Vacuum cleaner equipped with a user interface featuring a control button with a limited travel range

Abstract

The vacuum cleaner (2) includes a user interface (17) comprising a control button (22) operable by a user and provided with a contact portion (28) configured to contact an electrical contact (27), and a support portion (29) fixed in movement to the control button (22) and configured to bear against at least one stop portion (30), which is fixed and provided to the vacuum cleaner (2), when the control button (22) is moved into an actuation position, the support portion (29) and the stop portion (30) being configured to limit the travel of the control button (22) when it is moved into the actuation position. Figure 8

Description

Title of the invention: Vacuum cleaner equipped with a user interface featuring a control button with a limited travel stroke. 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 at least one control button which is actuable by a user and which is movable between a rest position and an actuation position, the at least one control button having a contact portion configured to contact and activate at least one electrical contact (such as a micro-switch), provided on a printed circuit board located under the user interface, when the at least one control button is moved into the actuation position.

[0004] In order to limit the risk of damage to the electrical contact and the printed circuit board, particularly when a user applies excessive pressure to the control button, it is known to make the control button at least partially from an elastomeric material, for example Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM). However, such a user interface configuration is not suitable for certain vacuum cleaner designs. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of this drawback.

[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention consists of providing a vacuum cleaner which is of simple and reliable structure, while allowing in particular the use of control buttons made of plastic material.

[0007] 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:

[0008] - at least one control button that is actuable by a user and that is movable between a rest position and an actuation position, at least one control button having a contact portion, such as a contact protrusion and in particular a contact lug, configured to contact and activate at least one electrical contact (such as a microswitch) with which the vacuum cleaner is equipped, when at least one control button is moved into the actuation position,

[0009] - at least one support portion, such as a support protrusion and in particular a finger a support or a support lug, fixed in movement to at least one control button and separate from at least one contact part, 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 the actuation position, the at least one support part and the at least one stop part being configured to limit the displacement stroke, and for example the pivot stroke, of the at least one control button when the at least one control button is moved into the actuation position.

[0010] Such a configuration of the user interface, and in particular the presence of at least one stop part, ensures that the forces applied by a user on at least one control button are absorbed by at least one stop part, which considerably limits the risks of degradation, and in particular breakage, of at least one electrical contact and / or of a printed circuit board equipped with the latter.

[0011] In addition, the presence of at least one support part and at least one stop part limits the risks of degradation of the user interface, in particular when at least one control button is fixed to a flexible linkage part which allows a pivoting of said control button between its rest position and its actuation position.

[0012] Thus, the user interface according to the present invention gives increased reliability and robustness to the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

[0013] The vacuum cleaner may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface comprises at least one flexible connecting part, such as a flexible connecting tab, to which at least one control button is attached. Such a configuration of the user interface ensures easy movement of the at least one control button between the rest position and the actuation position, while also facilitating the manufacturing of the user interface.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one flexible connecting portion is elongated and has a width that decreases towards at least one control button. Such an embodiment allows for progressive deformation of at least one flexible connecting portion with each press of at least one control button. Thus, the user interface according to the present embodiment has increased durability.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one control button is made of the same material as at least one flexible connecting part. These arrangements further facilitate the manufacture of the user interface.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface comprises a fixed part, at least one flexible linking part connecting at least one control button to the fixed part.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface comprises a support piece made in one piece and including the fixed part, at least one flexible connecting part, at least one control button, and at least one support part. In other words, the fixed part, the at least one flexible connecting part, the at least one control button, and the at least one support part are made in one piece, for example, by plastic injection molding. Such a configuration of the user interface simplifies its manufacture. Indeed, the fixed part and the at least one control button form a single piece, which reduces the number of parts to be managed during the vacuum cleaner assembly phase and facilitates sealing between the user interface and the part of the vacuum cleaner to which the user interface is attached.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support piece is made of a first polymer material, and the user interface comprises a sealing element that surrounds at least part of at least one control button and at least one flexible connecting part, and which is 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, at least one electrical contact, while maintaining a seal between at least one control button and the fixed part.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second polymer material is an elastically deformable material.

[0021] 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).

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second polymer material is an elastomer, for example an Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM).

