EP3865040B1 - Vacuum cleaner comprising an electronic board provided with a first and second contacts - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners making it possible to suck up dust and small-particle waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which can for example be tiles, parquet, laminate, carpet or a rug.

State of the art

A vacuum cleaner, and more particularly a portable vacuum cleaner, comprises in known manner a suction duct; a waste separation device fluidly connected to the suction conduit; a main body in which is housed a suction device comprising a fan motor which is configured to generate an air flow through the suction duct and the waste separation device; a grip handle; a control member which is arranged on the grip handle and which is operable by a user; an activation member which is operable by a user; and an electronic control unit which is configured to control the operation of the fan motor according to a first operating mode, also called normal operating mode, when the control member is actuated by a user and to control the operation of the motor-driven fan. fan according to a second operating mode, also called enhanced operating mode, when the activation member is actuated by a user.

The electronic control unit is more particularly configured such that a maximum rotational speed of the motorized fan in the second mode of operation is greater than a maximum rotational speed of the motorized fan in the first mode of operation. Thus, when a user temporarily wishes to give the vacuum cleaner enhanced suction power, he simply has to actuate the activation member. Such a Reinforced suction power can in particular be useful for sucking up large waste or waste that adheres to the surface to be cleaned.

In known manner, the electronic control unit comprises a first electronic card equipped with a first contact which is configured to be activated by the control member when the control member is actuated by a user, and a second electronic card equipped with a second contact which is configured to be activated by the activation member when the activation member is actuated by a user. The first electronic card can for example be placed in the handle and the second electronic card can for example be placed in the main body.

Such a configuration of the electronic control unit complicates the assembly of the vacuum cleaner, and substantially increases the manufacturing costs of the latter.

The document EP 2 659 824 A2 describes a vacuum cleaner according to the preamble of claim 1.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

The technical problem at the basis of the invention consists in particular in providing a vacuum cleaner which is of simple and economical structure, while having easier assembly compared to vacuum cleaners of the prior art.

To this end, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a suction duct; a waste separation device fluidly connected to the suction conduit; a main body in which is housed a suction device comprising a fan motor which is configured to generate an air flow through the suction duct and the waste separation device; a grip handle; a control member which is operable by a user and which comprises a first gripping part; an activation member which is operable by a user and which comprises a second gripping part, the second gripping part being located at a distance from the first gripping part and the first and second gripping parts being movable independently of one another the other ; and an electronic control unit which is configured to control the operation of the motorized fan according to a first mode of operation when the control member is actuated by a user and for controlling the operation of the motorized fan according to a second mode of operation when the activation member is actuated by a user, the electronic control unit being configured such that a maximum rotational speed of the motorized fan in the second mode of operation is greater than a maximum rotational speed of the motorized fan in the first mode of operation.

The electronic control unit comprises an electronic card equipped with a first contact and a second contact, the control member being configured to activate the first contact when the control member is actuated by a user, and the activation member being configured to activate the second contact when the activation member is actuated by a user.

The arrangement of the first and second contacts on the same electronic card makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the electronic control unit, and also to simplify the assembly of the electronic control unit and therefore the assembly of the vacuum cleaner. Such a configuration of the first and second contacts consequently makes it possible to substantially reduce the manufacturing costs of the vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is configured such that the maximum power level delivered to the motor-driven fan in the first operating mode is lower than the maximum power level delivered to the motor-driven fan in the second operating mode.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member is arranged on the grip handle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the activation member is arranged facing the control member. Such an arrangement of the activation member allows on the one hand a user to activate the second mode of operation of the fan motor with one and the same finger, and on the other hand to make the activation member more intuitively accessible by the user, since he will not need to look at the vacuum cleaner and/or his hand to reach and operate the activating organ. Thus, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention allows a user to activate easily and quickly, and therefore ergonomically and intuitively, the second mode of operation of the fan motor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member and the activation member are rotatably mounted around a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation respectively.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second axes of rotation are substantially parallel.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the second axis of rotation of the activation member is placed in front of the first axis of rotation of the control member with respect to a median longitudinal axis of the grip handle. In other words, the first axis of rotation of the control member is arranged between the second axis of rotation of the activation member and the median longitudinal axis of the grip handle. Such an arrangement of the activation member and of the control member makes it possible to limit the travel strokes of the parts of the activation member and of the control member located inside the casing of the vacuum cleaner and to ensure increased compactness to the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member is mounted mobile in rotation around the first axis of rotation according to a first amplitude of rotation and the activation member is mounted mobile in rotation around the second axis of rotation according to a second amplitude of rotation, an angular difference between the first and second amplitudes of rotation being less than or equal to 5°, and preferably less than or equal to 2°. Thus, the displacement strokes of the control member and of the activation member are substantially identical, which improves the feeling of a user and therefore provides an ergonomic advantage.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second amplitudes of rotation is between 2 and 6°, and is for example around 4°. Such a configuration of the control member and of the activation member limits the internal size of the vacuum cleaner, and therefore the external size of the vacuum cleaner. In fact, too large amplitudes of rotation generate significant displacement strokes of the internal organs, requiring the provision of more internal space resulting in a larger main body.

