EP4070711B1 - Device for cleaning a floor cloth - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for cleaning a floor cloth. In particular, the invention relates to the cleaning of a floor cloth of an automatic floor cleaner.

An automatic floor cleaner is designed to clean a floor area automatically. The floor area can be in a household in particular and cleaning can be done by vacuuming or mopping. Some floor cleaners have a type of mop that is moved across the floor to clean the floor. The mop can be used dry or wet and can remove certain types of dirt from the floor better than a vacuum cleaner.

If the mop is operated for a longer period of time, it can become saturated with dirt so that it cannot pick up any more dirt. The cleaning or care effect of the mop can then be reduced. To restore the cleaning ability of the floor cleaner, the mop can be cleaned or replaced by an operator. However, the necessary intervention means that unsupervised cleaning of a larger floor area by the floor cleaner is not possible. The need for regular intervention in the cleaning operation of the floor cleaner can call into question its purpose of automatic cleaning.

WO 2020 / 125 774 A1 suggests designing the mop as a type of cartridge that can be automatically changed in a base station of the floor cleaner. However, dirty cartridges still need to be removed from the base station and fresh cartridges provided. CN-B-107951448 discloses a cleaning device and a method for cleaning a floor cloth.

One object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved technique for automatically cleaning a floor cloth for an automatic floor cleaner. The invention solves this problem by means of the subject matter of the independent claims. Subclaims give preferred embodiments.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a cleaning device for cleaning a floor cloth for an automatic floor cleaner comprises a radially water-permeable drum which is designed to receive the floor cloth on its outer surface; a moistening device for the floor cloth attached to the drum; and a control device for controlling the drum in such a way that the floor cloth is pulled off or attached to a floor cleaner travelling over the drum.

It is particularly preferred that the control device is designed to automatically take the floor cloth from the floor cleaner and/or automatically return a cleaned floor cloth to the floor cleaner so that the floor cloth can be used for further cleaning. By using the cleaning device, a user's intervention to clean or replace a dirty floor cloth on the floor cleaner can be eliminated. The floor cloth cleaned using the cleaning device can be reused on the floor cleaner so that the environmental impact can be reduced by repeated use. The floor cloth can comprise a flexible cloth; a frame, a cartridge or another rigid element to make it suitable for use on the floor cleaner may not be required.

The floor cloth can be attached to the floor cleaner using a Velcro fastener, for example. This means that the floor cloth can be held securely to the floor cleaner for cleaning and can still be removed from the floor cleaner using the drum. The floor cloth can be attached to the floor cleaner simply by pressing it on. While the floor cleaner moves over the drum, the drum can rotate so that the floor cloth is wound onto or unwound from the drum.

The direction of movement of the floor cleaner when picking up the floor cloth can be opposite to its direction of movement when releasing it. In one embodiment, the rotation of the drum is controlled by the cleaning device, in another it is determined by the floor cleaner pulling off the floor cloth. The transfer of the floor cloth from the cleaning device to the floor cleaner can take place essentially in the opposite way to the picking up.

A side of the wound-up floor cloth facing the floor during use on the floor cleaner can point to a radial inner side of the drum. The moistening device can rinse the floor cloth in a radial direction to remove dirt from the cloth. In one embodiment, the floor cloth is rinsed radially from the outside to the inside and dirty lye can be removed in an axial or tangential direction.

The drum preferably comprises a first gripping element for engaging the floor cloth while the floor cleaner moves over the drum and for pulling the floor cloth off the floor cleaner. The engagement can be positive and, for example, use a loop attached to the floor cloth. Alternatively, the engagement can also be force-fit, in particular by clamping the floor cloth to the drum. The engagement can result in the floor cloth being automatically transferred from the floor cleaner to the cleaning device.

The first gripping element is preferably designed to engage in the area of a front edge of the floor cloth; the drum comprises a second gripping element which is designed to engage in the floor cloth in the area of a rear edge. The front and rear edges of the floor cloth result from a movement of the floor cleaner relative to the cleaning device. A further loop can be provided on the floor cloth for the second gripping element to engage. By using two gripping elements, the floor cloth can be held completely securely on the drum. The floor cloth can be prevented from coming off during a cleaning process. The floor cloth stretched onto the drum in this way is less likely to slip or wrinkle during a cleaning process, so that it can then be automatically attached to the floor cleaner in an improved manner.

