Vacuum cleaner equipped with a user interface and improved sealing

Abstract

The vacuum cleaner (2) includes a user interface (17) configured to allow a user to select an operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner (2). The user interface (17) includes a support piece (18) comprising a support portion (21) and at least one control button (22) that is actuated by a user and is integral with the support portion (21); and a protective cover (19) that at least partially covers the support piece (18) and is at least partially transparent to light, the support portion (21) being configured to support the protective cover (19). Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Vacuum cleaner equipped with a user interface having improved sealing. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners for vacuuming dust and waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which can for example be tile, parquet, laminate, carpet or rug. State of the art

[0002] A vacuum cleaner, and for example a handheld vacuum cleaner, includes in a known manner in particular a suction duct, a waste separation and collection device, a suction motor configured to generate an airflow through the suction duct and the waste separation and collection device, an electronic control unit configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner and a user interface configured to allow a user to select at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner.

[0003] Such a user interface generally includes several control buttons, such as an on / off button, an activation button for activating an enhanced operating mode, or a selection button for selecting or modifying a vacuum cleaner operating parameter, and is located near a printed circuit board such that pressing one of the control buttons by a user can activate a corresponding electrical contact on the printed circuit board. Such a user interface further includes one or more operating indicators, such as light-emitting diodes and / or a display screen, configured to visually indicate at least one vacuum cleaner operating parameter to a user.

[0004] In order to avoid the risk of liquid, dust or electrostatic discharge entering the vacuum cleaner and towards the printed circuit board and also to avoid the evacuation of air and dust at the level of the user's hand, the interface between each control button and the fixed part of the vacuum cleaner supporting the control buttons is equipped with a respective sealing gasket.

[0005] However, the implementation of a dedicated seal for each control button complicates the structure of the vacuum cleaner and its assembly, which increases the manufacturing costs of the vacuum cleaner. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0007] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular of providing a vacuum cleaner which is of simple and reliable structure.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a user interface configured to allow a user to select at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner, the user interface comprising:

[0009] - a support piece comprising a fixed support portion, that is to say immobile, and at least one control button that is operable by a user and that is made of material with the support part, and

[0010] - a protective cover that at least partially covers the support piece and which is at least partially transparent to light radiation, the support part being configured to support the protective cover.

[0011] Such a user interface configuration facilitates the manufacturing of the user interface. Indeed, the support part and at least one control button form a single piece, which reduces the number of parts to be managed during the assembly phase of the vacuum cleaner and facilitates the sealing between the user interface and the fixed part of the vacuum cleaner to which the user interface is attached.

[0012] In addition, the presence of the protective cover further increases the sealing between the inside and outside of the vacuum cleaner, and in particular further limits the propagation of electrostatic discharges towards the electronic parts located under the user interface.

[0013] Thus, the user interface according to the present invention makes it possible to limit the manufacturing costs of the vacuum cleaner, and to increase its reliability.

[0014] The vacuum cleaner may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support piece comprises at least one flexible connecting portion, such as a flexible connecting tab, which connects at least one control button to the support portion. Such a configuration of the support piece ensures easy movement of the at least one control button between a rest position and an actuation position, while also facilitating the manufacture of the support piece.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support part, at least one control button, and at least one flexible connecting part are made in a single piece. In other words, the support part is a single piece.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one flexible connecting part has a width which decreases towards at least one control button.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support piece is made of a first polymer material, and the user interface includes a sealing element that surrounds at least partially at least one control button and at least a flexible connecting part made of a second polymer material, the second polymer material being more flexible than the first polymer material. Thus, at least one control button can move easily to activate, either directly or indirectly via an intermediate part, a microswitch on a printed circuit board, while maintaining a seal between the at least one control button and the support part.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second polymer material is an elastically deformable material.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first polymer material is a plastic material, and for example a rigid plastic material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second polymer material is an elastomer, for example an Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM).

