Dust collector with ground protection operation mode

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction head (6) comprising a rotary brush (28) that is movable in rotation about a rotation axis (A); a drive mechanism (29) for driving rotation configured to drive rotation of the rotating brush (28) about the axis of rotation (A), the drive mechanism (29) for driving rotation comprising a brush drive motor (31) rotatably coupled to the rotating brush (28); a suction motor configured to generate an air flow through the suction opening (26) and into the suction head (6); and an electronic control unit configured to detect when the suction head (6) is stationary on the soft ground and to modify at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner when the electronic control unit detects that the suction head (6) is stationary on the soft ground.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head, also called suction connection of the vacuum cleaner, allowing the suction of dust and debris present on the surface to be cleaned. Background Art

[0002] Vacuum cleaners equipped with suction heads are well known on the market, which allow cleaning a surface by suction to expel dust and trash resting on the surface. The surface to be vacuumed can be, for example, a hard floor, such as tiles, parquet or laminate, or a soft floor, such as a carpet or a mat.

[0003] The suction head usually includes:

[0004] a head body comprising a base plate having a lower surface and a suction opening opening in the lower surface of the base plate, the lower surface of the base plate being designed to be positioned in close proximity to a surface to be vacuumed during use of the vacuum cleaner,

[0005] a rotating brush housed in a receiving recess defined by the head body and movable in rotation about a rotation axis, and

[0006] - a drive mechanism for driving rotation, which is configured to drive the rotating brush to rotate about a rotation axis, the drive mechanism for driving rotation comprising a brush drive motor rotatably coupled to the rotating brush.

[0007] In order to improve the cleaning performance of a vacuum cleaner of the above-mentioned type, it is known to equip the vacuum cleaner with a measuring device, which is configured to measure the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor, detect the type of floor surface encountered by the suction head based on the intensity value measured by the measuring device, and adapt the suction power generated by the suction motor of the vacuum cleaner based on the detected floor surface type.

[0008] In particular, the vacuum cleaner comprises an electronic control unit configured to:

[0009] - if the intensity of the current applied to the brush drive motor is below an intensity threshold, displacement of the suction head on a hard floor is detected and the suction speed is adjusted to a predetermined hard floor suction speed, and

[0010] If the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor is higher than the intensity threshold, displacement of the suction head on a soft floor is detected and the suction speed is adjusted to a predetermined soft floor suction speed higher than the hard floor suction speed in order to increase the suction power of the vacuum cleaner.

[0011] However, when the suction head is closed in a configuration where the driven rotating brush is in contact with the ground, the friction caused by the rotating rotating brush in contact with the ground consumes power unnecessarily. When the vacuum cleaner is cordless and has an onboard battery, this power consumption discharges the battery unnecessarily.

[0012] The rotating brush is usually brought into contact with the ground in at least two situations, either when the suction head is on a soft ground, such as a carpet or a mat, or when the suction head is on a hard ground and the rotating brush protrudes downward from the lower surface of the suction head.

[0013] On the other hand, when the user interrupts a cleaning phase on a soft floor (such as a carpet or a mat) and runs the vacuum cleaner with the suction head in contact with the soft floor, the rotating brush repeatedly rubs on the same area of ​​the soft floor, which may cause wear and thus degradation of the soft floor. Summary of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these disadvantages.

[0015] The technical problem underlying the present invention is in particular to provide a vacuum cleaner which is structurally reliable and economical while ensuring protection of the floor to be cleaned, in particular soft floors.

[0016] To this end, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0017] To this end, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0018] - a suction head, comprising a bottom plate having a lower surface configured to face the surface to be cleaned, and a suction opening opening in the lower surface of the bottom plate, through which external air can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner, and a rotating brush rotatably movable about a rotation axis,

[0019] a drive mechanism for driving rotation, which is configured to drive the rotating brush to rotate about a rotation axis, the drive mechanism for driving rotation comprising a brush drive motor rotatably coupled to the rotating brush,

[0020] a suction motor configured to generate an air flow through the suction opening and into the suction head, and

[0021] - An electronic control unit configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner.

[0022] The vacuum cleaner further comprises a measuring device configured to measure the intensity of the current applied to the brush drive motor. The electronic control unit is configured to detect, based on a deviation of the intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device or based on the amplitude of the variation of the intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device, that the suction head is stationary on the floor, advantageously on a soft floor, and to modify at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner, for example a cleaning parameter, when the electronic control unit detects that the suction head is stationary on the floor.