According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the control member and of the activation member comprises a deflection arm configured to cooperate with a respective contact among the first and second contacts.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the activation member comprises the deflection arm, the deflection arm comprising a support part which is configured to cooperate with the second contact and an openwork intermediate part which delimits an opening passage, the control member being configured to extend at least partially through the passage opening when the control member is actuated by a user. Advantageously, the openwork intermediate part connects the support part to the second gripping part. Such a configuration makes it possible to optimize the internal space of the vacuum cleaner at the level of the control and activation members, while allowing to have a return arm of the activation member which is symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry corresponding to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner, which makes it possible in particular to ensure that the forces transmitted from the second gripping part via the deflection arm to the second contact are symmetrically distributed in the deflection arm and around of the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the activation member, preferably the control and activation members, has/have a symmetrical geometry with respect to a plane of symmetry which, when the vacuum cleaner is mounted, corresponds to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the openwork intermediate part comprises two side branches spaced apart from each other and between which is arranged at least partially the control member.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first axis of rotation of the control member is arranged between the two lateral branches of the openwork intermediate part.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the deflection arm comprises an elastically deformable portion which is configured to limit the forces applied by the deflection arm against the respective contact among the first and second contacts.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the elastically deformable portion is configured to limit the forces applied by the deflection arm against the second contact when the activation member is actuated by a user. The elastically deformable portion can for example be formed by a zone of smaller thickness.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member comprises an additional deflection arm which is configured to cooperate with the first contact.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the additional deflection arm comprises an elastically deformable part which is configured to limit the forces applied by the additional deflection arm against the first contact when the control member is actuated by a user. The elastically deformable part can for example be formed by a curved zone.

According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one, and preferably each, of the first and second contacts is an electromechanical contact, such as a switch, and for example a microswitch or microswitch. The microswitch or microswitch can for example be of the “push button” type or of the “lever” type.

According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one, and preferably each, of the first and second contacts comprises several conductive tracks, and for example two conductive tracks. According to such a mode of embodiment of the invention, at least one, and preferably each, of the control member and of the activation member comprises an additional contact comprising at least one conductive element such as a pad made of conductive material or an additional conductive track which is configured to cooperate with the conductive tracks provided on the respective contact.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to control the operation of the fan motor according to the second operating mode only as long as the activation member is actuated by a user.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to control the operation of the fan motor according to the first mode of operation as long as the control member is not actuated again by a user. Thus, the electronic control unit is configured to maintain the operation of the fan motor according to the first operating mode when the control member is released by the user.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member is movable between a rest position and a control position and is configured to be moved into the control position when a first actuation force is applied by a user on the control member, and the activation member is movable between an inactive position and an activation position and is configured to be moved into the activation position when a second actuating force is applied by a user on the activation member.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second actuation forces are oriented substantially in the same direction. Such an orientation of the first and second actuating forces provides an ergonomic advantage, since when the control member and the activation member are actuated by a single finger, the finger moves substantially in the same direction whether to operate the control device or the activating organ.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member and the activation member are configured so as to be able to be actuated by the same finger of a user when the user holds the grip handle. Such a configuration of the control member and of the activation member provides an ergonomic advantage making it possible to pass from one member to another quickly with less need to find the position of the member towards which the finger must go. Indeed, to activate for example the activation member, the finger, for example the index finger, will move from a reference position corresponding to the position of the control member to go towards the activation member . This reference position does not vary, ensuring the user a repetitiveness of the gesture to actuate the activation member. Ditto for the return of the finger to the control device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member and the activation member are each configured to be actuated by a user by pulling. Such a configuration of the control member and of the activation member provides an ergonomic advantage, since actuation by pulling is easier than by pushing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member is configured to be actuated by a user by pulling the control member towards the grip handle, and/or the activation member is configured to be actuated by a user by pulling the activation member towards the grip handle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a biasing element configured to bias the control member towards the rest position, and a biasing member configured to bias the activation member towards the inactive position .

