A handheld vacuum cleaner with a grip handle housing a rechargeable battery

Abstract

A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) comprising: a main body (4); a suction motor (14); a rechargeable battery (18); and a grip handle (6) having a first handle portion (22) integral with the main body (4) and defining a boundary of an inner housing (23) and having an access opening (28) opening into the inner housing (23), a second handle portion (24) having a grip portion (25) configured to be grasped by a user, and an insert portion (27) removably attached to the inner housing (23), the grip portion (25) and the insert portion (27) defining a boundary of a battery compartment (21), the insert portion (27) being configured to be withdrawn from the inner housing (23) through the access opening (28) and to be inserted into the inner housing (23).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners capable of sucking up dust and dirt from surfaces to be cleaned, which may be tiles, hardwood floors, laminate floors, carpets or rugs. [Background technology]

[0002] Disclosed is a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising a main body having a suction duct, a dust separating and collecting device attached to the main body, a suction motor housed in the main body, the suction motor having a motor shaft and configured to generate an air flow through the suction duct and the dust separating and collecting device, a gripping handle defining a boundary of a battery storage section, a rechargeable battery configured to supply electricity to the handheld vacuum cleaner, the battery having a plurality of battery cells housed in the battery storage section, and an electronic control unit configured to control the operation of the handheld vacuum cleaner (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In order to provide a sufficient continuous usage time for the handheld vacuum cleaner, the rechargeable battery needs to be equipped with multiple battery cells, which results in a significant increase in the length of the grip handle and therefore the size of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0004] Also, the grip handle of the handheld vacuum cleaner includes a male assembly configured to cooperate with a female assembly provided on the main body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, since the transverse dimension of the male assembly is relatively small, the male assembly may be damaged when the handheld vacuum cleaner is used, and if this occurs, the handheld vacuum cleaner cannot be used at all thereafter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,892 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention aims to eliminate all or part of these disadvantages.

[0007] In particular, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a handheld vacuum cleaner that is simple, reliable and ergonomically constructed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides - A main body equipped with a suction duct; - a waste separation and collection device attached to the main body; - a suction motor housed in the body, the suction motor having a motor shaft and configured to generate an air flow through the suction duct and the dirt separating and collecting device; a gripping handle defining a battery compartment; - A handheld vacuum cleaner, in particular a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising a rechargeable battery configured to supply electricity to a suction motor, the rechargeable battery being at least partially contained in a battery compartment defined by a gripping handle.

[0009] The grip handle is - a first handle portion integral with the body, the first handle portion defining an inner housing boundary and having an access opening into the inner housing; - a second handle portion having a gripping portion with a gripping surface configured to be grasped by a user and an insert portion removably attached to the inner housing, the gripping portion and the insert portion defining a boundary of a battery compartment, the insert portion configured to be withdrawn from the inner housing through the access opening and to be inserted into the inner housing.

[0010] The rechargeable battery includes a first battery portion extending at least partially into the insert portion and a second battery portion extending at least partially into the grip portion.

[0011] Such a configuration of the rechargeable battery and grip handle allows for optimization of the internal volume of the grip handle and therefore maximization of the volume of the rechargeable battery, thereby maximizing the stored energy capacity of the rechargeable battery.

[0012] Such a configuration of the rechargeable battery and gripping handle also allows the length of the gripping handle to be reduced, thereby reducing the size of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0013] Furthermore, by having the first battery part extend into the insert part and the second battery part extend into the grip part, a more robust connection interface between the first and second handle parts is provided. In fact, the very dense and therefore very robust rechargeable battery extends on both sides of the connection interface, thereby acting as a coupling insert to provide a robust connection between the removable part of the grip handle and the rest of the vacuum cleaner. The insert part must also have a large cross section in the transverse direction to be able to receive at least one battery cell, which also helps to strengthen the robustness of the connection interface.