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing element extends around the entire perimeter of at least one control button.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support piece includes several control buttons, for example two or three control buttons, which are operable by a user and which are made of material with the support part, and several flexible connecting parts, for example two or three flexible connecting parts, which each connect a respective control button to the support part.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing element extends between the flexible connecting parts and between the control buttons so as to ensure a seal (in particular against fluids and electrostatic discharges) between the control buttons and the support part.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is configured to completely fill the spaces located between the control buttons and between the flexible connecting parts.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is overmolded onto the support piece.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective cover has at least one access opening through which at least one control button is accessible to a user.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one control button protrudes from an upper face of the protective cover.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a printed circuit board which is disposed at least partially below the user interface, the printed circuit board being equipped with at least one electrical contact, such as a microswitch, and at least one control button being configured to activate at least one electrical contact when at least one control button is operated by a user.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one control button includes a contact part, such as a contact lug, configured to contact and activate at least one electrical contact when at least one control button is operated by a user.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support piece is arranged between the printed circuit board and the protective cover. Such an arrangement of the support piece facilitates the assembly of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner includes at least one operating indicator configured to visually indicate to a user at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner, the at least one operating indicator being covered by the protective cover and being configured to be visible through the protective cover.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one operating indicator is located at least partly under the support part and is configured to be visible through at least one viewing opening provided on the support part.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective cover extends in relation to at least one viewing opening and covers at least one viewing opening.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one operating indicator is fixed to the printed circuit board.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one operating indicator comprises a display screen, such as a liquid crystal display.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support part includes a viewing opening located opposite the display screen and having a shape corresponding substantially to the contour of the display screen.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one operating indicator comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support part comprises at least one light guide located opposite at least one light-emitting diode, the at least one light guide being configured to guide and carry a light signal emitted by the at least one light-emitting diode to an external surface of the user interface.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one light guide is a light guiding aperture.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface includes at least one support part, such as a support protrusion, fixed in movement to at least one control button, the at least one support part being configured to bear against at least one stop part, which is fixed and with which the vacuum cleaner is provided, when the at least one control button is moved into an actuation position, the at least one support part and the at least one stop part being configured to limit the movement stroke of the at least one control button when the at least one control button is moved into the actuation position.Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner limits on the one hand the risks of degradation, and in particular breakage, of the support part, and in particular of at least one flexible connecting part, in the event of repeated use of the user interface, and on the other hand the risks of degradation of at least one electrical contact in the event of excessive pressure by the user on at least one control button.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one part of the stop is formed by an upper face of the printed circuit board. These arrangements facilitate the assembly of the vacuum cleaner and reduce its manufacturing costs.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one stop portion is provided on a fixed part of the vacuum cleaner located under the support piece. For example, at least one stop portion may be formed by a support surface provided on the aforementioned fixed part and adapted to support the printed circuit board.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one part of the stop is a stop surface, for example globally flat.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one part of the stop is a stop projection, such as a stop finger or a stop lug. Such a stop projection can, for example, be configured to extend upwards.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one stop protrusion is provided, i.e. is formed, on the printed circuit board, and can for example extend upwards from an upper face of the printed circuit board.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one support part is offset relative to at least one contact part.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one support part protrudes from an underside of at least one flexible connecting part or from an underside of at least one control button.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one stop protrusion extends through a through-hole provided on the printed circuit board and protrudes from an upper face of the printed circuit board. Such a configuration of the at least A protruding stop ensures optimal positioning of the printed circuit board relative to the main housing of the vacuum cleaner.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one stop projection extends upwards from a fixed part of the vacuum cleaner which is located under the printed circuit board.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises an electronic control unit configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner. The electronic control unit is more particularly configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner based on at least one operating parameter selected by a user via the user interface.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured to be disposed at least partly below the user interface, and can for example be provided on the printed circuit board.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support piece is rigid.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective cover covers the entire support section.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support part forms a main part of the support piece.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is fixed, for example by snapping, to the support piece.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is a portable vacuum cleaner, also called a handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises:

