EP3451889B1 - Floor cleaning system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a floor cleaning system with a mobile floor cleaning device, which comprises at least one cleaning unit for cleaning a floor surface, a storage container for holding a cleaning liquid, a dirt holding device for holding dirty liquid from the floor surface and a dirty liquid container into which the dirty liquid can be transferred.

With such a floor cleaning device, the floor area can be cleaned using at least one cleaning unit. The cleaning unit comprises, for example, a rotary or plate-shaped cleaning tool that can be driven in rotation. To increase the cleaning effect, a cleaning liquid, usually water, from the storage container can be applied to the bottom surface. In addition, a cleaning chemical can be added to the water. The mixture of dirt and cleaning liquid, the dirty liquid, can be picked up from the bottom surface by means of the dirt collecting device and transferred into the dirty liquid container. The dirt-collecting device has, for example, a suction bar and a suction unit which acts on it with a vacuum.

The mobile floor cleaning device can be designed to be self-driving and self-steering in order to enable autonomous cleaning of the floor area. The floor cleaning device is therefore in particular a cleaning robot.

Alternatively or in addition, it can be provided that the floor cleaning device is hand-guided. An operator can guide the floor cleaning device over the floor surface. The floor cleaning device can optionally be provided with a drive for a chassis.

The EP 1 762 165 A2 describes a robot system with a robot that has a storage container for a consumable liquid, and with a filling station. The robot can move into a filling position at the filling station and transmit a signal to a control unit of the filling station. The filling station fills the storage container with the consumable liquid as a result of the signal.

The object of the present invention is to provide a floor cleaning system with increased user friendliness.

This object is achieved by a floor cleaning system according to the invention with a mobile floor cleaning device which comprises at least one cleaning unit for cleaning a floor surface, a storage container for holding a cleaning liquid, a dirt holding device for holding dirty liquid from the floor surface and a dirty liquid container into which the dirty liquid can be transferred, and with a docking station for the floor cleaning device docked to it in a docking position, the docking station having at least one supply line with a connection element arranged thereon and the floor cleaning device having at least one liquid line with a connection element arranged thereon, the floor cleaning device comprising a flushing device on or in the dirty liquid container, and wherein, in the docking position of the floor cleaning device, couple the connection elements to one another, so d ass the storage container can be filled with the cleaning liquid via the at least one liquid line and the flushing device can be acted upon with a flushing liquid for flushing the dirty liquid container via the at least one liquid line.

The floor cleaning system according to the invention has a docking station in addition to the floor cleaning device. In a docking position of the floor cleaning device, corresponding connection elements of the at least one supply line and the at least one liquid line can couple to one another. This makes it possible to fill the storage container with the cleaning liquid and to flush the dirty liquid container with a washing liquid via the flushing device of the floor cleaning device. A user is spared the need to fill the storage container with the cleaning liquid and to clean the dirty liquid container.

The operation of the floor cleaning device, moved autonomously and / or manually, is made considerably easier for a user.

It can be provided that it will be discussed below that the storage container and the dirty liquid container are successively filled and rinsed. It is also conceivable for the storage container to be filled and the dirty liquid container to be rinsed at the same time.

In a structurally simple embodiment, it is advantageous if the docking station comprises a feed line with a connecting element arranged thereon and if the floor cleaning device has a liquid line branching into a first liquid line section and into a second liquid line section. In such an embodiment, the docking station can make do with only one feed line. In the docking position of the floor cleaning device, the supply line couples to the liquid line, which branches into two line sections. The reservoir can be filled with the cleaning liquid via the first liquid line section. The rinsing liquid can be applied to the dirty liquid container via the second liquid line section. The flushing device can be connected to the second liquid line section or be formed by the latter.

• in zumindest einen der Flüssigkeitsleitungsabschnitte ein Ventil geschaltet ist, über welches Ventil der Flüssigkeitsleitungsabschnitt wahlweise freigebbar oder sperrbar ist;
• vorzugsweise in beide Flüssigkeitsleitungsabschnitte jeweils ein Ventil geschaltet ist, über das der jeweilige Flüssigkeitsleitungsabschnitt wahlweise freigebbar oder sperrbar ist; oder
• die Flüssigkeitsleitung an einem Ventil in die wahlweise freigebbaren oder sperrbaren Flüssigkeitsleitungsabschnitte verzweigt.

The floor cleaning device advantageously has at least one valve, wherein:

• in at least one of the liquid line sections, a valve is connected, via which valve the liquid line section can be selectively released or blocked;
• a valve is preferably connected in each of the two liquid line sections, via which the respective liquid line section can optionally be released or blocked; or
• the liquid line branches at a valve into the optionally releasable or lockable liquid line sections.