[0023] This configuration of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention allows, when the vacuum cleaner is in operation, for example, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner and / or the rotation speed of the rotating brush to be automatically reduced when the suction head is stationary on the floor, thereby reducing the friction force exerted by the rotating brush on the floor. The vacuum cleaner according to the invention allows the power consumption of the vacuum cleaner to be optimized, which is advantageous if the vacuum cleaner is equipped with a rechargeable battery. The vacuum cleaner according to the invention also allows to ensure protection of delicate surfaces to be cleaned, in particular soft floors.

[0024] The cleaning vacuum cleaner may also have one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit is configured to reduce the power set point of the suction motor to a predetermined protection power value and / or reduce the power set point of the brush drive motor to a predetermined brush power value or turn off the brush drive motor when the electronic control unit detects that the suction head is stationary on the ground. Reducing the power of the suction motor allows the suction force to be reduced, thereby reducing the pressing pressure of the suction head on the ground. This pressing pressure is also referred to as the suction cup effect of the suction head on the ground. Reducing the pressing pressure of the suction head on the ground allows the pressure that the rotating brush can exert on the ground to be reduced, thereby reducing the friction of the brush on the ground. Reducing the power of the brush drive motor allows the rotation speed of the brush to be slowed down, reducing the friction frequency, thereby reducing the friction of the brush on the ground.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit may be configured to shut down the vacuum cleaner, that is, cut off the power supply of the vacuum cleaner, when the electronic control unit detects that the suction head is stationary on the soft ground.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head is stationary on the ground based on a dispersion of the deviation of the intensity value measured by the measuring device relative to a reference value.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit is configured as follows:

[0029] - calculating a dispersion indicator, such as a variance or a standard deviation, of the intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device, each dispersion indicator value being calculated from a finite series of consecutive intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device, and

[0030] - When the deviation indicator is below the detection threshold and the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor is above the intensity threshold, it is detected that the suction head is stationary on a soft ground.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the reference value is an average intensity value defined for each finite series, more specifically, an average value of consecutive intensity values ​​measured for each finite series.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, each finite series of measured consecutive intensity values ​​comprises between 10 and 30, advantageously between 15 and 25, for example 20 measured consecutive intensity values.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the invention, the time interval between two consecutive intensity values ​​measured is between 15 and 25 ms, for example approximately 20 ms.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head is stationary on a soft ground if a plurality of consecutive deviation index values ​​(for example, between 3 and 6 values) are below a detection threshold and if the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor is also above the intensity threshold.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to calculate a sliding dispersion indicator, such as a sliding variance or a sliding standard deviation, of the intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device.

[0036] The following embodiments of the invention are more particularly suitable for determining whether the suction head is stationary on a soft floor.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit is configured to calculate an average value of the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor during a stage of displacement of the suction head on soft ground, for example during a previous stage of displacement of the suction head on soft ground or during a most recent stage of displacement of the suction head on soft ground, and define an intensity threshold value based on the calculated average value.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the intensity threshold corresponds to the calculated average value of the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor during the phase of displacement of the suction head on soft ground minus a percentage of said calculated average value, for example between 3% and 10%.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the percentage is predetermined.

[0040] According to another embodiment of the invention, the percentage varies depending on the type of soft ground over which the suction head is displaced.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the intensity threshold is higher than the average value of the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor during a preceding displacement phase of the suction head on the hard floor.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect different types of soft ground surfaces the suction head is designed to encounter.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to modify the intensity threshold, for example by a percentage, depending on the type of soft ground detected by the electronic control unit.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to adjust the detection threshold value according to the deviation of the intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device during a previous phase of displacement of the suction head on the hard floor, more specifically during the most recent phase of displacement of the suction head on the hard floor, and, for example, according to the average value of the deviation indicator. This configuration of the vacuum cleaner allows taking into account any blockage of the rotating brush, in particular the presence of fibers or hair entangled around the rotating brush, which may lead to a significant increase in the intensity of the current applied to the brush drive motor even during the hard floor cleaning phase. Therefore, with an adjustable detection threshold, it is impossible for the electronic control unit to erroneously detect that the suction head is stationary on a soft floor when the suction head is blocked, when in fact the suction head is displaced on a hard floor. Therefore, this configuration of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention provides it with enhanced cleaning performance.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head is displaced on a soft floor, for example from a hard floor to a soft floor, when the deviation indicator exceeds a detection threshold. This configuration of the vacuum cleaner allows the displacement of the suction head on a soft floor to be detected without the presence of a dedicated floor detection device, which reduces the manufacturing costs of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention. In addition, this configuration of the vacuum cleaner allows the operation of the vacuum cleaner to be adapted, for example, during a soft floor cleaning phase.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head is displaced on soft ground when a plurality of consecutive dispersion indicator values ​​(eg between 3 and 6 values) are above a detection threshold.

