DE102021116941A1 - Central unit, extension module and cleaning station for cleaning robots - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a central unit (Z) for emptying and supplying energy to cleaning robots (R), which has a suction device for emptying cleaning robots (R), a power supply unit for supplying energy to cleaning robots (R) and a control module (S) for controlling suction and energy supply processes, characterized by a side wall (8) which is provided with plug-in connection elements (10) which are each designed to be able to be coupled with plug-in connection elements (26) of an expansion module (E) which are complementary to the plug-in connection elements (10) in such a way that with a Coupling of the plug-in connection elements (10) with the complementary plug-in connection elements (26) of the expansion module (E) and a coupling of a cleaning robot (R) with the expansion module (E) of the cleaning robot from the central unit (Z) can be emptied and supplied with energy. The invention also relates to an extension module (E) for coupling to a cleaning robot (R), which has a side wall (25) which is provided with plug-in connection elements (26), which are each designed with complementary plug-in connection elements (10) of a central unit (Z ) to be able to be coupled for emptying and supplying energy to the cleaning robot (R) in such a way that when the plug-in connection elements (26) of the expansion module (E) are coupled to the complementary plug-in connection elements (10) of the central unit (Z) and a cleaning robot (R) is coupled with the expansion module (E) of the cleaning robot (R) from the central unit (Z) can be emptied and supplied with energy. The invention also relates to a cleaning station for cleaning robots, having the central unit (Z) and at least one expansion module (E).

Description

The invention relates to a central unit, an expansion module and a cleaning station for cleaning robots. In particular, the invention relates to a central unit and an expansion module, which in combination serves as a cleaning station for a number of cleaning robots and the cleaning station, which is used for emptying and for supplying energy to a number of cleaning robots at the same time. The cleaning robots are autonomous cleaning units for cleaning floor surfaces. In particular for cleaning larger areas such as commercial units, for example sales areas of fashion houses, it is advantageous to use a plurality of cleaning robots for cleaning.

Traditionally, each individual cleaning robot has its own base station, which supplies the associated cleaning robot with electricity and empties its dirt container into a dust container by means of suction. Each base station, taken on its own, forms a very complex technical product, which generates costs for a user on the one hand when purchasing it and on the other hand when maintaining it. Furthermore, it is necessary that a dust container of each individual base station has to be emptied after a certain time. With a fleet of robots, this means a lot of manual work for the user, since they have to open each base station individually, remove the dust container, empty it and put it back in.

The invention therefore faces the problem of enabling a number of cleaning robots in a cleaning station to be efficiently emptied and supplied with energy.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a central unit with the features of patent claim 1, an expansion module with the features of patent claim 2 and a cleaning station with the features of patent claim 10. Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from the following dependent claims.

In addition to the modularity of the cleaning station, the advantages that can be achieved with the invention are that it can be expanded and reduced depending on the number of cleaning robots required and that it has a single dust container into which all cleaning robots are emptied. The cleaning station has a high capacity because a higher number of cleaning robots can be supplied with the modular cleaning station from a central unit and several expansion modules. A suction or cleaning of several cleaning robots is possible at the same time to a certain extent. Suction and, if necessary, cleaning processes can be started in direct succession. There are no waiting times and thus increased efficiency of the cleaning liquor. In addition, the software and/or control is simplified since there is no need to allocate physical waiting positions in front of the cleaning station. The fact that the central unit and the expansion module can essentially be constructed in the same way means that the development effort is low. In addition, a low susceptibility to errors in use has been determined. Due to the fixed but detachable connection of the central unit and the individual expansion modules, the entire system is compact in one place, which leads to an improved overview for users and cleaning staff of all devices in the cleaning station. The risk of devices being lost from the cleaning station is reduced. In addition, only a single socket is required to supply the entire system, including the cleaning robots, with energy. The cleaning station is highly flexible: New cleaning robots can be added simply by plugging them in, analogous to Plug&Play, with no need to access software and no extra end device is required. Information on position and direction relates to an operational set-up position of the central unit or the expansion module.