According to one embodiment of the invention, the biasing element is formed by an elastically deformable tab which is provided on the control member. The elastically deformable tab can for example be configured to bear against the main body. Advantageously, the elastically deformable tab extends from the first gripping part.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the biasing member is formed by a biasing spring.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the return arm of the activation member comprises a receiving housing in which the biasing spring is at least partially housed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member and the activation member are located substantially in a reference plane which is defined by a longitudinal axis of the suction duct and a median longitudinal axis of the handle gripping. The control member and the activation member are therefore located in the center of the vacuum cleaner, which allows the user to operate them with the same finger, both with the left hand and with the right hand. Such an arrangement of the activation member thus allows a user to activate the first and second operating modes of the fan motor, with one and the same finger, whether right-handed or left-handed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second contacts are offset vertically one above the other when the reference plane is vertical and the longitudinal axis of the suction duct is horizontal. Such an arrangement of the first and second contacts makes it possible to obtain symmetry of the control and activation members from the first and second gripping parts to the first and second contacts, so that the vacuum cleaner can be used by a right-handed person or a left-handed, while guaranteeing transmission of the forces exerted on the first and second gripping parts as far as the first and second contacts which is symmetrically distributed around a median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner, making it possible to obtain increased longevity of the organs activation and control.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the reference plane forms a median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member is located in an upper part of the grip handle. Such an arrangement of the control member provides an ergonomic advantage, since it allows actuation of the control member and of the activation member with the index finger.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the median longitudinal axis of the grip handle is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suction duct.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first gripping part and the second gripping part are configured to be cut by the same plane which is perpendicular to the median longitudinal axis of the gripping handle. Such a configuration of the first and second gripping parts allows a user wishing to actuate the activation member to easily and ergonomically access the activation member, since the latter remains in the extension zone. anatomical finger (index) of the user who is able to actuate the control member. In addition, such a configuration of the first and second gripping parts, associated with an inclination of the gripping handle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suction duct, confers a very ergonomic arrangement of the gripping zones of the body of control, the activation member, and the grip handle, since the control and activation members are then naturally accessible. This results in increased comfort of use for the user.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member and the activation member are located close to and under the main body in which the motorized fan is housed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a battery box in which is housed a rechargeable battery, the gripping handle extending between the battery box and the main body.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic card is arranged in the grip handle. Such an arrangement of the electronic card makes it possible to optimize the internal spaces of the vacuum cleaner, in particular when the gripping handle is located between the main body, which houses the suction device, and the battery box.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the activation member is arranged substantially at the intersection of the main body and an upright which is connected to the main body and which is substantially parallel to the grip handle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the post extends between the main body and the battery box, and connects the main body to the battery box.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the activation member comprises a gripping orifice. Such a configuration of the activation member facilitates actuation of the activation member by a user, and therefore gives the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention increased ergonomics of use.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping orifice is oblong. Such a configuration of the gripping orifice further facilitates manipulation of the activation member by a user, since the latter does not have to precisely seek the position of the gripping orifice in order to insert his finger therein.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a first stop, for example provided on the gripping handle, configured to limit the displacement travel of the control member towards the control position, and a second stop , for example provided on the upright connected to the main body, configured to limit the displacement stroke of the activation member towards the activation position.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first gripping part and the second gripping part are spaced apart from each other by a distance which is less than 6 cm, and advantageously less than 4 cm, when the the control member and the activation member respectively occupy the rest position and the inactive position. Such a distance makes it possible to pass from the control device to the activation device and vice versa, without having to release the handle grip and without having to stretch the finger moving from one control to another until an uncomfortable position.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control member is a control trigger or a control button.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the activation member is an activation trigger or an activation button.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation device extends along a first axis of extension and the motorized fan extends along a second axis of extension which is substantially parallel to the first axis of extension. extension.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation device is of the cyclonic type.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction device comprises a motor casing in which the motorized fan is arranged.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is a portable vacuum cleaner.