Depending on the switching position of the at least one valve, it can be selected which of the liquid line sections is supplied with liquid. The first liquid line section can be acted upon in order to fill the cleaning container. The second liquid line section can be acted upon for flushing the dirty liquid container. It is conceivable that both liquid line sections can be acted upon with liquid at the same time.

In another advantageous embodiment, it is advantageous if the docking station comprises two supply lines with a respective connection element and the floor cleaning device has two liquid lines with a respective connection element, wherein, in the docking position of the floor cleaning device, one supply line and one liquid line are in flow connection with each other, and when that Floor cleaning system in each supply line-liquid line combination has a valve for selectively releasing or blocking the supply line-liquid line combination. In such a floor cleaning system, two feed line-liquid line combinations are formed in the docking position of the floor cleaning device. The storage container can be filled with the cleaning liquid via a first combination of this type. With the second combination, the dirty liquid container can be rinsed with rinsing liquid. At least one valve is connected into a respective supply line-liquid line combination, via which the combination can be released or blocked.

The floor cleaning system advantageously has a control device which is coupled to the valves or the valve, the valves or the valve being / being operable by the control device. The control device can in particular control the timing of the filling of the storage container and the flushing of the dirty liquid container. Control according to a predetermined filling plan and / or flushing plan is conceivable. It is particularly conceivable also a need-based filling of the storage container depending on the fillable cleaning liquid or residual amount of liquid in the storage container and / or depending on the degree of contamination of the dirty liquid container.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the valves or the valve are or can be operated manually by an operator.

Advantageously, the filling of the storage container and / or the rinsing of the dirty liquid container after docking of the floor cleaning device can be carried out automatically under the control of the control device. For example, the docking of the floor cleaning device can be recognized by the control device. Thereupon, the storage container can be filled or the dirty liquid container can be rinsed according to a predetermined filling plan and / or rinsing plan and / or as required. Automatic filling or rinsing means that it is not necessary for an operator to trigger the filling or rinsing process. The floor cleaning system is user-friendly.

The control device is advantageously arranged in the floor cleaning device.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the control device is positioned in the docking station.

In an advantageous implementation of the floor cleaning system, it is advantageous if the valves or the valve can be controlled such that the filling of the storage container and the flushing of the dirty liquid container can be carried out in succession. In particular, if only one supply line is provided in the docking station and a branching liquid line is provided in the floor cleaning device, this proves to be advantageous in order to provide as high a liquid pressure and flow as possible for filling and flushing.

The valves or the valve are / can preferably be controlled in such a way that the reservoir can first be filled and then the dirty liquid container can be rinsed. For example, it can be provided that dirty liquid can be drained from the dirty liquid container in the docking position of the floor cleaning device. The time required for this can be used to fill the storage container. The dirty liquid container is advantageously rinsed and cleaned only after the dirty liquid has been drained.

• Befüllen mit Reinigungsflüssigkeit und/oder Spülen mit Spülflüssigkeit für eine vorgebbare Zeitdauer;
• Befüllen mit Reinigungsflüssigkeit und/oder Spülen mit Spülflüssigkeit mit einer vorgebbaren Menge;
• Befüllen mit Reinigungsflüssigkeit bis zu einem vorgebbaren Pegel, der mit einem Füllstandssensor am Vorratsbehälter ermittelbar ist.

It is advantageous if the valves or the valve can be controlled in such a way that the filling of the storage container and / or the rinsing of the dirty liquid container can be carried out according to one of the following:

• Filling with cleaning liquid and / or rinsing with rinsing liquid for a predefinable period of time;
• Filling with cleaning liquid and / or rinsing with rinsing liquid with a predetermined amount;
• Fill with cleaning liquid up to a predeterminable level, which can be determined with a level sensor on the storage container.

In each of the three configurations mentioned above, it is favorable to carry out an automatic and automated filling of the storage container and rinsing of the dirty liquid container and to further increase the user friendliness.

The floor cleaning device preferably has an outlet opening arranged on the dirty liquid container and a valve on the outlet opening or on an outlet line connected to the latter, via which valve the outlet opening or the outlet line can optionally be blocked or released for emptying the dirty liquid container. In the docking position In the floor cleaning device, dirty liquid can be discharged from the dirty liquid container via the outlet opening and the outlet line which may be connected to it. The emptying process can be started or ended using the valve.

