Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

In an aspect of the present invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising a dirt collection chamber. The dirt collection chamber comprises an inlet for receiving an airflow containing dirt and an outlet in fluid communication with a fan assembly configured to generate vacuum pressure in the dirt collection chamber. The vacuum cleaner further comprises a dirt compaction assembly comprising a compaction member slidably arranged in the dirt collection chamber and a compaction lever mechanically coupled to the compaction member to actuate the compaction member. The compaction lever is slidable along a lever axis and the compaction member is slidable between a first position and a second position in dependence on the position of the compaction lever along the lever axis. The vacuum cleaner further comprises a compaction sensing arrangement including a processor. The compaction sensing arrangement is configured to determine the position of the compaction lever along the lever axis and thereby determine the corresponding position of the compaction member between the first position and the second position.

Description

[0001] Vacuum cleaner

[0002] Technical field:

[0003] The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners. In particular the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner including a dirt compaction assembly.

[0004] Background:

[0005] Bagless vacuum cleaners typically collect dirt such as dust or other debris in some form of container or dirt collection chamber. Whilst the vacuum cleaner is in operation, dirt entrained in an airflow is sucked into the dirt collection chamber and the dirt is trapped in the chamber until the chamber is emptied. The level of dirt in the collection chamber increases with continued use of the vacuum cleaner, but the density of dirt in the collection chamber may be relatively low. Some vacuum cleaners may feature a dirt compactor for compacting dirt in the collection chamber to provide space for more dirt in the collection chamber.

[0006] In an aspect of the present invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising a dirt collection chamber. The dirt collection chamber comprises an inlet for receiving an airflow containing dirt and an outlet in fluid communication with a fan assembly configured to generate vacuum pressure in the dirt collection chamber. The vacuum cleaner further comprises a dirt compaction assembly comprising a compaction member slidably arranged in the dirt collection chamber and a compaction lever mechanically coupled to the compaction member to actuate the compaction member. The compaction lever is slidable along a lever axis and the compaction member is slidable between a first position and a second position in dependence on the position of the compaction lever along the lever axis. The vacuum cleaner further comprises a compaction sensing arrangement including a processor. The compaction sensing arrangement is configured to determine the position of the compaction lever along the lever axis and thereby determine the corresponding position of the compaction member between the first position and the second position.

[0007] When actuated to compact dirt in the collection chamber, the compaction member is slid linearly from the first position to a position between the first and second positions at which the now-compacted dirt in the collection chamber impedes further movement of the compaction member. The vacuum cleaner therefore facilitates measuring and / or monitoring of a fill level of dirt in the dirt collection chamber based on the position that the compaction member is slid to when compacting dirt in the compaction chamber.

[0008] The specific configuration of the vacuum cleaner, and in particular the compaction sensing arrangement, facilitates a determination of the position of the compaction member within the dirt collection chamber without requiring sensor components within the chamber. This is advantageous for improving accuracy for the determination of the position of the compaction member, for longevity of the vacuum cleaner because the sensing arrangement is not exposed to the dirt and dust in the collection chamber, and for ease of assembling the vacuum cleaner.

[0009] In some examples, the first position may also be referred to as a parked position, or a noncompaction position. This is because the compaction member does not compact, i.e. does not exert a compacting force on, dirt in the dirt collection chamber when the compaction member is in the first position. In some examples, the second position may be referred to as a maximum compaction position, or maximum travel position, because it is the furthest possible position that the compaction member may be moved away from the first position when the compaction member is slid to compact dirt in the dirt collection chamber.

[0010] In some examples, the compaction member may be a compaction plate. For example, a compaction plate may be a continuous structure that extends across the dirt collection chamber creating a partition. Further, in some examples, the compaction member may be a subassembly comprising multiple different components assembled together. In some examples, the dirt compaction assembly may further comprise a sealing arrangement configured to form a seal between the compaction member and internal walls of the dirt collection chamber. Such a configuration may improve the compaction performance of the dirt compaction assembly by ensuring dirt at or near to the internal walls of the collection chamber is gathered and compacted by the dirt compaction assembly.

