking station, supply the battery with power as described above. The docking station <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure is further implemented to, when the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, allow dust collected inside the dust collecting chamber <NUM> to be automatically discharged, so that convenience of the consumer is increased.

In the conventional technology, the user needs to directly empty the dust collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> after using the cleaner <NUM>, which is cumbersome. However, the docking station <NUM> according to the embodiment of the disclosure may be implemented to, when the cleaner <NUM> is docked, directly dock with the dust collecting chamber <NUM> so that dust collected inside the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be automatically removed.

The docking station <NUM> according to the embodiment of the disclosure is provided to automatically discharge the dust collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> while charging the battery <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM> when the cleaner <NUM> is docked on the docking station <NUM>. However, as will be described below, the docking station <NUM> may be provided to, when the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, selectively charge the cleaner <NUM> only or charge the cleaner <NUM> while discharging dust of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> according to a user's selection.

The docking station <NUM> may include a suction device <NUM> to discharge the dust collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> from the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

The docking station <NUM> may include a controller (not shown) for a user to input a signal for driving the suction device <NUM>. When the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, the user may input a signal to the controller (not shown) so that the docking station <NUM> is controlled to charge the battery <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM> while discharging the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the controller (not shown) of the docking station <NUM> may be provided to drive the suction device <NUM> upon receiving a detection value of a sensor for detecting docking of the cleaner <NUM>, so that the suction device <NUM> is automatically driven in response to the cleaner <NUM> being docked even without a signal inputted by a user.

The docking station <NUM> may include a docking part <NUM> provided for the dust collecting chamber <NUM> to be docked onto the docking station <NUM>.

As described above, the body housing <NUM> may be provided to have a long axis extending in the first direction A. The first direction A may be provided in a direction corresponding to the upper side and lower side direction. Accordingly, the docking station <NUM> may be provided in a box shape extending in the upper side and lower side direction.

The docking part <NUM> may be disposed in an upper portion of the body housing <NUM>. The docking part <NUM> may be disposed at a lower side of the charging part <NUM> in the extending direction of the body housing <NUM>.

Preferably, the charging part <NUM> may be disposed on the upper end of the body housing <NUM> in the extending direction of the body housing <NUM>, and the docking part <NUM> may be disposed at a lower side of the charging part <NUM>.

Accordingly, the cleaner <NUM> may be docked onto the docking station <NUM> such that a side of the cleaner <NUM> on which the battery <NUM> is disposed is arranged on the upper side in the first direction A and a side of the cleaner <NUM> on which the extension pipe <NUM> is disposed is arranged on the lower side in the first direction A.

The suction device <NUM> may be disposed inside the body housing <NUM>. In detail, the suction device <NUM> may be disposed at a lower portion of the body housing <NUM> in the extending direction of the body housing <NUM>.

The docking station <NUM> may include a collecting part <NUM> for collecting foreign substances discharged from the dust collecting chamber <NUM>. The collecting part <NUM> may be disposed inside the body housing <NUM>. The collecting part <NUM> may be disposed at an upper side of the suction device <NUM>.

The charging part <NUM>, the docking part <NUM>, the collecting part <NUM>, and the suction device <NUM> may be sequentially disposed in the extending direction of the body housing <NUM>.

The docking station <NUM> may include a suction flow path <NUM> connecting the docking part <NUM> and the collecting part <NUM> to each other and allowing foreign substances discharged from the dust collecting chamber <NUM> to be suctioned through the docking part <NUM> to the collecting part <NUM>. The suction flow path <NUM> may be provided to extend in the extending direction of the body housing <NUM> to connect the docking part <NUM> and the collecting part <NUM> to each other.

The docking part <NUM> may include a seating space <NUM> communicating with the suction flow path <NUM> and in which the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is seated. The docking part <NUM> may include a docking opening <NUM> provided so that the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM> from the outside of the docking station <NUM>.

At least a portion of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be provided to be inserted into the docking opening <NUM>. The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be seated on the seating space <NUM> through the docking opening <NUM>.

The docking opening <NUM> may be opened in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the long axis of the body housing <NUM>. That is, the docking opening <NUM> may be opened in the second direction B perpendicular to the first direction A.

As described above, the docking station <NUM> is provided in a box shape extending in the upper side and lower side direction. Accordingly, the docking opening <NUM> may be provided to be opened in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction of the docking station <NUM>.