[0014] In addition, the handheld vacuum cleaner may have one or more of the following features, either alone or in combination:

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rechargeable battery comprises at least one battery cell extending at least partially into the insert portion and at least one battery cell extending at least partially into the grip portion, whereby at least one battery cell extends into the insert portion and at least one battery cell extends into the grip portion to ensure better weight balance in the grip handle.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the grip handle extends along the central longitudinal axis.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separating and collecting device extends along an extension axis, and the central longitudinal axis of the grip handle is generally parallel to the motor shaft and / or the extension axis of the waste separating and collecting device.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal central axis of the grip handle and the motor axis of the suction motor are substantially collinear.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the access opening is provided at the rear end of the first handle portion.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rechargeable battery includes a first electrical connector provided on the insert portion, the first electrical connector configured to cooperate with a second electrical connector disposed on the inner housing when the insert portion is accommodated within the inner housing.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second electrical connector is supported on a battery interconnect board located in the first handle section. This particular configuration of the rechargeable battery allows the first electrical connector of the rechargeable battery to be located in close proximity to the battery interconnect board located in the first handle section and comprising a second electrical connector capable of cooperating with the first electrical connector, thereby reducing cable routes and intermediate connectors in the grip handle.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrical connector is provided at the front, for example located at the level of the front end face of the insert portion.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first handle part comprises an additional gripping surface arranged to be flush with the gripping surface of the handle part when the insert is housed within the inner housing. Advantageously, the gripping surface and the additional gripping surface form a gripping zone of the handheld vacuum cleaner. Such an arrangement of the first and second handle parts allows the gripping zone of the handheld vacuum cleaner to be extended up to the first handle part, thereby facilitating handling of the handheld vacuum cleaner by a user.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the insert portion has a maximum cross-sectional area that is less than the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the grip portion.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at the level of the joining zone between the insert and the grip, the difference between the diameter of the first imaginary circle in which the insert is inscribed and the diameter of the second imaginary circle in which the grip is inscribed is approximately twice the wall thickness of the inner housing (minus the assembly play and the moulding draft) measured at the level of (i.e. in the vicinity of) the access opening and thus at the level of the joining interface between the first and second handle parts. Such a configuration of the grip handle maximizes the transverse cross section of the insert, which allows for a more robust assembly of the second handle part in the inner housing.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the handheld vacuum cleaner comprises a user interface provided on a first handle portion, the user interface being configured to enable a user to select at least one operating mode of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface is provided on an upper portion of the first handle portion.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handheld vacuum cleaner comprises an electronic control unit configured to control operation of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit is configured to control operation of the suction motor in a first operating mode in which the suction motor is rotationally driven at a first rotational speed, and is configured to control operation of the suction motor in a second operating mode in which the suction motor is rotationally driven at a second rotational speed that is faster than the first rotational speed.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user interface comprises a control device, such as a control button attached to the first handle portion, which can be operated by a user, and an actuator, such as an activation button attached to the first handle portion, which can be operated by a user, and the electronic control unit is configured to control operation of the suction motor according to a first operating mode when the control device is operated by the user, and to control operation of the suction motor according to a second operating mode when the activation device is operated by the user.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device and the actuator are configured to be operated by the same fingers of a user when the user is holding the grip handle.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit is located within the grip handle, for example within the second handle portion.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the handheld vacuum cleaner includes a battery status indicator, such as a battery level indicator, provided on the insert and configured to display at least one status parameter of the rechargeable battery when the insert is housed within the inner housing.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the battery status indicator is located on the top of the insert.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the battery status indicator is configured to be visible through at least one viewing window in the first handle portion when the insert is housed within the inner housing. Such a configuration of the handheld vacuum cleaner allows the battery status indicator to be located away from the gripping surface of the handheld vacuum cleaner. Such a layout prevents the battery status indicator from being obscured by a user's hand when gripping the handheld vacuum cleaner, and improves the ergonomic design of the handheld vacuum cleaner by allowing the user to fully view the battery status indicator when in use.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery status indicator is configured to display a parameter of the state of charge of the rechargeable battery and / or a parameter of an error condition, such as an overheating condition of the rechargeable battery. The parameter of the state of charge may for example be the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery, also referred to as its state of charge or state of discharge in relation to the rechargeable battery.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the user interface is located adjacent to at least one viewing window. Having the battery status indicator visible through a viewing window located adjacent to the user interface allows a user to simultaneously view the battery status indicator and the user interface in the same area of ​​the vacuum cleaner, further improving the ergonomic design of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery status indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode configured to be viewable through at least one viewing window when the insert is housed within the inner housing.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one viewing window comprises at least one peephole provided in the first handle portion, more particularly in a portion of the upper wall of the first handle portion.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one viewing window comprises a cover portion configured to cover the battery status indicator when the insert is housed within the inner housing, the cover portion being transparent or semi-transparent and allowing light to pass through. Since the battery status indicator is visible through the transparent or semi-transparent cover portion when the insert is housed within the inner housing, there is no risk of the battery status indicator coming into contact with a user's hand or an external obstacle when the vacuum cleaner is in use, preserving the health of the battery status indicator, and therefore the health of the vacuum cleaner.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cover portion extends opposite to and covers the at least one peep hole.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the motor shaft of the suction motor intersects with the rechargeable battery.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the extension axis of the dirt separating and collecting device is substantially parallel to the motor axis of the suction motor.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the extension axis of the dirt separating and collecting device, the motor axis of the suction motor, and the central longitudinal axis of the grip handle are substantially collinear, which allows for better weight distribution around the central longitudinal axis of the handheld vacuum cleaner, and therefore provides greater comfort to the user.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the refuse separating and collecting device is of the cyclone type.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a garbage separation and collection device includes a garbage collection container having an outlet, and an outlet hatch attached to the garbage collection container so as to be movable between a closed position in which the outlet hatch closes the outlet and an open position in which the outlet hatch opens the outlet.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the outlet is configured to be located opposite the grip handle.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handheld vacuum cleaner comprises a locking mechanism configured to lock the insert to the first handle part. The locking mechanism may comprise, for example, a locking part, such as a locking claw, attached to the first locking part so as to be movable between a locking position configured to cooperate with a locking element, such as a locking groove, on the insert to lock the insert to the first handle part, and an unlocked position configured to release the locking element so that the insert can be pulled out of the inner housing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0049] In any case, the invention will be best understood from a reading of the description that follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying schematic drawings, which represent, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this handheld vacuum cleaner. [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the top of a handheld vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top of the grip handle of the handheld vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the top surface of the handy vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1, with the second handle portion (grip handle) removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second handle portion. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged scale view of a detail of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a partially sectional perspective view of the handheld vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0050] In this specification, the terms "front", "rear" and "top" are defined in relation to use of the handheld vacuum cleaner, during which the user holds the handheld vacuum cleaner by the grip handle and holds it substantially horizontally, with the suction opening of the suction duct located opposite the user.

