Vacuum cleaner including means for detecting the thickness of soft soil

Abstract

The vacuum cleaner includes a suction head (5) comprising a rotating brush (18); a brush drive motor (21) configured to rotate the rotating brush (18); a suction motor configured to generate an airflow through the suction head (5); and an electronic control unit configured to calculate a current variation parameter from current values ​​measured by a current measuring device associated with the brush drive motor (21), and to adjust the vacuum cleaner's suction power to a predetermined first and second soft floor suction power based on the result of a comparison of the calculated current variation parameter with first and second detection threshold values. Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Vacuum cleaner comprising means for detecting the thickness of soft soil. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head, also called a vacuum cleaner nozzle, allowing the suction of dust and waste present on a surface to be cleaned. State of the art

[0002] Vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head are well known on the market; these allow surfaces to be cleaned by suction to remove dust and debris from them. The surface to be vacuumed can, for example, be a hard floor, such as tiles, parquet or laminate flooring, or a soft floor, such as carpet or rugs.

[0003] A suction head comprises, in a known manner:

[0004] - a head body comprising a sole having a lower face and a suction opening into the underside of the soleplate, the underside of the soleplate being intended to be positioned adjacent to the surface to be vacuumed during use of the vacuum cleaner,

[0005] - a rotating brush which is housed in a receiving housing delimited by the head body which is mobile in rotation around an axis of rotation, and

[0006] - a rotational drive mechanism configured to rotate the rotating brush around the axis of rotation, the rotational drive mechanism comprising a brush drive motor coupled in rotation to the rotating brush.

[0007] In order to improve the cleaning performance of a vacuum cleaner of the aforementioned type, it is known to equip the latter with a measuring device configured to measure the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor, to detect the type of floor encountered by the suction head according to the intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device, and to adapt the suction power generated by the vacuum cleaner's suction motor according to the type of floor detected.

[0008] In particular, document FR3137557 discloses a vacuum cleaner comprising an electronic control unit configured to:

[0009] - calculate a dispersion indicator, such as the variance or standard deviation, of the values intensity measured by the measuring device, each dispersion indicator value being calculated from a limited series of successive intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device, and

[0010] - detect that the suction head is moved on a soft floor, and for example from a hard soil to soft soil, when the dispersion indicator exceeds the detection threshold value.

[0011] Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner makes it possible to detect a movement of the suction head on a soft floor without requiring the presence of a specific floor detection device, which reduces the manufacturing costs of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

[0012] However, such a vacuum cleaner configuration does not allow for differentiation between the type of soft flooring encountered by the suction head, and in particular whether the soft flooring is thin, such as carpet, or thick, such as a rug with long pile. Therefore, the aforementioned type of vacuum cleaner does not allow for the automatic adjustment of at least one operating parameter based on the thickness of the soft flooring encountered by the suction head.

[0013] In particular, prolonged cleaning of a thick carpet is likely to cause premature wear of the bearings of the rotating brush and also overheating of the brush drive motor, if the rotation speed of the latter, selected for cleaning a soft floor, is too high.

[0014] To overcome this drawback, it could be considered to reduce the rotational speed of the brush drive motor preset for cleaning a soft floor. However, such a speed reduction could impair the cleaning performance of a carpet or thin rug. Summary of the invention

[0015] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0016] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular of providing a vacuum cleaner with a simple and ergonomic structure, while offering increased cleaning performance.

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

[0018] - a suction head comprising a sole equipped with an underside configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned and with a suction opening in the underside of the soleplate through which outside air can be drawn in by the vacuum cleaner, the suction head further comprising a rotating brush that moves around an axis of rotation,

[0019] - a rotational drive mechanism configured to rotate the rotating brush around the axis of rotation, the rotational drive mechanism comprising a brush drive motor rotationally coupled to the rotating brush,

[0020] - a suction motor configured to generate an airflow through the mouth suction and in the suction head,

[0021] - an intensity measuring device configured to measure the current intensity electrical applied to the brush drive motor, and

[0022] - an electronic control unit configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner, the electronic control unit being further configured for: • calculate a parameter for intensity variation from intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measuring device, and • compare the calculated intensity variation parameter with at least one detection threshold value.

[0023] The electronic control unit is further configured to detect that the suction head is moved on a thin soft floor, and for example from a hard floor to a thin soft floor, when the calculated intensity variation parameter reaches or exceeds a first detection threshold value, while being less than a second detection threshold value which is greater than the first detection threshold value, and to adjust, and for example to decrease or increase, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner to a first predetermined soft floor suction power, which has a non-zero value, when the electronic control unit has detected that the suction head is moved on a thin soft floor, and the electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head is moved on a thick soft floor, and for example from a hard floor to a thick soft floor,when the calculated intensity variation parameter reaches or exceeds the second detection threshold value, which is higher than the first detection threshold value, and to adjust, for example to decrease or increase, the vacuum cleaner's suction power to a second predetermined soft floor suction power, which has a non-zero value and is different from the first predetermined soft floor suction power, when the electronic control unit has detected that the suction head is being moved on a thick soft floor.

[0024] The thickness of a soft floor covering, and in particular of a carpet, corresponds to the thickness of the pile layer forming the soft floor covering, that is to say, the thickness of the soft floor covering minus the thickness of the backing layer (for example, made of woven material or elastomer) which is intended to rest on the floor and to which the pile of the soft floor covering is attached. For example, if the pile of the soft floor covering extends substantially vertically, then the thickness of said soft floor covering corresponds to the free length of the pile of the soft floor covering. If the pile of the soft floor covering is looped, then the thickness of said soft floor covering corresponds to the average height of the loops. In other words, a carpet with a thickness of 1.5 cm is a carpet whose pile has a free length that is on average 1.5 cm or whose pile forms loops with an average loop height of 1.5 cm.Advantageously, the second detection threshold value is determined to detect thick soft soil when the thickness of the soft soil is greater than a thickness value. predetermined, the predetermined thickness value being, for example, between 0.8 and 1 cm, and is, for example, equal to 1 cm. In other words, the second detection threshold value can be determined to detect thick soft soil when the free length of the hairs or the height of the curls is on average greater than 0.8 cm, preferably greater than 1 cm.