The seating space <NUM> may have one end provided to communicate with the docking opening <NUM>, and the other end provided to communicate with the suction flow path <NUM>. Accordingly, the seating space <NUM> may be provided in a bent shape in which the seating space <NUM> formed to extend in the second direction B is alsoformed to extend in the first direction A.

Since the docking opening <NUM> is provided to be open while facing in the second direction B, the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be docked onto the docking station <NUM> in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the long axis of the body housing <NUM> extends. The cleaner <NUM> may be provided to be docked onto the docking station <NUM> in the second direction B.

The body housing <NUM> may include a docking surface <NUM> provided at a side in which the docking opening <NUM> is disposed and the cleaner <NUM> is docked. The docking surface <NUM> may be provided to form one surface of the body housing <NUM>. The docking surface <NUM> may be provided to face in the second direction B, which is the direction the docking opening <NUM> is opened.

Although not shown, the docking surface <NUM> may be provided in various shapes as well as a flat surface or a curved surface.

The docking surface <NUM> may extend in a planar shape having a long axis extending in one direction. Since the body housing <NUM> is provided in a box shape extending in the first direction A, which is the upper side and lower side direction, as described above, the long axis of the docking surface <NUM> may extend in a direction corresponding to the first direction A.

The docking opening <NUM> and the charging part <NUM> may be formed on the docking surface <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the charging part <NUM> may be disposed upward of the docking surface <NUM>, in detail, above the docking surface <NUM> in the extending direction of the docking surface <NUM>.

The cleaner <NUM> may be docked onto the docking station <NUM> in a direction facing the docking surface <NUM> of the docking station <NUM>. The cleaner <NUM> may be provided to be docked onto the docking station <NUM> in the second direction B.

The cleaner <NUM> may be docked onto the docking station <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the long axis of the docking surface <NUM> extends in the docking station <NUM>. The cleaner <NUM> may be provided to be docked onto the docking station <NUM> in the second direction B that is perpendicular to the first direction A.

Accordingly, when the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, the first direction A, which is the extending direction of the long axis of the body housing <NUM>, and the extension axis Y of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> are provided to face in directions approximately perpendicular to each other.

That is, the extension axis Y of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be inserted into the docking opening <NUM> of the docking station <NUM> in a direction corresponding to the second direction B. Accordingly, in a state in which the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, the long axis X of the extension pipe <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM> may be disposed in a direction corresponding to the first direction A. This is because the long axis X of the extension pipe <NUM> and the extension axis Y of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> are provided to be perpendicular to each other.

When the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is docked in a direction that is not perpendicular to the long axis of the docking station <NUM>, the extension pipe <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM> may be disposed to face other directions than the first direction A, so that the cleaner <NUM> docked onto the docking station <NUM> without the extension pipe <NUM> being separated by the user may lower the aesthetic sense and degrade the spatial efficiency of the space around the docking station <NUM>.

In addition, since it is also difficult for a user to separate the extension pipe or the suction unit that may be coupled to the dust collection guide <NUM>, the usability of the docking station <NUM> may decrease.

In order to solve such a limitation, the cleaning apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment of the disclosure may be provided to allow the vacuum cleaner <NUM> to be docked onto the docking station <NUM> and allow substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> to be automatically discharged in the docking station <NUM> in a state in which the extension pipe <NUM> or the suction unit <NUM> is coupled to the dust collection guide <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM>.

That is, the cleaning apparatus <NUM> may be provided to, when the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, arrange the direction in which the long axis X of the extension pipe <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM> faces to be in the first direction A, which is a direction in which the long axis of the docking station <NUM> extends.

The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be provided with a cyclone <NUM> disposed therein. The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be provided to collect foreign substances to a lower side 24a of the cyclone <NUM>. The dust collecting container <NUM> may include a first dust collecting part 20a that performs primarily dust collection to collect relatively large foreign substances and a second dust collecting part 20b that performs dust collection by the cyclone <NUM> to collect relatively small foreign substances.

Both the first dust collecting part 20a and the second dust collecting part 20b may be provided to be open to the outside when the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is opened.

Accordingly, when the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> disposed at one end of the body <NUM> is opened, the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be easily discharged to the outside of the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

When the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, at least a portion of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be provided to be inserted into the docking part <NUM> through the docking opening <NUM>. In detail, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> disposed at one end of the body <NUM> of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be disposed in the seating area <NUM> provided inside the docking part <NUM>.

