Service station and method for operating a service station when cleaning a cleaning robot

Abstract

A service station (150) for a cleaning robot (100) is described. The service station (150) comprises: a cleaning device (153, 256, 257) for cleaning a cleaning robot (100) arranged at the service station (150); an electrically operated actuator (304) designed to act on the cleaning device (153, 256, 257) of the service station (150) in order to clean the cleaning robot (100); an electrically conductive contact element (152) for connecting an electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) arranged at the service station (150); and a control unit (330) designed to cause the actuator (304) to be operated in a robot cleaning mode via the electrically conductive contact element (152) with electrical power from the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100).

Description

The invention relates to a cleaning robot and / or a service station for a cleaning robot, wherein the service station is configured to clean the cleaning robot. The invention further relates to methods for operating a cleaning robot and / or a service station.A cleaning robot, in particular an robotic vacuum, typically has a suction nozzle with a suction mouth, via which contaminants or dirt, in particular dirt particles, are sucked up from a surface to be cleaned by means of an air flow. The air flow may be effected by a blower. The dirt particles are conveyed from the suction mouth, via a suction channel, by the air flow into a dirt collecting container of the cleaning robot.A service station can be provided for emptying the collecting container, wherein the cleaning robot can be arranged at the service station in order to then empty the collecting container. The service station may be configured to clean the cleaning robot, wherein the cleaning of the cleaning robot may comprise, e.g., emptying the collecting container, wiping the housing of the cleaning robot and / or cleaning one or more wipes of the cleaning robot (configured for wet operation).The present document is concerned with the technical object of effecting a particularly efficient and / or thorough cleaning of a cleaning robot by a service station.The object is achieved in each case by the subject matter of the individual independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in particular in the dependent claims, described in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawing.According to one aspect, a cleaning robot for cleaning a surface (e.g. a floor) is described. The cleaning robot can be designed to move independently over the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning robot comprises a cleaning unit which is designed to be moved over the surface. The cleaning unit can have a suction mouth and optionally a brush roller. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning unit can comprise a liquid valve and / or a wipe or a wipe holder.The cleaning robot further comprises an electrically operated actuator which is configured to act on the cleaning unit in a surface cleaning mode in order to clean a surface (arranged below the cleaning unit). The cleaning robot may be operated in the surface cleaning mode when the cleaning robot is moved across the surface to be cleaned (e.g., by driving the cleaning robot). In this case, the cleaning robot is typically arranged remotely from the service station of the cleaning robot in the surface cleaning mode.Furthermore, the cleaning robot comprises an electrical energy store which is configured to store electrical energy for the operation of the actuator (and optionally for the operation of the drive) and to provide it as required. The energy store can have a specific maximum possible discharge power for the operation of the actuator. The energy storage may comprise a rechargeable battery (such as a lithium ion-based battery). The electrical energy store can be the only source of electrical energy integrated into the cleaning robot for the operation of the actuator.The cleaning robot is designed (possibly autonomously) to be arranged at the service station. For example, the cleaning robot can be designed to travel independently to the service station (e.g. onto a storage platform of the service station). The service station comprises a cleaning device (e.g. with a suction mouth) which is configured to clean the cleaning robot.Furthermore, the service station comprises an electrical energy source. Exemplary electrical energy sources of the service station are:• a 230V power supply configured to be coupled to a 230V alternating current power supply to provide electrical power for operation of the service station. The electrical power provided by this energy source is typically greater than 500 W or greater than 1 kW.• a DC voltage interface, in particular a USB-C interface, which is designed to provide a DC current with a low-voltage DC voltage. The electric power supplied from this power source is typically 240 W or less or 120 W or less.• an electrical energy store (e.g. with a rechargeable battery and / or with a storage capacitor).The cleaning robot comprises a control unit (e.g. with a processor) which is configured to cause the actuator of the cleaning robot to act on the cleaning device of the service station in a robot cleaning mode in order to clean the cleaning robot. The robot cleaning mode can be executed (if applicable only if the cleaning robot is arranged at the service station (in particular on the storage platform of the service station). During operation in the robot cleaning mode, it can be brought about here that the actuator is operated (in particular directly) with electrical power from the energy source of the service station (optionally alternatively or additionally to electrical power from the energy store of the cleaning robot). In this way, a particularly efficient and reliable cleaning of the cleaning robot can be effected (without an actuator having to be installed in the service station).As already explained above, the electrically operated actuator of the cleaning robot can comprise a blower which is designed to cause a suction air flow through the cleaning unit of the cleaning robot in the surface cleaning mode (in order to suck off the surface to be cleaned) and to cause a suction air flow through the cleaning device of the service station in the robot cleaning mode (in order to empty the collecting container of the cleaning robot).Alternatively or additionally, the electrically operated actuator of the cleaning robot can be designed to convey liquid through the cleaning unit of the cleaning robot (e.g. through a liquid valve) to the surface in the surface cleaning mode and to convey liquid through the cleaning device of the service station to the cleaning robot, in particular to the housing of the cleaning robot (e.g. on the upper side of the cleaning robot) and / or to the lower side of a wiping cloth of the cleaning robot in the robot cleaning mode.This allows particularly thorough cleaning of the cleaning robot.The control unit can be configured to cause the actuator of the cleaning robot to be supplied with electrical power from the energy source of the service station and with electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot in the robot cleaning mode. The electrical power can correspond to the sum of the electrical power of the energy source of the service station and the electrical power of the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot. Thus, the output of the actuator can be increased to a particular extent in order to further increase the cleaning quality.The cleaning robot can have at least one electrically conductive contact element which is designed to form an electrically conductive (galvanic) connection with a corresponding electrically conductive contact element of the service station when the cleaning robot is arranged at the service station. The contact elements can each be designed as a metallic contact plate. Typically, the cleaning robot and the service