[0025] An example of a thin soft floor could be, for example, a carpet or rug with short pile, and an example of a thick soft floor could be, for example, a rug with long pile.

[0026] Consequently, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention makes it possible to automatically detect a movement of the suction head on a soft floor (whether thick or thin), but also to automatically adjust the suction power of the vacuum cleaner according to the result of the comparison of the calculated intensity variation parameter with respectively the first detection threshold value and the second detection threshold value, and more particularly according to the thickness of the soft floor on which the suction head is moved.The specific configuration of the electronic control unit allows, on the one hand, according to the factory settings or at the user's choice, for example either to decrease the rotation speed of the suction motor when the suction head is moved on a thin soft floor in order to limit the vacuum cleaner's electrical consumption during a phase of cleaning a thin soft floor, or to increase the rotation speed of the suction motor in order to increase the cleaning performance of the vacuum cleaner during a phase of cleaning a thin soft floor, and on the other hand, according to the factory settings, to decrease the rotation speed of the suction motor when the suction head is moved on a thick soft floor.

[0027] Consequently, the specific configuration of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention gives the latter increased cleaning performance, ensures better protection of soft floors and improves the longevity of the vacuum cleaner.

[0028] The vacuum cleaner may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is further configured to compare the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor with a threshold intensity value.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is further configured to adjust the rotational speed of the brush drive motor based on the result of comparing the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor with the current threshold value. Comparing the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor with a current threshold value makes it possible, in particular, to automatically detect When the electrical current applied to the brush drive motor is relatively high, such a high current, when the suction head is moving across a soft floor, is highly likely to result either from the suction head pressing against a soft floor that is impermeable or only slightly permeable to air (such pressing inducing significant friction between the rotating brush and the soft floor), or from significant friction between the rotating brush and the long bristles of the soft floor over which the suction head is moving. Therefore, the specific configuration of the vacuum cleaner described herein allows for the automatic adaptation of the vacuum cleaner's operation during the cleaning phase of a soft floor, and in particular, for adjusting the rotational speed of the brush drive motor to limit the risk of overheating and to extend the lifespan of said brush drive motor.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the intensity threshold value is between 1 and 3.5 A, advantageously between 1.5 and 3.2 A, and is for example equal to 3 A.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect the type of soft flooring on which the suction head is moving based on the result of comparing the calculated intensity variation parameter with at least one detection threshold value (and in particular with the first detection threshold value) and the result of comparing the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor with the intensity threshold value. Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner thus makes it possible to automatically modify at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner according to the type of soft flooring detected, thereby optimizing the vacuum cleaner's performance, which gives the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention increased cleaning performance and a longer lifespan.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head is moved on a thin soft floor if several successive values ​​of the intensity variation parameter, for example between 2 and 6 values, are greater than or equal to the first detection threshold value while being less than the second detection threshold value.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to adjust, for example to decrease or increase, the rotation speed of the suction motor to a first predetermined soft floor suction speed when the electronic control unit has detected that the suction head is being moved on a thin soft floor, and for example from a hard floor to a thin soft floor.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the suction motor to a second predetermined soft floor suction speed when the electronic control unit has detected that the suction head is being moved on thick soft floor.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head is moved on a hard floor, and for example from a soft floor to a hard floor, when it is determined that the calculated intensity variation parameter is less than the first detection threshold value and then it is determined that the intensity (this intensity can be a single measurement or several intensity measurements or an average of several intensity measurements which must be less than the intensity threshold value) of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor is less than a predetermined threshold value which is less than the intensity threshold value.

[0037] Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner makes it possible to detect movement of the suction head on a hard floor without requiring a specific floor detection device, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention. Furthermore, such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner makes it possible, for example, to adapt the operation of the vacuum cleaner during a hard floor cleaning phase.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined threshold value is greater than an average value of the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor during a previous movement phase of the suction head on a hard floor.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to adjust the suction power of the vacuum cleaner to a predetermined hard floor suction power, which has a non-zero value, when the electronic control unit has detected that the suction head is being moved on a hard floor.

[0040] Thus, the electronic control unit can be configured to reduce the vacuum cleaner's suction power to a predetermined hard floor suction power, and for example, to reduce the rotation speed of the vacuum motor to a predetermined hard floor suction speed, when the electronic control unit detects that the vacuum head is being moved onto a hard floor, for example, from a soft floor to a hard floor. Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner makes it possible to limit the vacuum cleaner's power consumption during a hard floor cleaning phase.

[0041] The electronic control unit can, on the contrary, be configured to increase the suction power of the vacuum cleaner to the predetermined hard floor suction power, and for example increase the rotation speed of the vacuum motor to a predetermined hard floor suction speed, when the electronic control unit detects that the vacuum head is being moved on a hard floor, and for example from a soft floor to a hard floor. This vacuum cleaner configuration allows for increased cleaning performance during the cleaning phase on a hard floor.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined hard floor suction power is different from each of the first and second predetermined soft floor suction powers.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined hard floor suction power is less than the first predetermined soft floor suction power.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first predetermined soft soil suction power is greater than the second predetermined soft soil suction power.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second predetermined soft floor suction power may be lower or higher than the predetermined hard floor suction power.