[0059] - a main housing comprising a suction duct,

[0060] - a gripping handle mechanically connected to the main housing,

[0061] - a waste separation and collection device mounted on the main casing and fluidly connected to the suction duct, and

[0062] - a suction motor housed in the main casing, the suction motor being configured to generate an airflow through the suction duct and the waste separation and collection device.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface is located in a rear portion of the main housing, for example, on the upper rear portion of the main housing. Such an arrangement of the user interface improves the ergonomics of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface is located above the suction motor.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner includes a rechargeable battery configured to electrically power the vacuum cleaner.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rechargeable battery is housed in a battery case fixed, for example in a removable manner, to the gripping handle, and more particularly to a lower part of the gripping handle. Brief description of the figures

[0067] 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 examples, several embodiments of this vacuum cleaner.

[0068] [Fig-1] is a top perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first mode of the realization of the invention.

[0069] [Fig.2] is a longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of [Fig. 1].

[0070] [Fig.3] is a partial perspective and exploded view of the vacuum cleaner of [Fig. 1].

[0071] [Fig.4] is a partial truncated perspective and exploded view of the vacuum cleaner of the [Fig.l].

[0072] [Fig.5] is a partial perspective view of a printed circuit board belonging to the vacuum cleaner of [Fig.1].

[0073] [Fig.6] is a partial top perspective view of a user interface belonging to the vacuum cleaner of [Fig.1].

[0074] [Fig.7] is a partial perspective view from below of the user interface of the [Fig.6].

[0075] [Fig.8] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of [Fig.1].

[0076] [Fig.9] is a partial truncated perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0077] [Fig. 10] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of [Fig.8].

[0078] [Fig. 11] is a partial perspective view of a user interface belonging to the vacuum cleaner of [Fig.8].

[0079] [Fig. 12] is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0080] In this document, the terms "front", "rear", "lower", "upper", "top" and "bottom" are defined with respect to a use of the vacuum cleaner during which the user holds the vacuum cleaner by the grip handle and keeps it substantially horizontal, and the connection nozzle is located opposite the user.

[0081] In this document, the term “transparent to light radiation” means transparent or translucent.

[0082] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term "substantially" means, in this document, "exactly or to within 10% or to within 10°".

[0083] Figures 1 to 8 represent a vacuum cleaner 2, and more particularly a handheld vacuum cleaner, comprising a main housing 3 having a suction duct 4 through which outside air can be drawn in by the vacuum cleaner 2, and a connecting nozzle 5 fluidly connected to the suction duct 4 and to which various vacuum cleaner accessories can be connected.

[0084] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a gripping handle 6 mechanically connected to the main housing 3 and enabling the vacuum cleaner 2 to be gripped by a user. Advantageously, the gripping handle 6 is located in a rear portion of the vacuum cleaner 2. The gripping handle 6 may be manufactured as a single unit with the main housing 3 or attached to it.

[0085] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a waste separation and collection device 7 removably mounted on the main housing 3 and fluidly connected to the suction duct 4. The waste separation and collection device 7 is advantageously of the cyclonic type and includes, in particular, a waste collection container 8 and a tubular separation element housed within the waste collection container 8, which together defines a cyclonic separation chamber. The waste collection container 8 more specifically includes an air inlet opening that is fluidly connected to the suction duct 4.

[0086] The waste separation and collection device 7 may for example include a drain flap 9 pivotally mounted on the waste collection container 8 between a closing position (see [Fig.2]) in which the drain flap 9 closes a drain opening 11 provided on the waste collection container 8, and a release position in which the drain flap 9 releases the drain opening 11.

[0087] As shown in [Fig.2], the vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a suction motor 12 which is housed in the main casing 3. The suction motor 12 is configured to generate an airflow through the suction duct 4 and the waste separation and collection device 7. The suction motor 12 more particularly comprises a fan and an electric motor configured to drive the fan in rotation.

