WO2015090438A1

WO2015090438A1 - Autonomous cleaner

Info

Publication number: WO2015090438A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/077660
Authority: WO
Inventors: Magnus WENNERSTRÖM
Original assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

An autonomous cleaner (10) is provided comprising a cleaner body (11), and a dust container (25) having a first aperture (28) and a second aperture (27) for admitting an air flow through the dust container from a nozzle (60) to a fan unit (50). The first aperture is arranged in a vertical first portion (71) of aside wall (74) of the dust container,and faces in a lateral direction towards the cavity. A second portion (72) of the side wall is slanted and located opposite to the first portion. The second aperture is arranged in the second portion of the side wall and/or in a bottom wall (73) of the dust container and the second aperture faces at least partially in an downward direction towards the cavity so as to allow the dust container to be slid into the cavity in a slanted orientation such that the first portion is inserted before the second portion.

Description

AUTONOMOUS CLEANER

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of autonomous cleaners comprising a dust container.

Background of the invention In order to facilitate work related to vacuum cleaning of floor areas in different types of building structures, autonomous cleaners have been available on the market for some time. These autonomous cleaners automatically move in different directions over the floor to clean the floor area without human involvement. Conventional autonomous cleaners are normally of the bagless type and comprise a dust container for collecting the dust picked up by the

autonomous cleaner. The dust container is accommodated in a cavity of a cleaner body of the autonomous cleaner.

Such an autonomous cleaner is illustrated in WO 2013/105431 . The dust container is insertable in the cavity of the cleaner body by a vertical movement of the dust container straight down in the cavity. Further, two apertures are provided in a side wall of the cavity for fluid communication with the motor and fan unit and the nozzle of the autonomous cleaner. The dust container is provided with two apertures mating with the apertures of the cavity for providing an air flow through the dust container.

Reducing air leakage along the conduction path for the air flow from the nozzle via the apertures to the motor and fan unit is an important issue for the cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaner. Any air leakage results in reduced suction force and is a common drawback of known autonomous cleaners. In particular, the transitions between the apertures of the cavity and the apertures of the dust container are points along the conduction path of the air flow where the risk of undesired air leakage is high.

Summary of the invention It would be advantageous to achieve an autonomous cleaner overcoming, or at least alleviating, the above mentioned drawback. In particular, it would be desirable to enable an autonomous cleaner with reduced risk of air leakage at the transitions between the apertures of the cavity and the apertures of the dust container. To better address one or more of these concerns, an autonomous cleaner having the features defined in the independent claim is provided. Preferable embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Hence, according to an aspect, an autonomous cleaner is provided. The autonomous cleaner comprises a cleaner body in which a cavity is defined, and a dust container arrangable in the cavity and having a first aperture and a second aperture for admitting an air flow through the dust container from a nozzle to a fan unit of the autonomous cleaner. The first aperture of the dust container is arranged in a first portion of a side wall of the dust container being vertical, and faces in a lateral direction towards the cavity. A second portion of the side wall of the dust container is slanted and located opposite to the first portion. The second aperture is arranged in the second portion of the side wall and/or in a bottom wall of the dust container and the second aperture faces at least partially in an downward direction towards the cavity so as to allow the dust container to be slid into the cavity in a slanted orientation such that the first portion is inserted before the second portion.

The present aspect is based on an idea of adapting the motion for inserting the dust container in the cavity to allow a tighter fit between the apertures of the dust container and apertures of the cavity adapted to mate with the apertures for the dust container, while still allowing a facilitated insertion of the dust container in the cavity. This is enabled as the geometry of the dust container and the cavity allows the apertures of the dust container to approach the apertures of the cavity (at least in the last part of the insertion movement) generally from the front (i.e. the approach direction is substantially along the facing direction of the aperture of the dust container). In a first part of the insertion movement, the dust container may be slid into the cavity in the slanted orientation and in a direction substantially along the lateral direction of the dust container until the first portion of the dust container at least partially abuts a side wall of the cavity, whereby the first aperture of the dust container approaches the mating aperture of the cavity from the front. Subsequently, in a last part of the insertion movement, the second portion of dust container may be moved downwards in the cavity, whereby the second aperture of the dust container approaches (and abuts) the mating aperture of the cavity generally from the front.