The first and/or the second gripping element can be radially movable on the drum, wherein a radial recess can be provided on the drum in the area of the gripping element to accommodate the gripping element. The gripping element can be pulled into the radial recess after it has positively engaged with the floor cloth. After this, the gripping element cannot protrude radially beyond a circumference of the drum. The floor cloth can be better accessible for cleaning and unintentional removal of the floor cloth can be prevented by the drum engaging in the Area of a section of the floor cloth that is positively connected to a gripping element may be prevented.

The gripping element can be designed to clamp the floor cloth onto the drum. This allows the floor cloth to be held onto the drum by means of a frictional connection. The frictional connection can be alternative or additional to a positive connection that can exist between the gripping element and the floor cloth. The floor cloth can be clamped using the gripping element, particularly in the area of the recess, so that the floor cloth can be stretched on the outer surface of the drum as part of a clamping process. This can reduce the formation of wrinkles in the floor cloth, so that the floor cloth can be cleaned more effectively and attached to the floor cleaner more effectively after cleaning.

A lye container can be provided below the drum. The lye container is designed to collect liquid running off the drum and/or the roller. The drum can be partially immersed in the lye in the lye container. The humidification device can be fed with liquid from the lye container so that the liquid can be circulated in the cleaning device in a resource-saving manner. The lye container can be designed to separate sediment or suspended matter in the liquid so that liquid provided to the humidification device can have a reduced load of dirt. Furthermore, a filter or other separation device for dirt from the liquid can be provided. The lye container can be removable from the cleaning device in order to be able to dispose of contaminated liquid after a cleaning process. Uncontaminated liquid can be filled into the lye container or a separate liquid container.

The cleaning device may further comprise a roller with radial processing elements; wherein the control device is configured to control the drum and the roller such that the processing elements engage the floor cloth in order to clean it.

The roller is preferably mounted parallel to the drum at a predetermined distance and can have different sections in the circumferential direction in order to achieve different functions. Various processing elements can be attached to the sections. To select one of the functions, the roller can be brought into a corresponding position in relation to the drum.

In one embodiment, an axially extending sealing lip is attached to the roller to seal a radial gap between the drum and the roller. An area above the sealing lip between the drum and the roller can then be flooded with water, for example to remove coarse dirt from the floor cloth. The drum can also be rotated relative to the stationary roller so that the sealing lip brushes over the floor cloth. This allows water to be brushed off from the floor cloth.

An axially extending recess can also be provided on the roller to form a radial gap between the drum and the roller. This makes it easier to rotate the drum about its axis of rotation without the roller coming into contact with the drum or the floor cloth attached to the outer surface of the drum. This can prevent a potentially disruptive influence of the roller, particularly when the floor cloth is transferred between the cleaning device and the floor cleaner. The recess can border the sealing lip in the circumferential direction, so that the sealing lip has greater scope for bending in the circumferential direction. Two recesses can also be provided, which are located on different sides of the sealing lip in the circumferential direction. The two recesses can be different sizes.

The moistening device is preferably designed to convey a liquid into an area between the drum and the roller. This makes it easier to treat the floor cloth directly with water. Dirt contained in the floor cloth can be specifically rinsed out by the liquid. The liquid is preferably water-based and can contain a cleaning agent.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a base station for an automatic floor cleaner comprises a cleaning device as described herein for cleaning a floor cloth for the automatic floor cleaner. The base station can additionally be configured to supply the floor cleaner in another way.

For example, the base station can supply the floor cleaner with electrical energy and/or fresh water. The base station can also collect dirt or dirty liquid from the floor cleaner. The base station can also exchange data with the floor cleaner, particularly regarding cleaning of the floor area that has already taken place or is yet to be cleaned.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for cleaning a floor cloth of an automatic floor cleaner comprises steps of automatically transferring the floor cloth from the floor cleaner to a cleaning device while the floor cleaner moves over the cleaning device; cleaning the floor cloth in the cleaning device; and automatically attaching the floor cloth to the floor cleaner while the floor cleaner moves over the cleaning device. The method can be carried out in particular by means of a cleaning device described herein.

According to yet another aspect, a system comprises an automatic floor cleaner and a cleaning device as described herein, wherein the floor cleaner is configured to receive a floor cloth on its underside; to guide the floor cloth over a floor to clean it, and to move over the cleaning device to transfer the floor cloth to or to receive the floor cloth from the cleaning device. Furthermore, the floor cleaner and the cleaning device can be configured to attach a floor cloth cleaned by the cleaning device to the underside of the floor cleaner.

