Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner includes: a vacuum motor configured to draw air through the vacuum cleaner; a battery pack configured to supply power to the vacuum motor; and a control system configured to switch the vacuum cleaner between a plurality of operation modes in accordance with an operator's input. The control system is also configured to determine a parameter of the battery pack. The control system is configured to change the manner in which the mode of operation is presented to the user based on the determination of the parameter.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on March 19, 2020, with application number 202080017878.X and invention title "Vacuum Cleaner". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. Background Technology

[0003] Battery-powered vacuum cleaners are typically manufactured for sale in many different countries around the world. In some cases, minor modifications are made to the vacuum cleaner to suit different markets. For example, in markets where size and weight are often primary concerns, a particular model might have a smaller battery pack, while in markets where power is often a primary concern, a particular model might have a larger battery pack. Furthermore, in cases where a vacuum cleaner offers more than one mode, consumers in different markets sometimes have preferences regarding how these different modes are presented to them for selection. If vacuum cleaner manufacturers are to meet these preferences / requirements, they may need to include a step in the production process to customize the vacuum cleaner for the intended market (which increases production time and costs), and / or leave customization to the end user (therefore, users may be frustrated by the time required to set up the machine according to their own preferences). Summary of the Invention

[0004] One object of the present invention is to mitigate or eliminate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages, and / or to provide an improved or alternative vacuum cleaner.

[0005] According to the present invention, a vacuum cleaner is provided, comprising:

[0006] A vacuum motor, configured to draw in air through a vacuum cleaner;

[0007] The battery pack is configured to supply power to the vacuum motor; and

[0008] The control system is configured to switch the vacuum cleaner between multiple operating modes based on operator input.

[0009] in:

[0010] The control system is also configured to determine the parameters of the battery pack; and

[0011] The control system is configured to change the way the operating mode is presented to the user based on the determination of parameters.

[0012] Based on the determination of parameters, a control system that alters the way operating modes are presented to the user can allow the vacuum cleaner to optimize itself and / or adapt itself to anticipated user preferences based on the properties of the specific battery pack included within. This avoids having such optimization or adaptation performed as a manufacturing step (thus increasing the time and cost of the production process) or by the end user (which could potentially reduce consumer satisfaction due to increased machine setup time).

[0013] The parameter can be the maximum capacity of the battery pack.

[0014] Considering the trade-offs between capacity and size / weight, and taking into account different customer preferences for battery capacity, battery capacity is a key variable in vacuum cleaner design. Therefore, vacuum cleaners that can optimize themselves or adapt to different battery capacities may have particular benefits.

[0015] Alternatively, parameters could be battery pack life (e.g., the absolute age or number of charge / discharge cycles a battery experiences during its lifespan), maximum battery pack voltage, or maximum permissible current consumption.

[0016] Multiple modes can include multiple suction power modes.

[0017] The suction power provided by a particular vacuum cleaner depends largely on the amount of electrical power supplied to the vacuum motor; higher suction power requires higher electrical power. Therefore, suction power is inextricably linked to the electrical power supply from the battery pack. Consequently, self-optimization and / or adaptation of the vacuum cleaner's suction power mode based on battery pack parameters can be particularly beneficial. For example, when the parameter is battery capacity, the control system can alter how it presents the suction power mode to the user, such that the vacuum cleaner prefers a lower power mode when the battery pack has a smaller capacity.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, multiple modes may include multiple cleaning head brush bar modes (e.g., brush bar on or off, or multiple brush bar speed settings), and / or multiple cleaning head headlight modes (e.g., light on or off, or multiple brightness levels).

[0019] The control system can be configured to change the way the operating mode is presented to the user by changing the default operating mode selected by the vacuum cleaner without the operator's choice.

[0020] A vacuum cleaner's default mode is more likely to be the first mode a new owner experiences (unless they immediately adjust the vacuum cleaner's settings). Therefore, a default mode that depends on battery pack parameters allows a new owner's first impression of the vacuum cleaner to align with their likely preferences. For example, Asian consumers typically prefer lighter machines, which therefore tend to have smaller capacity batteries, and often prefer the vacuum cleaner to start at its lowest power mode. In contrast, North American consumers generally prefer more powerful vacuum cleaners, which tend to have larger capacity batteries (to provide sufficient runtime). Therefore, a control system that changes the default mode based on a given battery capacity allows machines shipped to the Asian market and equipped with smaller battery packs to automatically adapt by selecting the low mode as the default. Similarly, machines shipped to the North American market and equipped with larger battery packs can automatically adapt by selecting the high power mode.