[0046] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the predetermined hard floor suction power is less than the first predetermined soft floor suction power, and the first predetermined soft floor suction power is greater than the second predetermined soft floor suction power. According to such an embodiment of the invention, the second predetermined soft floor suction power may be less than or greater than the predetermined hard floor suction power. In other words, the first predetermined soft floor suction power (corresponding to the detection of thin soft soil) is both greater than the predetermined hard floor suction power (corresponding to the detection of hard soil) and greater than the second predetermined soft floor suction power (corresponding to the detection of thick soft soil).

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head is moved on a hard floor if one or more successive values ​​of the intensity variation parameter, for example between 2 and 6 values, are less than the first detection threshold value and if it is subsequently determined that the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor is less than the predetermined threshold value.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to calculate an average value of the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor during a phase of movement of the suction head on a soft floor (whether thin or thick), for example during a previous phase of movement of the suction head on a soft floor or during the most recent phase of movement of the suction head on soft ground, and to define the predetermined threshold value based on said calculated average value.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined threshold value corresponds to the calculated average value of the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor during the movement phase of the suction head on a soft floor, subtracted by a percentage, for example between 3 and 10%, of said calculated average value.

[0050] According to another embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to calculate an average value of the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor during a phase of movement of the suction head on a hard floor, for example during a previous phase of movement of the suction head on a hard floor or during the most recent phase of movement of the suction head on a hard floor, and to define the predetermined threshold value as a function of said calculated average value.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined threshold value corresponds to the calculated average value of the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor during the movement phase of the suction head on a hard floor, to which is added a percentage, for example between 3 and 10%, of said calculated average value.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to reduce the rotational speed of the brush drive motor to a predetermined motor protection speed when the electronic control unit has previously detected that the suction head is being moved on a soft floor (for example, a thin soft floor or a thick soft floor) and that the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value, i.e., that at least one of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to reduce the rotational speed of the brush drive motor to a predetermined motor protection speed when the electronic control unit has previously detected that the suction head is being moved on a soft floor (for example, a thin soft floor or a thick soft floor) and that, after an adjustment of the suction power of the vacuum cleaner following the detection of a movement of the suction head on a soft floor, the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor is greater than or equal to, and for example remains greater than or equal to, the intensity threshold value.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head is moved on a soft floor consumer (i.e. a soft floor with hairs that may generate significant friction with the rotating brush) or on a soft, impermeable or poorly permeable floor (i.e. a soft floor that may cause a suction effect, pressing the suction head to the soft floor), when the electronic control unit has previously detected that the suction head is being moved on a soft floor (e.g., a thin soft floor or a thick soft floor) and that the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value, i.e., at least one of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to detect that the suction head is moved on a soft floor that consumes (i.e., a soft floor with hairs that can generate significant friction with the rotating brush) or on a soft floor that is impermeable or slightly permeable to air (i.e., a soft floor that can cause a suction effect that presses the suction head to the soft floor), when the electronic control unit has previously detected that the suction head is moved on a soft floor (for example, a thin soft floor or a thick soft floor) and that, after an adjustment of the suction power of the vacuum cleaner following the detection of a movement of the suction head on a soft floor, the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor is greater than or equal to, and for example remains greater than or equal to, the intensity threshold value.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to reduce the rotational speed of the brush drive motor to a predetermined motor protection speed when the electronic control unit has previously detected that the suction head is being moved on a soft floor (for example, a thin soft floor or a thick soft floor) and that, during a predetermined period of time (for example, elapsed from the moment when the suction power of the vacuum cleaner was adjusted following the detection of movement of the suction head on a soft floor), each of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value or an average of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined time period is greater than or equal to 1 second, and is for example between 1 and 5 seconds, and advantageously equal to 2 seconds.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the calculated intensity variation parameter is an indicator of the dispersion of the intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measurement device, or the amplitude of variation of the intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measurement device.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the dispersion indicator is representative of the dispersion of the deviations of the intensity values ​​from a reference value.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the dispersion indicator is the variance or standard deviation of the intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measurement device.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to calculate a sliding dispersion indicator, such as the sliding variance or the sliding standard deviation, of the intensity values ​​measured by the measuring device.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, each value of the intensity variation parameter, and for example each value of the dispersion indicator, is calculated from a limited series of successive intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measurement device.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, each limited series of successive measured intensity values ​​comprises between 5 and 20, advantageously between 5 and 15, and for example 10, successive measured intensity values.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the time interval between two successive measured intensity values ​​is between 15 and 30 ms, and is for example about 25 ms.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reference value is an average intensity value defined for each limited series, and more particularly an average of the successive intensity values ​​measured for the respective limited series.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is a stick vacuum cleaner. However, according to another embodiment, the vacuum cleaner could be a canister vacuum cleaner equipped with an active head.

[0067] The present invention further relates to a method for controlling a vacuum cleaner, comprising the following steps:

[0068] - provide a vacuum cleaner comprising: • a suction head comprising a rotating brush that rotates around an axis of rotation and a soleplate with an underside configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned and a suction inlet opening into the underside of the soleplate through which outside air can be drawn in by the vacuum cleaner, • a rotary drive mechanism configured to drive the rotating brush in rotation around the axis of rotation, the rotary drive mechanism comprising a brush drive motor rotationally coupled to the rotating brush, • a suction motor configured to generate an airflow through the suction inlet and into the suction head, • a current measurement device configured to measure the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor, and • an electronic control unit configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner,

[0069] - measure the intensity of the electric current applied to the drive motor of brush,

[0070] - calculate an intensity variation parameter from intensity values measured,

[0071] - compare the calculated intensity variation parameter with at least one value detection threshold

[0072] - detect that the suction head is moved on a thin, soft floor, and for example from a hard soil to soft, thin soil, when the calculated intensity variation parameter reaches or exceeds a first detection threshold value while being less than a second detection threshold value that is greater than the first detection threshold value,

[0073] - adjust, and for example decrease or increase, the suction power of The vacuum cleaner has a predetermined initial suction power for soft floors, which has a non-zero value, when it has been detected that the suction head is being moved over a thin, soft floor, for example from a hard floor to a thin, soft floor.