The valve can preferably be controlled by a control device which is preferably arranged in the floor cleaning device. The emptying process can be started automatically, for example, by the control device after docking the floor cleaning device. An emptying process can be ended after a predeterminable period of time has elapsed, after a predeterminable amount of dirty liquid has run out or by recognizing a predeterminable minimum level of the dirty liquid in the dirty liquid container.

It is expedient if the valves can be controlled in such a way that the dirty liquid container can be emptied while the storage container is being filled. The time required to empty the dirty liquid container can be used to fill the storage container.

The valves can preferably be controlled such that the dirty liquid container can be rinsed after emptying. In particular, if only one supply line and one branching liquid line are provided, the filling and rinsing process can be made as short as possible in the docking position of the floor cleaning device. The cleaning operation can be resumed as soon as possible.

The docking station advantageously has a collecting container for the dirty liquid, and the dirty liquid container can be emptied into the collecting container via the outlet opening or the outlet line.

It can be provided that the docking station comprises a pumping unit with which the dirty liquid received in the collecting container can be pumped out can be fed to a liquid disposal network. After the dirty liquid has been emptied into the collecting container or during it, the pump unit can be activated and the dirty liquid can be pumped out. The pump unit can preferably be activated by a control device of the floor cleaning system.

The floor cleaning system advantageously comprises a detection device with which a docking of the floor cleaning device to the docking station can be determined. After a positive determination that the floor cleaning device is docked to the docking station, the above-mentioned control device can, for example, switch the valve or valves so that the storage container is filled and / or the dirty liquid container is flushed and in particular also emptied. The detection device can in particular be configured electrically or mechanically. For example, it is detected in the control device of the floor cleaning device that electrical connection elements of the docking station and the floor cleaning device are in conductive connection with one another.

It is favorable if the cleaning liquid and the rinsing liquid are identical, both of which are preferably water. The docking station preferably has only one connection element on the input side of the supply line for connection to a liquid supply network and in particular to a water supply network. This means that separate supply lines can be saved.

In an advantageous implementation of the floor cleaning system, it is advantageous if the flushing device is arranged or fixed on a ceiling wall of the dirty liquid container. This makes it possible to rinse the dirty liquid container with the rinsing liquid from top to bottom and effectively remove contaminants from the dirty liquid container.

The dirty liquid container advantageously has a cover which forms the ceiling wall. The lid can in particular be pivotally mounted on the floor cleaning device, so that it can be opened and closed. In addition to the dirty liquid container, the cover can also serve as a cover for the storage container.

It goes without saying that an outlet opening of the dirty liquid container is preferably arranged at its lowest point.

The flushing device preferably comprises a flushing line with a plurality of outlet openings. Flushing liquid can escape through the outlet openings. The flushing line is expediently formed or comprises a liquid line section of the at least one liquid line, as has already been mentioned above.

In an advantageous embodiment of the floor cleaning system, the flushing line is a ring line. "Ring line" does not necessarily presuppose a round and in particular circular design of the flush line. In the present case, “ring line” is to be understood in particular as a “self-contained” flush line.

It is expedient if the rinsing liquid emerging from the rinsing device is directed at at least one side wall of the dirty liquid container. This allows the side wall to be rinsed off and freed from particles. All side walls are advantageously rinsed from top to bottom.

It proves to be advantageous if the floor cleaning device comprises a supply line with a connection element arranged thereon, which opens into the at least one liquid line and to which connection element an external supply line for supplying cleaning liquid and / or rinsing liquid can be connected manually. This makes the floor cleaning system more versatile. To the additional connection element an operator can optionally connect a separate external supply line. This makes it possible to fill the storage container independently of the docking station and / or to rinse the dirty liquid container independently of the docking station.

As mentioned at the beginning, the floor cleaning device can be designed to be self-propelled and self-steering in order to carry out an autonomous cleaning of the floor surface.

Alternatively or in addition, it can be provided that the floor cleaning device is hand-guided. The floor cleaning device can be a ride-on device or a walk-behind device.

Depending on the operating mode, it can be provided that the floor cleaning device is operated in a self-propelled and self-steering or hand-guided manner.

The floor cleaning device is in particular a scrubber drier.

Figur 1:

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Bodenreinigungssystems, umfassend eine Bodenreinigungsvorrichtung und eine Andockstation für diese, wobei die Bodenreinigungsvorrichtung nicht an die Andockstation angedockt ist;

Figur 2:

das Bodenreinigungssystem aus Figur 1, wobei die Bodenreinigungsvorrichtung eine Andockstellung einnimmt;

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische vereinfachte Darstellung der Bodenreinigungsvorrichtung mit einem eine Offenstellung einnehmenden Deckel zweier Behälter;

Figur 4:

eine Ansicht des Deckels der Bodenreinigungsvorrichtung aus Figur 3 von unten, teilweise schematisch; und

Figur 5:

das Bodenreinigungssystem aus Figur 1, teilweise mittels eines schematischen Blockschaltbildes dargestellt.