The invention relates to a central unit for emptying and supplying energy to cleaning robots, which has a suction device for emptying cleaning robots, an energy supply unit for supplying energy to the cleaning robots and a control module for controlling suction and energy supply processes. The central unit has a side wall that is provided with plug-in connection elements that are each designed to be able to be coupled with plug-in connection elements of an expansion module that are complementary to their plug-in connection elements in such a way that when the plug-in connection elements are coupled with the complementary plug-in connection elements of the expansion module and a cleaning robot is coupled with the Extension module of the cleaning robot can be emptied from the central unit and can be supplied with energy. As a result, several cleaning robots can be emptied and supplied with energy by means of the central unit if they are coupled to one or more expansion modules coupled to the central unit.

The connectors of the CPU are hereinafter also referred to as CPU connectors. The side panel acts as a coupling interface to easily connect the expansion module. The central unit plug-in connections are preferred elements Plug connection receiving elements such as sockets.

The central unit has the suction device. The suction device preferably has a dust container in which the dirt emptied from the cleaning robots can be collected and which can be removed from the central unit for emptying. Furthermore, it preferably has a blower which, when activated, is designed to generate a suction flow for emptying the cleaning robots, which are coupled to the central unit or an expansion module. The central unit preferably has a mains connection as an energy supply unit in order to be able to be coupled to the mains power supply. Furthermore, the central unit has the control module, which is designed to control the emptying and power supply of the cleaning robot.

The central unit preferably has a parking space for a cleaning robot. The central unit preferably has a ramp and a platform. The ramp serves for a cleaning robot to reach the platform, which serves as the parking space for arranging one of the cleaning robots for emptying and power supply. The central unit preferably has a docking unit at which a cleaning robot positioned on the platform can dock with the central unit, i.e. can be coupled with it, so that it can be emptied and supplied with energy by it. The docking unit preferably has electronic elements such as an infrared interface, via which the cleaning robot can position itself correctly on the platform for emptying and power supply. Furthermore, the suction device preferably has a suction opening installed in the parking space, which connects to the cleaning robot arranged on it, so that its dirt container is sucked off for emptying by means of the air flow generated by the suction device when activated. Connected to the suction opening is preferably a suction nozzle which, coming from the suction opening, runs in the direction of an electrically controllable valve. The valve is preferably designed, in the closed state, to interrupt the connection of the suction socket to a suction channel which runs in two directions from the valve; on the one hand preferably longitudinally along a rear side of the central unit up to the side wall and on the other hand preferably in the direction of the dust container, which can be provided with a filter bag. The fan, which is preferably connected to an exhaust air filter, is preferably connected to the dust container.

The invention also relates to an expansion module for coupling to a cleaning robot, which has a side wall that is provided with plug-in connection elements that are each designed to be capable of being coupled with complementary plug-in connection elements of a central unit for emptying and supplying energy to the cleaning robot in such a way that when the plug-in connection elements are coupled of the expansion module with the complementary plug-in connection elements of the central unit and a coupling of a cleaning robot with the expansion module of the cleaning robot can be emptied and supplied with energy by the central unit.

The extension module has no emptying/suction device for emptying cleaning robots, no energy supply unit for supplying energy to the cleaning robots and no control module for controlling suction and energy supply processes; instead, it has no suction device, no energy supply unit and no control module. On the other hand, it is designed to be coupled to the central unit in such a way that the suction device of the central unit, the energy supply unit of the central unit and the control module of the central unit empties a cleaning robot arranged on the expansion module, supplies it with energy or controls these processes.

The expansion module is preferably constructed similarly to the central unit with the difference that it has no dust container, no fan, no power pack and no control module and its plug-in connection elements for connection to those of the central unit are of complementary design.