[0074] - detect that the suction head is moved on a thick, soft floor (i.e. exhibiting a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness value), and for example from a hard soil to a thick soft soil, when the calculated intensity variation parameter reaches or exceeds the second detection threshold value which is greater than the first detection threshold value, and

[0075] - adjust, and for example decrease or increase, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner has a second predetermined soft floor suction power, which has a non-zero value and is different from the first predetermined soft floor suction power, when it has been detected that the suction head is moved on a thick soft floor.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the invention, the method includes a step consisting of comparing the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor with a threshold intensity value.

[0077] According to one embodiment of the invention, the method includes a step of adjusting the rotation speed of the brush drive motor according to the result of comparing the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor with the threshold intensity value.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the invention, the method includes a step of detecting that the suction head is moved on a hard floor, and for example from a soft floor to a hard floor, when the intensity variation parameter is less than the first detection threshold value and the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor is less than a predetermined threshold value which is less than the intensity threshold value.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the invention, the method includes a step of adjusting, and for example decreasing or increasing, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner to a predetermined hard floor suction power when it is detected that the suction head is being moved on a hard floor, and for example from a soft floor to a hard floor.

[0080] According to one embodiment of the invention, the method includes a step of reducing the rotational speed of the brush drive motor to a predetermined motor protection speed when it has been previously detected that the suction head is being moved on a soft floor (for example, a thin soft floor or a thick soft floor) and that the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value, i.e., at least one of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value.

[0081] According to one embodiment of the invention, the method includes a step of reducing the rotational speed of the brush drive motor to a predetermined motor protection speed when it has been previously detected that the suction head is being moved on a soft floor (for example, a thin soft floor or a thick soft floor) and that, during a predetermined period of time (for example, elapsed from the moment when the suction power of the vacuum cleaner was adjusted following the detection of movement of the suction head on a soft floor), each of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value or an average of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value. Brief description of the figures

[0082] In any case, the invention will be well understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the attached schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting example, one embodiment of this vacuum cleaner.

[0083] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

[0084] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of [Fig.1].

[0085] Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 1.

[0086] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a suction head of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 1.

[0087] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the suction head in Fig. 4.

[0088] Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the suction head of Fig. 4.

[0089] Fig. 7 is a diagram representing the time evolution of the intensity of the electric current applied to a brush drive motor of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 1 and the time evolution of a dispersion indicator of the values ​​of the intensity of the electric current applied to a brush drive motor, during different cleaning phases. Detailed description

[0090] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term "substantially" means, in this document, "exactly or to within 10% or to within 10°".

[0091] Figure 1 represents a vacuum cleaner 2, and more particularly a stick vacuum cleaner, comprising a main body 3, a handle 4 mechanically connected to the main body 3, and a suction head 5 configured to be in contact with a floor to be cleaned. However, the vacuum cleaner 2 according to the present invention could also be a canister vacuum cleaner without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0092] The main body 3 includes in particular a vacuum housing 6 and a suction nozzle 7 which is advantageously disposed at a lower end of the vacuum housing 6 and to which the suction head 5 is attached directly or via a suction tube 8. The main body 3 further includes a suction conduit 9 disposed in the vacuum housing 6 and fluidly connected to the suction nozzle 7.

[0093] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a waste separation and collection device 11 which is removably mounted on the main body 3, so that it can be cleaned. Advantageously, the waste separation and collection device 11 is of the cyclonic type.

[0094] The waste separation and collection device 11 includes in particular an air inlet opening (not visible in the figures) which is fluidly connected to the suction duct 9. Thus, the suction duct 9 is configured to fluidly connect the suction head 5 to the air inlet opening of the waste separation and collection device 11.

[0095] As shown in [Fig. 3], the vacuum cleaner 2 also includes a suction motor 12, also called a fan motor, configured to generate an airflow through the suction head 5, the suction duct 9, and the waste separation and collection device 11. The suction motor 12 is more particularly disposed in the vacuum cleaner housing 6. In a known manner, the motor The suction unit 12 includes a fan and an electric motor configured to drive the fan in rotation.

[0096] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the suction head 5 comprises a head body 13 configured to be moved over a surface to be cleaned. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the head body 13 has a generally rectangular shape.

[0097] The head body 13 includes a sole 14, for example made of plastic, having a lower face 15 configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned.

[0098] The head body 13 further includes a suction mouth 16 opening into the lower face 15 of the sole 14 and through which outside air can be drawn in by the vacuum cleaner 2. Advantageously, the suction mouth 16 has an elongated shape and extends along an extension direction DI which extends perpendicularly to a direction of movement D2 of the suction head 5.

[0099] The head body 13 further includes a receiving housing 17 which opens into the lower face 15 of the sole 14 via the suction mouth 16. Thus, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the receiving housing 17 forms a suction chamber.

[0100] The suction head 5 also includes a rotating brush 18 which is mounted movably in rotation in the receiving housing 17 about an axis of rotation A which is substantially coincident with the central axis of the rotating brush 18. Advantageously, the rotating brush 18 is mounted removably in the receiving housing 17, and is configured to be inserted into and removed from the receiving housing 17 in a mounting direction which can, for example, extend transversely, and preferably perpendicularly, to the direction of movement D2 of the suction head 5.

[0101] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the rotary brush 18 comprises a brush body 18.1 which is, for example, tubular, and bristles (not visible in the figures) provided on the external surface of the brush body 18.1. Advantageously, the brush body 18.1 is cylindrical with a circular cross-section, and the rotary brush 18 comprises one or more rows of bristles extending, for example, helically around the central axis of the rotary brush 18. According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the rows of bristles could be replaced by elastically deformable strips or by a foam cleaning sleeve.