Brief description of figures

• [Fig 1] est une vue en perspective d'un aspirateur portatif selon l'invention.
• [Fig 2] est une vue de côté de l'aspirateur portatif de la figure 1.
• [Fig 3] est une vue en coupe longitudinale de l'aspirateur portatif de la figure 1.
• [Fig 4] est une vue en perspective d'un organe de commande, d'un organe d'activation et d'une unité électronique de commande de l'aspirateur portatif de la figure 1.
• [Fig 5] est une vue partielle en perspective tronquée de l'aspirateur portatif de la figure 1.
• [Fig 6] est une vue à l'échelle agrandie d'un détail de la figure 3.
• [Fig 7] est une vue partielle en perspective tronquée de l'aspirateur portatif de la figure 1.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings showing, by way of non-limiting example, one embodiment of this vacuum cleaner.

• [ Fig 1 ] is a perspective view of a portable vacuum cleaner according to the invention.
• [ Fig 2 ] is a side view of the portable vacuum cleaner from the figure 1 .
• [ Fig.3 ] is a longitudinal sectional view of the portable vacuum cleaner of the figure 1 .
• [ Fig 4 ] is a perspective view of a control member, an activation member and an electronic control unit of the portable vacuum cleaner of the figure 1 .
• [ Fig.5 ] is a partial truncated perspective view of the portable vacuum cleaner of the figure 1 .
• [ Fig 6 ] is an enlarged scale view of a detail of the picture 3 .
• [ Fig 7 ] is a partial truncated perspective view of the portable vacuum cleaner of the figure 1 .

detailed description

The figures 1 to 7 represent a vacuum cleaner 2 which is portable and which comprises a main body 3, a gripping handle 4 connected to the main body 3, a waste separation device 5 removably mounted on the main body 3, and a suction device 6 housed in the main body 3.

The waste separation device 5 is advantageously of the cyclonic type, and comprises in particular a waste storage container 7, and a separator filter (not visible in the figures) housed in the waste storage container 7. The waste storage container waste 7 more particularly comprises an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening.

As shown on the figure 7 , the suction device 6 comprises a motor housing 12 and a fan motor 13 disposed in the motor housing 12. In known manner, the fan motor 13 comprises a fan 13.1 and an electric motor 13.2 configured to rotate the fan.

The suction device 6 further comprises an air inlet 14 and one or more air discharge orifices 15 which are advantageously provided on the motor housing 12. The air inlet 14 of the suction device 6 can be connected to the air outlet opening of the waste separation device 5 directly or via a connecting pipe.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the waste separation device 5 extends along a first extension axis A, and the motorized fan 13 extends along a second extension axis B which is substantially parallel to the first axis of extension A, and which can be confused with the first axis of extension A.

The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a rechargeable battery 16 configured to electrically power the fan motor 13. The rechargeable battery 16 is advantageously housed in a battery box 17 connected to the grip handle 4, and more particularly to a lower part of the handle of grip 4. Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner 2 comprises an upright 18 which extends substantially parallel to the grip handle 4 and which connects the battery box 17 to the main body 3.

The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a suction duct 19 to which the air intake opening of the waste separation device 5 is fluidly connected. Advantageously, the suction duct 19 extends substantially parallel to the first and second extension axes A, B. The motorized fan 13 is more particularly configured to generate an air flow through the suction duct 19 and the waste separation device 5.

The vacuum cleaner 2 also comprises a connection sleeve 21 fluidly connected to the suction conduit 19 and to which can be connected an end piece of a suction tube, which can itself be connected to a suction head provided with a sole intended to be oriented towards a floor to be cleaned.