[0021] The default operating mode can be the mode that the vacuum cleaner starts in every time it is powered on. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner can have a memory that stores the most recently used mode, so that when the vacuum cleaner is powered on, it starts operating in the mode from the last time it was powered off. In the latter case, the default mode can be the mode that the vacuum cleaner starts in when it is first powered on after manufacturing.

[0022] The control system can be configured to switch the vacuum cleaner between at least three operating modes based on operator input.

[0023] The control system can be configured to cycle between the operating modes, and the control system is configured to change the order in which the operating modes are cycled based on the determination of the parameters.

[0024] For example, a control system can change the operating mode that appears first in a cycle (therefore, the control system can also be considered to change the default operating mode, as described above). Alternatively, in the presence of three or more operating modes, the first mode in the sequence can remain unchanged, and the control system can change the order of the remaining operating modes.

[0025] The control system can change the order of operating modes by rearranging the sequence of operating modes and / or by making one or more operating modes completely unavailable (e.g., when the operating mode is the suction power mode and the battery pack parameter is its capacity, the control system can make the highest suction power mode unavailable when the battery pack capacity is determined to be relatively small).

[0026] Optionally, the control system is configured as follows:

[0027] The power mode is cycled repeatedly, switching from low power mode to medium power mode, from medium power mode to high power mode, from high power mode to low power mode, and so on.

[0028] If it is determined that the battery pack capacity is below the threshold, the pumping power mode is cycled starting from the low pumping power mode; and

[0029] If it is determined that the battery pack capacity is higher than the threshold, the pump power mode is cycled from there.

[0030] The battery pack can be detachably installed into the vacuum cleaner.

[0031] This allows operators to use vacuum cleaners with different battery packs (e.g., battery packs with different parameters).

[0032] Alternatively, the battery pack can be permanently attached to the vacuum cleaner during manufacturing.

[0033] The battery pack may include a memory that stores indications of parameters, and the control system is configured to determine the parameters by reading the indications from the memory.

[0034] Compared to vacuum cleaners where the control system is determined by directly measuring parameters, this can reduce processing time and / or allow the use of a cheaper control system.

[0035] When the parameter is maximum capacity, the indication can be a data "flag" indicating that the battery pack has a specific size (e.g., 0 for a small capacity battery pack, 1 for a large capacity battery pack; or 00 for a small capacity battery pack, 01 for a medium capacity battery pack, and 10 for a large capacity battery pack). Alternatively, the indication can be an integer corresponding to the maximum capacity of the battery pack (e.g., in mAh).

[0036] The memory can be part of the battery management system of the battery pack. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0038] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a rod-type vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of a stick vacuum cleaner and a handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0040] Figure 3 Through Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a handheld vacuum cleaner; and

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the control system of a vacuum cleaner.

[0042] Throughout the description and accompanying drawings, the corresponding reference numerals denote the corresponding features. Detailed Implementation

[0043] Figure 1 A stick vacuum cleaner 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The stick vacuum cleaner 2 includes a handheld vacuum cleaner 4, which is connected to a floor tool 6 in the form of a vacuum cleaner head via an elongated rigid stick 8. In this case, the stick can be attached to the air inlet 10 of the handheld vacuum cleaner and the rear conduit 12 of the vacuum cleaner head 6. The stick 8 is generally tubular, with its internal space forming a suction path and extending from the vacuum cleaner head 6 to the air inlet 10 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 4.

[0044] The vacuum cleaner head 6 has a base plate 14 configured to engage with the floor surface and has a suction opening (not visible) through which dirty air (i.e., air carrying dirt) from the floor surface is drawn into the vacuum cleaner head 6. In use, a vacuum motor (not visible) housed in the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 generates suction at the air inlet 10. Dirty air from the floor surface is drawn into the vacuum cleaner head 6 through the suction opening (not visible) in the base plate 14, then travels along the interior of the rod 8 and enters the air inlet 10 of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0045] The stick 8 is releasably attached to the handheld vacuum cleaner 4, allowing the handheld vacuum cleaner to be used alone (or with a tool attached to the air inlet 10). The stick 8 is also detachably attached to the vacuum cleaner head 6, allowing different floor tools to be mounted on the stick. Furthermore, the rear tube 12 of the vacuum cleaner head 6 can be directly attached to the air inlet 10 of the handheld vacuum cleaner, allowing the vacuum cleaner head 6 to be used in conjunction with the handheld vacuum cleaner 4, and not just as part of the stick vacuum cleaner 2.