The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves in conjunction with the drawing to explain the invention in more detail. Show it:

Figure 1:

a side view of a floor cleaning system according to the invention, comprising a floor cleaning device and a docking station for the latter, the floor cleaning device not being docked to the docking station;

Figure 2:

the floor cleaning system Figure 1 , wherein the floor cleaning device occupies a docking position;

Figure 3:

a simplified perspective view of the floor cleaning device with a lid occupying an open position of two containers;

Figure 4:

a view of the lid of the floor cleaning device of Figure 3 from below, partially schematic; and

Figure 5:

the floor cleaning system Figure 1 , partially shown by means of a schematic block diagram.

The drawing shows a preferred embodiment of a floor cleaning system according to the invention, which is given the reference number 10 and is referred to below as system 10. The system 10 comprises a docking station 12 and a mobile floor cleaning device 14, hereinafter referred to simply as device 14. The system 10 is positioned in a position of use on a set-up surface 16 which at the same time forms a floor surface 18 to be cleaned.

Position and orientation information such as "above", "below" or the like are to be understood in relation to the position of use of the system 10 on the installation surface 16. In the use position, the system 10 defines a contact plane coinciding with the installation surface 16. It can be assumed, without limitation, that the installation surface 16 and the contact plane are aligned horizontally.

The docking station 12 comprises a housing 20 which forms a receiving space 22 in which various actuators, fluid lines and electrical lines are received.

In particular, the docking station 12 is connected to a liquid supply network, in particular a water supply network, by means of a connecting element 24. The connection element 24 is at the end on a supply line 26 is arranged, at the opposite end of which a further connection element 28 is arranged. A valve 30 is connected into the supply line 26 and can be controlled, for example, via a control line 32.

The docking station 12 can be connected to an electrical power supply network via a connecting element 34. The connection element 34 is arranged on an electrical line 36, at the other end of which a connection element 38 is also arranged. The electrical line 36 can have a plurality of individual lines and can be used for energy supply on the one hand and for the transmission of electrical switching and / or control signals on the other hand, for example via the control line 32, which branches off from the electrical line 36. It is also conceivable that the energy supply on the one hand and the electrical switching and / or control signals are carried out via separate lines.

Additional control lines 40, 42 branch off from the electrical line 36 and are connected to electrical switching elements 44, 46 in the form of relays. With the switching element 44, the electrical line 36 can be released to enable a charging current path from the connecting element 34 to the connecting element 38. With the switching element 46, an electrical line 48 can be released, which branches off from the electrical line 36 and acts on a pump unit 50 of the docking station 12 with electrical energy.

The docking station 12 comprises a collecting container 52 for dirty liquid of the device 14. A supply line 54 of the docking station 12, on which a connecting element 56 is arranged on the input side, opens into the collecting container 52 , The pump unit is connected to the disposal line 58 in order to pump dirty liquid out of the collecting container 52 and to supply it to a liquid disposal network via the connection element 60.

A sensor element 62 is arranged on the collecting container 52, with which a level of dirty liquid in the collecting container 52 can be determined. A fill level signal relating to this can be provided via a signal line 64.

A control line 66 branches off from the electrical line 36 and can be used to control a drive device 68, which will be discussed later.

The device 14 comprises a housing 70 with a chassis 72 held on the underside thereof for moving on the floor surface 18. Furthermore, the device 14 comprises a scrubber-drier, a cleaning unit 74, which in particular has at least one roller-shaped or plate-shaped cleaning tool that can be driven to rotate about an axis of rotation (not shown). Another cleaning unit is provided in the form of a dirt collecting device 76. The dirt collecting device 76 comprises a suction bar 78 and a suction unit 80 in order to apply a vacuum to the suction bar 78 (in Figure 3 not shown).

The device 14 further comprises a storage container 82 for a cleaning liquid, in particular water. The device 14 further comprises a dirty liquid container 84. In the operation of the device 14, cleaning liquid from the storage container 82 can be used to act on the bottom surface 18. Under the action of the cleaning unit 74, the bottom surface 18 can be cleaned, the cleaning liquid serving to increase the cleaning effect. A cleaning chemical can also be added. The mixture of dirt and cleaning liquid, the dirty liquid, can be picked up from the bottom surface 18 by means of the dirt holding device 76 and can be separated off as dirty liquid in the dirty liquid container 84.