In the previously described prior art, the apertures of the dust container instead approaches the vertically oriented apertures of the cavity only straight from above (i.e. the approach direction is vertical and thereby substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the aperture of the dust container faces), whereby a gap must be provided between the apertures of the dust container and the apertures of the cavity to provide some allowance when the dust container is lowered into the cavity. A greater gap means increased air leakage at the transitions, while a smaller gap renders insertion of the dust container in the cavity more difficult, as the dust container may get stuck and/or components of the cavity and/or the dust container may break.

The present aspect is advantageous in that air leakage at the transitions between the apertures of the dust container and the cavity is reduced, which improves the suction force and cleaning performance of the autonomous cleaner.

The lateral and vertical directions of the dust container may coincide with the lateral and vertical directions, respectively, of the autonomous cleaner. The vertical direction may be substantially perpendicular to the cleaning surface and the lateral directions may be parallel to the cleaning surface when the autonomous cleaner is orientated in a normal operation position. The cavity may have a side wall, a bottom wall, an opening located opposite to the bottom wall for allowing insertion and removal of the dust container, and a first aperture and a second aperture for fluid communication with the nozzle and the fan unit. The side wall and the bottom wall of the cavity may be adapted to mate with the side wall and the bottom wall of the dust container, respectively, and the first and second apertures of the cavity may be adapted to mate with the first and second apertures, respectively, of the dust container.

According to an embodiment, the autonomous cleaner may further comprise a recess (or indentation) arranged in the cavity, wherein a portion of the dust container may be adapted to mate with the recess for guiding the dust container in place in the cavity upon insertion of the dust container. Hence, the mating portion of the dust container may be guided in the recess the last part of the insertion movement towards a correct position. Preferably, the recess may further be adapted to hold (secure) the dust container in the cavity by preventing straight upward (vertical) motion of the first portion of dust container from the cavity. Instead, the dust container may be removed from the cavity by a sliding motion in a generally lateral direction of the slanting dust container away from the first aperture of the cavity. According to an embodiment, an outer shape of the dust container may be tapered in direction from the second portion towards the first portion for facilitating sliding the dust container into the cavity. The tapered shape guides the dust container to a correct position, while still providing some allowance between the dust container and the cavity during insertion. For example, the side wall of the dust container may be four-sided, and the side comprising the second portion may be wider than the side comprising the first portion of the dust container.

According to an embodiment, the autonomous cleaner may further comprise a sealing (which may be referred to as a first sealing) arranged to seal a transition between the first aperture of the dust container and the first aperture of the cavity. According to an embodiment, the autonomous cleaner may further comprise a sealing (which may be referred to as a second sealing) arranged to seal a transition between the second aperture of the dust container and the second.

As the geometry of the dust container and the cavity allows the apertures of the dust container to approach the apertures of the cavity generally from the front, the risk of the sealing (or sealings) being teared off upon insertion of the dust container is reduced. Hence, the present embodiments allow using a sealing for reducing air leakage and at the same time reduce the risk of damage of the autonomous vacuum cleaner. For example, the first sealing may be mounted at the rim of the first aperture of the cavity, which is advantageous in that manufacturing is facilitated.

Further, the risk of the first sealing being damaged or teared off is reduced, as the first aperture in the cavity is less accessible to the user compared to the first aperture in the dust container since the dust container is frequently handled by the user. Moreover, the number of components in the dust container is reduced, which enables a lower prize on the dust container, which is a replaceable part of the autonomous cleaner. Similarly, the second sealing may be mounted at the rim of the second aperture of the cavity.

Alternatively, the first sealing may be mounted at the rim of the first aperture of the dust container and/or the second sealing may be mounted at the rim of the second aperture of the dust container.

According to an embodiment, the second aperture of the dust container may be inclined to form an angle relative to a vertical axis of the dust container comprised within the range of 20° to 90°, and preferably 30° to 90°, thereby allowing a tighter fit between the second aperture of the dust container and the second aperture of the cavity while facilitating insertion of the dust container in the cavity. For example, if the second aperture is formed in the bottom wall of the dust container, it may form an angle of around 90° to the vertical axis. If the second aperture is formed in the slanted second portion of the dust container, it may e.g. form a similar angle to the vertical axis as the slanted second portion. According to an embodiment, the dust container may comprise a top wall located opposite to the bottom wall of the dust container, and the slanted second portion may extends from the bottom wall towards, and preferably up to, the top wall of the dust container for facilitating sliding the dust container in the slanted orientation into the cavity.