station each have two corresponding electrically conductive contact elements in order to provide two electrically conductive (galvanic) connections (e.g. for a charging process for charging the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot).The control unit can be configured to cause the actuator of the cleaning robot to be operated in the robot cleaning mode (in particular directly) with electrical power and / or with electrical current which is provided during the robot cleaning mode (in particular during the operation of the actuator of the cleaning robot for causing the robot cleaning mode) via the electrically conductive contact element of the cleaning robot (from the energy source of the service station). Thus, a particularly reliable energy supply of the actuator of the cleaning robot can be effected during the robot cleaning mode.As already explained above, the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot can have a maximum possible discharge power. The control unit can be configured to cause the actuator of the cleaning robot to be operated in the robot cleaning mode by reference to, in particular additional, electrical power from the energy source of the service station with an electrical power which, in particular by the factor 1.2 or more, or by the factor 1.5 or more, or by the factor 2 or more, exceeds the maximum possible discharge power of the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot.Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can be configured to operate the actuator in the surface cleaning mode with an electrical power that does not exceed a first power value, in particular the maximum possible discharge power of the energy store of the cleaning robot. Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to operate the actuator in the robot cleaning mode by referencing, in particular additional, electrical power from the energy source of the service station with an electrical power which has a second power value which is higher, in particular by the factor 1.2 or more, or by the factor 1.5 or more, or by the factor 2 or more, than the first power value.By increasing the electrical power for operating the actuator, the cleaning quality can be further increased.The cleaning robot can comprise a switching element (e.g. with one or more semiconductor-based switches and / or with one or more relays) which is designed to couple the electrical (supply) connection of the actuator of the cleaning robot to the energy store of the cleaning robot and / or to the electrically conductive contact element of the cleaning robot for connection of the energy source of the service station.The control unit can be configured to cause the switching element in the surface cleaning mode to couple the electrical connection of the actuator to the energy store of the cleaning robot (such that the actuator is operated (optionally alone) with electrical power from the energy store of the cleaning robot). Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to cause the switching element in the robot cleaning mode to couple the electrical connection of the actuator to the electrically conductive contact element of the cleaning robot (such that the actuator is operated (possibly alone) with electrical power from the energy source of the service station). In this way, a particularly reliable energy supply of the actuator of the cleaning robot can be effected.The control unit can be configured to operate the actuator in the robot cleaning mode without the use of electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot (in particular when it is detected that the energy source of the service station comprises a 230 V mains connection). In this way, a particularly gentle cleaning of the cleaning robot can be effected (without load for the energy store of the cleaning robot).According to a further aspect, a system is described which has a cleaning robot which is designed as described in this document. The system further comprises a service station, wherein the service station comprises a cleaning device configured to clean the cleaning robot, and wherein the service station has an electrical energy source.As already explained above, the electrically operated actuator of the cleaning robot can comprise a blower and the cleaning unit of the cleaning robot can comprise a suction mouth. The cleaning robot may comprise a collecting container for dirt particles, and the blower of the cleaning robot may be configured in the surface cleaning mode to bring about a suction air flow, by means of which dirt particles are conveyed from the surface to be cleaned through the suction mouth of the cleaning robot into the collecting container of the cleaning robot.The cleaning device of the service station can have a suction mouth for suctioning the collecting container of the cleaning robot. Furthermore, the service station can comprise a collecting container for dirt particles, and the fan of the cleaning robot can be configured in the robot cleaning mode to bring about a suction air flow, by means of which dirt particles are conveyed from the collecting container of the cleaning robot through the suction mouth of the service station into the collecting container of the service station.In this way, a particularly efficient and thorough suction of the collecting container of the cleaning robot can be effected.As already explained above, the cleaning robot can have an electrically conductive contact element, and the service station can have a corresponding electrically conductive contact element which is designed to form an electrically conductive connection with the electrically conductive contact element of the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot is arranged at the service station (in particular on the parking area of the service station).The system can be configured to provide electrical power and / or electrical current from the energy source of the service station for the operation of the actuator of the cleaning robot via the electrically conductive connection formed by the contact elements in the robot cleaning mode. Thus, the operating performance of the actuator of the cleaning robot can be increased in a particularly reliable manner during the robot cleaning mode.In a preferred example, the service station itself does not comprise a separate actuator (in particular no fan) which is designed to act on the cleaning device of the service station in order to clean the cleaning robot. A particularly efficient system can thus be provided.According to a further aspect, a method for operating a cleaning robot is described. The method comprises causing the actuator of the cleaning robot to act on the cleaning device of the service station in a robot cleaning mode in order to clean the cleaning robot, wherein the actuator is operated (in particular directly) in the robot cleaning mode with electrical power from the energy source of the service station (while the actuator is operated in the robot cleaning mode).According to a further aspect, a service station for a cleaning robot is described. The service station comprises a cleaning device (e.g. with a suction mouth) for cleaning a cleaning robot arranged at the service station (in particular standing on the storage platform of the service station). The service station further comprises an electrically operated actuator (e.g. a fan) which is configured to act on the cleaning device of the service station in order to clean the cleaning robot arranged at the service station. In addition, the service station comprises an electrically conductive contact element for (electrically conductive) connection of the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot arranged at the service station.The service station further comprises a control unit (e.g. with a processor) which is configured to cause the actuator to be operated in a robot cleaning mode (when the cleaning robot is arranged at the service station for cleaning), in particular directly, via the electrically conductive