[0047] According to another embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect displacement of the suction head on soft ground, for example from hard ground to soft ground, when the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor exceeds a soft ground detection threshold.

[0048] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the suction head includes a ground detection device, which includes a movable component and a moving sensor. The movable component is configured to move from a first position to a second position when the suction head moves from a hard ground to a soft ground. The moving sensor is configured to emit a soft ground detection signal when the movable component moves to the second position. The electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head has moved from the hard ground to the soft ground when the soft ground detection signal is transmitted to the electronic control unit.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to increase the power set point of the suction motor to a predetermined soft ground suction power value when the electronic control unit detects that the suction head is displaced on soft ground, for example from hard ground to soft ground.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head is displaced on a hard ground, for example from a soft ground to a hard ground, when the deviation index is lower than a detection threshold and the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor is lower than an intensity threshold.

[0051] This configuration of the vacuum cleaner allows the displacement of the suction head on hard floors to be detected without the need for a dedicated floor detection device, which reduces the manufacturing costs of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention. In addition, this configuration of the vacuum cleaner allows, for example, the operation of the vacuum cleaner to be adapted during the hard floor cleaning phase.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to reduce the power set point of the suction motor to a predetermined hard floor suction power value when the electronic control unit detects that the suction head is displaced on a hard floor, for example from a soft floor to a hard floor. Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner allows the operation of the vacuum cleaner to be adapted according to the detected floor type, thereby limiting the power consumption of the vacuum cleaner during hard floor cleaning phases.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined hard ground suction power value is lower than the predetermined soft ground suction power value.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined hard floor suction power value is lower than or equal to a predetermined protection power value.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to modify at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner only after the electronic control unit has detected that a predetermined length of time has elapsed during which the suction head has remained stationary on the floor.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit is configured to modify at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner only after the electronic control unit has detected that a predetermined period of time has passed in which the suction head remains stationary on the soft floor and the deviation indicator is still below the detection threshold when the predetermined period of time expires.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined time length is between 2 seconds and 5 seconds.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a garbage separation and collection device, which is arranged upstream of the suction motor and is configured to be passed through by the airflow generated by the suction motor.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner includes a main body accommodating a suction motor.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction head is mechanically connected to the body.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the suction head comprises a head body including a bottom plate and provided with a receiving recess which opens in a lower surface of the bottom plate via a suction port, and in which a rotating brush is accommodated.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is a stick vacuum cleaner.

[0063] The present invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner control method, comprising the following steps:

[0064] -Provide a vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0065] o a suction head, comprising a rotating brush and a bottom plate, the rotating brush being rotatably movable about a rotation axis, and a suction port, the bottom plate having a lower surface configured to face the surface to be cleaned, the suction port opening in the lower surface of the bottom plate, through which external air can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner,

[0066] o A drive mechanism for driving rotation, which is configured to drive the rotating brush to rotate about a rotation axis, the drive mechanism for driving rotation comprising a brush drive motor rotatably coupled to the rotating brush.

[0067] o a suction motor configured to generate an airflow through the suction opening and into the suction head, and

[0068] o an electronic control unit configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner,

[0069] - measure the current intensity applied to the brush-driven motor,

[0070] - taking into account the dispersion of the measured intensity values ​​or the amplitude of the changes in the measured intensity values, the detection that the suction head is stationary on the ground, and

[0071] - When it is detected that the suction head is stationary on the floor, at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner, for example a cleaning parameter, is modified.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises the following steps:

[0073] - calculating a dispersion indicator of the measured intensity values, such as a variance or a standard deviation, each dispersion indicator value being calculated from a finite series of consecutive intensity values ​​of the measurements, and

[0074] - When the deviation indicator is below the detection threshold, it is detected that the suction head is stationary on the ground.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises the following steps:

[0076] - calculating a dispersion index of the measured intensity values, each dispersion index value being calculated based on a finite series of consecutive intensity values ​​of the measurements, and