Therefore, when the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is opened inside the docking part <NUM> so that the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be discharged inside the docking station <NUM> without being scattered to the outside of the docking station <NUM>.

The suction flow path <NUM> may be connected from the docking part <NUM> to the collecting part <NUM>. The suction flow path <NUM> may transmit the flow of air current generated by the suction device <NUM> to the dust collecting chamber <NUM>. That is, a suction air current generated by the suction device <NUM> passes through the collecting part <NUM>, and then along the suction flow path <NUM> and the seating area <NUM>, reaches the inside of the dust collecting chamber <NUM>, and the suction air current causes foreign substances inside the dust collecting chamber <NUM> to be discharged, along a flow of the air current, from the dust collecting chamber <NUM> to the seating area <NUM>, and then via the suction flow path <NUM>, collected in the collecting part <NUM>.

The collecting part <NUM> may include a collecting part housing <NUM>. The collecting part housing <NUM> may form an inner space. The collecting part <NUM> may include a dust bag <NUM> disposed in the inner space of the collecting part <NUM> and collecting foreign substances introduced through the suction flow path <NUM>.

The dust bag <NUM> is formed of a material that transmits air while blocking foreign substances so that foreign substances introduced from the dust collecting chamber <NUM> into the collecting part <NUM> may be collected.

The dust bag <NUM> may be directly connected to the suction flow path <NUM>, and the dust bag <NUM> may be provided detachably from the collecting part <NUM>.

Although not shown in the drawing, the collecting part <NUM> may include a panel (not shown) that is separable from the body housing <NUM> so that the user replaces the dust bag <NUM> from the outside when foreign substances are collected in the dust bag <NUM> by driving of the docking station <NUM>. The user may separate the panel (not shown) and open the collecting part housing <NUM> to separate the dust bag <NUM> from the collecting part <NUM>, and discharge the foreign substances collected by the docking station <NUM>.

Although not shown in the drawing, the collecting part <NUM> may include an additional dust collecting chamber (not shown) in addition to the dust bag <NUM>. The inner space of the additional dust collecting chamber (not shown) may be provided to be larger than the inner space of the dust collecting chamber <NUM>, and, similar to the dust collecting chamber <NUM>, may include a cyclone to collect fine foreign substances.

The suction device <NUM> may include a suction fan <NUM> and a suction device housing <NUM> forming an inner space in which the suction fan <NUM> is disposed.

The suction air current formed by the suction fan <NUM> may move from the inner space of the suction device housing <NUM>, passing through the collecting part <NUM> and the suction flow path <NUM>, to be finally supplied to the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

The docking station <NUM> may include a flow rate changing device <NUM> provided to selectively change the amount of suction air current supplied to the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

Air and foreign substances inside the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be discharged to the outside through the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> along the suction flow path <NUM>, but some of the foreign substances may be caught with inner components of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> and fail to be discharged to the outside.

For example, foreign substances, such as hair, may be caught in the inner component of the dust collecting chamber <NUM>, and thus without being separated out of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> by the suction air current generated to a lower side of the dust collecting chamber door <NUM>, remain inside the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

The suction air current delivered to the inside of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be formed to face only in a direction in which the dust collecting chamber opening <NUM> of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is opened. Accordingly, some foreign substances may have a resistance to the direction in which the suction air current is formed, and may not be separated from the dust collecting chamber <NUM> by the suction air current.

Accordingly, foreign substances inside the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may not be effectively removed.

The docking station <NUM> according to the embodiment of the disclosure may include the flow rate change device <NUM> that is provided to selectively supply the dust collecting chamber <NUM> with additional outside air in addition to the suction air current to solve the above-described limitation.

The flow rate changing device <NUM> may change the flow rate inside the dust collecting chamber <NUM> while the suction air current is being supplied to the inside of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> so that the air inside the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is being suctioned by the suction device <NUM>, to variously change the flow of air inside the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

The flow rate changing device <NUM> may be disposed inside the body housing <NUM>. The flow rate changing device <NUM> may be disposed between the collecting part <NUM> and the suction device <NUM>. In detail, the flow rate changing device <NUM> may be disposed between the collecting part <NUM> and a flow path to which the suction device <NUM> is connected.

However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the flow rate changing device <NUM> may be provided to be disposed between the collecting part <NUM> and the suction flow path <NUM>.