In the device 14, the storage container 82 and the dirty liquid container 84 are formed according to an advantageous container-in-container principle. The storage container 82 surrounds the dirty liquid container 84 and is laterally delimited by an outer wall 86 and an inner wall 88 of the housing 70, and by a bottom wall, not shown in the drawing. The inner wall 88 forms side walls 90 of the dirty liquid container 84. The side walls 90 and a bottom wall, not shown in the drawing, define a container interior 92 ( Figure 3 ).

A container opening 94 is arranged on the top side of the storage container 82 and a container opening 96 is arranged on the dirty liquid container 84. An edge 98 which extends on the outside on the housing 70 surrounds the container openings 94 and 96.

As part of the housing 70, the device 14 comprises a cover 100 which forms a respective top wall of the storage container 82 and the dirty liquid container 84. In the present case, the cover 100 can also be pivoted about a pivot axis 102 on the housing 70 and can be opened and closed.

To act upon the storage container 82 and the dirty liquid container 84 with liquid, the device 14 comprises a liquid line 104 with a connecting element 106. The connecting element 106 is arranged on a front 108 of the device 14 facing the docking station 12 in a docking position.

"Front" refers to a longitudinal or main direction of movement of the device 14.

The liquid line 104 is passed through the housing 70 and enters the cover 100 at a joint for mounting the cover 100. It branches into a first liquid line section 110 and a second Liquid line section 112. A respective valve 114, 116 is connected into the liquid line sections 110, 112, with which the liquid line 104 on the respective section 110, 112 can optionally be released or blocked. The valves 114, 116 can be controlled by a control device 122 of the system 10 via control lines 118, 120. In the present case, the control device 122 is arranged in the device 14.

In the present case, the branching of the liquid line 104 into the liquid line sections 110, 112 takes place in a valve housing 124 which accommodates the valves 114, 116. The valve housing 124 is accommodated in a receiving space 126, which is formed between an outer wall 128 and an inner wall 130 of the cover 100, which in the present case has a double wall.

The first liquid line section 110 has an outlet opening 132 on the inner wall 130 at the end. If there is a flow connection via the liquid line section 110, the liquid line 104 forms a filling line for filling the storage container 82. The cleaning liquid can escape via the outlet opening 132 and flow through the container opening 94 into the container interior of the storage container 82.

A sensor element 134 on the storage container 82 is coupled to the control device 122 via a signal line 136 in order to transmit information about the level of cleaning liquid in the storage container 82 to the latter.

The second liquid line section 112 emerges from the receiving space 126 and forms a ring line 138. The ring line 138 is fixed on the underside to the inner wall 130 and comprises a plurality of outlet openings which are not shown in detail. The ring line 138 is a flushing line of a flushing device 140 for flushing the dirty liquid container 84. The flushing liquid is directed to the side walls 90 of the dirty liquid container 84 via the position of the outlet openings on the ring line 138, so that these can be rinsed from top to bottom and particles adhering to them can be removed.

A sensor element 142 is arranged on the dirty liquid container 84 and is coupled to the control device 122 via a signal line 144 in order to provide the control device 122 with a signal relating to the fill level in the dirty liquid container 84.

An outlet opening 146, to which an outlet line 148 is connected, is also arranged on the dirty liquid container 84. The outlet line 148 has a connection element 150 at the end. A valve 152 is connected into the outlet line 148 and can be acted upon by the drive device 68 in a docking position of the device 14 which will be explained below.

The device 14 further comprises an electrical line 154 with a connection element 156 arranged thereon, which can couple to the connection element 38 of the line 36. For example, at least one battery 158 of the device 14 can be charged via the electrical line 154.

The function of the system 10 is discussed below.

The device 14 can be a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device (a floor cleaning robot) with which the floor area 18 can be cleaned autonomously. The control device 122 can control the movements of the device 14 under the control of a drive for the chassis 72 and also the cleaning units.

As an alternative or in addition, it can be provided that the device 14 is hand-guided and is guided by an operator over the floor surface 18. A drive for the undercarriage 72 can be provided. The operator can use a schematically illustrated handle 160, which in particular comprises a handle device, act on the device 14 (Figures 1 and 2).

As mentioned, in operation of the device 14, cleaning liquid from the storage container 82 is used to act on the bottom surface 18. The dirty liquid is transferred into the dirty liquid container 84. Therefore, during operation of the device 14, the liquid level in the storage container 82 drops and the level in the dirty liquid container 84 increases.