[0102] The suction head 5 further comprises a rotation drive mechanism 19 configured to rotate the rotating brush 18 around the axis of rotation A. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the rotation drive mechanism 19 is housed in the head body 13, and comprises a brush drive motor 21 provided with an output shaft mechanically coupled to the rotating brush 18.

[0103] Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner 2 includes an intensity measuring device 22 configured to measure the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21. The intensity measuring device 22 can, for example, be located in the suction head 5, in the main body 3 or in the handle 4.

[0104] The suction head 5 also includes a connecting sleeve 23 which is fluidly connected to the receiving housing 17, and therefore to the suction mouth 16, and to which the suction nozzle 7 of the vacuum cleaner 2 is intended to be connected, and more particularly to which a lower part of the suction tube 8 is intended to be attached. Advantageously, the suction head 5 includes an articulation device 24 mechanically connecting the connecting sleeve 23 to the head body 13, so as to allow the head body 13 to pivot forward and backward when the suction head 5 is moved along the direction of movement D2.

[0105] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises an electronic control unit 25 configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2, and in particular to adapt the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to the type of floor on which the suction head 5 is moved. The electronic control unit 25 can, for example, be located in the vacuum cleaner housing 6 or in the handle 4.

[0106] The electronic control unit 25 is configured in particular to calculate an intensity variation parameter from intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measuring device 22, compare the calculated intensity variation parameter with a first detection threshold value Vsdl and a second detection threshold value Vsd2, and compare the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 with an intensity threshold value Vsi and a predetermined threshold value Vsp.

[0107] The predetermined threshold value Vsp is greater than an average value of the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 21 during a previous phase of movement of the suction head 5 on a hard floor, and the threshold value of intensity Vsi is greater than the predetermined threshold value Vsp. Advantageously, the threshold value of intensity Vsi is between 1 and 3.5 A, advantageously between 2.8 and 3.2 A, and is, for example, equal to 3 A.

[0108] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 25 is configured to calculate an average value of the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 during each phase of movement of the suction head 5 on a soft floor, and to define the predetermined threshold value Vsp as a function of the average value calculated for the most recent phase of movement of the suction head 5 on a soft floor. The threshold value predetermined Vsp can for example correspond to the calculated average value of the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 during the most recent phase of movement of the suction head 5 on a soft floor subtracted by a percentage, for example between 3 and 10%, of said calculated average value.

[0109] According to another embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 25 could be configured to calculate an average value of the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 21 during each phase of movement of the suction head 5 on a hard floor, and to define the predetermined threshold value Vsp based on the average value calculated for the most recent phase of movement of the suction head 5 on a hard floor. The predetermined threshold value Vsp may, for example, correspond to the calculated average value of the current intensity I applied to the brush drive motor 21 during the most recent phase of movement of the suction head 5 on a hard floor, plus a percentage, for example, between 3 and 10%, of said calculated average value.

[0110] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the predetermined threshold value Vsp could be predetermined, and be for example between 100 and 600 mA.

[0111] According to one embodiment of the invention, the intensity variation parameter is a dispersion indicator ID, such as the variance or standard deviation, of the intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measuring device 22, and each dispersion indicator value is calculated from a limited series of successive intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measuring device 22. Each limited series of successive measured intensity values ​​may comprise between 5 and 20, advantageously between 5 and 15, and for example 10, successive measured intensity values, and the time interval between two successive measured intensity values ​​may be between 15 and 30 ms, and is for example about 25 ms.

[0112] When the calculated dispersion indicator ID is the standard deviation, the electronic control unit 25 is configured to:

[0113] - calculate, for each limited series, an average of the successive intensity values measured items belonging to the aforementioned limited series,

[0114] - calculate, for each limited series, the deviations from the calculated mean respective, successive measured intensity values ​​belonging to said limited series, and

[0115] - calculate, for each limited series, the root mean square of the deviations calculated for said limited series.

[0116] The root mean square calculated for each limited series corresponds to the standard deviation value calculated for said limited series.

[0117] When the calculated dispersion indicator ID is the variance, the calculated variance value for each limited series corresponds to the square of the root mean square calculated for said limited series. In other words, when the calculated dispersion indicator ID is the variance, the electronic control unit 25 is configured to calculate, for each limited series, the mean of the squared deviations from the mean for said limited series.

[0118] The electronic control unit 25 is more particularly configured to adjust the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 2 according in particular to the result of the comparison of the calculated intensity variation parameter with the first detection threshold value Vsdl and the second detection threshold value Vsd2, and to adjust the rotation speed of the brush drive motor 21 according to the result of the comparison of the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 with the intensity threshold value Vsi.

[0119] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 25 is configured to detect that the suction head 5 is moved over a thin soft floor (i.e., having a thickness less than a predetermined thickness value, said predetermined thickness value being advantageously between 0.8 and 1 cm, and is, for example, equal to 1 cm), and, for example, from a hard floor to a thin soft floor, when the calculated intensity variation parameter, and, for example, the dispersion indicator ID, reaches or exceeds the first detection threshold value Vsdl and is less than the second detection threshold value Vsd2, and to detect that the suction head 5 is moved over a thick soft floor (i.e., having a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness value), and, for example, from a hard floor to a thick soft floor, when the calculated intensity variation parameter, and, for example, the dispersion indicator ID,reaches or exceeds the second detection threshold value Vsd2.

[0120] According to another embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 25 could be configured to detect that the suction head 5 is moved on a thin soft floor only if several successive values ​​of the intensity variation parameter, for example between 2 and 6 values, are greater than or equal to the first detection threshold value Vsdl but less than the second detection threshold value Vsd2, and to detect that the suction head 5 is moved on a thick soft floor only if several successive values ​​of the intensity variation parameter, for example between 2 and 6 values, are greater than or equal to the second detection threshold value Vsd2.