The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises an electronic control unit 22 which is configured to control the operation of the motorized fan 13 according to a first mode of operation, also called normal operating mode, in which the motorized fan 13 is driven in rotation at a first speed of rotation, and to control the operation of the motor-driven fan 13 according to a second mode of operation, also called reinforced mode of operation, in which the motor-driven fan 13 is driven in rotation at a second speed of rotation which is greater than the first speed of rotation. Thus, according to the second mode of operation, the depression generated in the suction duct 19 is greater than the depression generated in the latter when the motorized fan 13 operates according to the first mode of operation.

In order to be able to control the operation of the fan motor 13 according to the two aforementioned operating modes, the vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a control member 23 which is advantageously arranged on an upper part of the grip handle 4 and which is operable by a user. , and an activation member 24 which is arranged opposite the control member 23 and which is also operable by a user. The control member 23 can for example be a control trigger or a control button, and the activation member 24 can for example be an activation trigger or an activation button.

The control member 23 is movable between a rest position and a control position and is configured to be moved into the control position when a first actuation force is applied by a user to the control member 23, and the activation member 24 is movable between an inactive position and an activation position and is configured to be moved into the activation position when a second actuating force is applied by a user to the activation member. activation 24.

The electronic control unit 22 is more particularly configured to control the operation of the fan motor 13 according to the first mode of operation when the control member 23 is actuated by a user, that is to say is moved in the control position, and to control the operation of the fan motor 13 according to the second mode of operation when the activation member 24 is actuated by a user, that is to say is moved into the activation position.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the control member 23 and the activation member 24 are configured so as to be able to be actuated by the same finger of a user when the user holds the grip handle 4 Advantageously, the control member 23 is configured to be actuated by a user by pulling the control member 23 towards the grip handle 4, and the activation member 24 is configured to be actuated by a user. by pulling the activation member 24 towards the grip handle 4. Thus, the first and second actuating forces to be applied respectively to the control member 23 and the activation member 24 to actuate them are oriented substantially in the same direction.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the control member 23 and the activation member 24 are located substantially in a reference plane which is defined by a longitudinal axis C of the suction duct 19 and a median longitudinal axis D of the grip handle 4, and which forms for example a median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner 2. Advantageously, the control 23 and activation member 24 are located close to and under the main body 3 in which the fan motor 13 is housed.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the activation member 24 is arranged substantially at the intersection of the main body 3 and the post 18 which connects the battery box 17 to the main body 3.

As shown on the figure 6 , the control member 23 is mounted rotatably around a first axis of rotation R1 according to a first amplitude of rotation and the activation member 24 is mounted rotatably around a second axis of rotation R2 according to a second amplitude of rotation. The first and second axes of rotation R1, R2 are parallel, and the second axis of rotation of the activation member 24 is placed in front of the first axis of rotation R1 of the control member 23 with respect to the longitudinal axis median D of the grip handle 4. According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second amplitudes of rotation is between 2 and 6°, and is for example around 4°, and an angular difference between the first and second amplitudes of rotation is less than or equal to 5°, and preferably less than or equal to 2°.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the electronic control unit 22 comprises an electronic card 25 which is arranged in the grip handle 4 and which is equipped with a first contact 26 and a second contact 27. first and second contacts 26, 27 are for example offset vertically one above the other when the reference plane is vertical and the longitudinal axis C of the suction duct 19 is horizontal. The control member 23 is configured to activate the first contact 26 when the control member 23 is actuated by a user, that is to say is moved into the command position, and the activation member 24 is configured to activate the second contact 27 when the activation member 24 is actuated by a user, that is to say is moved into the activation position. Each of the first and second contacts 26, 27 can be an electromechanical contact, such as a switch, and for example a microswitch or a microswitch.

The electronic control unit 22 is configured to transmit to the fan motor 13 a control signal, which is configured to control the operation of the fan motor 13 according to the first mode of operation, when the first contact 26 is activated, and to transmit to the fan motor 13 an activation signal, which is configured to control the operation of the fan motor 13 according to the second operating mode, when the second contact 27 is activated. Advantageously, the electronic control unit 22 is configured to control the operation of the fan motor 13 according to the second mode of operation only as long as the activation member 24 is actuated by a user, that is to say say only as long as the second contact 27 is kept activated by the activation member 24, and is configured to control the operation of the fan motor 13 according to the first mode of operation as long as the control member 23 is not activated again by a user, that is to say as long as the first contact 26 is not activated again by the activation member 24. Thus, the electronic control unit 22 is configured to maintain the operation of the fan motor 13 according to the first mode of operation when the control member 23 is released by the user.

