Cleaner and method for controlling the same

Abstract

A cleaner is provided that includes a head having a base, which is configured to face a surface to be cleaned, and an intermediate connector detachably coupled to a bottom of the base at an upper surface of the intermediate connector. Further, the intermediate connector supports a cleaning member that is detachably coupled to a lower surface of the intermediate connector. Additionally, the cleaner also includes a first coupler to detachably couple the intermediate connector to the bottom of the base.

1 . A cleaner comprising: 
 a head including a base configured to face a surface to be cleaned;    an intermediate connector detachably coupled to a bottom of the base at an upper surface of the intermediate connector, wherein the intermediate connector supports a cleaning member that is detachably coupled to a lower surface of the intermediate connector; and    a first coupler that detachably couples the intermediate connector to the bottom of the base.    
   
   
       2 . The cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the first coupler further comprises coupling grooves provided at either one of the intermediate connector and the base, and coupling protrusions provided at the other one of the intermediate connector and the base, wherein the coupling protrusions correspond to the coupling grooves, respectively.  
   
   
       3 . The cleaner according to  claim 2 , wherein a magnetic force couples the coupling protrusions and the coupling grooves.  
   
   
       4 . The cleaner according to  claim 3 , wherein either one of each coupling groove and each coupling protrusion is made of metal, and the other one of each coupling groove and each coupling protrusion is made of a magnetic material.  
   
   
       5 . The cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate connector includes a coupling releaser to release the coupling between the intermediate connector and the base.  
   
   
       6 . The cleaner according to  claim 5 , wherein the coupling releaser is provided proximate a periphery of the intermediate connector, and is located at a rear end of the head.  
   
   
       7 . The cleaner according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a steam generator, which generates steam, provided on the base.    
   
   
       8 . The cleaner according to  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 an injection guide, provided at a bottom of the base, that injects steam generated by the steam generator into the cleaning member.    
   
   
       9 . The cleaner according to  claim 8 , wherein the intermediate connector further comprises a guide hole that engages the injection guide such that the intermediate connector is positioned on the head.  
   
   
       10 . The cleaner according to  claim 9 , wherein either one of the guide hole and the injection guide has side surfaces formed with side protrusions, and the other one of the guide hole and the injection guide has side surfaces formed with insertion grooves corresponding to the side protrusions.  
   
   
       11 . The cleaner according to  claim 10 , wherein a magnetic force couples the side protrusions and the insertion grooves.  
   
   
       12 . The cleaner according to  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a water tank that communicates with the steam generator to supply the steam generator with water.    
   
   
       13 . The cleaner according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second coupler that couples the cleaning member and the intermediate connector.    
   
   
       14 . The cleaner according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an air suction tube provided on the base, and configured to suck air containing debris, which is present on the surface to be cleaned.    
   
   
       15 . A cleaner comprising: 
 a cleaner including a fan-motor assembly that sucks air;    a dust collector detachably coupled to the cleaner body, wherein the dust collector is configured to separate and collect debris from the sucked air;    a head including an air suction tube that sucks air in accordance with an operation of the fan-motor assembly, and a steam generator, which generates steam, arranged at one side of the air suction tube;    an intermediate connector detachably coupled to a bottom of the head at an upper surface of the intermediate connector, and the intermediate connector supporting a cleaning member detachably coupled to a lower surface of the intermediate connector; and    a first coupler that detachably couples the intermediate connector to a bottom of the head.    
   
   
       16 . The cleaner according to  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 a connector that detachably connects the cleaner body and the head, to enable the cleaner to either simultaneously or selectively perform a vacuum cleaning function to suck air and generate steam.    
   
   
       17 . The cleaner according to  claim 15 , further comprising; 
 a partition plate that prevents the steam from entering a base opening formed through the bottom of the head to communicate with the air suction tube.    
   
   
       18 . A method for controlling a cleaner, comprising: 
 coupling a cleaning member, which is configured to clean a soiled surface, to an intermediate connector;    providing a head that is configured to face the soiled surface;    coupling the intermediate connector to a bottom of the head;    performing a steam cleaning operation to steam-clean the soiled surface by injecting steam into the cleaning member; and    separating the intermediate connector from the head after completion of the steam cleaning operation.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 performing a vacuum cleaning operation by sucking air containing debris through an air suction tube mounted to the head, and removing the debris from the sucked air.    
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the steam cleaning operation and the vacuum cleaning operation are simultaneously or selectively performed.