[0088] As shown in [Fig. 2], the vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a rechargeable battery 13 configured to electrically power the vacuum cleaner 2, and in particular the suction motor 12. The rechargeable battery 13, also called the battery pack, comprises several battery cells. The rechargeable battery 13 is advantageously housed in a battery case 14 connected to the handle 6, and more particularly to a lower portion of the handle 6. Advantageously, the main housing 3 has a post 15 which extends substantially parallel to the gripping handle 6 and between the battery housing 14 and the main housing 3. The battery housing 14 can, for example, be removably attached to the gripping handle 6.

[0089] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises an electronic control unit 16, such as a microprocessor or a microcontroller, configured to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 2. Advantageously, the electronic control unit 16 is located in a rear part of the main housing 3.

[0090] The vacuum cleaner 2 also includes a user interface 17 configured to allow a user to select at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner 2, and for example to modify operating parameters of the vacuum cleaner 2 and / or select operating modes of the vacuum cleaner 2.

[0091] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the user interface 17 is disposed on, and more particularly fixed to, a rear upper part of the main housing 3.

[0092] The user interface 17 includes a support piece 18 and a protective cover 19 which at least partially covers the support piece 18 and is supported by the support piece 18. Advantageously, the protective cover 19 is transparent to light radiation, and is fixed, for example by snap-fitting or any other suitable fastening means, to the support piece 18.

[0093] As shown in [Fig. 4], the support piece 18 comprises a fixed support portion 21, which forms a main part of the support piece 18, and several control buttons 22, for example, two or three control buttons, which are actuable by a user and each of which is movable between a rest position and an actuated position. Advantageously, the control buttons 22 are formed as part of the support portion 21. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the support portion 21 has a generally rectangular shape and is slightly convex. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the support portion 21 could be flat.

[0094] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the support piece 18 comprises several flexible connecting parts 23, such as flexible connecting tabs, each of which connects a respective control button 22 to the support part 21. Advantageously, the support part 21, the control buttons 22, and the flexible connecting parts 23 are made as a single piece. In other words, the control buttons 22 and the flexible connecting parts 23 are formed from the same material as the support part 21. Advantageously, each flexible connecting part 23 is elongated and has a width that decreases towards the respective control button 22.

[0095] As shown more particularly in Figures 3 and 4, the protective cover 19 has several access openings 24 through each of which a respective control button 22 is accessible to a user. Advantageously, each of the control buttons 22 protrudes from an upper face of the protective cover 19 to facilitate its operation by the user.

[0096] As shown more particularly in Figures 6 and 7, the user interface 17 also includes a sealing element 25 which extends between the flexible connecting parts 23 and also between the control buttons 22 and which extends around the entire circumference of each control button 22. Advantageously, the sealing element 25 is overmolded onto the support part 18 and is configured to completely fill the spaces between the control buttons 22 and between the flexible connecting parts 23, so as to ensure sealing, in particular against fluids and electrostatic discharges, between the control buttons 22, the flexible connecting parts 23 and the support part 21.The presence of such a sealing element 25, combined with the presence of the protective cover 19, gives the vacuum cleaner 2 according to the present invention a high level of reliability, since the risks of electrostatic discharge penetration at the user interface 17 and towards the electronic parts located below it are greatly reduced.

[0097] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support piece 18 is made of a first polymer material, and the sealing element 25 is made of a second polymer material that is more flexible than the first polymer material and is, for example, an elastically deformable material. Thus, each control button 22 can move easily between its rest position and its actuated position, while maintaining a seal between each control button 22 and the support part 21.

[0098] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first polymer material is a plastic material, and for example a rigid plastic material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and the second polymer material is an elastomer, for example an Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM).

[0099] As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the vacuum cleaner 2 includes a printed circuit board 26 which is disposed at least in part below the user interface 17 and which is fixed to the main housing 3. Advantageously, the support piece 18 is disposed between the printed circuit board 26 and the protective cover 19, and the printed circuit board 26 is in particular partly covered by the support piece 18.