Figur 1

ein System mit einem automatischen Bodenreiniger und einer Basisstation;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Reinigungsvorrichtung;

Figur 3

eine Trommel für eine Reinigungsvorrichtung;

Figur 4

eine Walze für eine Reinigungsvorrichtung;

Figuren 5A-5D

Schritte einer Übernahme eines Bodentuchs von einem Bodenreiniger an eine Reinigungsvorrichtung;

Figuren 6A-6E

Schritte der Reinigung eines Bodentuchs mittels einer Reinigungsvorrichtung;

Figuren 7A-7D

Schritte einer Übergabe eines Bodentuchs von einer Reinigungsvorrichtung an einen Bodenreiniger
darstellt.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1

a system with an automatic floor cleaner and a base station;

Figure 2

a schematic representation of a cleaning device;

Figure 3

a drum for a cleaning device;

Figure 4

a roller for a cleaning device;

Figures 5A-5D

Steps of transferring a floor cloth from a floor cleaner to a cleaning device;

Figures 6A-6E

Steps of cleaning a floor cloth using a cleaning device;

Figures 7A-7D

Steps of transferring a floor cloth from a cleaning device to a floor cleaner
represents.

Figure 1 shows a system 100 with an automatic floor cleaner 105 and a base station 110. The floor cleaner 105 comprises a cleaning device 115 and is designed to clean a floor surface, for example in a household. For this purpose, the floor cleaner 105 usually comprises drivable wheels 120 in order to move the floor cleaner 105 on the floor surface. In the embodiment shown, a floor roller 125 is additionally provided which can roll on the floor surface. A wiping device 130 is attached to an underside of the floor cleaner 105, to which a floor cloth 135 can be attached. The attachment can be made in particular by means of a Velcro fastener. The wiping device 130 can be designed to move the floor cloth 135 relative to the floor cleaner 105 while the floor cleaner 105 moves over the floor surface. The movement can in particular be oscillating and can take place, for example, on a circular path or also linearly. It is preferred that an orientation of the floor cloth 135 remains unchanged with respect to a direction of travel of the floor cleaner 105. In particular, a front edge and a rear edge of the floor cloth 135 can remain in a predetermined relative orientation with respect to a usual direction of travel of the floor cleaner 105. One or more first tabs 140 can be provided on the front edge and one or more second tabs 145 can be provided on the rear edge. It is assumed here that the front edge is the edge of the floor cloth 135 that lies in the direction of travel when driving over the cleaning device 115 for the purpose of transferring the floor cloth 135, and the rear edge is correspondingly located at the rear. The floor cloth 135 can be designed symmetrically with respect to the edges, so that the front and rear edges can also be swapped with one another by rotating the floor cloth 135 about a vertical axis.

The floor cleaner 105 is designed to drive to the base station 110 in a predetermined manner in order to replenish supplies, deliver other supplies, exchange data and/or carry out maintenance. The base station 110 is usually automatically controlled after the floor cleaner 105 has cleaned a predetermined floor area. The base station 110 comprises a wedge-shaped ramp 150, like a ramp. When the floor cleaner 105 drives over the ramp 150, the wiping device 130 with the floor cloth 135 passes through a recess in the ramp 150, under which the cleaning device 115 is located. In this way, the cleaning device 115 can come into contact with the floor cloth 135.

It is proposed that the cleaning device 115 can pull the floor cloth 135 off the wiping device 130 while the floor cleaner 105 moves over the cleaning device 115. It is further proposed that the cleaning device 115 cleans the pulled-off floor cloth 135 and then re-attaches it to the floor cleaner 105 in the opposite manner. To do this, the floor cleaner 105 can move in the opposite direction over the recess under which the cleaning device 115 is located.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device 115 in a base station 110. The cleaning device 115 comprises a drum 205, a roller 210, a moistening device 215 and a control device 220. The drum 205 and the roller 210 have axes of rotation that are parallel to one another and can have essentially the same axial dimensions. Radii of the drum 205 and the roller 210 can correspond to one another or differ from one another. The axes of rotation preferably run in a horizontal direction. The drum 205 is mounted in the cleaning device 115 in such a way that it is accessible through a recess in the ramp 150. In particular, a section of the drum 205 can protrude upwards through the recess in the ramp 150. The drum 205 and the roller 210 can each be assigned a drive 225 in order to control a movement about the respective axis of rotation. A drive 225 can also be designed to brake a rotation of the drum 205 or the roller 210. In a further embodiment, a controllable brake is provided instead of a drive 225.