According to an embodiment, the slanted second potion may form an angle relative to the vertical axis of the dust container comprised within the range of 20° to 70°, and preferably 30° to 60°, which facilitates sliding the dust container in the slanted orientation into the cavity. It will be appreciated that the inclination of the second portion may not necessarily be the same across the entire second portion (i.e., the second portion may not necessarily be completely flat), but the inclination may vary along the second portion.

However, the inclination of the general extension of the second portion may preferably be within the above defined ranges. Further, if the second aperture is formed in the second portion, the inclination of the second aperture may not necessarily be exactly the same as the inclination of the second portion.

According to an embodiment, the first aperture of the cavity may be an aperture of an air duct leading to the fan unit and the second aperture of the cavity may be an aperture of an air duct leading to the nozzle. A filter may be provided in the dust container at the first aperture in order to filter the air before it exits the dust container. The filter prevents dust from falling out of the first aperture, which faces downwards upon removal of the dust container. Further, the risk of dust falling out of the second aperture of the dust container is reduced, as the second aperture faces upwards upon removal of the dust container.

Alternatively, the second aperture of the cavity may be an aperture of an air duct leading to the nozzle and the first aperture of the cavity may be an aperture of an air duct leading to the fan unit. The dust container may then preferably comprise a cover arranged to cover the second aperture of the dust container when the dust container is removed from the cavity for reducing the risk of dust falling out of the dust container upon the removal. According to an embodiment, the autonomous cleaner may further comprise a locking arrangement adapted to secure the dust container in the cavity. The locking arrangement may force the apertures of the dust container in

(preferably tight) abutment with the apertures of the cavity, thereby reducing the risk of air leakage. The locking arrangement may be arranged at (or close to) the second portion of the dust container such that the second portion is pushed downwards in the cavity by the locking arrangement.

According to an embodiment, the autonomous cleaner may further comprise a resilient element arranged to exert a force on the dust container so as to push the dust container in a direction out of the opening of the cavity such that a portion of the dust container projects relative to the outer surface of the cleaner body surrounding the opening when the locking arrangement is unlocked. The present embodiment is advantageous in that grabbing of the dust container when the locking arrangement is unlocked is facilitated. Hence, the dust container may not necessarily comprise additional handles and thereby be simpler in the construction.

For example, the resilient element may be formed by the sealing between the second aperture of the cavity and the second aperture of the dust container, or by a separate element (such as a spring) arranged at the cleaner body or at the dust container.

According to an alternative embodiment, the dust container may comprise a protruding portion or a handle allowing a user to grab the dust container to remove it from the cavity.

According to an embodiment, the locking arrangement may comprise a snap fit arrangement, which facilitates locking and unlocking of the locking arrangement and allows a simple construction of the locking arrangement. The snap fit arrangement may e.g. comprise releasing means (e.g.

comprising a button) arranged at the top of the autonomous cleaner on the cleaner body or on the dust container. According to an embodiment, a top surface of the dust container may form a top outer surface of the autonomous cleaner, which enables a less complex construction, as no additional lid is required to enclose the dust container in the cavity. Preferably, the top surface of the dust container may be flush with the surrounding outer surface of the cleaner body.

It is noted that embodiments of the invention relates to all possible

combinations of features recited in the claims.

Brief description of the drawings

This and other aspects will now be described in more detail in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an autonomous cleaner according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 is a cross-section taken along the longitudinal axis L of the autonomous cleaner shown in Figure 1 when a dust container is positioned in a cavity of the autonomous cleaner. Figure 3 is a cross-section taken along the longitudinal axis L of the autonomous cleaner shown in Figure 1 when the dust container is partly removed from the cavity.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the cross-section in Figure 2 showing a first aperture of the dust container. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of another part of the cross-section in Figure 2 showing a second aperture of the dust container.

Figure 6 shows a sequence when the dust container is inserted into the cavity.

Figure 7 is a cross-section of the sequence shown in Figure 6. All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description. Detailed description of embodiments

An autonomous cleaner 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The autonomous cleaner 10 comprises a cleaner body 1 1 , in which the cleaner components may be arranged. The autonomous cleaner 10 may have a forward end 13 and an aft end 14, and a longitudinal axis L extending through the centre of the cleaner body 1 1 between the forward end 13 and the aft end 14 in the travel direction of the autonomous cleaner 10. The autonomous cleaner 10 may comprise two wheels (not shown) arranged to move the autonomous cleaner 10 on a surface to be cleaned. The forward end 13 may be wider than the aft end 14, and the cleaner body 1 1 may have a substantially triangular shape with rounded corners for facilitating cleaning near walls and corners. The autonomous cleaner 10 may further comprise navigation means 16, such as lasers and laser detecting means, for determining a cleaning path of the autonomous cleaner 10, and a bumper for obstacle detection.