contact element with electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot. The electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot can be provided via the electrically conductive contact element, while the actuator of the service station is operated in the robot cleaning mode.The service station can comprise none, one or more station-specific energy sources which are designed to provide a maximum possible total of electrical power. Exemplary energy sources are a DC voltage interface (for connecting an external charger) and / or an energy store (for instance a rechargeable battery).The control unit can be configured to cause the actuator of the service station to be operated in the robot cleaning mode by obtaining electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot with an electrical power which, in particular by 10% or more, goes beyond the maximum possible electrical power of the zero, one or more station-own energy sources.By increasing the operating power of the actuator of the service station, the cleaning quality can be increased in an efficient and reliable manner.The service station may comprise a switching element (having one or more semiconductor-based switches and / or having one or more relays) which is designed to couple an electrical (supply) connection of the actuator of the service station to the electrically conductive contact element or to decouple it therefrom. The control unit can be configured to cause the switching element to couple the electrical connection of the actuator to the electrically conductive contact element of the service station in the robot cleaning mode. Thus, the (optionally partial or complete) energy supply of the actuator of the service station can be effected in a particularly reliable manner by the energy store of the cleaning robot.The service station may comprise a DC voltage interface, in particular a USB-C interface, which is configured to provide a DC current with a low-voltage DC voltage (which is provided, for example, by an external charger). The control unit can be configured to provide electrical power from the DC voltage interface at the electrically conductive contact element in a charging mode, in particular in order to charge the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot. Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to supply the actuator with electrical power in the robot cleaning mode, which is provided (optionally inter alia) by or via the DC voltage interface.The switching element of the service station can be designed to couple the DC voltage interface to the electrical connection of the actuator of the service station or to decouple it therefrom. The control unit may be configured to cause the switching element to couple the electrical terminal of the actuator to the DC voltage interface in the robot cleaning mode.The switching element can furthermore be designed to couple the DC voltage interface to the electrically conductive contact element for electrically contacting the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot or to decouple it therefrom. The control unit may be configured to cause the switching element to couple the DC voltage interface to the electrically conductive contact element in the charging mode, and in particular to decouple it from the electrical connection of the actuator.It can thus be made possible to use electrical power which is provided via the DC voltage interface and additionally to use electrical power which is provided by the energy store of the cleaning robot for the operation of the actuator of the service station. Thus, the cleaning quality of the cleaning of the cleaning robot can be further increased.The control unit can be configured to determine the state of charge of the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot (e.g. on the basis of the voltage at the energy store of the cleaning robot). It can then be brought about, as a function of the ascertained state of charge of the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot, that the actuator of the service station is supplied with electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot or not in the robot cleaning mode. The control unit can be configured in particular to cause the actuator of the service station to be supplied with electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot in the robot cleaning mode if the state of charge of the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot is greater than a state of charge threshold value. On the other hand, it can be caused that the actuator is not supplied with electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot in the robot cleaning mode if the state of charge of the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot is less than the state of charge threshold value.The operating power of the actuator of the service station can thus be increased in a particularly gentle manner (in particular with reduced load for the energy store of the cleaning robot).The control unit can be configured to cause the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot to be charged in advance of the robot cleaning mode in a charging mode if it is detected that the charging state is less than the charging state threshold value. When it is detected that the state of charge is greater than the state of charge threshold value as a result of the charging, it can then be caused that the actuator of the service station is supplied with electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot in the subsequent robot cleaning mode. Thus, the operating line of the actuator of the service station can be increased in a particularly gentle manner (in particular with reduced load for the energy store of the cleaning robot).The control unit can be configured to prevent a charging process during the robot cleaning mode for charging the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot on the basis of electrical power which is provided via an energy source of the service station. It can thus be ensured in a reliable manner that the actuator of the service station can be operated with the highest possible power in the robot cleaning mode.The service station can be designed to be equipped with different quantities of zero in each case, one or more station-own energy sources, wherein the different quantities of station-own energy sources are limited to different maximum possible electrical powers. The different amounts of respectively one or more station-own energy sources may respectively comprise none, one or more of• a 230V power supply configured to be coupled to a 230V alternating current power supply to provide electrical power for operation of the service station;• a DC voltage interface, in particular a USB-C interface, which is designed to provide a DC current with a low-voltage DC voltage (e.g. on the basis of an external charger); and / or• an electrical energy store (e.g. a rechargeable battery).The control unit can be configured to determine the maximum possible electrical power of the set of station-specific energy sources installed in the service station. It can then be effected or prevented, depending on the determined maximum possible electrical power, that the actuator is operated with electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot in the robot cleaning mode. For example, it can be caused that the actuator is operated with electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot in the robot cleaning mode if the maximum possible electrical power of the quantity of station-own energy sources installed in the service station is equal to or less than a power threshold value. On the other hand, it can be caused that the actuator is not operated with electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot in the robot cleaning mode if the maximum possible electrical power of the quantity of station-own energy sources installed in the service station is greater than the power threshold value.The operating power of the actuator of the service station