[0051] Figures 1 to 8 represent a handheld vacuum cleaner 2 having a body 4 provided with a suction duct 5 through which outside air is sucked into the handheld vacuum cleaner 2. Advantageously, the suction duct 5 is arranged in the front part of the body 4.

[0052] The handheld vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a gripping handle 6 which enables a user to grip the handheld vacuum cleaner 2. Advantageously, the gripping handle 6 has a central longitudinal axis A and extends from the rear end of the main body 4.

[0053] The handheld vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a dust separating and collecting device 7 that is removably attached to the main body 4.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, the dirt separating and collecting apparatus 7 comprises a dirt collection bin 8 having a generally tubular side wall. The dirt separating and collecting apparatus 7 is advantageously of the cyclone type and further comprises a tubular separating member 9, such as a tubular net, arranged within the dirt collection bin 8 coaxially with the central axis of the dirt collection bin 8, and a cyclone-type separating chamber 10 defined externally by the side wall of the dirt collection bin 8 and internally by the tubular separating member 9.

[0055] The dirt separating and collecting device 7 further comprises an air inlet 11 in fluid communication with the suction duct 5 and opening into the cyclonic separating chamber 10. Advantageously, the suction duct 5 extends along an outer surface of the dirt separating and collecting device 7.

[0056] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the waste separating and collecting device 7 comprises an outlet hatch 12 attached to the waste collecting bin 8 so as to be pivotable between a closed position in which the outlet hatch 12 closes an outlet 13 provided in the waste collecting bin 8 and an open position in which the outlet hatch 12 opens the outlet 13. Advantageously, the outlet 13 is arranged to be located opposite the grip handle 6.

[0057] The handheld vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a suction motor 14 having a motor shaft B and housed within the main body 4. The suction motor 14 is configured to generate an air flow through the suction duct 5 and the dust separating and collecting device 7. More specifically, the suction motor 14 comprises a fan and an electric motor configured to drive the fan to rotate.

[0058] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the body 4 comprises a generally cylindrical rear casing 15 in which the suction motor 14 and possibly an exhaust filter are housed.

[0059] More specifically, the rear casing 15 comprises an outer circumferential surface 16 extending around the suction motor 14 and a connecting surface 17 connecting the rear edge of the outer circumferential surface 16 of the rear casing 15 to the front edge of the grip handle 6. The rear casing 15 has a first transverse cross-section at the level of the rear edge of the outer circumferential surface 16 and the grip handle 6 has a second transverse cross-section at the level of its front edge, the second transverse cross-section being smaller than the first transverse cross-section.