[0121] The electronic control unit 25 is further configured to adjust, for example to decrease or increase, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 2 to a first predetermined soft floor suction power, which has a non-zero value, when the electronic control unit 25 has detected that the suction head 5 is moved on a thin soft floor, and for example from a hard floor to a thin soft floor, and to adjust, for example to decrease or increase, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 2 to a second predetermined soft floor suction power, which has a non-zero value, when the electronic control unit 25 has detected that the suction head 5 is moved on a thick soft floor, and for example from a hard floor to a thick soft floor.

[0122] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 25 is configured to adjust, for example to decrease or increase, the rotation speed of the suction motor 12 to a first predetermined soft floor suction speed when the electronic control unit 25 has detected that the suction head 5 is being moved on a thin soft floor, and for example from a hard floor to a thin soft floor.

[0123] The electronic control unit 25 can, for example, be configured to reduce the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 2 to the first predetermined soft floor suction power, and, for example, reduce the rotational speed of the vacuum motor 12 to a first predetermined soft floor suction speed, when the electronic control unit 25 detects that the suction head 5 is being moved on a thin, soft floor. Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner 2 makes it possible to limit the electrical consumption of the vacuum cleaner 2 during a cleaning phase on a thin, soft floor.

[0124] The electronic control unit 25 could, for example, be configured to increase the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 2 to the first predetermined soft floor suction power, and, for example, increase the rotational speed of the vacuum motor 12 to the first predetermined soft floor suction speed, when the electronic control unit 25 detects that the suction head 5 is being moved over a thin, soft floor. Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner 2 makes it possible to increase the cleaning performance of the vacuum cleaner 2 during a cleaning phase on a thin, soft floor.

[0125] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 25 is configured to reduce the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 2 to the second predetermined soft floor suction power, and for example reduce the rotational speed of the vacuum motor 12 to a second predetermined soft floor suction speed, when the electronic control unit 25 detects that the head The suction head 5 is moved on a thick, soft floor. This configuration of the vacuum cleaner 2 makes it easier for the suction head 5 to move across thick, soft floors.

[0126] Advantageously, the electronic control unit 25 is also configured to:

[0127] - detect that the suction head 5 is moved on a soft, impermeable floor or slightly permeable to air (i.e., a soft floor likely to cause a suction effect, pressing the suction head 5 against the soft floor), when the electronic control unit 25 has previously detected that the suction head 5 is moving on a thin floor and that, during a predetermined period of time (for example, elapsed from the moment the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 2 was adjusted following the detection of movement of the suction head 5 on a soft floor), each of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value Vsi or an average of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value Vsi, and

[0128] - detect that the suction head 5 is moved on a soft floor (i.e. a soft floor with hairs that may generate significant friction with the rotating brush 18), when the electronic control unit 25 has previously detected that the suction head 5 is being moved on a thick soft floor and that, during a predetermined period of time (for example, elapsed from the moment when the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 2 was adjusted following the detection of movement of the suction head 5 on a soft floor), each of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value Vsi or an average of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value Vsi.

[0129] The aforementioned predetermined time period may be greater than or equal to 1 second, and may for example be between 1 and 5 seconds, and advantageously equal to 2 seconds.

[0130] Advantageously, the electronic control unit 25 is configured to reduce the rotational speed of the brush drive motor 21 to a predetermined motor protection speed when the electronic control unit 25 detects that the suction head 5 is being moved on a soft, impermeable or slightly air-permeable floor, and also when the electronic control unit 25 detects that the suction head 5 is being moved on a soft, absorbent floor. Such a configuration of the electronic control unit 25 prevents overheating of the brush drive motor 21, or even a safety shutdown of the brush drive motor 21.

[0131] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 25 is further configured to detect that the suction head 5 is moved on a hard ground, and for example from a soft ground to a hard ground, when it is determined that the calculated intensity variation parameter, and for example the dispersion indicator ID, is less than the first detection threshold value Vsdl and it is subsequently determined that the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 is less than the predetermined threshold value Vsp.

[0132] According to another embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 25 could be configured to detect that the suction head 5 is moved on a hard floor if several successive values ​​of the intensity variation parameter, for example between 2 and 6 values, are less than the first detection threshold value Vsdl and if it is subsequently determined that the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 is less than the predetermined threshold value Vsp.

[0133] Advantageously, the electronic control unit 25 is configured to adjust, for example to decrease or increase, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 2 to a predetermined hard floor suction power, which has a non-zero value and which is advantageously different from each of the first and second predetermined soft floor suction powers, when the electronic control unit 25 detects that the suction head 5 is moved on a hard floor, and for example from a soft floor to a hard floor.

[0134] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined hard floor suction power is greater than the first predetermined soft floor suction power, and the first predetermined soft floor suction power is greater than or equal to the second predetermined soft floor suction power. Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner makes it possible to limit its power consumption on soft floors.

[0135] According to another embodiment of the invention, the predetermined hard floor suction power is lower than the first predetermined soft floor suction power, and the first predetermined soft floor suction power is greater than the second predetermined soft floor suction power. According to such an embodiment of the invention, the second predetermined soft floor suction power may be lower or greater than the predetermined hard floor suction power. Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner increases its cleaning performance on thin soft floors; however, on thick soft floors, it is preferable to reduce the suction power compared to thin soft floors to avoid excessive resistance to the movement of the suction head 5.

[0136] The electronic control unit 25 could further be configured to:

[0137] - detect that the suction head 5 is stationary on a soft floor when the parameter of intensity variation, and for example the dispersion indicator ID, is less than the first detection threshold value Vsdl and that the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 is greater than the predetermined threshold value Vsp, and

[0138] - modify at least one vacuum cleaner cleaning parameter 2, and for example reduce the rotation speed of the suction motor 12 to a predetermined floor protection speed, which is for example between the first soft floor suction speed and the hard floor suction speed, when the electronic control unit 25 detects that the suction head 5 is stationary on a soft floor.