The humidification device 215 preferably comprises a controllable pump 230 and one or more nozzles 235. The pump 230 is fed from a container in which a liquid is located. The nozzle 235 can spray or squirt the liquid into an area between the drum 205 and the roller 210 and water dripping from the drum 205 or the roller 210 can be collected in a lye container 240. In the embodiment shown, the lye container 240 simultaneously serves as a container for liquid that is sucked in by the pump 230. A filter upstream of the pump 230 is in Figure 2 not shown. It is preferred that a plurality of nozzles 235 are provided, which are arranged in a direction parallel to the axes of rotation of the drum 205 and the roller 210. In the embodiment shown, two rows of nozzles 235 are provided, one row of which is aligned more towards the drum 205 and the other more towards the roller 210.

A first and/or a second gripping device 245 can be attached to the drum 205. A gripping device 245 is designed to engage in the floor cloth 135, in particular in the area of a tab 140, 145. To facilitate engagement, the gripping device 245 can be moved radially outward so that it protrudes around a circumference of the cylindrical drum 205. After the gripping device 245 has engaged in the floor cloth 135, the gripping device 245 can be pulled radially inward on the drum 205. This allows the floor cloth 135 to be clamped force-fittingly on the drum 205. Preferably, a recess 250 is made in the area of an outer surface of the drum 205 in the area of the gripping device 245. The gripping device 245 can then be pulled radially inward so far that it lies within the recess 250 and no longer protrudes beyond the circular outline of the drum 205. When the gripping device 245 is retracted, the floor cloth 135 can become clamped between the gripping device 245 and the drum 205.

The drum 205 can be shaped like a hollow cylinder, and can be permeable to water in the radial direction. For example, the drum 205 can be made from a grid or a smooth material can be provided with a large number of radial openings. The drum 205 can have spokes at the axial ends or can be closed.

The roller 210 preferably comprises a plurality of processing elements 255, each extending in the radial direction. The processing elements 255 can be arranged regularly in the circumferential direction. Axially adjacent processing elements 255 can be displaced in the circumferential direction. At one point along the circumference, a sealing lip 260 can be formed on the roller 210, which is preferably designed to be flexible. At another point in the circumferential direction, in particular adjacent to the sealing lip 260, an axially extending recess 265 can be provided, which is dimensioned such that a continuous gap to the drum 205 exists through appropriate orientation of the roller 210. For this purpose, the recess 265 can face the drum 205 or its axis of rotation. In the embodiment shown, two recesses 265 are provided, which are located on opposite sides of the sealing lip 260 in the circumferential direction.

Figure 3 shows a drum 205 with a floor cloth 135. In the upper area, the drum 205 is shown with the floor cloth 135 not yet wound up, in a middle area with a wound up, one-sidedly locked floor cloth 135 and in a lower area with a two-sidedly locked floor cloth 135.

The floor cloth 135 is designed in such a way that tabs 140, 145 can protrude in a horizontal direction while the floor cloth 135 is attached to the wiping device 130 (cf. Figure 1 ). In the upper illustration of Figure 3 the first tabs 140 are inserted in a radially outwardly projecting gripping device 245 in the circumferential direction. To transfer the floor cloth 135 to the drum 205, the gripping device 245 can be moved radially inward to create a frictional connection to the floor cloth 135. The drum 205 can then be rotated so that the floor cloth 135 is wound up on a surface of the drum 205. If the floor cloth 135 is still attached to the floor cleaner 105 during this process, the latter should be moved in a tangential direction to the drum 205. A Velcro fastener that holds the floor cloth 135 to the wiping device 130 can be automatically released in the process.

The middle representation of Figure 3 assumes that the floor cloth 135 is completely detached from the wiping device 130. The floor cleaner 105 can then be placed in a Position in which it does not interfere with the operation of the cleaning device 115. For example, the floor cleaner 105 can move slightly forwards or further backwards. Before or after the separation of the floor cloth 135 in the area of the second tabs 145 from the wiping device 130, the second gripping device 245 can be extended in the radial direction from the drum 205. The second tabs 145 can then engage in the second gripping device 245. The second gripping device 245 can then be pulled radially inwards in order to create a frictional connection to the floor cloth 135 in the area of the second tabs 145.