[0060] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, in particular in Fig. 5, the dirt separating and collecting device 7 extends along an extension axis C which is substantially parallel to the motor axis B of the suction motor 14 and to the central longitudinal axis A of the grip handle 6. Advantageously, the central longitudinal axis A, the motor axis B and the extension axis C are substantially collinear. However, according to variant embodiments of the invention, the central longitudinal axis A, the motor axis B and the extension axis C could also be parallel but not collinear.

[0061] The handheld vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a rechargeable battery 18 arranged to supply electricity to the handheld vacuum cleaner 2, in particular to the suction motor 14. The rechargeable battery 18 is located behind the suction motor 14 and comprises a number of battery cells 19, commonly also called rechargeable accumulators, housed in a battery compartment 21 defined by the grip handle 6. According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the battery cells 19 are built-in installed in the battery compartment 21 and the motor axis B of the suction motor 14 intersects at least one battery cell 19.

[0062] As shown in particular detail in Figures 3 to 5, the grip handle 6 comprises a first handle portion 22 fixed to the main body 4 and defining an inner housing 23, and a second handle portion 24 defining a battery compartment 21 and removably attached to the inner housing 23.

[0063] Advantageously, the second handle portion 24 comprises a gripping portion 25 having a gripping surface 26 configured to be grasped by a user, and an insert portion 27 removably mounted within the inner housing 23. The insert portion 27 is configured to be withdrawn out of the inner housing 23 through an access opening 28 provided in the first handle portion 22 and opening into the inner housing 23, and to be inserted into the inner housing 23. Advantageously, the access opening 28 is provided at the rear end of the first handle portion 22, and the insert portion 27 has a maximum cross-sectional area that is less than the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the gripping portion 25.

[0064] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the boundaries of the battery compartment 21 are defined by the gripping portion 25 and the insert portion 27, with at least one battery cell 19 extending at least partially into the insert portion 27 and at least one battery cell 19 extending at least partially into the gripping portion 25.

[0065] As shown in particular in Fig. 6, the gripping portion 25 has a cross-section that is substantially the same as that of the first handle portion 22, for example circular or elliptical, and is configured such that a gripping surface 26 of the gripping portion 25 is flush with an additional gripping surface 29 of the first handle portion 22 when the insert 27 is housed in the inner housing 23. Such a configuration of the gripping portion 25 and the first handle portion 22 allows the gripping zone of the handheld vacuum cleaner 2 to be extended up to the first handle portion 22, thereby facilitating the handling of the handheld vacuum cleaner 2 by the user. Advantageously, in Figs. 4 and 5, the gripping zone is delimited by a gripping surface that is embossed with alternating convex and concave shapes. In an alternative embodiment, the gripping surface may consist of a smooth surface made of an elastomeric material.

[0066] 5 to 7, the rechargeable battery 18 comprises a first electrical connector 31 provided on the insert 27 and configured to cooperate with a second electrical connector 32 protruding within the inner housing 23 when the insert 27 is accommodated therein. Advantageously, the first electrical connector 31 is provided in the front part, for example located at the level of the front end face of the insert 27.

[0067] The handheld vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a battery interconnect board 300, also referred to as an interconnect printed circuit board, disposed in the first handle portion 22 and equipped with a second electrical connector 32.

[0068] As such, the battery interconnect board 300 is configured to be electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 18 when the insert 27 is received within the inner housing 23. Advantageously, the handheld vacuum cleaner 2 is configured such that an electrical connection is established between the first electrical connector 31 and the second electrical connector 32, more particularly when the insert 27 is inserted into the inner housing 23 along an insertion direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis A.

[0069] As particularly shown in FIG. 4 , the handheld vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a battery status indicator 33, such as a battery charging indicator, provided on the upper part of the insertion part 27 and configured to display at least one status parameter of the rechargeable battery 18, such as a charging state parameter of the rechargeable battery 18, and / or an error state parameter, such as an overheating state of the rechargeable battery 18.

[0070] More specifically, the battery status indicator 33 is - when the grip handle 6 is detached from the main body 4 and the first electrical connector 31 of the rechargeable battery 18 is connected to an electrical connector of the charger, an indication of the charging state of the rechargeable battery 18 and / or that the rechargeable battery 18 is charging and / or that the rechargeable battery 18 is fully charged; - an indication of the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 18 and / or that the rechargeable battery 18 has been fully discharged or has reached a pre-defined discharge level (i.e. a minimum remaining capacity) when the first electrical connector 31 of the rechargeable battery 18 is connected to the second electrical connector 32 provided on the inner housing 23. The present invention is configured to:

[0071] The battery status indicator 33 is advantageously configured to be positioned at least partially opposite a viewing window 34 provided in the upper portion of the first handle portion 22, and therefore is viewable through the viewing window 34 when the insert portion 27 is housed within the inner housing 23.