[0139] Thus, the electronic control unit 25 can, for example, be configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to a first operating mode, called the hard floor operating mode, when the intensity variation parameter, and for example the dispersion indicator ID, is less than the first detection threshold value Vsdl and the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 is less than the predetermined threshold value Vsp; to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to a second operating mode, called the thin soft floor operating mode, when the intensity variation parameter, and for example the dispersion indicator ID, is greater than or equal to the first detection threshold value Vsdl but less than the second detection threshold value Vsd2; to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to a third operating mode, called the thick soft floor operating mode.when the intensity variation parameter, and for example the dispersion indicator ID, is greater than or equal to the second detection threshold value Vsd2, to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to a fourth operating mode, called the impermeable soft floor operating mode, when the intensity variation parameter, and for example the dispersion indicator ID, is greater than or equal to the first detection threshold value Vsdl and less than the second detection threshold value Vsd2 and that, after adjusting the suction power of the vacuum cleaner, the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 remains greater than the intensity threshold value Vsi, to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to a fifth operating mode, called the power-consuming soft floor operating mode, when the intensity variation parameter, and for example the dispersion indicator ID,is greater than or equal to the second detection threshold value Vsd2 and that, after adjusting the suction power of the vacuum cleaner, the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 remains greater than the intensity threshold value Vsi, and finally to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to , a sixth operating mode, called soft ground protection mode, when the intensity variation parameter, and for example the dispersion indicator ID, is less than the first detection threshold value Vsdl and the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 is greater than the predetermined threshold value Vsp.

[0140] Advantageously, the electronic control unit 25 is configured such that the rotational speed of the brush drive motor 21 is at its maximum when the vacuum cleaner 2 is operating in the first, second, and third operating modes, and such that the rotational speed of the brush drive motor 21 is at its minimum when the vacuum cleaner 2 is operating in the fourth and fifth operating modes. The rotational speed of the suction motor 12 can, for example, be between the minimum and maximum speeds or be equal to the minimum speed when the vacuum cleaner 2 is operating in the sixth operating mode.

[0141] A method for controlling the vacuum cleaner 2 according to the present invention may, for example, include in particular:

[0142] - a measurement step consisting of measuring the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21,

[0143] - a calculation step consisting of calculating a dispersion indicator ID, such that the variance or standard deviation of measured intensity values, each dispersion indicator value being calculated from a limited series of successive measured intensity values,

[0144] - if the dispersion indicator ID reaches or exceeds the first threshold value of detection Vsdl but is less than the second detection threshold value Vsd2, a control step consisting of detecting that the suction head 5 is moved on a thin soft floor, and for example from a hard floor to a thin soft floor, and adjusting, for example decrease or increase, the rotation speed of the suction motor 12 to the first predetermined soft floor suction speed,

[0145] - if the dispersion indicator ID reaches or exceeds the second threshold value of Vsd2 detection, a control step consisting of detecting that the suction head 5 is moved on a thick soft floor, for example from a hard floor to a thick soft floor, and adjusting, for example decrease, the rotation speed of the suction motor 12 to the second predetermined soft floor suction speed,

[0146] - if it is determined that the dispersion indicator ID is greater than or equal to the The first detection threshold value Vsdl is lower than the second detection threshold value Vsd2, and if it is subsequently determined that the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 is greater than the intensity threshold value Vsi, a control step consisting of detecting that the suction head 5 is moved onto soft, impermeable or slightly permeable ground and the rotational speed of the brush drive motor 21 is reduced to the predetermined motor protection speed,

[0147] - if it is determined that the dispersion indicator ID is greater than or equal to the second detection threshold value Vsd2 and if it is subsequently determined that the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 is greater than the intensity threshold value Vsi, a control step consisting of detecting that the suction head 5 is moved on a soft floor and reducing the rotational speed of the brush drive motor 21 to the predetermined motor protection speed,

[0148] - if it is determined that the dispersion indicator ID is less than the first value detection threshold Vsdl of and if it is subsequently determined that the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 is greater than the predetermined threshold value Vsp, a control step consisting of detecting that the suction head 5 is stationary on a soft floor and modifying at least one cleaning parameter of the vacuum cleaner 2, and for example reducing the rotational speed of the suction motor 12 to the predetermined floor protection speed, and

[0149] - if it is subsequently determined that the dispersion indicator ID is less than the first detection threshold value Vsdl and if it is subsequently determined that the intensity I of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor 21 is less than the predetermined threshold value Vsp, a control step consisting of detecting that the suction head 5 is moved on a hard floor, and for example from a soft floor to a hard floor, and adjusting, for example decrease or increase, the rotation speed of the suction motor 12 to the predetermined hard floor suction speed.

[0150] According to another embodiment of the invention, the intensity variation parameter could be the amplitude of variation of the intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measuring device 22 (and not an indicator of dispersion of the intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measuring device 22), and for example deviations of the maximum and minimum values, belonging to a limited series of measured intensity values, from a reference value, such as an average of the measured intensity values ​​belonging to said limited series.

[0151] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 25 could be configured to stop the vacuum cleaner 2, i.e. to cut off the power supply to the vacuum cleaner 2, when the electronic control unit 25 detects that the suction head 5 is stationary on a soft floor.