The suction device <NUM>, the flow rate changing device <NUM>, the collecting part <NUM>, and the docking part <NUM> may all be disposed inside the body housing <NUM>.

With respect to the first direction A, the charging part <NUM>, the docking part <NUM>, the collecting part <NUM>, the flow rate changing device <NUM>, and the suction device <NUM> may be sequentially disposed.

Accordingly, the docking station <NUM> may be provided in a box shape extending in the upper side and lower side direction, which is the first direction A.

As described above, the dust collecting container <NUM> may include the first dust collecting part 20a that performs primarily dust collection to collect relatively large foreign substances and the second dust collecting part 20b that performs dust collection by the cyclone <NUM> to collect relatively small foreign substances.

Both the first dust collecting part 20a and the second dust collecting part 20b may be provided to be open to the outside when the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is opened. In this case, when the dust collecting container door <NUM> is opened, both the first dust collecting part 20a and the second dust collecting part 20b may be provided to be opened to the outside.

The dust collecting chamber door <NUM> may include a coupling protrusion 21a provided to be coupled to the body <NUM> so that the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is maintained in a closed state and a cap portion 21b configured to prevent the foreign substances collected in the second dust collecting part 20b from being scattered to the outside when the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is closed.

The dust collecting chamber door <NUM> may open and close the dust collecting chamber opening <NUM> while rotating around a rotation shaft 21c disposed at one side of one end of the body <NUM> in which the dust collecting chamber opening <NUM> is formed.

The rotation shaft 21c may be disposed on one end of the body <NUM> at a side adjacent to the handle <NUM>. That is, the rotation shaft 21c may be disposed at a side opposite to a side in which the extension pipe <NUM> is disposed with respect to the extension axis Y of the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

This is to allow the rotation shaft 21c to be disposed on the upper end of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> in the first direction A when the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, as will be described below.

The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may include a fixing member <NUM> disposed on the other side of the one end of the body <NUM> and supporting the coupling protrusion 21a to prevent the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> from being separated from the one end of the body <NUM>.

The fixing member <NUM> may be hook-coupled with the coupling protrusion 21a to prevent the coupling protrusion 21a from being separated from the body <NUM>.

The fixing member <NUM> may include a push portion 25a provided to be rotated when pressed by an external force to release hook coupling with the coupling protrusion 21a, and a hook portion 25a hook-coupled with the coupling protrusion 25a in association with the push portion 25a.

The fixing member <NUM> may include an elastic member (not shown) provided to maintain the hook-coupled state of the hook portion 25b and the coupling protrusion 25a when the fixing member <NUM> is not pressed by the push portion 25a.

The elastic member (not shown) may be provided to be biased, in a state in which the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is closed, so that the hook portion 25b is pressed in a direction toward the coupling protrusion 21a, causing the hook coupling of the hook portion 25b and the coupling protrusion 21a to be maintained.

When a force greater than the elastic force of the elastic member (not shown) is applied to the push portion 25a, the hook portion 25b is rotated in association with the push portion 25a, and the hook coupling of the hook portion 25b and the coupling protrusion 21a may be released.

Therefore, when an external force is applied to the push portion 25a in a direction opposite to the radial direction of the body <NUM>, the push portion 25a may rotate in the opposite direction to the radial direction of the body <NUM>, and accordingly, the hook portion 25b may be rotated in the radial direction of the body <NUM> to move in a direction away from the coupling protrusion 21a.

Accordingly, the user may press the push portion 25a to open the dust collecting chamber <NUM>, and discharge the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> to the outside of the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a technical feature in which the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM> for the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> to be discharged will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of a vacuum cleaner before the vacuum cleaner is docked onto a docking station in a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure, <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of a vacuum cleaner in a state in which the vacuum cleaner is docked onto a docking station in a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of a vacuum cleaner when a suction device is driven in a state in which the vacuum cleaner is docked onto the docking station in the cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As described above, the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be docked onto the docking station <NUM> such that the extension axis Y faces in the second direction B. Accordingly, the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be docked onto the docking station <NUM> such that the extension axis Y is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first direction A, which is the direction of gravity.