[0100] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the electronic control unit 16 is provided on the printed circuit board 26, and is therefore configured to be disposed at least partly below the user interface 17.

[0101] The printed circuit board 26 is advantageously equipped with several electrical contacts 27, such as microswitches. Each of the control buttons 22 is more specifically configured to activate a respective electrical contact 27 when said control button 22 is operated by a user.

[0102] As shown in particular in [Fig.7], each control button 22 more particularly comprises a contact part 28, such as a contact projection and in particular a contact lug projecting downwards, configured to contact and activate a respective electrical contact 27 when said control button 22 is moved into its actuation position.

[0103] As shown in [Fig. 8], the user interface 17, and more particularly the support piece 18, comprises several bearing parts 29, such as bearing projections and, in particular, bearing lugs, which are distinct from the aforementioned contact parts 28. Each bearing part 29 is more specifically fixed in movement to a respective control button 22, and is configured to bear against a respective stop part 30, which is fixed and with which the vacuum cleaner 2 is provided, when the respective control button 22 is moved into the actuation position.

[0104] The support portion 29 and the stop portion 30, associated with the same control button 22, are specifically configured to limit the travel of said control button 22 when it is moved towards its actuating position. Such a configuration of the support portions 29 and the stop portions 30 considerably limits, on the one hand, the risk of damage to the various flexible connecting parts 23 and the control buttons 22, while allowing sufficient travel for each of the control buttons 22, and on the other hand, the risk of damage, and in particular breakage, to the electrical contacts 27 and the printed circuit board 26.

[0105] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, each stop portion 30 is formed by a stop projection, such as a stop lug, extending upwards from an internal wall of the vacuum cleaner 2 located under the printed circuit board 26. Advantageously, each stop projection extends through a respective through-hole 31 provided on the printed circuit board 26, and protrudes from the upper face of the printed circuit board 26. Such a configuration of the stop portions 30 ensures optimal positioning of the printed circuit board 26 relative to the main housing 3 of the vacuum cleaner 2.

[0106] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, each support part 29 is formed by a support projection extending downwards from an underside of a respective flexible connecting part 23.

[0107] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises one or more operating indicator(s) 32 configured to visually indicate to a user one or more parameter(s) vacuum cleaner operating indicator 2. Advantageously, the operating indicator or each operating indicator 32 is covered by the protective cover 19, and is configured to be visible through the protective cover 19. The protective cover 19 thus protects the operating indicator or each operating indicator 32, while allowing easy viewing of the operating indicator(s) 32 by a user.

[0108] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the vacuum cleaner 2 includes several operating indicators 32 which are formed respectively by light-emitting diodes fixed to the printed circuit board 26, and the support part 21 includes light guides 33 each associated with a respective light-emitting diode and each configured to guide and carry a light signal emitted by the respective light-emitting diode to an external surface of the user interface 17. Advantageously, each light guide 33 is covered by the protective cover 19.

[0109] The operating indicators 32 can, for example, be configured to visually indicate to a user at least one status parameter of the rechargeable battery 13, such as a charge level of the rechargeable battery 13 and / or an error status parameter, such as an overheating state, of the rechargeable battery 13. The operating indicators 32 can also be configured to visually indicate to a user an operating mode and / or an operating parameter selected by the user via the user interface 17, and in particular the selected suction power.

[0110] Figures 9 to 11 represent a vacuum cleaner 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment essentially in that the vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a single operating indicator 32 which is formed by a display screen, such as a liquid crystal display, fixed to the printed circuit board 26. Advantageously, the display screen is located at least partly under the support part 21 and is configured to be visible through a viewing opening 34 provided on the support part 21 and having a shape substantially corresponding to the contour of the display screen.

[0111] The display screen can, for example, be configured to visually indicate to a user at least one status parameter of the rechargeable battery 13, such as a charge level of the rechargeable battery 13 and / or an error status parameter, such as an overheating state, of the rechargeable battery 13. The display screen can also be configured to visually indicate to a user an operating parameter selected by the user via the user interface 17.