[0011] In some examples, the compaction sensing arrangement may comprise a proximity sensor. Such a proximity sensor may be connected to the processor such that the processor determines the position of the compaction lever and the corresponding position of the compaction member based on measured data from the proximity sensor. Using a proximity sensor may be advantageous for accurately determining the position of the compaction lever along the lever axis and may therefore also be advantageous for accurately determining the corresponding position of the compaction member between the first position and the second position. In some examples, the proximity sensor may include a first component which is stationary and a second component which is associated with the compaction lever and moveable relative to the first component. For example, the second component of the proximity sensor may move along the lever axis in dependence on movement of the compaction lever along the lever axis, in some examples. Accordingly, the second component may be moveable along the lever axis relative to the first component, in some examples.

[0012] In some examples, the first component, i.e. the stationary component, may comprise a sensor. The sensor may be connected to the processor. Configuring the proximity sensor such that the sensor component is stationary may be advantageous for durability and simple assembly of the vacuum cleaner. In some examples, dependent on the type of sensor, the first component may additionally comprise an emitter, such as a laser or a light emitting diode (LED).

[0013] For example, the proximity sensor may comprise an optical sensor. The first component may comprise an LED and a photodiode and the second component may comprise a moving reflector configured to reflect light emitted by the LED back to the photodiode. Alternatively one of the first or second components may comprise an LED and the other of the first or second components may comprise a photodiode such that movement of the second component relative to the first component causes a variation in the relative distance between the LED and photodiode that causes a measurable variation in a signal output from the photodiode corresponding to the movement of the compaction lever along the lever axis.

[0014] In some other examples the proximity sensor may comprise a time-of-flight sensor. Accordingly the first component may comprise a laser or infrared emitter and a corresponding laser or infrared detector, and the second component may comprise a moving reflector configured to reflect the emitted wavelengths back to the detector. Alternatively one of the first or second components may comprise a laser or infrared emitter and the other of the first or second components may comprise the detector such that movement of the second component relative to the first component causes a variation in the relative distance between the emitter and the detector that causes a measurable variation in a signal output from the detector corresponding to the movement of the compaction lever along the lever axis.

[0015] It follows that the second component may comprise a moveable reflector or target. In some examples, for example where the proximity sensor comprises an optical sensor or a time- of-flight sensor, the second component may comprise an optically reflective material, including infrared reflective materials.

[0016] In some examples the proximity sensor may comprise an ultrasonic proximity sensor. In such an example the first component may comprise an ultrasonic wavelength emitter and an ultrasonic wavelength receiver, and the second component may comprise a moving reflector configured to reflect ultrasonic wavelengths back to the receiver. Alternatively one of the first or second components may comprise an ultrasonic wavelength emitter and the other of the first or second components may comprise an ultrasonic wavelength receiver such that movement of the second component relative to the first component causes a variation in the relative distance between the emitter and receiver that causes a measurable variation in a signal output from the receiver corresponding to the movement of the compaction lever along the lever axis.

[0017] In some examples, the second component may comprise a metal target configured to interact with the first component. For example, the second component may comprise a metal electrode. In such an example, the first component may comprise a capacitive sensor connected to another metal electrode. The electrodes of the first and second component in such an example may be separated by a dielectric material. For example, one of the first or second component may comprise a metal rod electrode and the other of the first or second component may comprise a metal tube electrode, and the rod electrode may fit inside the tube electrode such that the rod and tube are separated by a dielectric material. An overlapping area where the rod electrode is inserted in the tube electrode may result in a capacitance that is measurable by the capacitive sensor. Varying the position of the electrodes relative to one another may cause a variation in the overlapping area, thereby causing a variation in the capacitance measured by the capacitive sensor which corresponds to the change in position of the compaction lever along the lever axis. Accordingly the variation in the capacitance may correspond to the variation in the position of the compaction member.