The expansion module preferably has a parking space for a cleaning robot. The expansion module preferably has a ramp and a platform. The ramp serves for a cleaning robot to reach the platform, which serves as the parking space for arranging one of the cleaning robots for emptying and power supply. The expansion module preferably has a docking unit, on which a cleaning robot positioned on the platform can dock with the expansion module, i.e. can be coupled with it, so that it can be emptied and supplied with energy by a central unit connected to the expansion module. The docking unit preferably has electronic elements such as an infrared interface, via which the cleaning robot can position itself correctly on the platform for emptying and power supply.

Furthermore, the expansion module preferably has a suction unit with a suction opening installed in the parking space, which connects to a cleaning robot arranged on it, so that its dirt container is sucked out by means of an air flow generated by the suction system of the central unit when it is activated. Connected to the suction opening is preferably a suction nozzle which, coming from the suction opening, extends in the direction of an electrically controllable valve which, when closed, is preferably designed to interrupt the connection between the suction nozzle and a suction channel, which extends in the direction preferably along the length of a rear side of the expansion module runs. The plug connection elements of the expansion module are also referred to below as expansion module plug connection elements.

The invention also relates to the cleaning station for cleaning robots, having the central unit according to one of the described embodiments and at least one expansion module according to one of the described embodiments.

The cleaning robots are preferably designed as vacuum and/or wiping robots.

The central unit and/or the expansion module can each have a further side wall which is opposite the side wall and is provided with further plug-in connection elements which can be coupled to complementary plug-in connection elements of a further expansion module in such a way that when the further plug-in connection elements are coupled to the complementary plug-in connection elements of the further expansion module and coupling a cleaning robot to the further expansion module, the cleaning robot can be emptied and supplied with energy by the central unit. As a result, the central unit and/or the expansion module can be coupled to other central units and/or expansion modules on two sides. This allows the modularity to be increased. In the manner described, the overall system can be expanded by n additional expansion modules. To do this, the newly added expansion modules are plugged into the coupling point of the expansion module in the last position in the system. The control module of the central unit is preferably designed to detect the new expansion module in each case and to assign it to the corresponding physical position in the series.

The central unit and the expansion module or modules preferably have coupling points on both sides by means of the two opposite side walls provided with plug-in connection elements. For example, there can be left-hand and right-hand expansion modules that can be attached to the left or right side wall of the central unit depending on the orientation of their coupling point. Coupling adapters are preferably designed in such a way that an expansion module on the left-hand side can be changed to an expansion module on the right-hand side or vice versa.

The plug-in connection elements of the central unit and/or the expansion module and/or complementary plug-in connection elements of the central unit and/or the expansion module preferably represent a power connection element, an air flow connection element, a data interface connection element and a mechanical snap-in connection element. This ensures that everything for emptying and supplying power to the cleaning robot and Ensuring the coupling between the central unit and expansion module(s) required plug connection elements are available. After they have been coupled, there is preferably a power connection between the central unit and the expansion module by coupling a power socket to a power plug, an airtight connection of both suction ducts by coupling an air flow socket to an air flow plug, an information interface connection by coupling a socket of a data interface to a plug of a further data interface and a mechanical latching connection by coupling a latching socket to a latching plug, the plugs or sockets being provided either on the central unit or on the expansion module.

The control module of the central unit is preferably designed to detect the connection of the extension module by sending an interrogation signal via the information line and receiving a correspondingly positive signal back from the extension module. Preferably, the system is configured to note that a physical position adjacent to the central processing unit is occupied by an expansion module. The controller can now use the information interface to detect incoming suction and, if necessary, cleaning requirements of the expansion module and issue corresponding commands for controlling the blower and the valves. Suction and, if necessary, cleaning requirements can be transmitted to the control module by the respective cleaning robot using a wireless communication interface. Furthermore, the cleaning robot located on the expansion module can be charged via the energy supply unit of the central unit. It is also possible for the fan to be activated by monitoring the current drawn. As soon as an additional robot docks on one of the platforms, the required charging current increases abruptly. A current monitor in the central control unit can detect this sudden increase in the total charging current and then cause the fan to be switched on.