The autonomous cleaner 10 may further comprise a dust container 25 for collecting dust picked up by the autonomous cleaner 10. The dust container 25 is arrangable in a cavity 90 of the cleaner body 1 1 . The dust container 25 may comprise a bottom wall 73, a top wall 18 arranged opposite to the bottom wall 73, and a side wall 74 extending between the bottom wall 73 and the top wall 18. The top wall 18 may preferably form a lid for the dust container 25, which may be opened for emptying the dust container 25. Further, the outer surface of the top wall 18 may preferably form an outer surface of the autonomous cleaner 10. The side wall 74 of the dust container 25 may comprise a first portion 71 and a second portion 72 arranged opposite to each other. For example, the side wall 74 may be four-sided. Further, the first portion 71 may e.g. be located in an aft side of the side wall 74 and the second portion 72 in a forward side of the side wall 74. Preferably, the dust container 25 may be tapered in direction from the forward side to the aft side (as shown in Figure 1 ). Hence, the second portion 72 may be wider than the first portion 71 . The dust container 25 further comprises a first aperture 28 defined in the first portion 71 and a second aperture 27 defined in the second portion 72 for allowing an air flow through the dust container 25. The first aperture 28 is shown in an enlarged view in Figure 4 and the second aperture 27 is shown in an enlarged view in Figure 5. The cavity 90 may comprise bottom and side walls 93, 94 (see in particular Figure 3) formed so as to mate with the bottom and side walls 73, 74 of the dust container 25, and first and second apertures 29, 26 arranged to mate with the first and second apertures 28, 27, respectively, of the dust container 25 for providing an air path between the dust container 25 and the cleaner body 1 1 . For example, the first aperture 29 of the cavity 90 may be arranged to be aligned with the first aperture 28 of the dust container 25. Further, the second aperture 26 of the cavity 90 may be arranged to be aligned with the second aperture 27 of the dust container 25.

The first portion 71 of the side wall 74 of the dust container 25 may be substantially vertical, at least in the region of its first aperture 28. The first aperture 28 of the dust container 25 may face in a lateral direction towards the first aperture 29 of the cavity 90. Hence, the first aperture 28 of the dust container 25 extends vertically (i.e., is oriented vertically) along the first portion 71 . Further, the first aperture 29 of the cavity 90 may extend vertically along a substantially vertical portion 91 of the side wall 94 of the cavity 90. The first portion 71 of the side wall 74 of the cavity 90 may extend from the bottom wall 73 to the top wall 18.

The second portion 72 may be slanted relative to a vertical axis V of the dust container 25. The inclination may vary slightly along the slanted second portion 72, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The angle of inclination of the second portion 72 relative to the vertical axis V may preferably be comprised in the range of 20° to 70°, and preferably 30° to 60°. It will be appreciated that the inclination of some small portions of the second portion 72 may deviate from the above defined range. The second aperture 27 of the dust container 25 may be arranged in the slanted second portion 72 such that it faces downwards towards the second aperture 26 of the cavity 90. Hence, the second aperture 27 of the dust container 25 and the mating second aperture 26 of the cavity 90 are inclined (i.e. arranged in a slanted orientation) relative to the vertical axis V. The inclination of the second aperture 27 of the dust container 25 may be similar to the inclination of the second portion 72 of the dust container 25. As the second aperture 26 is located in the side wall 94 of the cavity 90, the cavity 90 (and consequently the dust container 25) is allowed to extend all the way down to the bottom side of the cleaner body 1 1 , thereby increasing the volume of the dust container and reducing the height of the autonomous cleaner 10. Alternatively, the second aperture of the dust container may be defined in the bottom wall of the dust container (not shown), and the mating second aperture of the cavity may be defined in the bottom wall of the cavity. The second air duct may then extend below the bottom wall of the cavity.

In the present example, the forward side of the four-sided side wall 74 of the cavity 90 may be slanted and the other three sides may be substantially vertical.

The autonomous cleaner 20 may further comprise a fan unit 50 for generating an air flow A (as shown in Figure 2) through the autonomous cleaner 10, thereby providing a suction force for picking up dust. The fan unit 50 may be fluidly connected to the first aperture 29 of the cavity 90 via a first air duct 31 . The autonomous cleaner 10 may further comprise a nozzle 60 through which the air flow A and dust enters the autonomous cleaner 10. The nozzle 60 may be fluidly connected to the second aperture 26 of the cavity 90 via a second air duct 24. The autonomous cleaner 10 may optionally be provided with a brush roll 19 arranged in the nozzle 60 for agitating dust on the surface being cleaned.