[0077] - When the deviation indicator is below the detection threshold and the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor is above the intensity threshold, it is detected that the suction head is stationary on a soft ground.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises the following steps: when it is detected that the suction head is stationary on a soft ground, the power set point of the suction motor is reduced to a predetermined protection power value and / or the power set point of the brush drive motor is reduced to a predetermined brush power value, or the brush drive motor is turned off. Reducing the power of the suction motor allows the suction force to be reduced, thereby reducing the pressing pressure of the suction head on the ground. This pressing pressure is also referred to as the suction cup effect of the suction head on the ground. Reducing the pressing pressure of the suction head on the ground allows the pressure that the rotating brush can exert on the ground to be reduced, thereby reducing the friction of the brush on the ground. Reducing the power of the brush drive motor allows the rotation speed of the brush to be slowed down, reducing the friction frequency, thereby reducing the friction of the brush on the ground.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises the following steps: when the deviation index exceeds a detection threshold, it is detected that the suction head is displaced on the soft ground, for example, from the hard ground to the soft ground.

[0080] According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the following steps: when displacement of the suction head on soft ground, for example from hard ground to soft ground, is detected, the power set point of the suction motor is increased to a predetermined soft ground suction power value.

[0081] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the following steps: when the deviation index is lower than the detection threshold and the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor is lower than the intensity threshold, the displacement of the suction head on the hard ground, for example, from the soft ground to the hard ground, is detected.

[0082] According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the following steps: when a displacement of the suction head on a hard floor, for example from a soft floor to a hard floor, is detected, the power set point of the suction motor is reduced to a predetermined hard floor suction power value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] In any case, the invention will be clearly understood with the help of the following description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of such a vacuum cleaner.

[0084] Figure 1 1 is a front perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

[0085] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial stereoscopic view of a vacuum cleaner.

[0086] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial longitudinal sectional view of a vacuum cleaner.

[0087] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the suction head of a vacuum cleaner.

[0088] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Transverse cross-sectional view of the suction head.

[0089] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Longitudinal section view of the suction head.

[0090] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 1 Illustration of the steps of a method for controlling a vacuum cleaner.

[0091] Figure 8 is shown during different cleaning stages, applied to Figure 1 Illustration of the time evolution of the current intensity of a brush drive motor of a vacuum cleaner and of the time evolution of a dispersion indicator of the current intensity values ​​applied to the brush drive motor.

[0092] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the time evolution of the current intensity applied to the brush drive motor and of the dispersion indicator during different cleaning phases. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0093] Figure 1 A vacuum cleaner 2 is shown, more specifically a stick vacuum cleaner, comprising a body 3, a handle 5 mechanically connected to the body 3 and a suction head 6, which is arranged to come into contact with a floor surface to be cleaned. However, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to the invention may also be a canister vacuum cleaner, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0094] The body 3 comprises in particular a cleaner housing 7 and a suction connection 8 which is advantageously arranged at the lower end of the cleaner housing 7 and to which the suction head 6 is fastened directly or via a suction pipe 10. The body 3 also comprises a suction duct 9 which is arranged in the cleaner housing 7 and is fluidically connected to the suction connection 8.

[0095] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a garbage separation and collection device 11 which is removably mounted on the main body 3 so that it can be cleaned.

[0096] Advantageously, the waste separation and collection device 11 is of cyclonic type and comprises a waste collection container 12 and a tubular separation member 13, such as a tubular grid, which is arranged in the waste collection container 12 coaxially with the central axis of the waste collection container 12. The waste collection container 12 and the tubular separation member 13 advantageously define a cyclonic separation chamber 14.

[0097] The waste separation and collection device 11 further comprises an air inlet which is fluidly connected to the suction duct 9 and opens in the cyclonic separation chamber 14. Thus, the suction duct 9 is configured to fluidly connect the suction head 6 to the air inlet of the waste separation and collection device 11.

[0098] like Figure 3 As shown, the vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a suction motor 16, also referred to as a motorized fan, which is configured to generate an airflow through the suction head 6, the suction duct 9 and the garbage separation and collection device 11. More specifically, the suction motor 16 is arranged in the vacuum cleaner housing 7. In a known manner, the suction motor 16 comprises a fan and an electric motor configured to drive the fan in rotation.

[0099] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the suction head 6 comprises a head body 23, which is configured to be displaced on the surface to be cleaned. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the head body 23 has a generally rectangular shape.

[0100] The head body 23 comprises a bottom plate 24 made of plastic, for example, with a lower surface 25 of the bottom plate 24 being arranged to face the surface to be cleaned.