[0018] In some examples, the second component, i.e. the component that is moveable relative to the stationary first component, may produce a magnetic field. For example the second component may comprise a magnet or an electromagnet. In such examples the first component may comprise a hall effect sensor. A hall effect sensor may provide a simple and cost-effective means for detecting the proximity of the moveable second component and thereby also detecting the position of the compaction lever along the compaction axis.

[0019] In examples comprising a hall effect sensor as part of the proximity sensor, such a hall effect sensor may output a linear signal to the processor in some preferred examples. A linear signal may enable detection of compaction lever position at a higher resolution than a digital signal.

[0020] In some other examples, the first component may comprise a magnetometer. A magnetometer may provide a more accurate measurement of the position of the second component and therefore of the position of the compaction lever along the lever axis. Accordingly, a magnetometer may facilitate a more accurate determination of the corresponding position of the compaction member between the first position and the second position.

[0021] In some examples where the second component produces a magnetic field, the first component may comprise an inductive sensor. Varying the position of the magnetic second component relative to the stationary inductive sensor may cause a variation in the inductance measured by the inductive sensor which corresponds to the change in position of the compaction lever along the lever axis. Accordingly the variation in the inductance may correspond to the variation in the position of the compaction member.

[0022] In some examples, the second component may be coupled to the compaction lever via a gear reducer arrangement such that movement of the compaction lever is translated into movement of the second component at a reduced rate. An example of a gear reducer arrangement may include a rack and pinion system wherein the compaction lever is coupled to the pinion and the second component is coupled to the rack. Another example of a gear reducer arrangement may include a cylindrical or helical cam arrangement. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples the gear reducer arrangement may be configured to convert linear movement of the compaction lever into rotational movement of the second component. A gear reducer arrangement may be used with a proximity sensor having a relatively short sensing distance or range such that despite the shorter range, the proximity sensor is still operable to determine the position of the compaction lever along the full extent of the lever axis. For example, the gear reducer arrangement may convert linear movement of the compaction lever to a corresponding smaller linear movement of the second component such that the second component remains within a detectable range of the first component throughout the full extent of movement of the compaction lever along the lever axis.

[0023] As noted above, in another example the gear reducer arrangement may convert linear movement of the compaction lever to a corresponding rotational movement of the second component. In such an example the second component may not move linearly along the lever axis relative to the first component and may thereby remain within a detectable range of the first component throughout the full extent of movement of the compaction lever along the lever axis. Rotation of the second component relative to the first component may cause variations in a signal output from the proximity sensor such that the position of the compaction lever along the lever axis may be determined by analysing the signal variations.

[0024] In some examples, the vacuum cleaner may further comprise a display screen connected to the processor. The display screen may be operable to display dirt compaction information based on measured data from the compaction sensing arrangement. The processor and display screen may be configured to display information relating to a fill level of the dirt collection chamber based on the position of compaction lever along lever axis. For example, if the movement of the compaction lever along the lever axis is halted before the compaction member reaches the second position, the position of the lever may indicate that amount of dirt in the dirt collection chamber has reached a given level, and such fill level information may be conveyed to a user via the display screen.

[0025] In some examples, the dirt compaction lever may be mechanically coupled to the compaction member by a compaction lever coupling. Further, the compaction lever may be pivotally coupled to the compaction lever coupling. In such an example, the compaction sensing arrangement may be additionally configured to detect pivoting of the compaction lever relative to the compaction lever coupling. For example, the sensing arrangement may be configured to detect and recognise different patterns in measurement data output from a proximity sensor which respectively correspond to pivoting and linear sliding movement of the lever.

[0026] As previously described, in some examples, the compaction sensing arrangement may include a proximity sensor including a first and second component. In some examples the second component may be associated with a pivoting part of the compaction lever. Accordingly, the second component of the proximity sensor may be arranged to pivot relative to the first component in dependence on pivoting motion of the compaction lever. The second component may therefore be arranged to pivot relative to the first component in addition to being moveable along the lever axis relative to the first component.