can thus be increased in a particularly gentle manner (with reduced load for the energy store of the cleaning robot).As already explained above, the electrically operated actuator of the service station can comprise a blower. The cleaning robot can comprise a collecting container for dirt particles, and the cleaning device of the service station can have a suction mouth for suctioning the collecting container of the cleaning robot. Furthermore, the service station can comprise a collecting container for dirt particles. The fan of the service station can be configured in the robot cleaning mode to bring about a suction air flow, by means of which dirt particles are conveyed from the collecting container of the cleaning robot through the suction mouth of the service station into the collecting container of the service station.According to a further aspect, a system is described which comprises a cleaning robot with an electrical energy store. The system further comprises a service station configured as described in this document.According to a further aspect, a method for operating a service station for a cleaning robot is described. The method comprises causing the actuator of the service station to be operated and / or supplied with electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot via the electrically conductive contact element in a robot cleaning mode. The electrical power from the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot can be provided via the electrically conductive contact element while the actuator of the service station is operated.It should be noted that any aspects of the cleaning robot described in this document and / or of the service station described in this document and / or of the system described in this document and / or of the methods described in this document can be combined with one another in a variety of and / or arbitrary ways. In particular, the features of the patent claims can be combined with one another in many and / or arbitrary ways.The invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the appended drawings. The following are shown: FIGS. 1 aand 1 b show an exemplary cleaning robot in different perspective views; FIG. 1 c shows exemplary components of a cleaning robot; FIG. 1 d shows an example service station for a cleaning robot; FIG. 2 ashows an exemplary cleaning robot with a switching element for directly coupling the blower to an external power source; FIG. 2 b shows an exemplary system of a cleaning robot and a service station; FIG. 2 cshows an exemplary power supply of the blower of the cleaning robot with electrical power from the service station; FIG. 3 ashows an exemplary service station with a switching element for adapting the power supply of the blower of the service station; FIG. 3 b shows an exemplary combined power supply from the cleaning robot and from an external power source; FIG. 3 cshows an exemplary sole energy supply from the cleaning robot; FIG. 4 shows an example of a service station with an integrated electrical energy store; FIG. 5 ashows a flow diagram of an exemplary method for providing electrical power for cleaning a cleaning robot at a service station; and FIG. 5 b shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method for providing electrical power for cleaning a cleaning robot at a service station.As set forth above, the present document is concerned with the efficient and thorough cleaning of a cleaning robot at a service station. In this connection, FIG. 1 ashows the upper side 121 and FIG. 1 bshows the lower side 122 of a cleaning robot 100, in particular of a vacuum robot.The underside 122 faces the floor to be cleaned or the surface to be cleaned of a cleaning area, for example a room, in the suction mode of the cleaning robot 100. The underside 122 of the cleaning robot 100 typically has one or more drive units 101 (e.g. having one or more drive wheels), by means of which the cleaning robot 100 can be moved independently in order to clean different regions of a floor. Furthermore, the cleaning robot 100 may have one or more guide and / or support elements 104 (e.g. non-driven wheels) which enable a stable movement of the cleaning robot 100 over the floor to be cleaned. In addition, a cleaning robot 100 typically comprises one or more cleaning units 106 (in particular suction nozzles) which are configured to clean the floor under the cleaning robot 100.A cleaning unit 106 (in particular a suction nozzle) can have a brush roller 102 which is designed to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation is typically arranged parallel to the underside 122 of the cleaning robot 100. The brush roller 102 may be used to mechanically detach dust and / or contaminants on the floor to be cleaned from the floor, so that the dust and / or contaminants may be suctioned into the suction mouth 107 of the cleaning unit 106 with increased reliability.A user interface may be arranged on the upper side 121 of the cleaning robot 100, which allows a user of the cleaning robot 100 to make control inputs. In addition, the cleaning robot 100 can comprise a bumper 105 on a side wall 123 (e.g. on a side wall 123 in the front region of the cleaning robot 100), wherein a shock sensor can be arranged on the bumper 105 which is configured to acquire sensor data which indicate whether or not the cleaning robot 100 has hit against an obstacle in the direction of movement 120. For example, the triggering of the shock sensor (due to the deflection of the bumper 105) by an obstacle may cause the cleaning robot 100 to rotate about its vertical axis, which is perpendicular to the ground, and thereby change the direction of movement 120 to avoid the obstacle. The cleaning robot 100 typically has a collecting container 140 which can be inserted into a container recess of the cleaning robot 100 or removed from the container recess of the cleaning robot 100.Furthermore, a cleaning robot 100 typically has one or more environment sensors 110 (see FIG. 1 c ) which are configured to acquire environment or sensor data with respect to the environment of the cleaning robot 100. The one or more environment sensors 110 may include: one or more image cameras, one or more ultrasonic sensors, one or more tactile and / or optical distance sensors, one or more acoustic sensors, one or more temperature sensors, one or more lidar and / or radar sensors, etc. A control unit 130 of the cleaning robot 100 may be configured to ascertain digital map information relating to the cleaning area to be cleaned on the basis of the environment data and, if appropriate, to store it on a storage unit 111 of the cleaning robot 100. The cleaning robot 100 can use the digital map information in order to orient itself independently within the cleaning area (e.g. within a room) and / or in order to define a travel route for cleaning the cleaning area.FIG. 1 cshows a Cartesian coordinate system having a longitudinal axis (i.e. having an x-axis), having a transverse axis (i.e. having a y-axis) and having a vertical axis (i.e. having a z-axis). The direction of movement 120 of the cleaning robot 100 typically corresponds to the longitudinal axis. The axis of rotation of the brush roller 102 typically runs along the transverse axis.To increase the comfort, a service station 150 for a cleaning robot 100 can be provided, as is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1 d. The service station 150 may have a (relatively large) collecting container 151, into which dirt particles from the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 can be accommodated. The cleaning robot 100 can be placed at the service station 150 for this purpose. The cleaning robot 100 can be placed in particular on a storage platform 154 for the cleaning robot 100, wherein the storage platform 154 can have a shape which enables a clear and / or defined positioning of the cleaning robot 100 on the storage platform 154 of the service station 150.The service station 150 may include one or more electrical (i.e., electrically conductive) contact