The control module of the central unit is preferably designed to send a signal to the valve of the expansion module and to open it if there is a cleaning robot with a suction requirement on the plugged-in expansion module, while the valve of the central unit then preferably remains closed. The control module then preferably sends a command to the blower to start suction. If necessary, a cleaning module can also be controlled, which, for example, carries out the cleaning of a brush and/or sensors of the cleaning robot if such a cleaning module is provided in the expansion module or the central unit. The air flow generated by the activated fan of the central unit preferably runs from the suction socket of the expansion module via its suction channel to the central unit. From there, the air flow preferably goes into the suction channel of the central unit and continues to the dust container. Since the valve of the central unit remains closed throughout the entire process, there is no loss of pressure. The control module is preferably designed to automatically close the valve of the expansion module after the suction process.

If a higher number n of expansion modules together with the associated cleaning robots are used in the cleaning station, it is conceivable that a number of cleaning robots simultaneously register a need for suction and, if necessary, cleaning. The power of the blower is preferably designed to be strong enough so that preferably at least two, more preferably up to three, valves of the extension modules are opened simultaneously and thus two to three robots can be sucked off in parallel. Alternatively, an algorithm can be stored in the control module that determines a sensible suction sequence and opens the valves in a targeted manner in accordance with this sequence.

Furthermore, the power of the blower should be controllable by the control module. So it makes sense to create a higher airflow when vacuuming the robotic cleaner located on the last expansion module in the physical row, as the pressure drop due to minor leaks across the previous docking points can add up and cause a negative impact.

The cleaning station as the overall system can preferably be reduced and/or expanded by an expansion module. The number of expansion modules can be reduced simply by removing the expansion module in the last position. For this purpose, the entire system is preferably in standby mode, so that no suction process takes place at the same time. First of all, the latching function of the latching plug-in connection of the expansion module to the central unit or a further expansion module is manually canceled for unlatching. The expansion module can then be removed manually. The air flow connection element of what is now the last expansion module in the row is then preferably closed, for example by screwing on or attaching a closure element. The control module of the central unit is designed to detect the omission of the removed expansion module by querying, so that the cleaning station is ready for use again.

In a preferred embodiment, the central unit and/or the expansion module also have a lock that is designed to connect the central unit and/or the expansion module to one another and/or to another expansion module, so that the central unit and/or the expansion module or the further expansion modules can only be detached from one another by opening the lock. This can prevent or at least reduce theft from the central unit and the expansion module.

In a preferred embodiment, the central unit also has a closure element which is arranged removably on, on and/or in the air flow connection element. To couple an expansion module to the central unit, this closure element is manually removed from the air flow connection element, for example an air flow socket. This can be a screw cap or a plastic stopper, for example. Then the plug connection elements of the central unit and the expansion module are plugged into each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the plug-in connection elements of the side wall are connected to plug-in connection elements of the other side wall via a line or a channel if they have the same function.

In a preferred embodiment, the central unit is designed in such a way that the power connection element is connected via a power line to the energy supply unit like a power pack. The central unit is preferably designed in such a way that the air flow connection element is connected to a dust container of the suction device via a suction channel. Preferably, the central unit is designed such that the data interface connection element via a Information line is connected to the control module.

The suction device of the central unit preferably has a suction opening which can be connected to a cleaning robot arranged on it in such a way that this cleaning robot can be emptied by means of the suction device. This also allows the central unit to empty a cleaning robot.

The central unit is preferably constructed modularly from the extension module according to one of the embodiments described above and a central module which has the suction device, the energy supply unit and the control module, the extension module and the central module being detachably attached to one another. As a result, the central module can be flexibly connected to any expansion module. The central module preferably has the power pack, the control module, the blower and the dust container. It can preferably be simply plugged onto an expansion module and can therefore be attached to a top side of the expansion module. The expansion module preferably has corresponding plug-in connection elements on its upper side and a suction channel extension directed upwards. In this embodiment, it is advantageous that central modules can be used flexibly with different levels of performance. From a defined (high) number n of expansion modules, it can make sense to replace the existing central module with a more powerful central module with a more powerful power pack, larger dust container and a stronger fan.