[0112] According to the second embodiment of the invention, the various stop parts 30 are provided on the printed circuit board 26, and are more particularly formed by the upper face of the printed circuit board 26, and each part support 29 is formed by a support projection which extends downwards from an underside of the respective control button 22 and which is offset from the respective contact part 28.

[0113] Fig. 12 represents a vacuum cleaner 2 according to a third embodiment of the invention which differs from the second embodiment essentially in that the stop parts 30 are formed by a bearing surface provided on a support wall which is located under the printed circuit board 26 and which is able to support the printed circuit board 26, and in that each support part 29 is able to extend through a respective passage 31 provided on the printed circuit board 26.

[0114] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, each stop part 30 could be formed by a stop protrusion provided on the printed circuit board 26 and extending upwards from the upper face of the printed circuit board 26.

[0115] Of course, the present invention is in no way 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 departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Vacuum cleaner (2) comprising a user interface (17) configured to allow a user to select at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner (2), characterized in that the user interface (17) comprises: - a support piece (18) having a support portion (21) which is fixed and at least one control button (22) which is actuable by a user and which is formed with the support portion (21), and - a protective cover (19) which at least partially covers the support piece (18) and which is at least partially transparent to light radiation, the support portion (21) being configured to support the protective cover (19).

2. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1, wherein the support part (18) comprises at least one flexible linkage part (23) which connects at least one control button (22) to the support part (21).

3. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 2, wherein the support piece (18) is made of a first polymer material, and the user interface (17) comprises a sealing element (25) which surrounds at least in part at least one control button (22) and at least one flexible connecting part (23) and which is made of a second polymer material, the second polymer material being more flexible than the first polymer material.

4. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 3, wherein the second polymer material is an elastically deformable material.

5. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the sealing element (25) is overmolded onto the support piece (18).

6. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protective cover (19) has at least one access opening through which at least one control button (22) is accessible to a user.

7. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein it comprises a printed circuit board (26) which is disposed at least partially below the user interface (17), the printed circuit board (26) being equipped with at least one electrical contact (27), the at least one control button (22) being configured to activate at least one electrical contact (27) when at least one control button (22) is operated by a user.

8. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 7, wherein the support piece (18) is disposed between the printed circuit board (26) and the protective cover (19).

9. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which includes at least one operating indicator (32) configured to visually indicate to a user at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner (2), the at least one operating indicator (32) being covered by the protective cover (19) and being configured to be visible through the protective cover (19).

10. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 9, wherein at least one operating indicator (32) is located at least partly under the support part (21) and is configured to be visible through at least one viewing opening (33) provided on the support part (21).

11. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein at least one operating indicator (32) comprises a display screen.

12. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein at least one operating indicator (32) comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

13. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 12, wherein the support part (21) comprises at least one light guide located opposite at least one light-emitting diode, the at least one light guide being configured to guide and carry a light signal emitted by the at least one light-emitting diode to an external surface of the user interface (17).

14. A vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the user interface (17) comprises at least one support portion (29) fixed in movement to at least one control button (22), the at least one support portion (29) being configured to bear against at least one stop portion (30), which is fixed and with which the vacuum cleaner (2) is provided, when the at least one control button (22) is moved into an actuation position, the at least one support portion (29) and the at least one stop portion (30) being configured to limit the movement stroke of the less one control button (22) when at least one control button (22) is moved into the actuation position.

15. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which comprises: - a main housing (3) having a suction duct (4), - a gripping handle (6) mechanically connected to the main housing (3), - a waste separation and collection device (7) mounted on the main housing (3) and fluidly connected to the suction duct (4), and - a suction motor (12) housed in the main housing (3), the suction motor (12) being configured to generate an airflow through the suction duct (4) and the waste separation and collection device (7).

16. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 15, wherein the user interface (17) is disposed in a rear part of the main housing (3).