elements 152 configured to establish one or more electrically conductive connections with one or more corresponding electrical contact elements 202 of the cleaning robot 100 when the cleaning robot 100 is disposed on the storage platform 154 of the service station 100. Via the one or more electrical contact elements 152, electrical current for charging the electrical energy store of the cleaning robot 100 can be provided.The service station 150 can furthermore have a suction mouth 153 which is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the collecting container 151 of the service station 150. The suction mouth 153 may be positioned at a suction opening 213 of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 when the cleaning robot 100 is arranged on the storage platform 154 of the service station 150. A suction air flow can then be effected through the suction mouth 153 of the service station 150 in order to transfer, in particular to suck, dirt particles from the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 into the collecting container 151 of the service station 150. Thus, the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 can be emptied automatically in order to enable a renewed suction operation of the cleaning robot 100.Note that emptying of the collection container 140 of the robot cleaner 100 by the service station 150 is only an example of cleaning the robot cleaner 100. The service station 100 may optionally include one or more actuators (not shown) that provide one or more cleaning functions, such as cleaning the housing of the cleaning robot 100 and / or cleaning one or more wipes of the cleaning robot 100.FIG. 2 ashows further details of an exemplary cleaning robot 100. In particular, FIG. 2 ashows an exemplary electrical contact element 202 of the cleaning robot 100, which can form an electrically conductive connection with a corresponding contact element 152 of the service station 150 when the cleaning robot 100 is arranged at the service station 150. Typically, the service station 150 and the cleaning robot 100 each have two contact elements 202, 152 (for transmitting a direct current). The individual electrical contact elements 202 can each be connected via an electrical (supply) line 207 to the electrical energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100, such that the energy store 201 can be charged when the cleaning robot 100 is arranged at the service station 150.FIG. 2 afurther illustrates how, in a surface cleaning mode of the cleaning robot 100, a suction air stream 211 can be caused by the fan 204 of the cleaning robot 100, which is configured, for example, as a radial fan, and which is configured to suck dirt particles through the suction mouth 107 into the collecting container 140. The blower 204 may be arranged behind a filter unit 205 of the collection container 140 with respect to the flow direction of the suction air flow 211. The suction air stream 211 can be conducted downstream of the blower 204 via an air opening 206 out of the cleaning robot 100.The collecting container 140 can have a suction opening 213 on the underside 122 of the cleaning robot 100, at which suction opening the suction mouth 153 of the service station 150 can be arranged in order to clean the collecting container 140 (in a robot cleaning mode). Alternatively or additionally, the collecting container 140 can be cleaned, i.e. sucked, via the suction mouth 107 of the cleaning robot 100. In other words, the suction mouth 107 of the cleaning robot 100 can optionally be used as a suction opening (and the suction mouth 153 of the service station 150 can in this case be arranged on the suction mouth 107 of the cleaning robot 100). The suction opening 213 can be designed to be automatically opened by a suction air stream for cleaning the collecting container 140.The cleaning robot 100 can be configured to use the blower 204 of the cleaning robot 100 to cause the suction air flow for suctioning the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100. For this purpose, the cleaning robot 100 can have a suction air opening 214 on the underside 122 of the cleaning robot 100, wherein the suction air opening 214 is preferably arranged in the direct environment of the blower 204. The fan 204 of the cleaning robot 100 can be configured (in the robot cleaning mode) to cause a suction air stream for suctioning the collecting container 140, which suction air stream is conducted via the suction air opening 214 to the collecting container 151 of the service station 150.The cleaning robot 100 can furthermore be configured to block the filter unit 205 of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 by a blocking element 215, so that substantially no suction air any longer passes through the filter unit 205 of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100. As a result of the blockage of the filter unit 205 of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100, a significant suction air flow can be effected in an efficient manner via the suction air opening 214 of the cleaning robot 100 when the collecting container 140 is intended to be suctioned off (in the robot cleaning mode).The suction air opening 214 can be formed such that the suction air opening 214 is closed in the suction operation of the cleaning robot 100 (i.e. in the surface cleaning mode) and / or that the suction air opening 214 is opened when the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 is to be emptied (i.e. in the robot cleaning mode).The cleaning robot 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 afurther comprises a switching element 203, which can be controlled by the control unit 130 of the cleaning robot 100. The switching element 203 is configured to connect the energy supply connection of the blower 204 (i.e. generally of the actuator) selectively to the electrical energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 (such that the blower 204 is supplied with electrical energy from the energy store 201 in the cleaning operation, i.e. in the surface cleaning mode, of the cleaning robot 100) or to the supply line 207 (such that the blower 204 can be supplied or is supplied with electrical energy from the service station 150 (in particular directly) in order to suck off the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100, i.e. in the robot cleaning mode).FIG. 2 b shows an example system 250 comprising the cleaning robot 100 and the service station 150. The cleaning robot 100 is arranged on the storage platform 154 of the service station 150. The service station 150 may have a power supply 251 via which the service station 150 may be connected to a power supply 252 (e.g. to a 230 V power supply 252). Electrical current 253 can then be provided via the mains connection 252 and via the power supply unit 251 for charging the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100.The service station 150 comprises a dirt channel 257 which runs between the suction mouth 153 and the collecting container 151 of the service station 150 and which is designed to conduct dirt particles from the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 into the collecting container 151 of the service station 150. The service station 150 further comprises a suction channel 256 which is configured to fluidically couple the suction air opening 214 of the cleaning robot 100 to a filter unit 255 of the collecting container 151 of the service station 150 when the cleaning robot 100 is arranged on the storage platform 154 of the service station 150.For suctioning the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 2 c, the blower 204 of the cleaning robot 100 can be operated to cause a suction air flow 261 that flows through the opened suction air opening 214 of the cleaning robot 100, through the suction channel 256 of the service station 150, and through the filter unit 255 of the collecting container 151 of the service station 150. The suction air stream 261 runs from the collecting container 151 of the service