As shown on the figure 4 , the control member 23 comprises a first gripping part 28 and the activation member 24 comprises a second gripping part 29 which is located at a distance from the first gripping part 28 and which is movable independently of the first part gripping part 28. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first gripping part 28 and the second gripping part 29 are spaced apart from each other by a distance which is less than 6 cm, and advantageously less 4 cm, when the control member 23 and the activation member 24 respectively occupy the rest position and the inactive position. Advantageously, the second gripping part 29 comprises a gripping orifice 31 which can example be circular, oblong or any other shape.

Advantageously, the median longitudinal axis D of the grip handle 4 is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis C of the suction duct, and the first gripping part 28 and the second gripping part 29 are configured to be cut by the same plane which is perpendicular to the median longitudinal axis D of the grip handle 4.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the activation member 24 also comprises a deflection arm 32 which is integral with the second gripping part 29 and which is configured to cooperate with the second contact 27 when the Activation 24 is operated by a user. Advantageously, the deflection arm 32 comprises a support part 33 which is elongated and which is configured to cooperate with the second contact 27, and an openwork intermediate part 34 which connects the support part 33 to the second part of grip 29.

The support part 33 of the deflection arm 32 can advantageously comprise an elastically deformable portion 35 which is configured to limit the forces applied by the deflection arm 32 against the second contact 27 when the activation member 24 is actuated by a user. The elastically deformable portion 35 can for example be formed by a zone of smaller thickness.

The perforated intermediate part 34 advantageously delimits a passage opening 36 through which the control member 23 is configured to extend at least when the control member 23 is actuated by a user. The perforated intermediate part 34 may for example comprise two lateral branches 37 spaced apart from each other and between which is arranged the first axis of rotation R1 of the control member 23.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the control member 23 further comprises an additional deflection arm 38 which is integral with the first gripping part 28 and which is configured to cooperate with the first contact 26.

Advantageously, the additional deflection arm 38 comprises an elastically deformable part 39 which is configured to limit the forces applied by the additional deflection arm 38 against the first contact 26 when the control member 23 is actuated by a user. The elastically deformable part 39 can for example be formed by a curved zone.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a first stop 41, for example provided on the grip handle 4, configured to limit the travel of movement of the control member 23 towards the control position, and a second stop 42, for example provided on the upright 18 connected to the main body 3, configured to limit the displacement travel of the activation member 24 towards the activation position. The presence of the first and second stops 41, 42, of the elastically deformable part 35 and of the elastically deformable portion 39 makes it possible to preserve the integrity of the electronic card 25, of the additional deflection arm 38 and of the deflection arm 32, including when a user exerts high actuation forces on the first and second grip portions 28, 29.

Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a biasing element 43 configured to bias the control member 23 towards the rest position, and a biasing member 44 configured to bias the activation member 24 towards the position inactive.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the biasing element 43 is formed by an elastically deformable tab which is provided on the control member 23 and which is configured to be elastically deformed when the control member 23 is moved. in the command position. The elastically deformable tab can for example extend from the first gripping part 28 and be configured to bear against the main body 3 or the motor casing 12.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the biasing member 44 is formed by a compression spring, and the return arm 32 of the activation member 24 comprises a receiving housing 45 in which is partially housed the compression spring. The biasing member 44 can for example be configured to bear on the one hand against a bottom wall of the receiving housing 45 and on the other hand against the main body 3 or the motor casing 12.

The operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 will now be described. When the motor-driven fan 13 is electrically powered, it establishes a depression in particular in the waste separation device 5 so that air and waste are sucked in through the suction duct 19. The air laden with waste then enters the waste storage container 7 via the air intake opening of the waste separation device 5 which can for example emerge tangentially into the waste storage container 7. The air is thus set in rotation and the waste is centrifuged outwards and this waste is collected by the waste storage container 7.

The air flow then flows successively through the air outlet opening of the waste separation device 5, the air inlet orifice 14 of the suction device 6 and the air discharge 15 from the suction device 6. Then, the flow of air escapes out of the main body 3 through air discharge openings 46 provided on the latter.