A filter 30 may be arranged in the dust container 25 for filtering the air flow A before it exits the dust container 25. For example, the filter 30 may be provided in the lid of the dust container 25, substantially in parallel with the top wall 18. When the autonomous cleaner 10 operates, the air flow A enters the nozzle 60 and is conducted via the second air duct 24 and the second aperture 26 of the cavity 90, and enters the dust container 25 via the second aperture 27 of the dust container 25. The air flows through the filter 30 before it exits the dust container 25 via its first aperture 28, and is conducted via the first aperture 29 of the cavity 90 and the first air duct 31 towards the fan unit 50. The autonomous cleaner 10 may preferably comprise a first sealing 39 for sealing a transition between the first aperture 29 of the cavity 90 and the first aperture 28 of the dust container 28, and second sealing 36 for sealing a transition between the second aperture 26 of the cavity 90 and the second aperture 27 of the dust container 28 so as to provide a more air tight path for the air flow A between the dust container 25 and the cleaner body 1 1 . The first and second sealings 39, 36 may preferably be arranged at the rims of the first and second apertures 29, 26 of the dust container 25, respectively. The first and second sealings 39, 36 may e.g. comprise O-rings or the like.

The autonomous cleaner 10 may further comprise a locking arrangement, preferably of the snap fit type. The locking arrangement may comprise a releasing element 47, which may include a recess coupled to a release button, and may be arranged in the cleaner body 1 1 at the rim of the opening of the cavity 90. The locking arrangement may further comprise a hook 48 arranged in the dust container 25 and adapted to engage with the recess of the releasing element 47 for securing the dust container 25 in the cavity 90. When the releasing element 47 is actuated (the release button is pushed down), the hook 49 is released from the recess and the locking arrangement is unlocked, whereby the dust container 25 can be removed from the cavity 90. When the dust container 25 is inserted and pushed down in the cavity 90, the hook 48 engages with the recess of the release element 47.

The autonomous cleaner 10 may comprise resilient element 81 , such as a spring, arranged to push an upper portion of the dust container 25 out of the opening of the cavity 90. In the present example, the resilient element 81 is arranged inside the cleaner body 1 1 and the dust container 25 comprises a protrusion 82 arranged to engage with the resilient element 81 when the dust container 25 is positioned in the cavity 90. Preferably, the resilient element 81 may be arranged on an opposite side of the cavity 90 as compared to the slanted portion 92 of the cavity 90, such that when the locking arrangement is unlocked, the resilient element 81 pushes the dust container 25 towards the slanted portion 92 of the cavity 90. The dust container 25 then slides up a little bit on the slanted portion 93 of the cavity 90, whereby a forward edge of the top wall 18 of the dust container 25 projects with respect to the outer surface of the cleaner body 1 1 . A user may then grab the forward edge of the top wall 18 to lift the dust container 25 out of the cavity 90.

In the following, inserting of the dust container 25 in the cavity 90 will be described with reference to Figure 6 showing a sequence of the inserting operation, and Figure 7 showing a cross-section of the sequence in Figure 6.

Upon insertion of the dust container 25 in the cavity 90, the dust container 25 is in a slanted orientation relative to the cleaner body 1 1 (i.e., the vertical axis V of the dust container 25 is slanted relative to a vertical axis of the cleaner body 1 1 ). The dust container 26 is moved in substantially lateral direction (as illustrated by arrow M1 ) towards the cavity 90. Hence, the dust container 25 is slid into the cavity 90 with the first (vertical) portion 71 before the second (slanted) portion 72 and such that the first aperture 28 of the dust container 25 approaches the first aperture 29 of the cavity 90 generally from the front. Consequently, the first portion 71 of the dust container 25 will first partially abut the side wall of the cavity 90 (as illustrated in the upper right part of Figures 6 and 7).