The device 14 can be docked onto the docking station 12 for filling the storage container 82 and for rinsing the dirty liquid container 84 and for emptying it. The device is moved automatically or under the guidance of the operator from a non-docking position (FIG. 1) to a docking position ( Figure 2 ) emotional. In the docking position, the connection elements 28 and 106, 38 and 156 and 56 and 150 couple with one another.

If, instead of the line 36, separate lines are used for the energy supply and for switching and / or control signals, different individual lines can also be provided instead of the line 154; Instead of the two connection elements 38, 156, separate connection elements can be provided for the energy supply on the one hand and for the transmission of switching and / or control signals on the other hand.

The device 14 has a detection device 162 in order to recognize that the device 14 is docked to the docking station 12. In the present case, the detection device 162 is formed or comprises, among other things, the control device 122. The control device 122 can, for example using electrical energy from the battery 158, detect a current flow through one of the switching elements 44, 46 when the device 14 assumes the docking position and couple the connecting elements 38, 156 to one another. It can also be provided that an electrical Contact bridge is formed when the device 14 assumes the docking position. A current flow resulting from the contact bridge through the docking station 12 can be detected by the control device 122.

If the control device 122 detects the taking of the docking position, the storage container 82 and the dirty liquid container 84 can be filled, emptied and rinsed, for example, as explained below. In particular, the filling process, the emptying process and the rinsing process can be triggered automatically by the control device 122 and thus to a certain extent “automatically” without the intervention of an operator.

After docking, the control device 122 can actuate the valve 30 via the control line 32 to release the fluid connection via the supply line 26 and the liquid line 104. The connection elements 28, 106 can comprise self-opening (and self-locking) valves which open automatically when the device 14 is docked or close automatically when it is undocked.

First of all, the valve 114 is preferably actuated by the control device 122 via the control line 118 such that the liquid line section 110 is released. In contrast, the liquid line section 112 is blocked by means of the valve 116. The reservoir 82 is filled via the feed line 26 and the liquid line 104 and in particular their liquid line section 110. The filling process can take place for a predeterminable period of time, until a predeterminable amount of cleaning liquid is filled in, or until a liquid level in the reservoir 82 that can be determined using the sensor element 134 is determined.

Dirty liquid can also be discharged from the dirty liquid container 84. For this purpose, the control device 122 can activate the drive device 68 via the control line 66. As a result, the valve 152 is actuated and there is a flow connection from the dirty liquid container 84 through the outlet line 148, the connection elements 56, 150 and the feed line 54 into the collecting container 52. The dirty liquid container 84 is preferably emptied while the storage container 82 is being filled. The dwell time of the device 14 at the docking station 12 can thereby be kept as short as possible.

The control device 122 can also activate the pump unit 50 by switching the switching element 46 to release the line 48 via the control line 42. When the pump unit 50 is activated, dirty liquid can be pumped out of the collecting container 52 and fed to the liquid disposal network. It is possible that the pump assembly 50 is already activated when the dirty liquid container 84 is emptied or only when a predeterminable liquid level in the collecting container 52 is taken, which level can be detected by means of the sensor element 62. Regular activation of the pump unit 50 is also conceivable.

After emptying the dirty liquid container 84, the control device 122 can actuate the drive device 68 again, so that the valve 152 blocks the outlet line 148.

The dirty liquid container 84 is then rinsed and cleaned. It is advantageous if the control device 122 actuates the valve 116 to release the liquid line section 112. Conveniently, the liquid line section 110 is blocked by means of the valve 114 during the flushing process, so that the flushing device 140 can be subjected to the highest possible liquid pressure. The rinsing liquid emerges from the rinsing device 140 and rinses the side walls 90 from top to bottom.

The control device can then actuate the valve 30 via the control line 32 to block the supply line. The valves 114, 116 can can also be operated to block the liquid line sections 110, 112.

Any flushing liquid in the dirty liquid container 84 can be removed from the dirty liquid container 84 by actuating the valve 152 again by means of the drive device 68 and transferred to the collecting container 52.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable that, deviating from the above explanation, the valve 152 is actuated during the flushing of the dirty liquid container 84 to release the outlet line 148. Flushing liquid can flow into the collecting container 52 after cleaning the dirty liquid container 84.

With the device 14 docked, it is also possible for the at least one electrical battery 158 to be charged via the lines 36, 154.

How especially out Figure 4 the device 14 comprises a feed line 164 on the cover 100. The feed line 164 opens into the liquid space 104 upstream of the valve housing 124 in the receiving space 126. A connection element 166 is arranged on the end side of the feed line 164 and is configured here as a hose nipple.