[0027] In some other examples, for example where the first component comprises an inductive or capacitive sensor, the compaction sensing arrangement may comprise both a second component and a third component. In some examples the third component may be associated with a pivoting part of the compaction lever. Accordingly, the third component of the proximity sensor may be arranged to pivot relative to the first component in dependence on pivoting motion of the compaction lever. In such an example, whilst the third component may be pivotable relative to the first component, the second component may be constrained to linear movement along the lever axis relative to the first component. The inductance or capacitance detected by the respective sensor may vary dependent on the proximity of each of the second component and the third component to the stationary first component.

[0028] In some examples where the compaction sensing arrangement is configured to detect pivoting of the compaction lever, the processor of the compaction sensing arrangement may be connected to the fan assembly of the vacuum cleaner, in particular to a motor of the fan assembly. In such an example, the processor may be configured to control operation of the fan assembly in dependence on data received from the compaction sensing arrangement. For example, the processor may be configured to cease or interrupt operation of the fan assembly when pivoting of the compaction lever is detected. Accordingly, the generation of vacuum pressure in the dirt collection chamber may be halted or interrupted when operation of the compaction lever is detected.

[0029] In some examples, the processor may be configured to count the instances of compaction lever operation. For example, an instance of compaction lever operation may be defined as sliding movement of the compaction lever along the lever axis beyond a pre-determined lever position, i.e. a single distance threshold measurement. In some examples, an instance of compaction lever operation may additionally or alternatively be defined as pivoting movement of the compaction lever. Counting instances of compaction lever operation may be beneficial for providing diagnostic data when servicing the vacuum cleaner, or in some examples may be useful for providing an initial indication of potential fill level to a user. Additionally, the single distance threshold measurement utilised in counting instances of compaction may also be used to provide timing data to the processor to help calibrate the sensor arrangement. Brief of the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner;

[0031] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a main unit of the vacuum cleaner;

[0032] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the main unit;

[0033] Figure 4 is a first perspective assembled view of a compaction assembly;

[0034] Figure 5 is a second perspective assembled view of the compaction assembly;

[0035] Figure 6 is an exploded view of a compaction assembly; and

[0036] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram indicating the relationship between components of the vacuum cleaner.

[0037] Detailed description:

[0038] A vacuum cleaner 10 is illustrated in Figure 1. The vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a main unit 12, a wand 14, and a cleanerhead 16. The vacuum cleaner 10 may be referred to as a stick vacuum cleaner. The wand 14 and the cleanerhead 16 are removeable from the main unit 12, which can then be used as a standalone handheld vacuum cleaner 10, as shown in Figure 2.

[0039] The main unit 12 is illustrated in isolation in Figure 2 and 3, and comprises a dirt collection chamber 18 and a fan assembly 20. The dirt collection chamber 18 comprises an inlet 22 for receiving an airflow containing dirt and an outlet 24 that is in fluid communication with the fan assembly 20. The fan assembly 20 is operable to generate a vacuum pressure in the dirt collection chamber 18 which draws a flow of dirty air into the dirt collection chamber 18 via the inlet 22. In some examples the main unit 12 includes a primary separation assembly 26 which retains dirt in the dirt collection chamber 18 as the airflow passes through the collection chamber 18 towards the outlet 24. Accordingly, dirt is trapped in the dirt collection chamber 18.

[0040] Referring still to Figures 2 and 3, but with additional reference to Figures 4 to 6, the vacuum cleaner 10 also includes a dirt compaction assembly 28 configured to compact the dirt trapped in the dirt collection chamber 18. The dirt compaction assembly 28 comprises a compaction member 30 which is slidably arranged in the dirt collection chamber 18. The compaction member 30 is slidable between a first position where the compaction member 30 does not compact dirt in the collection chamber 18, and a second position at a maximum slidable distance from the first position. Sliding the compaction member 30 from the first position towards the second position gathers and subsequently compacts dirt in the collection chamber 18 facilitating continued, and more efficient, capture of dirt in the collection chamber 18.