[0046] The handheld vacuum cleaner 4 defines a longitudinal axis 16 extending from the front end 18 to the rear end 20 of the handheld vacuum cleaner. The longitudinal axis 16 intersects the air inlet 10. When attached to the handheld vacuum cleaner 4, the rod 8 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 16 (and in this case, collinear with the longitudinal axis 16). The handheld vacuum cleaner also includes a pistol grip 22, which is positioned laterally to the longitudinal axis 16. The pistol grip 22 is located behind the air inlet 10, meaning that the axial position of the pistol grip is closer to the rear end 20 than the air inlet. In other words, the air inlet 10 is located in front of the pistol grip 22 (because the axial position of the air inlet is closer to the front end 18 than the pistol grip).

[0047] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The handheld vacuum cleaner 4 is shown separately. These figures will now be referenced and combined with… Figure 1 Further description of the handheld vacuum cleaner 4.

[0048] As described above, the pistol grip 22 is positioned laterally to the longitudinal axis 16. In this case, the pistol grip 22 forms an angle of approximately 75 degrees with the longitudinal axis 16. Figure 1-3 As shown, with the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 positioned such that the longitudinal axis 16 is horizontal, the pistol grip 22 can be positioned in a generally vertical orientation, extending from the lower end 24 to the upper end 26. The upper end 26 has a trigger 28, which forms an on / off switch for the handheld vacuum cleaner 4, as described in more detail later.

[0049] The handheld vacuum cleaner 4 includes a first housing 30 located at the upper end 26 of the pistol grip 22 and a second housing 32 located at the lower end 24 of the pistol grip 22. The first and second housings 30 and 32 are attached to each other by the pistol grip 22 and a support column 34 extending generally parallel to the pistol grip 22 in this case.

[0050] The handheld vacuum cleaner 4 is powered by a battery. A battery array (not visible) and a battery management system (BMS) on a PCB (not visible) are housed in a second housing 32. The battery, BMS, and second housing 32 form a battery pack 33. In some embodiments, the battery pack 33 may be removable, but in this case it is permanently attached. In this embodiment, the batteries are rechargeable. They can be charged in place by inserting a charging cable into the charging port (not shown) of the handheld vacuum cleaner 4.

[0051] The first housing 30 includes a motor housing 38 and a separator support 40. The motor housing 38 is generally elongated and defines a longitudinal axis collinear with the longitudinal axis 16. The motor housing 38 houses a vacuum motor 42 and supports a filter assembly 44. The vacuum motor 42 includes an electric motor 46 and an impeller 48. The electric motor 46 is configured to receive power from a battery (not visible) to drive the impeller 48 to rotate about a motor axis, in this case, collinear with the longitudinal axis 16. The rotation of the impeller 48 generates an airflow through the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 (discussed in more detail below), thereby creating suction at the air inlet 10.

[0052] A separator support 40 supports a dirt separator 50, which is configured to remove dirt from air drawn into a handheld vacuum cleaner 4 through an air inlet 10. In this embodiment, the dirt separator 50 includes a first separation stage 52 and a second separation stage 54. The first separation stage 52 has a single cyclone chamber 56 formed by the upper part of a transparent housing 58, a porous cylindrical shroud 60, and a first dirt container 62 formed by the lower part of the housing 58 and an openable lid 64, which is pivotable about a hinge (not visible). The housing 58 has a cylindrical outer wall and is concentrically positioned about a longitudinal axis 16. Due to the concentric positioning of the housing 58, the axis of rotation of the first separation stage 52 (i.e., the axis of rotation of the cyclone formed inside the cyclone chamber 56) is collinear with the longitudinal axis.