In the illustration below of Figure 3 the second gripping device 245 is also pulled radially inward and the floor cloth 135 is applied to a circumference of the drum 205.

Figure 4 shows a roller 210 for a cleaning device 115. In the upper area a complete roller 210 is shown, in the lower area an enlarged axial section. Differently shaped processing elements 255 are used.

The roller 210 can be made in one piece or in multiple pieces. In one embodiment, a body is provided, which can be made from plastic, for example, to which the processing elements 255 can be attached individually or together. The sealing lip 260 can preferably be made from a flexible material that can be mounted on the roller 210. For example, a radial groove can be provided on the body of the roller 210, into which the sealing lip 260 can be pushed or pulled.

In the following, various processes on the cleaning device 115 are described in more detail. An embodiment according to Figure 2 went out. Figures 5A to 5D concern an automatic transfer of the floor cloth 135 from the floor cleaner 105 to the cleaning device 115.

In Figure 5A a gripping device 245 of the drum 205 is radially extended and engages in first tabs 140 of the floor cloth 135 attached to the underside of the floor cleaner 105. The roller 210 is positioned so that its recess 265 of the drum 205 so that the drum 205 can be rotated without rubbing against the roller 210.

In Figure 5B the first gripping device 245 is pulled radially inwards and has established a force-locking connection with the first tabs 140. The drum 205 has rotated a little clockwise and the floor cleaner 105 has moved a corresponding distance to the top right on the ramp 150 relative to the cleaning device 115. A movement of the floor cleaner 105 relative to the drum 205 can be coordinated with a rotation of the drum 205. For this purpose, the cleaning device 115 and the floor cleaner 105 can communicate with each other using suitable communication devices. Usually, one of the components 105, 115 acts as the controlling element and the other as the controlled element.

In Figure 5C these movements are continued until the floor cloth 135 has been almost completely removed from the floor cleaner 105. The second gripping device 245 is radially extended and engages in the second tabs 145 at the rear end of the floor cloth 135 with respect to a direction of movement of the floor cleaner 105.

In Figure 5D the second gripping device 245 is also closed and pulled radially inwards, so that here too a force-fit connection to the floor cloth 135 is established. The floor cloth 135 is here completely pulled over a circumferential surface of the drum 205. The floor cleaner 105 is moved in such a way that it does not interfere with the movement of the drum 205. To do this, the floor cleaner 105 can be moved so far forwards or backwards that it does not lie in contact with the drum 205. Alternatively, the floor cleaner 105 can also be lifted up by the cleaning device 115 or this can be lowered in relation to the floor cleaner 105 or the ramp 150.

Figures 6A to 6E relate to an exemplary washing process of the floor cloth 135 in the cleaning device 115. The floor cleaner 105 is in a position in which it does not impair the cleaning.

In Figure 6A the roller 210 is rotated so that the sealing lip 260 rests against the drum 205. Liquid is conveyed through the nozzles 235 into an area between the drum 205 and the roller 210 so that the 135 is flooded with liquid. The Drum 205 can be rotated clockwise while the roller 210 is stationary, so that the floor cloth 135 can be flowed through at all points by liquid from the nozzles 235.

In Figure 6B liquid is further conveyed through the nozzles 235 while the roller 210 is rotated such that processing elements 255 work through the floor cloth 135 on the surface of the drum 205. For this purpose, the roller 210 can be rotated relative to the drum 205. The drum 205 can be rotated slowly or in sections in order to expose all sections of the floor cloth 135 to the action of the processing elements 255.

In Figure 6C the roller 210 is rotated to a position similar to that in Figure 6A , however, no liquid is delivered from the nozzles 235. The drum 205 can be rotated clockwise to push liquid radially inward through the floor cloth 135 or to withdraw or strip it circumferentially.

In Figure 6D the floor cloth 135 can be processed in a similar way as in Figure 6B , but without supplying liquid through the nozzles 235. A pile of the floor cloth 135 can be kneaded and/or loosened. The rotation of the roller 210 relative to the floor cloth 135 can take place in any direction or also in an oscillating manner.

In Figure 6E the roller 210 is rotated to a position in which it has no contact with the floor cloth 135 on the drum 205. In this position, the floor cloth 135 can dry until it is needed again by the floor cleaner 105. A blower can be used to speed up the drying process.

Figure 7A to 7D relate to a transfer of the floor cloth 135 from the cleaning device 115 to the floor cleaner 105.