When the extension axis Y of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is arranged in a direction corresponding to the direction of gravity, the dust collecting chamber opening <NUM> may be arranged to be open downward, and the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> may be arranged at the lower end of the dust collecting chamber <NUM>. In this case, when the fixing member <NUM> is pressed, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> may be separated from the body <NUM> by the gravity and rotate about the rotation shaft 21c in the direction of gravity, causing the dust collecting chamber opening <NUM> to be opened.

However, when the extending direction of the extension axis Y of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity as in the embodiment of the disclosure, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> may remain closed even when the fixing member <NUM> is pressed, unless an additional external force is generated.

In particular, since the rotation shaft 21c of the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is disposed on a side opposite to a side in which the extension pipe <NUM> is disposed with respect to the extension axis Y of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> as described, the rotation shaft 21c may be provided to be disposed on the upper end of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> in the first direction A when the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, so that the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> may remain closed without being affected by the gravity even in an openable state.

That is, since the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM> such that the extension axis Y of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> faces in the second direction B as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> may maintain a closed state even when the fixing member <NUM> is pressed inside the docking part <NUM> in the docked state of the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

The docking part <NUM> may include an opening guide <NUM> provided to press the push portion 25a when the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is seated in the seating space <NUM> through the docking opening <NUM> so that the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is set into an openable state.

The opening guide <NUM> may be arranged on a front inner circumferential surface <NUM> arranged on the front side of the seating space <NUM> in the second direction B and forming the docking opening <NUM> at a position of the seating space <NUM> in which the docking opening <NUM> is connected.

The opening guide <NUM> may be formed as a partial area of the front inner circumferential surface <NUM> according to the embodiment of the disclosure. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the opening guide <NUM> may be provided as a region or protruding surface protruding from the front inner circumferential surface <NUM> toward the center, or in the shape of a protrusion, a rib and the like protruding toward the center from the inner circumferential surface.

The front inner circumferential surface <NUM> may be provided to have a size substantially corresponding to that of an outer circumferential surface of the body <NUM>. In detail, the circumference of the inner circumferential surface of the docking opening <NUM> and the circumference of the dust collecting chamber body <NUM> may be provided to substantially the same.

That is, when the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, the front inner circumferential surface <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the body <NUM> may be provided to face each other at a predetermined distance therebetween.

Accordingly, as the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is being seated in the seating space <NUM> through the docking opening <NUM>, the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may have the outer circumferential surface of the body <NUM> moved along the front inner circumferential surface <NUM> in the second direction B.

In this case, the push portion 25a protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the body <NUM> may be pressed against the opening guide <NUM>.

In detail, as the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is moved in the second direction B, the push portion 25a disposed on the outside of the outer circumferential surface of the body <NUM> is pressed in the first direction A by the opening guide <NUM>, which causes the push portion 25a to rotate opposite to the radial direction of the outer circumferential surface of the body <NUM>, so that the hook coupling between the hook portion 25b and the coupling protrusion 21a is released, thereby setting the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> into an openable state.

However, as described above, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is maintained in an openable state without being opened unless an additional external force is generated.

The dust collecting chamber <NUM> may include a gasket <NUM> on the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> to seal a space between the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> and an inner circumferential surface 22a of the body <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> may be formed of an elastic material, such as rubber, to seal a space between the inner circumferential surface 22a of the body <NUM> and the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> to prevent foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> from being scattered to the outside.

As described above, since the gasket <NUM> is formed of an elastic material, the gasket <NUM> may be biased toward the inner circumferential surface 22a of the body <NUM> when the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is in a closed state.

That is, the gasket <NUM> is biased in the radial direction of the body <NUM> with respect to the center of the body <NUM>, so that when there is no external force on the dust collecting chamber door <NUM>, the gasket <NUM> may elastically support the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> to prevent the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> from being opened from the body <NUM>.

Accordingly, even when the fixing member <NUM> is pressed by the opening guide <NUM>, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is prevented from being separated from the body <NUM>.

Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, when the suction device <NUM> is driven and the suction air current flows into the dust collecting chamber <NUM> through the seating space <NUM>, the suction air current provides the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> with an external force in a direction to open the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> so that the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is opened and the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> are caused to flow into the collecting part <NUM> through the seating space <NUM> and thus collected in the collecting part <NUM>.

The seating space <NUM> may be provided to allow the dust collecting chamber <NUM> to be inserted thereinto and allow the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> to be rotated inside the seating space <NUM>.

The docking part <NUM> may include a flow path guide <NUM> disposed on the opposite side to the docking opening <NUM> in the second direction B in the seating space <NUM> and formed in a curved surface.