[0072] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the battery status indicator 33 comprises a plurality of, for example two or more, light emitting diodes 35 on an upper portion of the insert 27. Advantageously, the or each light emitting diode 35 has an outer surface that is recessed from or substantially flush with the outer surface of the insert 27.

[0073] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the viewing window 34 comprises a number of peepholes 36 in the upper part of the first handle part 22, the peepholes 36 opening into the inner housing 23. More specifically, each peephole 36 is provided in an area 22.1 of the upper wall of the first handle part 22.

[0074] Each light emitting diode 35 is configured to be visible through a respective peep hole 36 when the insert 27 is housed within the inner housing 23. However, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first handle portion 22 may be provided with only one peep hole 36 through which all of the light emitting diodes 35 are visible.

[0075] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the viewing window 34 further includes a transparent or translucent cover portion 37 configured to cover the battery status indicator 33 when the insert 27 is housed within the inner housing 23. The presence of the cover portion 37 provides protection for the battery status indicator 33 while still allowing easy viewing of the battery status indicator 33 by a user.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 1, the cover part 37 can be formed, for example, by a protective hood fixed to the first handle part 22 and extending opposite the sight hole 36, thereby covering it. However, according to a variant embodiment of the invention, the cover part 37 can also be formed directly by the first handle part 22 and thus partially bound the inner housing 23. Therefore, according to such a variant of the invention, the sight hole 36 of the first handle part 22 is eliminated and the cover part 37 is configured to extend directly opposite a part of the insert part 27 when the insert part 27 is accommodated in the inner housing 23. In another variant, the cover part 37 can also be omitted.

[0077] The handheld vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises an electronic control unit 38 configured to control the operation of the handheld vacuum cleaner 2. Advantageously, the electronic control unit 38 is arranged in the second handle part 24 and extends alongside the rechargeable battery 18 (see FIG. 8).

[0078] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the electronic control unit 38 is configured to control the operation of the suction motor 14 in a first operating mode, also called normal operating mode, in which the suction motor 14 is driven in rotation at a first rotation speed, and in a second operating mode, also called strong operating mode, in which the suction motor 14 is driven in rotation at a second rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed. In the second operating mode, the negative pressure generated in the suction duct 5 is therefore greater than the negative pressure generated in the suction duct 5 when the suction motor 14 is operated in the first operating mode.

[0079] 1 and 2, the handheld vacuum cleaner 2 further includes a user interface 39 configured to enable a user to select at least one operating mode of the handheld vacuum cleaner 2. The user interface 39 is provided on an upper portion of the first handle portion 22 and is located near the viewing window 34.

[0080] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the user interface 39 comprises a control device 41, such as a user operable control button, and an actuator device 42, such as a user operable activation button. Advantageously, the control device 41 and the actuator device 42 lie substantially within a reference plane defined by the motor axis B and the central longitudinal axis A of the grip handle 6, such as forming a longitudinal median plane of the handheld vacuum cleaner 2.

[0081] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the actuator 42 is located near the viewing window 34, and the control device 41 and the actuator 42 are configured to be operated by the same finger of a user when the user is holding the grip handle 6. The user interface 39 includes the control device 41, the actuator 42, the battery status indicator 33, and advantageously includes a transparent or translucent cover portion 37.

[0082] More specifically, the electronic control unit 38 is configured to control operation of the suction motor 14 according to a first operating mode when the control device 41 is operated by a user, and to control operation of the suction motor 14 according to a second operating mode when the actuator 42 is operated by the user.

[0083] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the handheld vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a printed circuit board 43, also called printed circuit, fixed to the first handle part 22, the printed circuit board 43 being provided with a first electrical contact, such as a microswitch, and a second electrical contact, such as a microswitch. The control device 41 is arranged to activate the first electrical contact when the control device 41 is operated by a user, and the actuator 42 is arranged to activate the second electrical contact when the actuator 42 is operated by a user. Advantageously, the top wall part 22.1 and the printed circuit board 43 are substantially coplanar and the printed circuit board 43 is covered by the cover part 37.

