Abstract: A surface cleaning appliance having a cleaner head that includes an agitator and a motor for driving the agitator. The appliance includes a switch coupling the motor to a supply voltage, a voltage sensor for measuring the magnitude of the supply voltage, a current sensor for measuring the magnitude of current through the motor, and a controller configured to output a PWM signal for controlling the switch. The controller then adjusts the duty cycle of the PWM signal in response to changes in the supply voltage and in response to changes in the current through the motor.

Abstract: A battery pack suitable for handheld appliance, the battery pack including a plurality of cells and a circuit board associated with the cells, wherein a power terminal is associated with the circuit board and configured to transmit power to an appliance, in use, the battery pack further including a momentary switch operatively connected to the circuit board and movable between closed and open positions by an actuator wherein, when in the open position the power terminal is configured by the circuit to a power delivery state and, when in the closed position, the power terminal is configured by the circuit to a power disabled state.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes a suction source, a cleaner head, and a controller. The suction source includes an impeller and a first motor for driving the impeller, and the cleaner head includes an agitator and a second motor for driving the agitator. The controller is configured to generate control signals for controlling simultaneously the excitation of the first motor and the second motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes a suction source, a cleaner head, and a controller. The suction source includes an impeller and a first motor for driving the impeller, and the cleaner head includes an agitator and a second motor for driving the agitator. The controller is configured to generate control signals for controlling simultaneously the excitation of the first motor and the second motor.

Abstract: A surface cleaning appliance having a cleaner head that includes an agitator and a motor for driving the agitator. The appliance includes a switch coupling the motor to a supply voltage, a voltage sensor for measuring the magnitude of the supply voltage, a current sensor for measuring the magnitude of current through the motor, and a controller configured to output a PWM signal for controlling the switch. The controller then adjusts the duty cycle of the PWM signal in response to changes in the supply voltage and in response to changes in the current through the motor.