The flow path guide may be provided in a curved shape in which the flow guide connected to extend in the second direction B is connected to extend in the first direction A.

As described above, since the docking opening <NUM> is formed toward the second direction B and the suction device <NUM> is disposed downward of the docking part <NUM> in the first direction A, the suction air current generated by the suction device <NUM> and flowing toward the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may collide with a portion in which the first direction A and the second direction B cross each other, which causes noise or pressure loss.

The flow path guide <NUM> may be formed on the opposite side to the docking opening <NUM> in the second direction B in the seating space <NUM>, which is a portion in which the first direction A and the second direction B cross each other, to guide the suction air current such that the suction air current flowing in the first direction A is caused to flow in the second direction B smoothly, or vice versa.

Hereinafter, a cleaning apparatus <NUM> according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. The components for the present embodiment except the dust collecting chamber <NUM> are the same as those of the cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of a vacuum cleaner before the vacuum cleaner is docked onto a docking station in a cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of a vacuum cleaner before the vacuum cleaner is docked onto a docking station in a cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may include an elastic member <NUM> disposed on the rotation shaft 21c of the dust collecting chamber door <NUM>.

The elastic member <NUM> may be provided in the same shape as a torsion spring.

The elastic member <NUM> may be provided for the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> to be biased toward the body <NUM>.

Accordingly, even when the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is set into an openable state by the fixing member <NUM> of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> being pressed, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM>, which is elastically supported by the elastic member <NUM>, may remain closed unless an external force is generated.

However, in this case, when a suction air current is generated by the suction device <NUM>, the suction air current provides the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> with an external force in a direction to open the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> so that the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is opened and the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting container <NUM> are caused to flow into the collecting part <NUM> through the seating space <NUM> and thus collected in the collecting part <NUM>.

In addition, referring to <FIG>, the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may include a pair of magnetic members <NUM> disposed on the body <NUM> and the dust collecting chamber door <NUM>, respectively.

A first magnetic member 28a of the pair of magnetic members <NUM> may be disposed on the body <NUM>, and a second magnetic member 28b of the pair of magnetic members <NUM> may be disposed on the dust collecting chamber door <NUM>.

Accordingly, even when the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is set into an openable state by the fixing member <NUM> of the dust collecting chamber <NUM> being pressed, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM>, which is magnetically supported by the pair of magnetic members <NUM>, may remain closed unless an external force is generated.

Hereinafter, a cleaning apparatus <NUM> according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. The components for the embodiment except an opening guide are the same as those of the cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of a vacuum cleaner in a state in which the vacuum cleaner is docked onto a docking station in a cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of a vacuum cleaner docked onto a docking station with an opening guide driven in a cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure;
Since the fixing member <NUM> is pressed in response to the dust collecting chamber <NUM> being docked onto the docking station state <NUM>, the dust collecting door <NUM> may be maintained in an openable state. In this case, as described above, when there is no external force on the dust collecting chamber door <NUM>, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is not opened.

However, when an unexpected external force is applied to the docking station <NUM>, the external force is applied to the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> so that the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> may be opened and foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be scattered to the outside.

That is, when the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is opened by an external force other than the suction air current in a state in which the suction device <NUM> is not driven, the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be scattered to the outside of the docking station <NUM>.

The docking station <NUM> may be provided to, when the cleaner <NUM> is docked, perform both a charging mode of charging the battery <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM> and a suction mode of driving the suction device <NUM> to discharge foreign substances inside the dust collecting chamber <NUM>, or perform one of a charging mode and a suction mode.

That is, the user may control the docking station <NUM> so that, when the cleaner <NUM> is docked onto the docking station <NUM>, only the charging mode is performed. When the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is opened in a state in which the suction mode is not in operation, foreign substances may be scattered to the outside.

In order to solve such a limitation, the docking station <NUM> according to the embodiment of the disclosure may include an opening guide <NUM> allowing the fixing member <NUM> of the docked dust collecting chamber <NUM> to be pressed only when the suction device <NUM> is driven.

The opening guide <NUM> may be provided in the shape of a protrusion or a rib protruding toward the center of the front inner circumferential surface <NUM> from the front inner circumferential surface <NUM>.

