Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner is described having a suction unit, a first cleaning tool, and a second cleaning tool. The first cleaning tool is attachable to the suction unit and includes a first dirt separator. The second cleaning tool is likewise attachable to the suction unit and includes a second dirt separator. The first dirt separator and the second dirt separator employ different mechanisms for separating dirt from an airflow.

1 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a suction unit;   a first cleaning tool attachable to the suction unit, the first cleaning tool comprising a first dirt separator; and   a second cleaning tool attachable to the suction unit, the second cleaning tool comprising a second dirt separator,   wherein the first dirt separator and the second dirt separator employ different mechanisms for separating dirt from an airflow.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the cleaning tools comprises a suction inlet through which dirt from a surface is drawn into the vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cleaning tools comprises a first suction nozzle attachable to the dirt separator, and a second, different suction nozzle attachable to the dirt separator. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first cleaning tool comprises one or more first dirt-dislodging elements for dislodging dirt from a surface to be cleaned, and the second cleaning tool comprises one or more second, different dirt-dislodging elements. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cleaning tools comprises an agitator moveable to agitate a surface to be cleaned, and a drive assembly for driving the agitator. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each dirt separator comprises a dirt collection chamber for collecting dirt separated by the dirt separator. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first dirt separator is a cyclonic separator, and the second dirt separator is a non-cyclonic separator. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second dirt separator comprises at least one of a filter, a mesh screen, an inertial separator, a gravitational separator, and a rotating body that throws dirt into a dirt collection chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a third cleaning tool attachable to the suction unit, the third cleaning tool comprises a third dirt separator, and the first, second and third dirt separators employ different mechanisms for separating dirt from an airflow. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the suction unit comprises a suction motor and at least one of the cleaning tools comprises an electric motor. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the suction unit comprises a suction motor, and the suction motor operates at a first power when the first cleaning tool is attached to the suction unit, and the suction motor operates at a second, different power when the second cleaning tool is attached to the suction unit. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the suction unit forms a handle of the vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the suction unit is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the suction unit comprises a suction motor and a battery pack housed within a body.