In a preferred embodiment, the information transfer within the cleaning station is not carried out via a physical line. The central unit and the at least one expansion module are then preferably equipped for wireless communication.

• 1 eine Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Zentraleinheit mit darauf angeordnetem Reinigungsroboter;
• 2 eine Querschnittsansicht der in 1 gezeigten Zentraleinheit;
• 3 eine weitere Querschnittsansicht der in 1 gezeigten Zentraleinheit;
• 4 eine Detailansicht der in 3 gezeigten Zentraleinheit;
• 5 eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Erweiterungsmoduls mit darauf angeordnetem Reinigungsroboter;
• 6 eine Querschnittsansicht des in 5 gezeigten Erweiterungsmoduls;
• 7 eine weitere Querschnittsansicht des in 5 gezeigten Erweiterungsmoduls;
• 8 eine Detailansicht des in 5 gezeigten Erweiterungsmoduls;
• 9 eine Querschnittsansicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsstation in einem unmontierten Zustand;
• 10 eine Querschnittsansicht auf die in 8 gezeigte Reinigungsstation in einem montierten Zustand;
• 11 eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsstation;
• 12 eine Draufsicht auf eine noch weitere erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsstation;
• 13 eine Draufsicht auf eine noch weitere erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsstation;
• 14 eine Querschnittsansicht auf eine noch weitere erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsstation in einem unmontierten Zustand;
• 15 eine Querschnittsansicht auf die in 14 gezeigte Reinigungsstation in einem montierten Zustand;
• 16 eine Querschnittsansicht einer weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Zentraleinheit in einem unmontierten Zustand; und
• 17 eine Querschnittsansicht der in 16 gezeigten Zentraleinheit in einem montierten Zustand.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows schematically and not to scale

• 1 a side view of a central unit according to the invention with a cleaning robot arranged thereon;
• 2 a cross-sectional view of the 1 CPU shown;
• 3 another cross-sectional view of the in 1 CPU shown;
• 4 a detailed view of the in 3 CPU shown;
• 5 a side view of an expansion module according to the invention with a cleaning robot arranged thereon;
• 6 a cross-sectional view of the in 5 expansion module shown;
• 7 another cross-sectional view of the in 5 expansion module shown;
• 8th a detailed view of the in 5 expansion module shown;
• 9 a cross-sectional view of a cleaning station according to the invention in an unassembled state;
• 10 a cross-sectional view of the in 8th cleaning station shown in an assembled state;
• 11 a plan view of a further cleaning station according to the invention;
• 12 a plan view of yet another cleaning station according to the invention;
• 13 a plan view of yet another cleaning station according to the invention;
• 14 a cross-sectional view of yet another cleaning station according to the invention in an unassembled state;
• 15 a cross-sectional view of the in 14 cleaning station shown in an assembled state;
• 16 a cross-sectional view of another central unit according to the invention in an unassembled state; and
• 17 a cross-sectional view of the 16 Central unit shown in an assembled state.

1 shows a side view of a central unit according to the invention with a cleaning robot arranged on it. The central unit Z is shown in an operational set-up position. It has a back 7, a side wall 8, a platform P and a ramp 1, via which a cleaning robot R can drive onto the platform P, which serves as a parking space in order to be able to be supplied with energy by the central unit Z and emptied .

2 shows a cross-sectional view of FIG 1 shown central unit. The central unit Z has a suction device (not shown) which is designed to empty a cleaning robot (not shown) arranged on the platform P. The suction device has the docking unit 2 for docking the cleaning robot, a suction opening 3 , a valve 5 , a suction channel 6 , a dust container SB, a blower G and an exhaust air filter 9 . When the fan G is in operation and open valve 5, a suction flow is generated which sucks dirt out of the cleaning robot through the suction opening 3, the valve 5 and the suction channel 6 into the dust container SB and leaves the central unit Z through the exhaust air filter 9. The dirt emptied in this way is collected in the dust container SB, which can be detached from the central unit and emptied. The suction channel 6 connects the dust container SB and the suction opening 3 and can be closed by means of the valve 5 .