[0101] The head body 23 also includes a suction port 26 opened in the lower surface 25 of the bottom plate 24, through which external air can be sucked into the cleaner 2. Advantageously, the suction port 26 has an elongated shape and extends along an extension direction D1, which extends perpendicularly to the displacement direction D2 of the suction head 6.

[0102] The head body 23 also comprises a receiving recess 27 which opens in the lower surface 25 of the bottom plate 24 via the suction opening 6. Thus, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the receiving recess 27 forms a suction chamber.

[0103] The suction head 6 further comprises a rotating brush 28 mounted so as to be rotatably movable in the receiving recess 27 along an axis of rotation A which substantially coincides with the central axis of the rotating brush 28. Advantageously, the rotating brush 28 is removably mounted in the receiving recess 27 and is configured to be introduced into and removed from the receiving recess 27 along a mounting direction which may extend, for example, transversely to, preferably perpendicularly to, the displacement direction D2 of the suction head 6.

[0104] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the rotating brush 28 comprises a brush body 28.1, for example tubular, and bristles (not visible in the figures) arranged on the outer surface of the brush body 28.1. Advantageously, the brush body 28.1 is cylindrical with a circular cross section, and the rotating brush 28 comprises one or more rows of bristles, which extend, for example, helically around the central axis of the rotating brush 28. According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the rows of bristles can be replaced by elastically deformable sheets or foam cleaning sleeves.

[0105] The suction head 6 further comprises a drive mechanism 29 for driving rotation, which is configured to drive the rotating brush 28 to rotate about the rotation axis A. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive mechanism 29 for driving rotation is accommodated in the head body 23 and comprises a brush drive motor 31 provided with an output shaft mechanically coupled to the rotating brush 28.

[0106] Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a measuring device 32 configured to measure the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31. The measuring device 32 may be arranged in the suction head 6, in the body 3 or in the handle 5, for example.

[0107] The suction head 6 also comprises a connecting sleeve 33, which is fluidically connected to the receiving recess 27 and therefore to the suction opening 26, to which the suction connection 8 of the vacuum cleaner 2 is designed to be connected, more specifically, to which the lower part of the suction pipe 10 is designed to be fixed. Advantageously, the suction head 6 comprises an articulation device 34, which mechanically connects the connecting sleeve 33 to the head body 23, so as to allow the head body 23 to pivot forwards and backwards when the suction head 6 is displaced along the displacement direction D2.

[0108] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises an electronic control unit 35 configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2, in particular to adapt the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to the type of floor surface displaced by the suction head 6. The electronic control unit 35 may be housed in the vacuum cleaner housing 7 or in the handle 5, for example.

[0109] The electronic control unit 35 is particularly configured to:

[0110] - calculating a dispersion indicator, such as a variance or a standard deviation, of the intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device 32, each dispersion indicator value being calculated from a finite series of consecutive intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device 32,

[0111] - When the deviation index is below the detection threshold Vsd and the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 is above the intensity threshold Vsi, it is detected that the suction head 6 is stationary, for example on a soft ground (see Figure 8 and Fig. 9 ),as well as

[0112] When the electronic control unit 35 detects that the suction head 6 is stationary on a soft floor, at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner 2 is modified and, for example, the power set point of the suction motor 16 is reduced to a predetermined protective power value.

[0113] Lowering the power set point of the suction motor 16 allows the speed of the suction motor 16 to be reduced.

[0114] Advantageously, the intensity threshold Vsi is higher than the average value of the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 during the previous stage of displacement of the suction head 6 on the hard ground, and the detection threshold Vsd is lower than the average value of the deviation indicator during the previous stage of displacement of the suction head 6 on the soft ground.

[0115] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 35 is configured to modify at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner 2 and, for example, reduce the power set point of the suction motor 16 to a predetermined protective power value only after the electronic control unit 35 has detected that the suction head 6 remains stationary on the soft floor for a predetermined time period, and under the condition that the deviation indicator remains below the detection threshold Vsd during the predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may, for example, be between 2 seconds and 5 seconds.

[0116] Each finite series of measured consecutive intensity values ​​may comprise between 10 and 30, advantageously between 15 and 25, for example 20 measured consecutive intensity values, and the time interval between two measured consecutive intensity values ​​may be between 15 ms and 25 ms, for example approximately 20 ms.

[0117] When the calculated dispersion indicator is the standard deviation, the electronic control unit 35 is configured to:

[0118] - for each finite series, calculating the mean of the consecutive intensity values ​​of the measurements belonging to said finite series,

[0119] - for each finite series, calculating the deviations of the measured consecutive intensity values ​​belonging to said finite series with respect to the corresponding calculated mean value, and

[0120] - For each finite series, calculate the root mean square of the deviations calculated for said finite series.