[0041] The dirt compaction assembly 28 also includes a compaction lever 32 which is mechanically coupled to the compaction member 30. The lever 32 is coupled to the compaction member 30 to facilitate actuation of the compaction member 30, i.e. to slide the compaction member 30 within the dirt collection chamber 18. It follows that the compaction lever 32 is slidable along a lever axis L. The position of the compaction member 30 in the dirt collection chamber 18 corresponds to the position of the compaction lever 32 along the lever axis L. This relationship between the compaction lever 32 and the compaction member 30 means that the position of the compaction member 30 can be determined without directly monitoring or measuring the compaction member 30 itself. Instead, the position of the compaction lever 32 can be assessed to determine the corresponding position of the compaction member 30. This is advantageous because it allows the position of the compaction member 30 to be determined without necessarily requiring sensing apparatus inside the dirt collection chamber 18.

[0042] It follows that in order to determine the position of the compaction member 30 between the first position and the second position, the vacuum cleaner 10 further includes a compaction sensing arrangement 34 configured to determine the position of the compaction lever 32 along the lever axis L. The sensing arrangement 34 includes a processor 36 that may be connected, i.e. communicably coupled, to various other components of the vacuum cleaner 10 as described later in more detail.

[0043] Referring still to Figures 3 to 6, and with additional reference to the schematic diagram in Figure 7, the compaction sensing arrangement 34 includes a proximity sensor configured to monitor movement of the compaction lever 32. As such the proximity sensor includes a first component 40 which is stationary relative to the dirt collection chamber 18, and a second component 42 which is associated with the compaction lever 32 and therefore moveable relative to the first component 40.

[0044] The stationary first component 40 may comprise a sensor that is connected to the processor 36, and the second component 42 associated with the compaction lever 32 may interact with the sensor in a detectable manner that can be analysed to determine the position of the compaction lever 32 along the lever axis L For example, the first component 40 may comprise a hall effect sensor or a magnetometer in some examples. The second component 42 in such an example may produce a magnetic field which is detected or observed by the first component 40. The position of the lever 32 may be determined by analysing the strength of the magnetic field detected by the first component 40 in such an example.

[0045] A vacuum cleaner 10 configured as described herein with a compaction sensing arrangement 34 configured to determine the position of the compaction lever 32 along the lever axis L advantageously enables measurement and monitoring of a fill level in the dirt collection chamber 18. For example, if the compaction lever 32 is operated and a user is only able to slide the compaction lever 32 halfway along the lever axis L before further movement of the lever 32 is obstructed by dirt, this may indicate that the dirt collection chamber 18 is half full. It will be appreciated that other lever positions along the lever axis L may indicate other corresponding fill levels.

[0046] In some examples the vacuum cleaner 10 may include a display screen 44 connected to the processor 36 in order to display dirt compaction information based on measured data from the compaction sensing arrangement 34 to a user of the vacuum cleaner 10. Such dirt compaction information may include fill level information as previously described. The dirt compaction information displayed to the user may also indicate to a user when further compaction of dirt in the dirt collection chamber 18 is not possible, i.e. when the chamber 18 is full, thereby avoiding damage to the dirt compaction assembly 28.

[0047] In some examples the processor 36 may be configured to count the instances of compaction lever operation, i.e. the number of times that the compaction lever 32 has been slid along the lever axis L beyond a pre-determined lever position. Accordingly, the dirt compaction information displayed to a user may include an indication of the number of compactions since the last time that the dirt collection chamber 18 was emptied.