3 shows another cross-sectional view of FIG 1 shown central unit. Furthermore, the central unit Z has a control module S for controlling the suction and energy supply processes. The side wall 8 is provided with plug-in connection elements 10, which are each designed to be able to be coupled with plug-in connection elements (not shown) that are complementary to the plug-in connection elements 10 of an expansion module (not shown) in such a way that when the plug-in connection elements 10 are coupled with the complementary plug-in connection elements of the expansion module and a coupling of a cleaning robot (not shown) with the expansion module of the cleaning robot from the central unit Z can be emptied and supplied with energy. In addition, a cleaning robot (not shown) arranged on the platform P can be emptied by the central unit Z and supplied with energy. These cleaning robots can be emptied in particular by means of the suction device (not shown) and can be supplied with energy by means of the power supply unit N as an energy supply unit.

4 shows a detailed view of the in 3 shown central unit. Shown is the side wall 8 with the plug-in connection elements 10 in the form of a power connection element 11, an air flow connection element 12, a data interface connection element 13 and a latching element 14. The central unit Z also has a power line 15 and an information line 16. The power line 15 connects the power connector 11 to the power supply (not shown), while the information line 16 connects the data interface connector 13 to the controller (not shown). The air flow connection element 12 is closed with a closure element 33 .

5 shows a side view of an expansion module according to the invention with a cleaning robot arranged on it. In an operational set-up position, the extension module E has a rear side 23, a side wall 25, a ramp 17 and a platform P on which a cleaning robot R is arranged in order to be emptied and to be supplied with energy.

6 shows a cross-sectional view of the in 5 shown expansion module without cleaning robot. The extension module E has a docking unit 18 , a suction opening 19 , a suction channel 22 and a valve 21 . A cleaning robot (not shown) can dock with the docking unit 18 when placed on the platform P to be emptied and powered by a central unit (not shown) connected to the expansion module E. When emptying, a dirt container of the cleaning robot is sucked off by means of an air flow generated by the central unit, so that the dirt is transported through the suction opening 19, the suction channel 22 into the central unit. The suction channel 22 can be closed by means of the valve 21 .

7 shows another cross-sectional view of the in 5 expansion module shown. The extension module E has a suction nozzle 20 , the valve 21 and the suction channel 22 . The expansion module E also has a side wall 25 with plug-in connection elements 26 and a further side wall 24 which is opposite the side wall 25 . The additional side wall 24 has additional plug-in connection elements 35. The plug-in connection elements 26 are designed as male elements, while the additional plug-in connection elements 35 are designed as female elements. One of the plug-in connection elements 26 and one of the other plug-in connection elements 35 is a power connection element that is connected via a power line 31, while another of the plug-in connection elements 26 and another of the other plug-in connection elements 35 each represent a data interface connection element that is connected via an information line 32 are connected.

8th shows a detailed view of the in 5 expansion module shown. The side wall 25 is shown with the plug connection elements 26 in the form of a power connection element 27, an air flow connection element 28, a data interface connection element 29 and a latching element 30.

9 shows a cross-sectional view of a cleaning station according to the invention in an unassembled state. The cleaning station has a central unit Z, which is the 1 corresponds to the central unit shown, and an expansion module E, which corresponds to that in 5 expansion module shown. To couple the expansion module E to the central unit Z, a closure element 33, for example a screw cap or a plug, is first removed manually from the socket-like air flow connection element 12 of the central unit Z. Then the connector elements 10 of the side wall 8 of the central unit Z and the complementary plug connection elements 26 of the side wall 25 of the extension module E are connected.