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing element extends around the entire perimeter of at least one control button.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface comprises several control buttons, for example two or three control buttons, which are operable by a user, and several flexible connecting parts, for example two or three flexible connecting parts, to which the control buttons are respectively attached.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing element extends between the flexible connecting parts and between the control buttons.

[0026] 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.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is overmolded onto the support piece.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface comprises a protective cover that at least partially covers the fixed part and is at least partially transparent to light. The presence of the protective cover increases the seal between the inside and outside of the vacuum cleaner, and in particular limits the propagation of electrostatic discharges towards the electronic components located under the user interface.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support piece is configured to support the protective cover.

[0030] 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.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one control button protrudes beyond an upper face of the protective cover.

[0032] 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.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one bearing portion is formed on an underside of at least one flexible connecting portion. Advantageously, the at least one bearing portion is a bearing projection extending from an underside of the at least one flexible connecting portion.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one support portion is formed on an underside face of at least one control button. Advantageously, the less a support part is a support projection extending from an underside face of at least one control button.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a printed circuit board which is disposed at least in part below the user interface, the printed circuit board being equipped with at least one electrical contact.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one part of the stop is provided, that is to say is formed, on the printed circuit board.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one part of the stop is a stop surface and 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. Advantageously, the stop surface provided on the printed circuit board is free of silkscreen traces and electronic components.

[0038] 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, configured to extend upwards from an upper face of the printed circuit board.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one part of the stop is formed by a support wall located under the printed circuit board and capable of supporting the printed circuit board.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one stop portion is a stop projection, such as a stop finger or a stop lug, extending from an internal wall of the vacuum cleaner located beneath the printed circuit board and extending through a through-hole provided on the printed circuit board. Such a configuration of the at least one stop projection ensures optimal positioning of the printed circuit board relative to a main housing of the vacuum cleaner. Advantageously, the at least one stop projection extends beyond an upper face of the printed circuit board.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface includes at least one operating indicator configured to visually indicate to a user at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one operating indicator is covered by the protective cover and is configured to be visible through the protective cover.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one operating indicator is located at least partly under the fixed part and is configured to be visible through at least one viewing opening provided on the fixed part.

[0044] 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.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one operating indicator is fixed to the printed circuit board.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one operating indicator comprises a display screen, such as a liquid crystal display.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one operating indicator comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fixed 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.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises an electronic control unit, such as a microprocessor or microcontroller, 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support piece is rigid.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fixed part forms a main part of the support piece.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is fixed, for example by snapping, to the support piece.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is a portable vacuum cleaner, also called a handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises:

[0056] - a main housing comprising a suction duct,

[0057] - a gripping handle mechanically connected to the main housing,

[0058] - a waste separation and collection device mounted on the main casing and fluidly connected to the suction duct, and

[0059] - 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.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface is located in a rear portion of the main housing, and for example on an 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.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner includes a rechargeable battery configured to electrically power the vacuum cleaner.

[0062] 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

[0063] 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.

[0064] [Fig-1] is a top perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first mode of the realization of the invention.

[0065] [Fig.2] is a longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of [Fig. 1].

[0066] [Fig.3] is a partial perspective and exploded view of the vacuum cleaner of [Fig. 1].

[0067] [Fig.4] is a partial truncated perspective and exploded view of the vacuum cleaner of the [Fig.l].

[0068] [Fig.5] is a partial perspective view of a printed circuit board belonging to the vacuum cleaner of [Fig.1].

[0069] [Fig.6] is a partial top perspective view of a user interface belonging to the vacuum cleaner of [Fig.1].

[0070] [Fig.7] is a partial perspective view from below of the user interface of [Fig.6].

[0071] [Fig.8] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of [Fig.1].

[0072] [Fig.9] is a partial truncated perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0073] [Fig. 10] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of [Fig.8].

[0074] [Fig. 11] is a partial perspective view of a user interface belonging to the vacuum cleaner of [Fig.8].

[0075] [Fig. 12] is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0076] In this document, the terms "front", "rear", "lower", "upper", "top" and "bottom" are defined with respect to the use of the vacuum cleaner during in 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.

[0077] In this document, the term “transparent to light radiation” means transparent or translucent.

[0078] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term "substantially" means, in this document, "exactly or to within 10% or to within 10°".

[0079] 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.