The dust container 25 is then moved down in the cavity 90 (as illustrated by arrow M2) and is laterally slid into place by the second portion 72 sliding along the slanting side wall portion of the cavity 90. Hence, in the last bit of the insertion operation, the second aperture 27 of the dust container 25 approaches the second aperture 26 of the cavity 90 at least partially from the front (i.e. from above). The very last bit of the inserting movement M2 of the dust container 25 will be slightly counteracted by the resilient element 81 , whereby the user may apply a slight pressure and push the dust container 25 downwards in the cavity 90 until the locking arrangement is locked and the dust container 25 is secured in the cavity 90. The dust container 25 may preferably comprise at least one portion, such as a protrusion 23 (as illustrated in the upper left part of Figure 6), and the cavity 90 may comprise at least one recess (not shown) adapted to mate with the protrusion 23 for guiding the dust container 25 into a correct position in the cavity 90 the last part of the insertion operation and for securing the dust container 25 in the cavity 90. The protrusion 23 and the recess may preferably extend substantially in the lateral insertion direction of the dust container 25.

Further, the tapered shape of the dust container 25 and the cavity 90 in direction from the second portion 72 to the first portion 71 of the dust container 25 (as illustrated in Figure 1 ) contributes to guiding the dust container 25 in the lateral direction into the correct position in the cavity 90.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the first aperture arranged in the vertical side wall portion of the dust container may instead be coupled to the air duct leading to the nozzle and the second aperture arranged in the slanted side wall portion may be coupled to the air duct leading to the fan unit. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

An autonomous cleaner (10) comprising:

a cleaner body (1 1 ) in which a cavity (90) is defined, and a dust container (25) arrangable in the cavity and having a first aperture (28) and a second aperture (27) for admitting an air flow (A) through the dust container from a nozzle (60) to a fan unit (50) of the autonomous cleaner,

wherein the first aperture of the dust container is arranged in a first portion (71 ) of a side wall (74) of the dust container, and faces in a lateral direction towards the cavity, the first portion being vertical,

wherein a second portion (72) of the side wall of the dust container is slanted and located opposite to the first portion, and

wherein the second aperture is arranged in the second portion of the side wall and/or in a bottom wall (73) of the dust container and the second aperture faces at least partially in an downward direction towards the cavity so as to allow the dust container to be slid into the cavity in a slanted orientation such that the first portion is inserted before the second portion.

The autonomous cleaner as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a recess arranged in the cavity, wherein a portion (23) of the dust container is adapted to mate with the recess for guiding the dust container in place in the cavity upon insertion of the dust container.

The autonomous cleaner as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein an outer shape of the dust container is tapered in direction from the second portion towards the first portion.

The autonomous cleaner as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sealing (39) arranged to seal a transition between the first aperture of the dust container and a first aperture (29) of the cavity.

The autonomous cleaner as defined in claim 4, wherein the sealing for the transition between the first aperture of the dust container and the first aperture of the cavity is mounted at the rim of the first aperture of the cavity.

The autonomous cleaner as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sealing (36) arranged to seal a transition between the second aperture of the dust container and a second aperture (26) of the cavity.

The autonomous cleaner as defined in claim 6, wherein the sealing for the transition between the second aperture of the dust container and the second aperture of the cavity is mounted at the rim of the second aperture of the cavity.

The autonomous cleaner as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second aperture of the dust container is inclined to form an angle relative to a vertical axis of the dust container comprised within the range of 20° to 90°, and preferably 30° to 90°.

The autonomous cleaner as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dust container comprises a top wall (18) located opposite to the bottom wall of the dust container, and wherein the slanted second portion extends from the bottom wall towards the top wall of the dust container.

10. The autonomous cleaner as defined in any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the slanted second potion forms an angle relative to a vertical axis of the dust container comprised within the range of 20° to 70°, and preferably 30° to 60°.

1 1 .The autonomous cleaner as defined in any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the first aperture of the dust container is adapted to be coupled to an air duct (31 ) leading to the fan unit, and the second aperture of the dust container is adapted to be coupled to an aperture of an air duct (24) leading to the nozzle.

12. The autonomous cleaner as defined in any one of the preceding

claims, further comprising a locking arrangement (47, 48) adapted to secure the dust container in the cavity.

13. The autonomous cleaner as defined in claim 12, further comprising a resilient element (81 ) arranged to exert a force on the dust container so as to push the dust container in a direction out of an opening of the cavity such that a portion of the dust container projects relative to the outer surface of the cleaner body surrounding the opening when the locking arrangement is unlocked.

14. The autonomous cleaner as defined in any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the locking arrangement comprises a snap fit arrangement.

15. The autonomous cleaner as defined in any one of the preceding

claims, wherein a top surface of the dust container forms a top outer surface of the autonomous cleaner.