10 shows a cross-sectional view of the in 9 shown cleaning station in an assembled state. The expansion module and the central unit Z are now connected.

The coupling creates the following connections: A power connection by coupling the power connection elements (not shown) of the central unit Z and the expansion module E. An airtight connection of both suction ducts 6, 22 by coupling the air flow elements (not shown) of the central unit Z and the expansion module E. A connection the information interface by coupling the data interface connection elements (not shown) of the central unit Z and the expansion module E. A mechanical snap-in connection by coupling the snap-in connection elements (not shown) of the central unit Z and the expansion module E.

The control module S of the central unit Z is designed to detect the connection of the extension module E by sending an interrogation signal via the information line 16, 32 and receiving a correspondingly positive signal from the extension module E in return. It is noted in the system that the first physical position next to the central unit Z is occupied by an expansion module E. The control module S can now use the information interface to detect an incoming suction requirement of the expansion module E and issue corresponding commands for controlling the blower (not shown) and the valves 5, 21. The need for suction can be transmitted to the control module S by the respective cleaning robot (not shown), which is arranged on the expansion module E or the central unit Z, by means of a wireless communication interface (not shown). Furthermore, the cleaning robot located on the expansion module E (not shown) can be charged via the power pack of the central unit Z.

11 shows a plan view of a further cleaning station according to the invention. The cleaning station has a central unit Z and several expansion modules E. Each expansion module E corresponds to the in 5 shown expansion module, while the central processing unit of the in 1 corresponds to the central unit shown, with the individual components being omitted for the sake of clarity. The central unit Z is connected to one of the expansion modules E on the right-hand side, which in turn is connected to another of the expansion modules. A cleaning robot R is arranged on the central unit Z and the expansion modules and can be emptied by the central unit Z and supplied with energy.

12 Figure 12 shows a plan view of yet another cleaning station according to the invention. In the 12 The cleaning station shown corresponds to that in 11 shown cleaning station with the difference that the central unit Z is connected to the extension module E on the left side instead of on its right side.

13 Figure 12 shows a plan view of yet another cleaning station according to the invention. In the 13 The cleaning station shown corresponds to that in 11 shown cleaning station with the difference that the central unit Z is connected on both sides with one of the expansion modules E.

14 shows a cross-sectional view of yet another cleaning station according to the invention in an unassembled state. The cleaning station corresponds to the in 9 shown cleaning station with the difference that the extension module E has a lock 34 by means of which it can be connected to the central unit Z.

15 shows a cross-sectional view of the in 14 shown cleaning station in an assembled state. The cleaning station corresponds to the in 10 shown cleaning station with the difference that the extension module E is connected via the lock 34 to the central unit in such a way that the central unit Z and the extension module E can only be separated from one another when the lock 34 is opened.

16 shows a cross-sectional view of another central unit according to the invention in an unassembled state. The central unit Z has an expansion module E and a central module ZM, which were detachably attached to one another and are now detached, with the central module ZM being removed from the expansion module E, as indicated by the arrow. The expansion module E corresponds to the in 5 expansion module shown. The central module ZM has a suction device with a dust container SB and a blower G, an energy supply unit in the form of a power pack N and a control module S. Another central module ZM2 also has a suction device, an energy supply unit in the form of a power pack N and a control module S and can be connected to the expansion module to form a central unit. The expansion module E has plug-in connection elements (not shown) on its upper side 35 and an upwardly directed suction channel extension 36.

17 shows a cross-sectional view of FIG 16 Central unit shown in an assembled state. The additional central module ZM2 is detachably connected to the expansion module E by plugging it on.