The opening guide <NUM>, when the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is inserted into the docking part <NUM> through the docking opening <NUM> and docked, may be disposed at an inner side of the docking part <NUM> in the second direction B from the fixing member <NUM> of the dust collecting chamber <NUM>.

Accordingly, the opening guide <NUM> may be provided to prevent the fixing member <NUM> from being pressed in a state in which the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is docked.

Therefore, since the fixing member <NUM> is not pressed even when the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is docked onto the docking part <NUM>, the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is prevented from being opened by an external force.

The docking part <NUM> may include a driving device <NUM> interworking with the opening guide <NUM> to drive the opening guide <NUM>.

The driving device <NUM> may drive the opening guide <NUM> to translate the opening guide <NUM> in the second direction B according to a signal from the controller (not shown) of the docking station <NUM>.

The driving device <NUM> may, upon receiving a signal from the controller (not shown) of the docking station <NUM> when the suction device <NUM> is driven, drive the opening guide <NUM> to be moved forward in the second direction B.

The driving device <NUM> may be provided in various configurations, such as a motor, a solenoid valve, and the like.

As the opening guide <NUM> moves forward, the opening guide <NUM> may be provided to press the fixing member <NUM>, causing the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> to be set into an openable state.

Therefore, the opening guide <NUM> and the driving device <NUM> may allow the fixing member <NUM> to be selectively pressed so that the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> is opened only when the suction device <NUM> is driven. Accordingly, foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber <NUM> are prevented from being unintentionally scattered to the outside.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the driving device <NUM> may be provided to be directly controlled by the user. That is, in addition to control of the controller (not shown) of the docking station <NUM> according to the driving of the suction device <NUM>, the user may separately input a signal for driving the driving device <NUM> to drive the driving device <NUM>.

The user may input a driving signal of the driving device <NUM> to the controller (not shown) of the docking station <NUM>, so that the user may control the driving device <NUM> separately from driving of the suction device <NUM>.

In addition, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and in order for the user to directly move the opening guide <NUM> using a physical force through an intermediate member (not shown) provided to interwork with the opening guide <NUM>, the disclosure may include a push button (not shown) and the like interworking with the intermediate member (not shown).

The push button (not shown) may be disposed on one side of the body housing <NUM> to allow a user to easily open the dust collecting chamber door <NUM> through the opening guide <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a cleaning apparatus <NUM> according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. The components for the embodiment except a docking station are the same as those of the cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which a vacuum cleaner of a cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure is docked onto a docking station.

Referring to <FIG>, a body housing <NUM> of a docking station <NUM> may be provided to have a long axis extending in the first direction A.

A docking surface <NUM> of the body housing <NUM> may be provided to have a long axis extending in a third direction D having an inclination with respect to the first direction A, unlike the above described embodiment of the disclosure.

Accordingly, the docking surface <NUM> may be provided to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the first direction A, which is an upper and lower side direction.

Since the docking space <NUM> includes a docking opening <NUM> into which the dust collecting chamber <NUM> is inserted, the cleaner <NUM> may be docked onto the docking station <NUM> in a direction of the docking surface <NUM> in the docking station <NUM>. The cleaner <NUM> may be provided to be docked onto the docking station <NUM> in a fourth direction E perpendicular to the third direction D. The fourth direction E may be provided in a direction inclined with respect to the second direction B.

The cleaner <NUM> may be docked onto the docking station <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the long axis of the docking surface <NUM> extends in the docking station <NUM>. The cleaner <NUM> may be provided to be docked onto the docking station <NUM> in the fourth direction E perpendicular to the third direction D.

Claim 1:
A cleaning apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a vacuum cleaner (<NUM>) including a battery (<NUM>) configured to generate a suction force and a dust collecting chamber (<NUM>) in which foreign substances suctioned by the suction force are collected; and
a docking station (<NUM>) connected to the vacuum cleaner and having a long axis extending in a first direction (A),
wherein the docking station includes:
a charging part (<NUM>) provided to come in contact with the battery to charge the battery;
characterized in that the docking station further includes:
a docking part (<NUM>) connected to the dust collecting chamber to remove the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber; and
a suction device (<NUM>) configured to suction the foreign substances and internal air in the dust collecting chamber docked onto the docking part,
wherein the docking part includes a docking opening (<NUM>) that is opened in a second direction (B) different from the first direction (A) such that at least a portion of the dust collecting chamber (<NUM>) is inserted into the docking opening.