[0080] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a gripping handle 6 mechanically connected to the main housing 3 and enabling a user to grip the vacuum cleaner 2. 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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 support 15 that extends substantially parallel to the handle 6 and between the battery case 14 and the main housing 3. The battery case 14 can, for example, be removably attached to the handle 6.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the user interface 17 is disposed on, and more particularly attached to, a rear upper part of the main housing 3.

[0088] 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.

[0089] As shown in [Fig. 4], the support piece 18 comprises a fixed 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 actuated by a user and which are each movable between a rest position and an actuated position. Advantageously, the control buttons 22 are formed from the same material as the fixed portion 21. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the fixed portion 21 has a generally rectangular shape and is slightly convex. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the fixed portion 21 could be flat.

[0090] 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, which each connect a respective control button 22 to the fixed part 21. Advantageously, the fixed part 21, the control buttons 22, and the flexible connecting parts 23 are made in one piece. In other words, the control buttons 22 and the flexible connecting parts 23 are formed from the same material as the fixed part 21. Advantageously, each flexible connecting part 23 is elongated and has a width that decreases towards the respective control button 22.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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 fixed 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.

[0093] 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 fixed part 21.

[0094] 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).

[0095] As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a printed circuit board 26 which is disposed at least partially below the user interface 17 and which is attached to the main housing 3. Advantageously, the support piece 18 is positioned 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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 beyond 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises one or more operating indicator(s) 32 configured to visually indicate to a user one or more operating parameter(s) of the vacuum cleaner 2. Advantageously, the operating indicator(s) 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(s) 32, while allowing easy viewing of the operating indicator(s) 32 by a user.

[0104] 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 fixed 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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 fixed part 21 and is configured to be visible through a viewing opening 34 provided on the fixed part 21 and having a shape substantially corresponding to the contour of the display screen.

[0107] 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 can also be configured to visually indicate to a user an operating parameter selected by the user via the user interface 17.

[0108] 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 support part 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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. A 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), the user interface (17) comprising at least one control button (22) that is actuable by a user and movable between a rest position and an actuation position, the at least one control button (22) comprising a contact portion (28) configured to contact and activate at least one electrical contact (27) with which the vacuum cleaner (2) is equipped, when the at least one control button (22) is moved to the actuation position, characterized in that the user interface (17) further comprises at least one support portion (29) integral in movement with the at least one control button (22) and distinct from the at least one contact portion (28), 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 equipped, when at least one control button (22) is moved into the actuation position, at least one support part (29) and at least one stop part (30) being configured to limit the travel of the at least one control button (22) when at least one control button (22) is moved into the actuation position.

2. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1, wherein the user interface (17) comprises at least one flexible linkage part (23) to which is attached at least one control button (22).

3. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 2, wherein at least one flexible connecting part (23) is elongated and has a width which decreases towards at least one control button (22).

4. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one control button (22) is made of material with at least one flexible connecting part (23).

5. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the user interface (17) comprises a fixed part (21), at least one flexible linking part (23) connecting at least one control button (22) to the fixed part (21).

6. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 5, wherein the user interface (17) comprises a support piece (18) which is made in one piece and comprising the fixed part (21), at least one flexible connecting part (23), at least one control button (22) and at least one support part (29).

7. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the user interface (17) comprises a protective cover (19) which at least partially covers the fixed part (21) and which is at least partially transparent to light radiation.

8. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 7, in which the protective cover (19) has at least one access opening (24) through which at least one control button (22) is accessible to a user.

9. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein at least one support part (29) is formed on an underside face of at least one flexible connecting part (23).

10. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one support part (29) is formed on an underside face of at least one control button (22).

11. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which comprises a printed circuit board (26) which is disposed at least partly below the user interface (17), the printed circuit board (26) being equipped with at least one electrical contact (27).

12. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 11, wherein at least one stop portion (30) is provided on the printed circuit board (26).

13. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 11, wherein at least one stop portion (30) is a stop projection extending from an internal wall of the vacuum cleaner located under the printed circuit board (26) and extending through a through hole (31) provided on the printed circuit board (26).

14. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the user interface (17) includes at least one operating indicator (32) configured to visually indicate to a user at least one operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner (2).

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 casing (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).

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