[0084] Naturally, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described only by way of example: modifications are still possible therein, in particular by substitution of the various elements or technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. a body (4) equipped with a suction duct (5), - a waste separating and collecting device (7) attached to said body (4); a suction motor (14) housed in said body (4), having a motor shaft (B) and adapted to generate an air flow through said suction duct (5) and through said waste separating and collecting device (7); a grip handle (6) that defines the battery compartment (21); - a rechargeable battery (18) adapted to power the handheld vacuum cleaner (2), the rechargeable battery (18) being at least partially contained in said battery compartment (21) defined by said grip handle (6); In a handheld vacuum cleaner (2), The grip handle (6) is a first handle part (22) integral with said body (4), defining the boundary of an inner housing (23) and having an access opening (28) opening into said inner housing (23); a second handle portion (24) having a gripping portion (25) with a gripping surface (26) configured to be grasped by a user and an insert portion (27) removably attached to said inner housing (23), said gripping portion (25) and said insert portion (27) defining the boundary of said battery compartment (21), said insert portion (27) being configured to be withdrawn out of said inner housing (23) through said access opening (28) and to be inserted into said inner housing (23); and The rechargeable battery (18) comprises a first battery portion (18.1) extending at least partially into the insertion portion (27) and a second battery portion (18.2) extending at least partially into the grip portion (25).

2. 2. The handheld vacuum cleaner (2) of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery (18) comprises at least one battery cell (19) extending at least partially into the insertion portion (27) and at least one battery cell (19) extending at least partially into the handle portion (25).

3. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the grip handle (6) extends along a central longitudinal axis (A).

4. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) as described in claim 3, wherein the dust separating and collecting device (7) extends along an extension axis (C), and the longitudinal central axis (A) of the grip handle (6) is approximately parallel to the motor shaft (B) and / or the extension axis (C) of the dust separating and collecting device (7).

5. 5. The handheld vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the longitudinal central axis (A) of the grip handle (6) and the motor axis (B) of the suction motor (14) are substantially collinear.

6. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the access opening (28) is provided at a rear end of the first handle portion (22).

7. 7. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rechargeable battery (18) comprises a first electrical connector (31) provided on the insertion portion (27), the first electrical connector (31) being configured to cooperate with a second electrical connector (32) arranged on the inner housing (23) when the insertion portion (27) is accommodated within the inner housing (23).

8. 8. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first handle portion (22) comprises an additional gripping surface (29) configured to be flush with the gripping surface (26) of the gripping portion (25) when the insert portion (27) is housed within the inner housing (23).

9. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert portion (27) has a maximum cross-sectional area smaller than a minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the grip portion (25).

10. 10. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at the level of the coupling zone between the insert (27) and the grip portion (25), the difference between the diameter of a first imaginary circle inscribed by the insert (27) and the diameter of a second imaginary circle inscribed by the grip portion (25) is approximately twice the wall thickness of the inner housing (23) measured at the level of the access opening (28).

11. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a user interface (39) provided on the first handle portion (22), the user interface (39) being configured to enable a user to select at least one operating mode of the handheld vacuum cleaner (2).

12. 12. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface (39) is provided on an upper portion of the first handle portion (22).

13. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an electronic control unit (38) arranged to control operation of the handheld vacuum cleaner (2).

14. The handheld vacuum cleaner (2) of claim 13, wherein the electronic control unit (38) is configured to control operation of the suction motor (14) in a first operating mode in which the suction motor (14) is rotationally driven at a first rotational speed, and is configured to control operation of the suction motor (14) in a second operating mode in which the suction motor (14) is rotationally driven at a second rotational speed faster than the first rotational speed.

15. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) as described in claims 11 and 14, wherein the user interface (39) comprises a control device (41) attached to the first handle portion (22) and operable by a user, and an actuator (42) attached to the first handle portion (22) and operable by a user, and the electronic control unit (38) is configured to control operation of the suction motor (14) according to the first operating mode when the control device (41) is operated by the user, and to control operation of the suction motor (14) according to the second operating mode when the actuator (42) is operated by the user.

16. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the electronic control unit (38) is located within the grip handle (6).

17. 17. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a battery status indicator (33) provided on the insert (27), the battery status indicator (33) being configured to display at least one status parameter of the rechargeable battery (18) when the insert (27) is housed within the inner housing (23).

18. A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) as described in claim 17, wherein the battery status indicator (33) is configured to be visible through at least one viewing window (34) provided in the first handle portion (22) when the insert portion (27) is housed within the inner housing (23).

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