An external supply line, not shown in the drawing, can be connected to the connecting element 166 by an operator in order to apply liquid, in particular water, to the supply line 164. The liquid flows into the valve housing 124 and from there optionally into one of the liquid line sections 110, 112 for filling the storage container 82 and / or rinsing the dirty liquid container 84. It is conceivable that the operator can use an operating device 168 of the device 14 to specify which of the valves 114, 116 releases or blocks the respective liquid line section 110, 112.

A self-locking valve arranged in the connection element 106 ensures that no liquid emerges from the liquid line 104 when the external supply line is connected when the device 14 is undocked.

In addition to the possibility of filling or flushing the storage container 82 and the dirty liquid container 84 with the means of the docking station 12, this type of filling or flushing operation can be carried out by connecting the external supply line to the supply line 164.

A self-locking valve and / or a closure element 170 can also be provided on the connection element 166, so that no liquid escapes via the supply line 164 when the liquid line 104 is acted upon by the docking station 12. Figure 4 shows the closure element 170 in a state released from the connection element 166.

The arrangement of the connection element 166 and the course of the feed line 164 can also be different. For example, the connection element 166 is positioned such that it can be accessed by an operator without opening the cover 100.

reference numeral

10

Floor Cleaning System

12

docking station

14

Floor cleaning device

16

footprint

18

floor area

20

casing

22

accommodation space

24

connecting element

26

supply line

28

connecting element

30

Valve

32

control line

34

connecting element

36

electrical line

38

connecting element

40

control line

42

control line

44

switching element

46

switching element

48

electrical line

50

pump unit

52

receptacle

54

supply line

56

connecting element

58

disposal line

60

connecting element

62

sensor element

64

signal line

66

control line

68

driving means

70

casing

72

landing gear

74

cleaning unit

76

Dirt holding device

78

squeegee

80

suction unit

82

reservoir

84

Dirty liquid container

86

outer wall

88

inner wall

90

Side wall

92

Container interior

94

container opening

96

container opening

98

edge

100

cover

102

swivel axis

104

liquid line

106

connecting element

108

front

110

Liquid line section

112

Liquid line section

114

Valve

116

Valve

118

control line

120

control line

122

control device

124

valve housing

126

accommodation space

128

outer wall

130

inner wall

132

outlet opening

134

sensor element

136

signal line

138

loop

140

flushing

142

sensor element

144

signal line

146

outlet

148

outlet pipe

150

connecting element

152

Valve

154

electrical line

156

connecting element

158

battery

160

handle

162

detection device

164

supply line

166

connecting element

168

operating device

170

closure element

Claims (17)

1. A floor cleaning system (10), having a mobile floor cleaning apparatus (14) that comprises at least one cleaning unit (74) for cleaning a floor surface (18), a reservoir (82) for receiving a cleaning liquid, a dirt receiving device (76) for taking up dirty liquid from the floor surface (18), and a dirty liquid container (84) into which the dirty liquid is transferable, and further having a docking station (12) for the floor cleaning apparatus (14), which is docked thereto in a docked position, wherein the docking station (12) has at least one supply conduit (26) with a connection element (28) arranged thereon, the floor cleaning apparatus (14) having at least one liquid conduit (104) with a connection element (106) arranged thereon, wherein the floor cleaning apparatus (14) comprises a rinsing device (140) on or in the dirty liquid container (84), and wherein, when the floor cleaning apparatus (14) is in the docked position, the connection elements (28, 106) are coupled to one another such that the reservoir (82) is fillable with the cleaning liquid via the at least one liquid conduit (104) and a rinsing liquid for rinsing the dirty liquid container (84) is applicable to the rinsing device (140) via the at least one liquid conduit (104).
2. A floor cleaning system in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the docking station (12) comprises just one supply conduit (26) with a connection element (28) arranged thereon, and in that the floor cleaning apparatus (14) has a liquid conduit (104) that branches into a first liquid conduit portion (110) and a second liquid conduit portion (112).
3. A floor cleaning system in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the floor cleaning apparatus (14) has at least one valve (114, 116), wherein:

   - a valve (114, 116) is connected into at least one of the liquid conduit portions (110, 112), and the liquid conduit portion (110, 112) is selectively openable or blockable using this valve (114, 116);

   - preferably two valves (114, 116) are provided, wherein a respective valve (114, 116) is connected into each of the two liquid conduit portions (110, 112), and the respective liquid conduit portion (110, 112) is selectively openable or blockable using the valve (114, 116); or wherein