[0048] As shown in particular in Figures 4 and 5, the dirt compaction lever 32 is mechanically coupled to the compaction member 30 by a compaction lever coupling 46. Accordingly, a linear sliding force applied to the compaction lever 32 to actuate the compaction member 30 may be transferred to the compaction member 30 by the compaction lever coupling 46. In some examples, the compaction lever 32 is pivotally coupled to the compaction lever coupling 46. Accordingly the compaction lever 32 may be pivotable relative to stationary parts of the vacuum cleaner 10, such as the dirt collection chamber 18 and the first component 40 of the proximity sensor.

[0049] In such examples, the compaction sensing arrangement 34 may be additionally configured to detect pivoting of the compaction lever 32 relative to the compaction lever coupling 46. Detecting pivoting of the compaction lever 32 may be advantageous as an indication that the compaction lever 32 is in operation before the lever 32 is actually slid linearly along the lever axis L to actuate the dirt compaction member 30. The sensing arrangement 34 may therefore be configured to both detect pivoting of the compaction lever 32 relative to the compaction lever coupling 46 and to determine the position of the compaction lever 32 along the lever axis L as previously described.

[0050] In some examples, the processor 36 of the compaction sensing arrangement 34 may be connected to the fan assembly 20 that generates an airflow through the dirt collection chamber 18. For example, the processor 36 may be connected to a motor of the fan assembly 36. Accordingly, the processor 36 may be configured to control operation of the fan assembly 20 in dependence on data received from the compaction sensing arrangement 34. This may be particularly advantageous in examples where the compaction sensing arrangement 34 is configured to detect pivoting movement of the compaction lever 32. For example, the processor 36 may be configured to cease operation of the fan assembly 20 when pivoting of the compaction lever 32 is detected. This means that the generation of vacuum pressure in the dirt collection chamber 18 can be halted prior to actuation of the compaction member 30, ensuring that airflow containing dirt is not drawn into the collection chamber 18 and behind the compaction member 30 when the compaction member 30 is in use and located between the first and second positions. Advantageously, in some examples the same sensing arrangement 34 may therefore be configured to both determine the position of the compaction lever 32 along the lever axis L and thereby determine the corresponding position of the compaction member 30 between the first and second position, and to also provide signals to cease operation of the fan assembly 20 when the compaction lever 32 is operated. A separate sensor integration may therefore not be required to achieve both of these advantages, thereby reducing the number of components and operations required to manufacture the vacuum cleaner 10.

[0051] It will be appreciated that the description provided with reference to the accompanying figures serves to provide a non-exclusive example of the invention defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that other examples that are not shown in the accompanying figures may form part of the invention, in some examples.

[0052] For example, whilst a hall effect sensor or a magnetometer was provided by way of an example of the first component 40 of the proximity sensor in the preceding description, in some other examples the proximity sensor may include differently configured first and second components 40, 42. For example, the first component 40 may comprise a capacitive sensor or an inductive sensor. The second component 42 in such examples may respectively comprise a metal target or a magnet. Whilst not shown in the accompanying figures, in examples where the first component 40 comprises a capacitive sensor, the second component 42 may comprise a metal electrode and the first component 40 may additionally comprise another metal electrode connected to the capacitive sensor. The electrodes may be separated by a dielectric material. Varying the position of the electrodes relative to one another may cause a variation in the capacitance measured by the capacitive sensor which corresponds to the change in position of the compaction lever 32 along the lever axis L.

[0053] Whilst not shown in the accompanying figures, in some examples the vacuum cleaner 10 may additionally comprise a gear reducer arrangement via which the second component 42 of the proximity sensor is coupled to the compaction lever 32. The gear reducer arrangement may translate movement of the compaction lever 32 into movement of the second component 42 of the proximity sensor at a reduced rate. For example, the gear reducer arrangement may convert linear movement of the compaction lever 32 to a corresponding smaller linear movement of the second component 42. Further, in some examples a gear reducer arrangement may be configured to convert linear movement of the compaction lever 32 into rotational movement of the second component 42. As such, a relatively greater movement of the compaction lever 32 may be translated into a relatively smaller linear or rotational movement of the second component 42. Such a configuration may be advantageous to facilitate the use of sensors having a shorter detection or monitoring range.