station 150 through the suction and / or dirt channel 257 of the service station 150 and through the suction opening 213 of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100. Dirt particles can thus be sucked from the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 to the collecting container 151 of the service station 150 on the basis of the suction air flow 261. In this case, the suction air stream 261 is advantageously effected directly by the blower 204 of the cleaning robot 100, so that, if appropriate, no dedicated blower has to be installed in the service station 150.The suction air stream 261 used for suctioning the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 should typically have a higher volume flow than the suction air stream during the cleaning operation of the cleaning robot 100. For this purpose, the blower 204 of the cleaning robot 100 may be configured for a relatively high suction power, which is higher than the suction power during the cleaning operation (i.e. in the surface cleaning mode) of the cleaning robot 100, for example by a factor of 1.2 or more, or 1.5 or more, or 2 or more.Operating the blower 204 with an increased suction power typically requires the provision of a correspondingly increased electrical power, which may not be able to be provided by the electrical energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100. The switching element 203 of the cleaning robot 100 can cause the electrical power for the operation of the blower 204 to be at least partially or completely drawn via the service station 150 and / or from the mains connection 252. For this purpose, the blower 204 can be electrically conductively coupled (in particular directly) to the supply line 207 by the switching element 203, such that the supply current 253 from the service station 150 can be used (in particular directly) for the operation of the blower 204. In this way, a particularly efficient and reliable extraction of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 can be effected.A system 250 is thus described, in which the cleaning robot 100 at a service station, in particular suction station, 150 draws current 253 from the station 150 in order to be able to operate the blower 204 of the cleaning robot 100 with increased power during suction of the collecting container 140, in particular of the dust box, of the cleaning robot 100. The cleaning robot 100 can be a suction and / or sweeping robot, which can have an optional wet cleaning module. The cleaning robot 100 has a suction fan 204 for sucking in dust particles and optionally a brush roller 102 for sweeping in coarser particles. Collected dust and dirt are stored in the collection container 140 of the robot cleaner 100.The collection container 140 can be automatically emptied at a service station 150 with suction function when the cleaning robot 100 returns to the service station 150 after completion of a cleaning task. In the service station 150, a relatively large volume collection container 151 (e.g., in the form of a dust bag) serves to store dirt and dust outside the robot cleaner 100 and allows extended time intervals before a user has to perform disposal of the dust.Automatic emptying at the service station 150 takes place through a first opening 213 (i.e. via a suction opening) on the cleaning robot 100, which opening constitutes, for example, an additional outlet of the collecting container 140. A discharge flap can be arranged at this first opening 213, through which the stored dust and dirt is drawn into a channel 257 of the service station 150 and from there is transported to the collecting container 151 of the service station 150. The air flow 261 required for this may be generated by the blower 204 of the cleaning robot 100, which draws the air 261 through a second opening 214 (i.e., through a suction air opening) on the cleaning robot 100 from a corresponding duct 256 in the service station 150. The blower 204 in the cleaning robot 100 thus draws air 261 out of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 via the service station 150. Stored dust is thereby moved, in particular sucked, from the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 into the collecting container 151 of the service station 150.While the cleaning robot 100 carries out cleaning of the floor (as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2 a), the suction fan 204 of the cleaning robot 100 is supplied with electrical energy (typically alone and / or exclusively) by the (rechargeable) energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100. Depending on the cleaning situation or cleaning setting, the blower 204 can be operated continuously at, for example, 20 W to 60 W during the cleaning operation. In special cases, such as corner cleaning, the blower 204 can also be operated briefly at more power, e.g. 100 W. In other cases, too high a power level of the blower 204 is preferably to be avoided in order to be able to provide a sufficiently high running time of the cleaning robot 100 between charging processes for charging the energy store 201. During the cleaning operation of the cleaning robot 100, i.e., during the surface cleaning mode, the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 is directly connected to the blower 204, so that an air flow 211 is drawn from the suction mouth 107 of the cleaning robot 100, through the collecting container 140, and through the filter unit 205 of the collecting container 140 to the blower 204.If the cleaning robot 100 returns to the service station 150 after a cleaning task has ended or if a low state of charge of the energy store 201 is detected, the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 can be charged by the power supply 251, 252 of the service station 150 (cf. FIG. 2 b ). During a clean charging process, the suction fan 204 of the cleaning robot 100 is typically inactive and no air flow 211, 261 is generated in the cleaning robot 100 and / or in the service station 150.In order to empty the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 at the service station 150, an extraction process can be started. In this case, the openings 213, 214 on the underside 122 of the cleaning robot 100 can be used to divert the suction air stream 261 generated by the suction fan 204 through the service station 150 (cf. FIG. 2 c ). Air 261 is drawn in through the opening 214 on the blower 204, and the air stream 261 together with dust and dirt from the collection container 140 leaves the cleaning robot 100 through the additional outlet 213 of the collection container 140. A connection between the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 and the blower 204 is closed. By-pass air can be drawn through the suction mouth 107 of the cleaning robot 100, which enables an improved cleaning effect for cleaning the collecting container 140. Alternatively or additionally, secondary air can be drawn through an additional valve (not shown) in the collecting container 140.During the suction process, the blower 204 is preferably no longer supplied with electrical energy by the cleaning robot 100, in particular by the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100, but by the service station 150. This allows the blower 204 to be operated at a higher power than the general cleaning operation of the cleaning robot 100. Depending on the design of the blower 204, the output (for the robot cleaning mode) can be set, in particular regulated, to two to five times the output of the blower 204 in the cleaning operation (i.e. in the surface cleaning mode). For example, a power of up to 350 W can be effected in order to effect a reliable emptying of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100.If necessary, during the suction process, the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 can be connected by the service station 150 in addition to the power supply 251, 252 in order to operate the suction fan 204. This can be done in particular when the power supply 251, 252 of the service station 150 has a