[0121] The root mean square calculated for each finite series corresponds to the standard deviation value calculated for said finite series.

[0122] When the calculated deviation indicator is the variance, the variance value calculated for each finite series corresponds to the square of the root mean square calculated for said finite series. In other words, when the calculated deviation indicator is the variance, the electronic control unit 35 is configured to calculate, for each finite series, the average of the squares of the deviations from the average of said finite series.

[0123] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit 35 can be configured to detect that the suction head 6 is stationary on the soft ground only when a plurality of consecutive deviation index values ​​(for example, between 3 and 6 values) are lower than the detection threshold Vsd and the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 is also higher than the intensity threshold Vsi.

[0124] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 35 is configured to calculate the average value of the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 during each stage of displacement of the suction head 6 on soft ground, and for each stage of displacement of the suction head 6 on soft ground, define the intensity threshold Vsi according to the calculated average value. The intensity threshold Vsi defined for each stage of displacement of the suction head 6 on soft ground may, for example, correspond to the calculated average value of the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 during said displacement stage of the suction head 6 on soft ground minus a percentage of said calculated average value, for example between 3% and 10%.

[0125] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the intensity threshold Vsi may be predetermined and, for example, between 400 mA and 600 mA.

[0126] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit 35 can be configured to adjust the detection threshold Vsd based on the deviation of the intensity value measured by the measuring device 32 during the previous stage of the displacement of the suction head 6 on the hard ground, more specifically during the most recent stage of the displacement of the suction head 6 on the hard ground, and for example based on the average value of the deviation indicator.

[0127] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the detection threshold Vsd may be predetermined and may be at 800 mA. 2 and 1200mA 2 between, and for example equal to 1000mA 2 , if the dispersion indicator is the variance.

[0128] Advantageously, the electronic control unit 35 is further configured to:

[0129] - When the deviation threshold exceeds the detection threshold Vsd (see Figure 8 and Fig. 9 ), it is detected that the suction head 6 is displaced on the soft ground, for example, from the hard ground to the soft ground, and

[0130] When the electronic control unit 35 detects that the suction head 6 is displaced on soft ground, for example from hard ground to soft ground, the power set point of the suction motor 16 is increased to a predetermined soft ground suction power value, for example 150 Watts, which is higher than a predetermined protection power value, for example 80 Watts.

[0131] This configuration of the vacuum cleaner 2 allows the displacement of the suction head 6 on a soft floor to be detected without the presence of a dedicated floor detection device, while improving the suction performance of the vacuum cleaner 2 during the soft floor cleaning phase.

[0132] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit 35 may be configured to detect displacement of the suction head 6 on soft ground only when a plurality of consecutive deviation index values ​​(eg between 3 and 6 values) are above the detection threshold Vsd.

[0133] Advantageously, the electronic control unit 35 is further configured to:

[0134] - when the deviation indicator is lower than the detection threshold Vsd and the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 is lower than the intensity threshold Vsi, a displacement of the suction head 6 on a hard floor, for example from a soft floor to a hard floor, is detected, and

[0135] - When the electronic control unit 35 detects that the suction head 6 is displaced on a hard floor, for example from a soft floor to a hard floor, the power set point of the suction motor 16 is reduced to a predetermined hard floor suction power value, for example 60 Watts, which is lower than a predetermined protection power value, for example 80 Watts.

[0136] This configuration of the vacuum cleaner 2 allows the displacement of the suction head 6 on a hard floor to be detected without the presence of a dedicated floor detection device, while limiting the power consumption of the vacuum cleaner 2 during the hard floor cleaning phase.

[0137] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit 35 can be configured to detect the displacement of the suction head 6 on the hard ground only when a plurality of consecutive deviation index values ​​(for example, between 3 and 6 values) are lower than the detection threshold Vsd and the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 is also lower than the intensity threshold Vsi.

[0138] Therefore, the electronic control unit 35 is configured to: control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to the first operation mode (referred to as the hard floor operation mode) when the deviation index is lower than the detection threshold Vsd and the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 is lower than the intensity threshold Vsi; control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to the second operation mode (referred to as the soft floor operation mode) when the deviation index exceeds, i.e. becomes higher than, the detection threshold Vsd; and control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to the third operation mode (referred to as the protection mode) when the deviation index is lower than the detection threshold Vsd and the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 is higher than the intensity threshold Vsi. The electronic control unit 35 is configured so that the power and the rotation speed of the suction motor 16 are minimum values ​​when the vacuum cleaner 2 is operated according to the first operation mode, so that the power and the rotation speed of the suction motor 16 are maximum values ​​when the vacuum cleaner 2 is operated according to the second operation mode, and so that the power of the suction motor 16 is between the minimum power and the maximum power when the vacuum cleaner 2 is operated according to the third operation mode.