In Figure 7A the second gripping device 245 is opened and the floor cloth 135 rests in this area on the underside of the floor cleaner 105. For this purpose, the floor cleaner 105 can be moved longitudinally into a suitable position.

In Figure 7B the floor cleaner 105 has moved a little to the left and the drum 205 has rotated a corresponding amount counterclockwise so that the floor cloth 135 is unwound from its outer surface and applied to the underside of the floor cleaner 105.

Figure 7C shows a configuration in which the floor cloth 135 is completely attached to the underside of the floor cleaner 105. The first gripping device 245 is opened to separate the floor cloth 135 from the cleaning device 115.

In Figure 7D the floor cleaner 105 leaves the cleaning device 115 or the base station 110. The drum 205 can remain in the position shown, in which the floor cloth 135 can be taken over again by the floor cleaner 105 (cf. Figure 5A ).

Reference symbols

100

system

105

Floor cleaner

110

Base station

115

Cleaning device

120

wheel

125

Soil roller

130

Wiper device

135

Floor cloth

140

first tab

145

second tab

150

Driveway

205

drum

210

roller

215

Humidification device

220

Control device

225

drive

230

pump

235

jet

240

Lye container

245

Gripping device

250

recess, groove

255

Processing element

260

Sealing lip

265

Recess

Claims (13)

1. Cleaning apparatus (115) for cleaning a floor cloth (135) for an automatic floor cleaner (105), wherein the cleaning apparatus (115) comprises the following:

   - a water-permeable radial drum (205) which is configured to accommodate the floor cloth (135) on its peripheral surface;

   - a dampening facility (215) for the floor cloth (135) attached to the drum (210); and

   - a control apparatus (220) for controlling the drum (210) such that the floor cloth (135) is removed from or attached to a floor cleaner (105) running over the drum (210).
2. Cleaning apparatus (115) according to claim 1, wherein the drum (205) has a first grip element (245) for engaging into the floor cloth (135) while the floor cleaner (105) runs over the drum (205) and for removing the floor cloth (135) from the floor cleaner (105).
3. Cleaning apparatus (115) according to claim 2, wherein the first grip element (245) is configured to engage into the region of a front edge of the floor cloth (135), wherein the drum (205) comprises a second grip element (245) which is configured to engage into the region of a rear edge in the floor cloth (135).
4. Cleaning apparatus (115) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a grip element (245) can be moved radially on the drum (205), and a radial recess (250) is provided in the region of the grip element (245) for receiving the grip element (245).
5. Cleaning apparatus (115) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the grip element (245) is configured to clamp the floor cloth (135) onto the drum (205).
6. Cleaning apparatus (115) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an outer tub (240) beneath the drum (205).
7. Cleaning apparatus (115) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a roller (210) with radial processing elements (255); wherein the control apparatus (220) is configured to control the drum (205) and the roller (210) such that the processing elements (255) engage into the floor cloth (135) for the cleaning thereof.
8. Cleaning apparatus (115) according to claim 7, wherein a sealing lip (260) running axially is attached to the roller (210) in order to seal a radial gap between the drum (205) and the roller (210).
9. Cleaning apparatus (115) according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein a slot (265) running axially is provided on the roller (210) in order to form a radial gap between the drum (205) and the roller (210).
10. Cleaning apparatus (115) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the dampening facility (215) is configured to convey a liquid in a region between the drum (205) and the roller (210).
11. Base station (110) for an automatic floor cleaner (105), wherein the base station (110) comprises a cleaning apparatus (115) according to one of the preceding claims.
12. Method for cleaning a floor cloth (135) of an automatic floor cleaner (105), wherein the method comprises the following steps: automatic transfer of the floor cloth (135) from the floor cleaner (105) to a cleaning apparatus (115) while the floor cleaner (105) runs over the cleaning apparatus; cleaning of the floor cloth (135) in the cleaning apparatus; and automatic attachment of the floor cloth (135) to the floor cleaner (105) while the floor cleaner (105) runs over the cleaning apparatus (115).
13. System (100), comprising an automatic floor cleaner (105) and a cleaning apparatus (115) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the floor cleaner (105) is configured to accommodate a floor cloth (135) on its underside; to pass the floor cloth (135) over a floor for the cleaning thereof, and to run over the cleaning apparatus (115) in order to transfer the floor cloth (135) to the cleaning apparatus (115) or to remove it from the cleaning apparatus.

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