Reference List

E

expansion module

G

fan

N

power adapter

P

platform

R

cleaning robot

S

control module

SB

dust bin

Z

central unit

ZM

central module

ZM2

another central module

1

ramp

2

docking unit

3

suction port

4

exhaust nozzle

5

Valve

6

suction channel

7

back

8th

Side wall

9

exhaust filter

10

connectors

11

power connection element

12

air flow connector

13

Slicer Connector

14

locking element

15

power line

16

information line

17

ramp

18

docking unit

19

suction port

20

exhaust nozzle

21

Valve

22

suction channel

23

back

24

further side wall

25

Side wall

26

connector element

27

power connection element

28

air flow connector

29

Slicer Connector

30

locking element

31

power line

32

information line

33

closure element

34

lock

35

another connector

Claims (10)

Central unit (Z) for emptying and supplying energy to cleaning robots (R), which has a suction device for emptying cleaning robots (R), an energy supply unit for supplying energy to cleaning robots (R) and a control module (S) for controlling suction and energy supply processes through a side wall (8), which is provided with plug-in connection elements (10), each of which is designed to be capable of being coupled with plug-in connection elements (26) of an expansion module (E), which are complementary to the plug-in connection elements (10), in such a way that when the plug-in connection elements ( 10) the central unit (Z) with the complementary plug connection elements (26) of the expansion module (E) and a coupling of a cleaning robot (R) with the expansion module (E) the cleaning robot can be emptied and supplied with energy by the central unit (Z). Extension module (E) for coupling to a cleaning robot (R), which has a side wall (25) provided with plug-in connection elements (26), each formed with complementary plug-in connection elements (10) of a central unit (Z) for emptying and power supply of the cleaning robot (R) to be coupled in such a way that when the plug-in connection elements (26) of the expansion module (E) are coupled to the complementary plug-in connection elements (10) of the central unit (Z) and the cleaning robot (R) is coupled to the expansion module (E) the cleaning robot (R) can be emptied and supplied with energy by the central unit (Z). Central unit (Z) after claim 1 or expansion module (E) after claim 2 , characterized by a further side wall (24) opposite the side wall (25) and provided with further plug-in connection elements (35) which are fitted with complementary plug-in connection elements th of a further expansion module (E) can be coupled in such a way that when the further plug-in connection elements (35) are coupled to the complementary plug-in connection elements of the further expansion module (E) and the cleaning robot (R) is coupled to the further expansion module (E), the cleaning robot (R ) from the central unit (Z) can be emptied and supplied with energy. Central unit (Z) after claim 1 or 3 or expansion module (E) after claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the plug-in connection elements (10, 26) and/or complementary plug-in connection elements represent a power connection element (11, 27), an air flow connection element (12, 28), a data interface connection element (13, 29) and a mechanical latching connection element (14, 30). . central unit claim 1 , 3 or 4 or expansion module (E) according to one of claims 2 until 4 , characterized by a lock (34) which is designed to connect the central unit (Z) and the expansion module (E) to one another and/or to a further expansion module (E) so that they can only be detached from one another by opening the lock (34). are. Central unit (Z) after a Claims 1 or 3 until 5 or expansion module (E) according to one of claims 2 until 5 , characterized in that the plug-in connection elements (10, 26) of the side wall (8, 25) are connected to the other plug-in connection elements (35) of the other side wall (24) via a line or a channel if they have the same function. Central unit (Z) after one of Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that the power connection element (11) is connected to a power supply unit (N) via a power line (15), the air flow connection element (12) is connected to a dirt container (SB) of the suction device via a suction duct (6) and/or the Data interface connection element (13) is connected via an information line (16) to the control module (S). Central unit (Z) after one of Claims 1 , 3 until 5 or 7 , characterized by a closure element (33) which is arranged removably on, on and/or in the air flow connection element (12). Central unit (Z) after one of Claims 1 or 3 until 8th , characterized in that they are modular from an extension module (E) according to one of claims 2 until 6 and a central module (ZM) which has the suction device, the energy supply unit and the control module (S), the expansion module (E) and the central module (ZM) being detachably attached to one another. Cleaning station for cleaning robots, having a central unit (Z) according to one of Claims 1 or 3 until 9 and at least one expansion module (E) according to one of claims 2 until 6 .

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