power limit which is below the power requirement of the blower 204 of the cleaning robot 100 for the suction operation (i.e. for the robot cleaning mode).The measures described in this document can be applied not only to a service station 150 having a suction function but also to a service station having a wet cleaning or wet service function. The power supply 251, 252 of the service station 150 can supply one or more actuators of the cleaning robot 100 with (optionally additional) electrical power. In particular, a higher electrical power can be provided than is available solely by the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100. Thus, the one or more actuators of the cleaning robot 100 may be operated with an increased electrical power in order to improve the (self-) cleaning performance. Example actuators are: a motor for a rotating or vibrating wipe (i.e., wipe pad), a water pump, or a drying blower. The aspects described in this document for a blower 204 are generally applicable to an electrically operated actuator of the cleaning robot 100.The use of the blower 204 of the cleaning robot 100 for suction at the service station 150 makes it possible to provide a service station 150 without a blower. The fan 204 of the cleaning robot 100 can thus be used for a plurality of tasks and costs and installation space of the service station 150 can be reduced. Supplying the robot blower 204 with power 253 from the service station 150 allows access to a higher output of the blower 204 during a vacuuming operation (i.e., robot cleaning mode). At the same time, the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot can be saved.FIGS. 3 ato 3 c show a system 250 having a cleaning robot 100 and a service station 150, in which the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 is used to supply one or more actuators 304, in particular a blower, of the service station 150 with electrical energy. The service station 150 may, for example, comprise an external power supply 351 (for example a charger), which may be connected to the service station 150 via a DC interface 356, for example a USB-C interface, in order to supply the service station 150 with electrical energy from a power supply connection 252. The external power supply 351 may have a relatively low power limit (e.g., 240 W or less) that may be insufficient for operation of the one or more actuators 304 of the service station 150.The service station 150 can be designed to draw electrical energy from the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 as an alternative or in addition to the power supply 351 of the service station 150. For this purpose, the service station 150 can have a switching element 240 which is designed to actuate an actuator 304, in particular the blower, of the service station 150• with the power supply unit 351 or with the power interface 356; and / or• with the electrical contact element 152 for electrically contacting the cleaning robot 100to connect. Thus, an operation of the actuator 304 with a relatively high output can be effected in an efficient manner, for example in order to enable a thorough cleaning of the cleaning robot 100, for example a suction of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100. The switching element 240 may be controlled by a control unit 330 of the service station 150.The service station 150 can optionally have its own (rechargeable) energy store 401, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 4. The switching element 240 of the service station 150 may be configured to couple the actuator (e.g. the blower) 304 of the service station 150 alternatively or additionally to the energy store 401, in order to further increase the performance of the actuator 304.FIGS. 3 ato 3 c show a service station 150 which has a fan 304 as actuator which is configured to generate an intake air stream 261 by means of which dirt particles are drawn from the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100, via the suction opening 213, through the suction channel 257 of the service station 150 into the collecting container 151 of the service station 150.A system 250 is thus described, in which a cleaning robot 100 provides current 353 from its energy store 201 to a service station 150 in order to be able to operate the blower 304 of the service station 150 with additional electrical power, for example in addition to the electrical power available by the power supply 351 of the service station 150, during a suction extraction of its collecting container 140, i.e. during the robot cleaning mode.Automatic emptying at the service station 150 is effected by an integrated suction fan 304 of the service station 150. A discharge flap can be present on the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100, through which the collected dust and dirt is drawn into a channel 257 of the service station 150 and from there transported to the dust container 151 of the service station 150.The service station 150 may be configured such that the service station 150 is not directly connected to the 230 V supply grid, but instead draws current from a reduced voltage (e.g., 10 V-30 V) power supply 351 (e.g., a USB-C DC power supply). For example, up to about 150 W of electrical power is available to the service station 150. The current 253 provided by the power supply 351 can be used to charge the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 after a cleaning trip (in a charging mode).The use of a low voltage DC power supply 351 makes the service station 150 more flexible and independent of the availability of a 230V power supply. Thus, possible applications in the environment of 12V, 24V or 48V on-board electrical systems (e.g. motor homes, boats) are also conceivable, in which such a power supply 351 can provide the necessary (direct current) voltage for the operation of the service station 150.The power supply 351 is not connected to the service station 150 by the universal connector 356 (e.g. USB-C), but can also be detached therefrom and used for other applications, e.g. to load other mobile devices (mobile telephones, tablets, notebooks, etc.). The possibility of directly connecting the power supply 351 to the cleaning robot 100, i.e. the cleaning robot 100 itself has a power supply socket 356 (e.g. a USB-C socket), allows the cleaning robot 100 to be able to be operated or charged even without the service station 150.In the service station 150, a direct current motor fan 304 (e.g., a BLDC fan, i.e., a fan with a brushless direct current motor) may be installed. The blower 304 may have a higher rated power than may be provided by the power supply 351 of the service station 150 (i.e., via the interface 356).In order to achieve an improved cleaning performance during the extraction of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100, the suction fan 304 of the service station 150 can be fed during the extraction process, i.e. in the robot cleaning mode, both from the power supply 351 of the service station 150 and from the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 (as illustrated e.g. in FIG. 3 b ). The two current or voltage sources can be switched as parallel or serial energy sources via a corresponding switching element 240, and more power can thus be made available to the suction blower 304. In contrast to the blower 304 of the service station 150 being operated alone only by means of the power supply unit 351, the extraction takes place with an increased quantity of air and with an increased reduced pressure, so that more effective emptying and cleaning of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 are achieved.Compared to a service station 150 with a standard suction blower 304 and a 230 V power connection 251, 252, the advantage of using a USB-C power supply 351 results, which leads to a broader and simplified availability (for example as a replacement part) and an improved equal part use over different variants of the cleaning robot 100.In order to be able to use the maximum power of the power