[0053] Behind the shroud 60 is an air passage 66 surrounding the inner wall 68 and leading to the second separation stage 54. The second separation stage 54 has a plurality of cyclone chambers 70 arranged in parallel. Each cyclone chamber 70 has a corresponding tangential inlet 72 branching off from the air passage 66, an open end 74 configured as a sludge outlet, and an air outlet in the form of an eddy current detector 76. The second separation stage 54 also has a second sludge container 78 defined between the inner wall 68 and the duct 80 of the air inlet 10. The duct 80 is generally elongated, thereby defining an inlet axis parallel to and in this case collinear with the longitudinal axis 16.

[0054] The filter assembly 44 includes a housing 82, a pre-motor filter assembly 84, and a post-motor filter assembly 86. The housing 82 defines a pair of mesh-like air outlets 88 through which clean air (i.e., air from which at least some entrained dirt has been separated) is discharged from the handheld vacuum cleaner 4. The pre-motor filter assembly 84 is located upstream of the vacuum motor 42 and downstream of the dirt separator 50, and is configured to filter out small dirt particles that are not removed by the dirt separator 50 before reaching the vacuum motor 42. The pre-motor filter assembly 84 includes a stacked porous felt pad, in this case, comprising layers of electrostatic felt pads, which are sold, for example, under the name "Technostat". The post-motor filter assembly 86 is located downstream of the vacuum motor 42 and upstream of the air outlets 88. The post-motor filter assembly 86 is configured to filter any dirt particles that may be released by the electric motor 46 (e.g., debris from the carbon brushes of the electric motor 46). In this case, the post-motor filter assembly 86 is a pleated glass fiber HEPA filter. Filter components 84 and 86 are annular in shape and share a common axis, which in this embodiment is collinear with the longitudinal axis 16. In fact, the entire filter assembly 44 is annular and positioned substantially concentrically around the longitudinal axis 16.

[0055] The handheld vacuum cleaner 4 includes a screen 100, and more specifically, a flat, full-color, backlit TFT screen mounted on the rear-facing side of the motor barrel 38a. Behind the screen is a controller 101 in PCB form, which will be discussed in more detail later.

[0056] The screen 100 faces substantially exactly rearward (i.e., substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis). It is positioned on the first housing 30 (more specifically on the motor barrel 38a, after the vacuum motor 42) and thus radially above the pistol grip 22 for easy viewing. In addition to being above it, the screen 100 is axially positioned behind the pistol grip 22. In fact, the screen 100 is positioned on the rearmost surface 103 of the handheld vacuum cleaner so that it is not obstructed by components of the handheld vacuum cleaner located behind it. The screen 100 is positioned to intersect the longitudinal axis 16.

[0057] The screen 100 is visible through a hole 102 in the filter assembly 44, which takes the form of a circular through-hole in the housing 82 of the filter assembly 44. In this case, the screen 100 is slightly recessed relative to the housing 82, allowing the screen to be viewed through the hole 102. However, in other cases, the core 38 of the motor housing 30 may extend slightly rearward, causing the screen 100 to protrude through the hole 102 and out of the housing 82.

[0058] Located below the screen 100 (in the vertical direction defined by the pistol grip 22) are a pair of control members 104a, 104b, each positioned adjacent to the screen 100 and configured to receive control input from the user. In this case, each control member 104a, 104b is in the form of a button. Like the screen 100, each control member 104a, 104b faces rearward. The control members 104a, 104b are pressed by pushing them forward in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 16. In this embodiment, the buttons 104a, 104b are used to change the suction power level of the vacuum cleaner 4.

[0059] When using the stick vacuum cleaner 2, the user holds the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 with the pistol grip 22, with the index and middle fingers gripping the upper end 26 and the ring and little fingers gripping the lower end 24. When the user's wrist is straight, this positions the longitudinal axis 16 substantially in line with the user's forearm. The user can then point the longitudinal axis 16 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 toward the area of ​​the floor to be cleaned (by moving their forearm and / or wrist), thereby pointing the air inlet 10, the stick 8, and the vacuum cleaner head 6 toward that area.

[0060] In use, power from the battery is supplied via wires (not visible) to the electric motor 46 of the vacuum motor, as discussed in more detail below, and the electric motor 46 causes the impeller 48 to rotate. The impeller 48 generates airflow through the vacuum cleaner, thereby drawing air into the air inlet 10 and expelling it from the air outlet 88. This creates suction at the air inlet 10, drawing the airflow into the stick vacuum cleaner 2. The airflow passes through an airflow channel that extends from the suction opening (not visible) of the base plate 14 through the vacuum cleaner head 6, the stick 8, and the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 to the air outlet 88 of the filter assembly 44.