[0139] The control method of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to the present invention may for example particularly include:

[0140] - a measurement step S1 of measuring the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31,

[0141] - a calculation step S2 of calculating a dispersion indicator of the measured intensity values, such as a variance or a standard deviation, each dispersion indicator value being calculated from a finite series of measured consecutive intensity values,

[0142] If the deviation indicator exceeds the detection threshold Vsd, a control step S3 is performed, which is to detect that the suction head 6 is displaced on the soft ground, for example from the hard ground to the soft ground, and to increase the power setting point of the suction motor 16 to a predetermined soft ground suction power value,

[0143] - if the dispersion indicator is below the detection threshold Vsd and the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 is above the intensity threshold Vsi, a control step S4 is performed, which is to detect that the suction head 6 is stationary on a soft floor and to reduce the power set point of the suction motor 16 to a predetermined protection power value, and

[0144] -If the deviation index is lower than the detection threshold Vsd, and the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 is lower than the intensity threshold Vsi, then it is a control step S5, which detects the displacement of the suction head 6 on the hard ground, for example, from the soft ground to the hard ground, and reduces the power set point of the suction motor 16 to a predetermined hard ground suction power value.

[0145] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit 35 can be configured to detect that the suction head 6 is stationary on a soft ground based on the amplitude of the change of the intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device 32 and, for example, the deviation of the maximum and minimum values ​​of the measured intensity values ​​belonging to a finite series relative to a reference value (for example, the average value of the measured intensity values ​​belonging to the finite series).

[0146] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit 35 can be configured to increase the power set point of the brush drive motor 31 to a first predetermined brush motor power value when the electronic control unit 35 detects that the suction head 6 is displaced on the soft ground, and to reduce the power set point of the brush drive motor 31 to a second predetermined brush motor power value when the electronic control unit 35 detects that the suction head 6 is stationary on the soft ground.

[0147] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit 35 may be configured to shut down the vacuum cleaner 2 , ie, cut off the power supply of the vacuum cleaner 2 , when the electronic control unit 35 detects that the suction head 6 is stationary on the soft ground.

[0148] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 35 may be configured to detect different types of soft ground that the suction head 6 is designed to encounter and to modify the intensity threshold value Vsi, for example by a percentage, depending on the type of soft ground detected by the electronic control unit 35. The electronic control unit 35 may also be configured to define a respective predetermined soft ground suction power for each type of soft ground detected and, when a displacement of the suction head 6 on a type of soft ground has been detected, to increase the power set point of the suction motor 16 to the predetermined soft ground suction power value corresponding to the type of soft ground detected.

[0149] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit 35 may be configured to detect displacement of the suction head 6 on the soft ground when the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 31 exceeds a soft ground detection threshold.

[0150] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the suction head 6 may include a ground detection device, which includes a movable component and a moving sensor. The movable component is configured to move from a first position to a second position when the suction head 6 moves from a hard ground to a soft ground, and the moving sensor is configured to emit a soft ground detection signal when the movable component moves to the second position. The electronic control unit 35 is then configured to detect that the suction head 6 has moved from the hard ground to the soft ground when the soft ground detection signal is transmitted to the electronic control unit 35.

[0151] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the described and illustrated embodiments, which are provided as examples only. In particular, some modifications may be made in the composition of various elements or by replacement of equivalent technologies, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner (2), comprising: - a suction head (6) comprising a base plate (24) having a lower surface (25) arranged to face the surface to be cleaned, and a suction opening (26), the base plate having a lower surface (25) arranged to face the surface to be cleaned, the suction opening opening opening in the lower surface (25) of the base plate (24), through which external air can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner (2), the suction head (6) further comprising a rotating brush (28) rotatably movable about a rotation axis (A), a drive mechanism (29) for driving rotation, which is configured to drive the rotating brush (28) to rotate about the rotation axis (A), the drive mechanism (29) for driving rotation comprising a brush drive motor (31) rotatably coupled to the rotating brush (28), - a suction motor (16) configured to generate an air flow through the suction opening (26) and into the suction head (6), and - an electronic control unit (35) configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner (2), It is characterized in that the vacuum cleaner also includes a measuring device (32), which is configured to measure the current intensity (I) applied to the brush drive motor (31), and the electronic control unit (35) is configured to detect that the suction head (6) is stationary on the ground according to the deviation of the intensity value measured by the measuring device (32) or according to the change amplitude of the intensity value measured by the measuring device (32), and when the electronic control unit (35) detects that the suction head (6) is stationary on the ground, it modifies at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner (2).