According to a variant embodiment not shown in the figures, at least one, and for example each, of the first and second contacts 26, 27 comprises several conductive tracks, for example two conductive tracks, which can be obtained by screen printing or by printing . According to such an embodiment of the invention, at least one, and preferably each, of the control member 23 and of the activation member 24 comprises an additional contact comprising at least one conductive element, such as a pad made of conductive material or an additional conductive track which is configured to cooperate with the conductive tracks provided on the respective contact.

Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (19)

1. Vacuum cleaner (2) comprising a suction pipe (19); a waste separation device (5) fluidically connected to the suction pipe (19); a main body (3) wherein is housed a suction device (6) comprising an electric fan (13) which is configured to generate an airflow through the suction pipe (19) and the waste separation device (5); a handle (4); a control member (23) which can be actuated by a user and which comprises a first gripping part (28); an activation member (24) which can be actuated by a user and which comprises a second gripping part (29), the second gripping part (29) being located at a distance from the first gripping part (28) and the first and second gripping parts (28, 29) being independently movable from one another; and an electronic control unit (22) which is configured to control the operation of the electric fan (13) according to a first operating mode when the control member (23) is actuated by a user and to control the operation of the electric fan (13) according to a second operating mode when the activation member (24) is actuated by a user, the electronic control unit (22) being configured such that a maximum rotation speed of the electric fan (13) in the second operating mode is greater than a maximum rotation speed of the electric fan (13) in the first operating mode, wherein the electronic control member (22) comprises an electronic board (25) provided with a first contact (26) and a second contact (27), the control member (23) being configured to activate the first contact (26) when the control member (23) is actuated by a user, and the activation member (24) being configured to activate the second contact (27) when the activation member (24) is actuated by a user, characterised in that the electronic board (25) is disposed in the handle (4).
2. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1, wherein the control member (23) is disposed on the handle (4).
3. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the activation member (24) is disposed facing the control member (23).
4. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control member (23) and the activation member (24) are mounted such that they can be moved in rotation respectively about a first axis of rotation (R1) and a second axis of rotation (R2).
5. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 4, wherein the first and second axes of rotation (R1, R2) are substantially parallel.
6. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the control member (23) and the activation member (24) comprises a return arm (32) configured to engage with a respective contact from among the first and second contacts (26, 27).
7. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 6, wherein the activation member (24) comprises the return arm (32), the return arm (32) comprising a support part (33) which is configured to engage with the second contact (27) and a perforated intermediary part (34) which delimits a passage opening (36), the control member (23) being configured to extend at least partially through the passage opening (36) when the control member (23) is actuated by a user.
8. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 7, wherein the perforated intermediary part (34) comprises two side branches (37) spaced from one another and between which is disposed at least partially the control member (23).
9. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 8 combined with claim 4, wherein the first axis of rotation (R1) of the control member (23) is disposed between the two side branches (37) of the perforated intermediary part (34).
10. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the return arm (32) comprises an elastically deformable portion (35) which is configured to limit the forces applied by the return arms (32) against the respective contact from among the first and second contacts (26, 27).
11. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the control member (23) comprises an additional return arm (38) which is configured to engage with the first contact (26).
12. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one of the first and second contacts (26, 27) is an electromechanical contact.
13. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the electronic control unit (22) is configured to control the operation of the electric fan (13) according to a second operating mode only while the activation member (24) is actuated by a user.
14. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the electronic control unit (22) is configured to control the operation of the electric fan (13) according to the first operating mode while the control member (23) is not actuated again by a user.
15. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the control member (23) and the activation member (24) are configured so as to be able to be actuated by one same finger of a user when the user holds the handle (4).
16. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the control member (23) is configured to be actuated by a user by pulling the control member (23) towards the handle (4), and/or the activation member (24) is configured to be actuated by a user by pulling the activation member (24) towards the handle (4).
17. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the control member (23) and the activation member (24) are located substantially in a reference plane which is defined by a longitudinal axis (C) of the suction pipe (19) and a median axis (D) of the handle (4).
18. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 17, wherein the first and second contacts (26, 27) are offset vertically above one another, when the reference plane is vertical and the longitudinal axis (C) of the suction pipe (19) is horizontal.
19. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, which is a portable vacuum cleaner.

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