[0061] Dirty air, having entered the air inlet 10 from the cleaner head 6 via rod 8, travels along duct 80, the end section 94 of which deflects the airflow radially outward, guiding it tangentially into the cyclone chamber 56 of the first separation stage 52. The air then swirls around the cyclone chamber 56, where coarse contaminants are separated by centrifugal force and deposited into the first contaminant container 62. The air, now freed of coarse contaminants, then passes through the shroud 60, through the air passage 66, and into the second separation stage 54. The air then splits into a series of streams, each entering one of the cyclone chambers 70 through its inlet 72 and forming a cyclone within it. Finer contaminants are separated by centrifugal force and discharged from the opening end 74 of the cyclone chamber 70 into the second contaminant container 78, while the air, now freed of finer contaminants, exits the cyclone chamber 70 through its vortex detector 76. From the vortex detector 76, the separated streams are then guided into the filter assembly 44. The air is then guided generally radially inward, through the pre-motor filter assembly 84, through the orifice 90, and into the electric motor 46. It then flows axially out of the electric motor 46, through the impeller 48, through the orifice 92, and through the post-motor filter assembly 86. The clean air then flows out of the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 through the air outlet 88.

[0062] Now combine Figure 1-3 refer to Figure 4 The trigger 28, BMS 110, screen 100, controller 101 and control components 104a and 104b are connected together by wiring and together form the control system 112 of the vacuum cleaner 4.

[0063] The control system 112 controls the power supply from the battery cells 114 of the battery pack 33 to the vacuum motor 42. In this embodiment, the control system 112 controls the timing of power delivery to the vacuum motor 42 and switches the power delivery level (i.e., switches the power mode of the vacuum cleaner), as described below.

[0064] The controller 101 is connected to the trigger 28 and the BMS 110, and the BMS is connected to the battery cell 110 and the vacuum motor 42. When the operator pulls the trigger, the controller 101 senses this and signals the BMS 110. The BMS 110 then allows power to flow from the battery to the vacuum motor 42 at a specific power level, whereby the electric motor 46 rotates the impeller to draw air through the vacuum cleaner 4 at a specific suction power.

[0065] The vacuum cleaner 4 has three different operating modes, in which power is supplied to the vacuum motor 42 at different power levels in three power modes: a high-power mode, in which power is supplied to the vacuum motor 42 at a power level of 600W; a medium-power mode, in which power is supplied to the vacuum motor 42 at a power level in the range of 200W to 400W; and a low-power mode, in which power is supplied to the vacuum motor 42 at a power level of 100W. When the vacuum cleaner 4 is in the second power mode, the precise power level supplied to the vacuum motor 42 varies over time depending on the surface being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner 4, and the manner of variation is not important to the present invention.

[0066] The control system 112 is configured to switch the vacuum cleaner 4 between three power modes based on input from the operator. In this case, the operator can cycle between the three power modes using a control member 104b connected to the controller 101. When the operator presses the control member 104b, the controller detects this and sends a signal to the BMS to change the power level supplied to the vacuum motor 42 upon the next pull of the trigger 28. More specifically, when the user presses the control member 104b, the controller 101 sends a signal to the BMS 110 to advance one step in the repeated cycle of increasing the power level. For example, if the vacuum cleaner 4 is in low mode, pressing the control member 104b changes it to medium mode; if the vacuum cleaner is in medium mode, pressing the control member 104b changes it to high mode; if the vacuum cleaner is in high mode, pressing the control member 104b changes it back to low mode, and so on.

[0067] When the battery pack 33 is first connected to the controller 101 during the assembly of the vacuum cleaner, the control system 112 determines the parameters of the battery pack. In this case, the control system 112 determines the maximum capacity of the battery pack 33. Some models of the vacuum cleaner 4 are sold with smaller capacity battery packs, while some models are sold with larger capacity battery packs, and by determining the capacity of the battery pack, the control system 112 determines which specific model the machine is.