   - the liquid conduit (104) branches into the selectively openable or blockable liquid conduit portions (110, 112) at a valve.
4. A floor cleaning system in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the docking station (12) comprises two supply conduits each with a respective connection element, and the floor cleaning apparatus (14) comprises two liquid conduits each with a respective connection element, wherein, when the floor cleaning apparatus (14) is in the docked position, a respective supply conduit and a respective liquid conduit are fluidically connected to one another, and in that the floor cleaning system (10) has a valve in each combination comprising a supply conduit and a liquid conduit, for selectively opening or blocking the combination comprising a supply conduit and a liquid conduit.
5. A floor cleaning system in accordance with claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the floor cleaning system (10) has a control device (122) that is coupled to the valves (114, 116) or valve, and in that the valves (114, 116) or valve are/is actuatable by the control device (122).
6. A floor cleaning system in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the following applies:

   - filling of the reservoir (82) and/or rinsing of the dirty liquid container (84) once the floor cleaning apparatus (14) is docked is performable automatically, controlled by the control device (122);

   - the control device (122) is arranged in the floor cleaning apparatus (14).
7. A floor cleaning system in accordance with claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the valves (114, 116) or valve are/is controllable such that filling of the reservoir (82) and rinsing of the dirty liquid container (84) are performable one after the other, preferably that the valves (114, 116) or valve are/is controllable such that first the reservoir (82) is fillable and then the dirty liquid container (84) is rinsable.
8. A floor cleaning system in accordance with any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the valves (114, 116) or valve are/is controllable such that filling of the reservoir (82) and/or rinsing of the dirty liquid container (84) is performable in accordance with one of the following:

   - filling with cleaning liquid and/or rinsing with rinsing liquid for a predeterminable period;

   - filling with cleaning liquid and/or rinsing with rinsing liquid in a predeterminable quantity;

   - filling with cleaning liquid to a predeterminable level that is determinable using a level sensor (134) on the reservoir (82).
9. A floor cleaning system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor cleaning apparatus (14) has an outlet opening (146) arranged on the dirty liquid container (84), and a valve (152) on the outlet opening (146) or on an outlet conduit (148) connected thereto, and the outlet opening (146) or outlet conduit (148) is selectively blockable or, for emptying the dirty liquid container (84), openable by way of this valve (152).
10. A floor cleaning system in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the valve (152) is controllable by a control device (122) that is preferably arranged in the floor cleaning apparatus (14).
11. A floor cleaning system in accordance with claim 9 or 10 in conjunction with claims 5 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the following applies:

    - the valves (114, 116, 152) are controllable such that emptying of the dirty liquid container (84) is performable during filling of the reservoir (82);

    - the valves (114, 116, 152) are controllable such that rinsing of the dirty liquid container (84) is performable after emptying of the dirty liquid container (84).
12. A floor cleaning system in accordance with any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the docking station (12) has a collection container (52) for the dirty liquid, and in that the dirty liquid container (84) is emptiable into the collection container (52) through the outlet opening (146) or outlet conduit (148), preferably that the docking station (12) comprises a pumping unit (50) by which dirty liquid in the collection container (52) is pumpable away and suppliable to a liquid drainage network.
13. A floor cleaning system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor cleaning system (10) comprises a detection device (162) for determining a docking of the floor cleaning apparatus (14) to the docking station (12).
14. A floor cleaning system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning liquid and the rinsing liquid are identical, and in particular in that on the input side of the supply conduit (26) the docking station (12) has only one connection element (24) for connection to a liquid supply network.
15. A floor cleaning system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the following applies:

    - the rinsing device (140) is arranged or fixed on a cover wall (130) of the dirty liquid container (84), in particular, the dirty liquid container (84) has a cover (100) forming the cover wall (130);

    - the rinsing device (140) comprises a rinsing conduit having a plurality of outlet openings, wherein the rinsing conduit, in particular, is formed or comprised by a liquid conduit portion (112) of the at least one liquid conduit (104) and/or is a ring conduit (138);

    - rinsing liquid exiting from the rinsing device (140) is directed towards at least one side wall (90) of the dirty liquid container (84).
16. A floor cleaning system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor cleaning apparatus (14) comprises a supply conduit (164) which has a connection element (166) arranged thereon and opens into the at least one liquid conduit (104), and an outside supply conduit is connectable to the connection element (166) manually, for supplying cleaning liquid and/or rinsing liquid.
17. A floor cleaning system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor cleaning apparatus (14) is formed to be self-propelling and self-steering and/or that the floor cleaning apparatus (14) is guided manually.

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