[0054] It will be appreciated that any features described in relation to the various examples above may be readily combined with any other features described with reference to different examples without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Further, it will be appreciated that the above description and accompanying figures are provided merely as an example. Many alternatives to the specific examples provided above are therefore possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A vacuum cleaner (10) comprising: a dirt collection chamber (18) comprising an inlet (22) for receiving an airflow containing dirt and an outlet (24) in fluid communication with a fan assembly (20) configured to generate vacuum pressure in the dirt collection chamber (18); a dirt compaction assembly (28) comprising a compaction member (30) slidably arranged in the dirt collection chamber (18) and a compaction lever (32) mechanically coupled to the compaction member (30) to actuate the compaction member (30), wherein the compaction lever (32) is slidable along a lever axis (L) and wherein the compaction member (30) is slidable between a first position and a second position in dependence on the position of the compaction lever (32) along the lever axis (L); and a compaction sensing arrangement (34) including a processor (36), the compaction sensing arrangement (34) being configured to determine the position of the compaction lever (32) along the lever axis (L) and thereby determine the corresponding position of the compaction member (30) between the first position and the second position.

2. The vacuum cleaner (10) of Claim 1 , wherein the compaction sensing arrangement (34) comprises a proximity sensor.

3. The vacuum cleaner (10) of Claim 2, wherein the proximity sensor includes a first component (40) which is stationary and a second component (42) which is associated with the compaction lever (32) and moveable relative to the first component (40).

4. The vacuum cleaner (10) of Claim 3, wherein the first component (40) comprises a sensor, and wherein the sensor is connected to the processor (36).

5. The vacuum cleaner (10) of Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the second component (42) comprises a metal target configured to interact with the first component (40).

6. The vacuum cleaner (10) of Claim 5 wherein the first component (40) comprises a capacitive sensor.

7. The vacuum cleaner (10) of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the second component (42) produces a magnetic field.

8. The vacuum cleaner (10) of Claim 7, wherein the first component (40) comprises a hall effect sensor.

9. The vacuum cleaner (10) of Claim 7, wherein the first component (40) comprises a magnetometer.

10. The vacuum cleaner (10) of Claim 7, wherein the first component (40) comprises an inductive sensor.

11. The vacuum cleaner (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the second component (42) is coupled to the compaction lever (32) via a gear reducer arrangement such that movement of the compaction lever (32) is translated into movement of the second component (42) at a reduced rate.

12. The vacuum cleaner (10) of any preceding claim, further comprising a display screen (44) connected to the processor (36), the display screen (44) being operable to display dirt compaction information based on measured data from the compaction sensing arrangement (34).

13. The vacuum cleaner (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the dirt compaction lever (32) is mechanically coupled to the compaction member (30) by a compaction lever coupling (46), wherein the compaction lever (32) is pivotally coupled to the compaction lever coupling (46), and wherein the compaction sensing arrangement (34) is additionally configured to detect pivoting of the compaction lever (32) relative to the compaction lever coupling (46).

14. The vacuum cleaner (10) of Claim 13, wherein the processor (36) of the compaction sensing arrangement (34) is connected to the fan assembly (20), and wherein the processor (36) is configured to control operation of the fan assembly (20) in dependence on data received from the compaction sensing arrangement (34).

15. The vacuum cleaner (10) arrangement of Claim 14, wherein the processor (36) is configured to cease operation of the fan assembly (20) when pivoting of the compactionlever (32) is detected, such that the generation of vacuum pressure in the dirt collection chamber (18) is halted.

16. The vacuum cleaner (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the processor (36) is configured to count the instances of compaction lever operation, wherein an instance of compaction lever operation is defined as sliding movement of the compaction lever (32) along the lever axis (L) beyond a pre-determined lever position.

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