[0068] In this embodiment, the BMS 110 of the battery pack 33 includes a memory containing data flags indicating whether the battery pack is a smaller or larger capacity type. When the BMS 110 and the controller 101 are first connected, the BMS sends a data stream to the controller 101. If the battery pack 33 has a larger capacity, one bit in the data stream is '1'; if the battery pack 33 has a smaller capacity, one bit in the data stream is '0'. Therefore, the determination of the battery capacity by the control system 112 only involves reading this data stream.

[0069] As described above, the control system 112 switches the power modes of the vacuum cleaner in a repetitive cycle from low to medium, medium to high, and high to low. However, the control system 112 changes the way modes are presented to the user based on the determination of the battery pack 33. More specifically, it changes the order in which modes are presented to the user, in this case, by changing the default mode selected by the vacuum cleaner 4 in the absence of user input.

[0070] If the control system 112 determines that the battery pack 33 has the smaller of two possible capacities, the control system 112 will select the low mode as the default mode. Therefore, when the trigger 28 is pulled for the first time after the vacuum cleaner 4 is assembled, the vacuum cleaner will enter the low mode, and then pressing the control member 104b will cycle from the low mode to the medium mode, then from the medium mode to the high mode, then from the high mode to the low mode, and so on. In this embodiment, the controller 101 has a memory that stores the mode the vacuum cleaner was in when the trigger 28 was last pulled, so from that point onward, the mode sequence is presented to the user starting from the most recent mode in which they used the vacuum cleaner 4.

[0071] Similarly, if the control system 112 determines that the battery pack 33 has the larger of two possible capacities, the control system will select the medium mode as the default mode. Therefore, when the trigger 28 is pulled for the first time after the vacuum cleaner 4 is assembled, the vacuum cleaner will enter the medium mode, and then pressing the control member 104b will cycle from the medium mode to the high mode, from the high mode to the low mode, from the low mode to the medium mode, and so on.

[0072] It should be understood that various modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, while in the above embodiments the switching of the power mode of the vacuum cleaner 4 (using control member 104b) and the selective supply of power to the vacuum motor 42 (using trigger 28) can be performed independently, this may not be the case in other embodiments. For example, a single button can control both functions (e.g., by continuously pressing to cycle from off to low mode, to medium mode, to high mode, and then off again).

[0073] For the avoidance of doubt, the above optional and / or preferred features may be used in any suitable combination, particularly in the combination set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: A vacuum motor configured to draw in air through the vacuum cleaner; A first battery pack is detachably mounted to the vacuum cleaner and configured to supply power to the vacuum motor; The second battery pack is detachably installed into the vacuum cleaner and configured to supply power to the vacuum cleaner; and The control system is configured to switch the vacuum cleaner between multiple operating modes based on operator input. in: The control system is also configured to determine parameters of the battery pack, which is detachably mounted to the vacuum cleaner, whether the battery pack is a first battery pack or a second battery pack; and The control system is configured to change the way the operating mode is presented to the user based on the determination of the parameters.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein, The parameter is the maximum capacity of the battery pack.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The multiple modes include multiple suction power modes.

4. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The control system is configured to change the way the operating mode is presented to the user by changing the default operating mode selected by the vacuum cleaner without the operator's choice.

5. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The control system is configured to switch the vacuum cleaner between at least three operating modes based on operator input.

6. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The control system is configured to cycle between the operating modes, and the control system is configured to change the order in which the operating modes are cycled based on the determination of the parameters.

7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, in conjunction with any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the control system is configured to: The power modes cycle repeatedly, switching from low power mode to medium power mode, from medium power mode to high power mode, from high power mode to low power mode, and so on. If it is determined that the battery pack capacity is below the threshold, the pumping power mode is cycled starting from the low pumping power mode; and If it is determined that the battery pack capacity is higher than the threshold, the pump power mode is cycled from there.

8. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The battery pack includes a memory that stores indications of the parameters thereon, and the control system is configured to determine the parameters by reading the indications from the memory.

9. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: A vacuum motor configured to draw in air through the vacuum cleaner; The battery pack is configured to supply power to the vacuum motor; A control system configured to switch the vacuum cleaner between multiple operating modes based on operator input; in: The control system is also configured to determine parameters of the battery pack, the parameters being selected from the following group: Maximum capacity of the battery pack; Battery pack lifespan; Maximum battery pack voltage; Maximum allowable current consumption of the battery pack; The control system is configured to change the way the operating mode is presented to the user based on the determination of parameters.

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