[0152] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which have been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the construction of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without going outside the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Demands Vacuum cleaner (2) comprising: - a suction head (5) comprising a sole (14) having an underside (15) configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned and a suction inlet (16) opening into the underside (15) of the sole (14) and through which outside air can be drawn in by the vacuum cleaner (2), the suction head (5) further comprising a rotating brush (18) movable in rotation around an axis of rotation (A), - a rotary drive mechanism (19) configured to drive the rotary brush (18) in rotation around the axis of rotation (A), the rotary drive mechanism (19) comprising a brush drive motor (21) rotationally coupled to the rotary brush (18), - a suction motor (12) configured to generate an airflow through the suction inlet (16) and into the suction head (5), - a current measuring device (22) configured to measure the current (I) applied to the brush drive motor (21), and - an electronic control unit (25) configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner (2), the electronic control unit (25) being further configured to: • calculate an intensity variation parameter from intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measuring device (22), and • compare the calculated intensity variation parameter with at least one detection threshold value, characterized in that the electronic control unit (25) is configured to detect that the suction head (5) is moved on a thin, soft floor when the calculated intensity variation parameter reaches or exceeds a first detection threshold value (Vsdl), while being less than a second detection threshold value (Vsd2) which is greater than the first detection threshold value, and to adjust the suction power of the vacuum cleaner (2) to a predetermined first soft floor suction power, which has a non-zero value, when the electronic control unit (25) has detected that the suction head (5) is moved on a thin soft floor, and in that the electronic control unit (25) is configured to detect that the suction head (5) is moved on a thick soft floor when the calculated intensity variation parameter reaches or exceeds the second detection threshold value (Vsd2) and to adjust the suction power of the vacuum cleaner (2) to a second predetermined soft floor suction power, which has a non-zero value and is different from the first predetermined soft floor suction power, when the electronic control unit (25) has detected that the suction head (5) is moved on a thick soft floor.

2. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined soft soil suction power is greater than the second predetermined soft soil suction power.

3. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic control unit (25) is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the suction motor (12) to a first predetermined soft floor suction speed when the electronic control unit (25) has detected that the suction head (5) is being moved over a thin soft floor.

4. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electronic control unit (25) is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the suction motor (12) to a second predetermined soft floor suction speed when the electronic control unit (25) has detected that the suction head (5) is being moved over a thick soft floor.

5. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electronic control unit (25) is further configured to compare the intensity (I) of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor (21) with an intensity threshold value (Vsi).

6. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 5, wherein the electronic control unit (25) is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the brush drive motor (21) according to the result of comparing the intensity (I) of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor (21) with the intensity threshold value (Vsi).

7. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the electronic control unit (25) is configured to detect the type of soft ground on which the suction head (5) is moved according to the result of the comparison of the calculated intensity variation parameter with at least one detection threshold value and the result of the comparison of the intensity of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor (21) with the intensity threshold value (Vsi).

8. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the electronic control unit (25) is configured to detect that the suction head (5) is moved on a hard floor when the calculated intensity variation parameter is less than the first detection threshold value (Vsdl) and that the intensity (I) of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor (21) is less than a predetermined threshold value (Vsp) which is less than the intensity threshold value (Vsi).

9. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 8, wherein the electronic control unit (25) is configured to adjust the suction power of the vacuum cleaner (2) to a predetermined hard floor suction power, which has a non-zero value, when the electronic control unit (25) has detected that the suction head (5) is being moved on a hard floor.

10. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined hard floor suction power is less than the first predetermined soft floor suction power.

11. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second predetermined soft floor suction power is less than or greater than the predetermined hard floor suction power.

12. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the electronic control unit (25) is configured to reduce the rotational speed of the brush drive motor (21) to a predetermined motor protection speed when the electronic control unit (25) has previously detected that the suction head (5) is being moved on a soft floor and that the intensity (I) of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor (21) is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value (Vsi).

13. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the electronic control unit (25) is configured to decrease the rotational speed of the brush drive motor (21) at a predetermined motor protection speed when the electronic control unit (25) has previously detected that the suction head (5) is being moved over soft ground and that, during a predetermined period of time, each of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value (Vsi) or an average of the measured intensity values ​​is greater than or equal to the intensity threshold value (Vsi).

14. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined time period is greater than or equal to 1 second.

15. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the calculated intensity variation parameter is a dispersion indicator (DI) of the intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measuring device (22), or the amplitude of variation of the intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measuring device (22).

16. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein each value of the intensity variation parameter is calculated from a limited series of successive intensity values ​​measured by the intensity measuring device (22).

17. A method for controlling a vacuum cleaner (2), comprising the following steps: - providing a vacuum cleaner (2) comprising: • a suction head (5) including a rotating brush (18) movable for rotation about an axis of rotation (A) and a soleplate (14) having an underside (15) configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned and a suction inlet (16) opening into the underside (15) of the soleplate (14) and through which outside air can be drawn into the vacuum cleaner (2), • a rotary drive mechanism (19) configured to rotate the rotating brush (18) about the axis of rotation (A), the rotary drive mechanism (19) including a brush drive motor (21) rotationally coupled to the rotating brush (18), • a suction motor (12) configured to generate an airflow through the suction inlet (16) and into the head suction (5), • a current measurement device (22) configured to measure the current intensity (I) applied to the brush drive motor (21), and • an electronic control unit (25) configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner (2), - measure the intensity (I) of the electric current applied to the brush drive motor (21), - calculate an intensity variation parameter from measured intensity values, and - compare the calculated intensity variation parameter with at least one detection threshold value, characterized in that the process further comprises: - detect that the suction head (5) is moved on a thin soft floor when the calculated intensity variation parameter reaches or exceeds a first detection threshold value (Vsdl) while being less than a second detection threshold value (Vsd2) which is greater than the first detection threshold value (Vsd2), - adjust the suction power of the vacuum cleaner (2) to a predetermined first soft floor suction power, which has a non-zero value, when it has been detected that the suction head (5) is moved on a thin soft floor, - detect that the suction head (5) is moved on a thick soft floor when the calculated intensity variation parameter reaches or exceeds the second detection threshold value (Vsd2), and - adjust the suction power of the vacuum cleaner (2) to a second predetermined soft floor suction power, which has a non-zero value and is different from the first predetermined soft floor suction power, when it has been detected that the suction head (5) is moved on a thick soft floor.