2. The vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1, wherein: The electronic control unit (35) is configured to reduce the power set point of the suction motor (16) to a predetermined protection power value and / or reduce the power set point of the brush drive motor (31) to a predetermined brush power value when the electronic control unit (35) detects that the suction head (6) is stationary on the ground.

3. The vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The electronic control unit (35) is configured to: - calculating a dispersion indicator of the intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device (32), each dispersion indicator value being calculated from a finite series of consecutive intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device (32), and - When the deviation indicator is lower than a detection threshold (Vsd) and the current intensity (I) applied to the brush drive motor (31) is higher than an intensity threshold (Vsi), it is detected that the suction head (6) is stationary on a soft ground.

4. The vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 3, wherein: The electronic control unit (35) is configured to calculate an average value of the current intensity (I) applied to the brush drive motor (31) during a phase of displacement of the suction head (6) on soft ground, and to define the intensity threshold (Vsi) based on the calculated average value.

5. The vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The electronic control unit (35) is configured to detect displacement of the suction head (6) on soft ground when the deviation indicator exceeds the detection threshold (Vsd).

6. The vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 5, wherein: The electronic control unit (35) is configured to increase the power set point of the suction motor (16) to a predetermined soft floor suction power value when the electronic control unit (35) detects that the suction head (6) is displaced on soft floor.

7. The vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein: The electronic control unit (35) is configured to detect that the suction head (6) is displaced on a hard floor when the deviation index is lower than the detection threshold (Vsd) and the current intensity (I) applied to the brush drive motor (31) is lower than the intensity threshold (Vsi).

8. The vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 7, wherein: The electronic control unit (35) is configured to reduce the power set point of the suction motor (16) to a predetermined hard floor suction power value when the electronic control unit (35) detects that the suction head (6) is displaced on a hard floor.

9. The vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The electronic control unit (35) is configured to modify the at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner (2) only after the electronic control unit (35) has detected that the suction head (6) has remained stationary on the floor for a predetermined period of time.

10. A method for controlling a vacuum cleaner (2), comprising the following steps: - A vacuum cleaner (2) is provided, comprising: o a suction head (6), comprising a rotating brush (28), a bottom plate (24) and a suction port (26), wherein the rotating brush can rotate and move around a rotation axis (A), the bottom plate has a lower surface (25) configured to face the surface to be cleaned, the suction port is open in the lower surface (25) of the bottom plate (24), and external air can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner (2) through the suction port, o a driving mechanism (29) for driving rotation, which is configured to drive the rotating brush (28) to rotate about the rotation axis (A), the driving mechanism (29) for driving rotation comprising a brush driving motor (31) rotatably coupled to the rotating brush (28), o a suction motor (16) configured to generate an air flow through the suction opening (26) and into the suction head (6), and o an electronic control unit (35) configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner (2), - measuring the current intensity (I) applied to the brush drive motor (31), - taking into account the dispersion of the measured intensity values ​​or the amplitude of the variation of the measured intensity values, detecting that the suction head (6) is stationary on the ground, and - when it is detected that the suction head (6) is stationary on the ground, at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner (2) is modified.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of: - calculating a dispersion index of the measured intensity values, each dispersion index value being calculated based on a finite series of consecutive intensity values ​​of the measurements, and - When the deviation indicator is lower than a detection threshold (Vsd), it is detected that the suction head (6) is stationary on the ground.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of: - calculating a dispersion index of the measured intensity values, each dispersion index value being calculated based on a finite series of consecutive intensity values ​​of the measurements, and - When the deviation indicator is lower than a detection threshold (Vsd) and the current intensity (I) applied to the brush drive motor (31) is higher than an intensity threshold (Vsi), it is detected that the suction head (6) is stationary on a soft ground.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, comprising the steps of: When it is detected that the suction head (6) is stationary on the ground, the power setting point of the suction motor (16) is reduced to a predetermined protection power value and / or the power setting point of the brush drive motor (31) is reduced to a predetermined brush power value.

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