supply unit 351 during the suction process, the charging of the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 can be suspended during the suction process, i.e. in the robot cleaning mode, and can be continued again after the suction process has ended.The connection of the energy store 201 to the power supply of the suction fan 304 of the service station 150 also enables the service station 150 to be operated (at least temporarily) without its own power supply. It is thus conceivable that the DC voltage power supply part 351 is not connected to the service station 150, and the extraction of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 can nevertheless be carried out. In this case, the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 supplies the blower 304 of the service station 150 alone, so that the blower 304 remains usable (with reduced power) (as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 3 c ).Furthermore, to save the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100, it is possible to suck it out only using the power supply 251, 351 of the service station 150, in particular if the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 has an (excessively) low charge level (which is less than a charge state threshold value). This procedure can prevent the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 from being excessively loaded or discharged too deeply or critically. Once the suction process has been concluded, the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 can be charged again normally and used without restrictions, for example during the next suction. Alternatively, the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 can also be charged first, i.e. before the suction of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100, before the suction of the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100 is subsequently carried out.The service station 150 may optionally itself have an electrical energy store 401 (e.g. a battery and / or a capacitor), which can be charged by the power supply 351, 251 of the service station 150 (e.g. if the cleaning robot 100 is not at the service station 150 during a cleaning task and the energy of the power supply 351, 251 can thus be used). Furthermore, the energy store 401 can be provided for load peaks. Such an energy store 401 can additionally support the extraction (which generally takes not more than 10 seconds), i.e. a third energy source can be incorporated. Alternatively, the suction can be fed only by the energy store 401 of the service station 150 and by the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 (the power supply by means of the power supply unit 351 can then be decoupled from this process).By providing an energy store 401 within the service station 150, the suction output can be increased further. Further, wireless operation of the service station 150 may be enabled. Furthermore, the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 can be charged with electrical energy from the energy store 401 of the service station 150.The energy store 401 of the service station 150 can optionally be designed as a replaceable battery, which can be replaced by a user if necessary (and which can optionally be charged with an external charger).The service station 150 may optionally include a charging interface for charging a battery-powered device (e.g., a battery vacuum cleaner). The device connected to the charging interface can then be used as an additional energy source for suctioning the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100.The control unit 330 can be configured to determine the states of charge of a set of different energy stores 201, 401, which are available as energy sources for a suction process. The individual energy stores 201, 401 can then be used or not depending on the respective state of charge for the extraction process. If necessary, only the one or more energy stores 201, 401 can be used which have a state of charge which is equal to or greater than a state of charge threshold value. If necessary, only the one or more energy stores 201, 401 that have the relatively highest state of charge can be used for the suction process.As already explained above, the measures described in this document can be applied not only to a service station 150 with suction function, but also, for example, to a service station with wet cleaning or wet service function. The one or more additional energy sources 201, 401 may assist in the functions of cleaning the wipes or filling / emptying fluid containers when the required electrical power for the one or more actuators 304 of the service station 150 exceeds the available power of the power supply from the power supply 351.As illustrated in FIGS. 1 band 1 c, the cleaning robot 100 can comprise at least one (electrically conductive) contact element 209 which is configured to be coupled to a corresponding (electrically conductive) contact element 159 of the service station 150 (when the cleaning robot 100 is arranged at the service station 150) in order to provide a (wired) communication connection.The communication link may be used (in particular in the robot cleaning mode) for communication between the control unit 130 of the cleaning robot 100 and the control unit 330 of the service station 150. The control unit 330 of the service station 150 can be configured, for example, to cause the actuator 204 of the cleaning robot 100 to be activated or deactivated and / or to cause the switching element 203 of the cleaning robot 100 to be switched via the communication link. In a corresponding manner, the control unit 130 of the cleaning robot 100 can be configured to cause the switching element 240 of the service station 150 to be switched via the communication link.FIG. 5 ashows a flow diagram of an exemplary (computer-implemented) method 510 for operating a cleaning robot 100 for cleaning an area. The cleaning robot 100 comprises a cleaning unit 106 which is configured to be moved over the surface (e.g. by a drive 101 of the cleaning robot 100). The cleaning unit 106 can have a suction mouth 107. The cleaning robot 100 further comprises an electrically operated actuator 204 (in particular a blower) which is configured to act on the cleaning unit 106 in a surface cleaning mode in order to clean a surface. In particular, a suction air stream 211 can be caused by the blower through the suction mouth 107 of the cleaning robot 100.The cleaning robot 100 further comprises an electrical energy store 201 (in particular a rechargeable battery) which is configured to store and provide electrical energy for the operation of the actuator 204 (if required).The cleaning robot 100 is configured to be arranged at a service station 150. If necessary, the cleaning robot 100 can automatically travel to the service station 150 (e.g. onto a parking area 154 of the service station 150). The service station 150 comprises a cleaning device 153, 256, 257 (e.g. a suction mouth 153 for suctioning the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100), which is configured to clean the cleaning robot 100. The service station 150 further comprises an electrical energy source 251, 252, 351, 401 (e.g. a mains connection).The method 510 comprises causing 511 the actuator 204 of the cleaning robot 100 to act on the cleaning device 153, 256, 257 (in particular on the suction mouth 153) of the service station 150 in a robot cleaning mode in order to clean the cleaning robot 100 (in particular in order to empty the collecting container 140 of the cleaning robot 100). In this case, the actuator 204 is operated (in particular directly) with electrical power from the energy source 251, 252, 351, 401 of the service station 150 in the robot cleaning mode (such that the actuator 204 can be operated with a higher power, whereby the cleaning quality for cleaning the cleaning robot 100 is increased).FIG. 5 bshows a flow diagram of an example (computer-implemented) method 520 for operating a service station 150 for a cleaning robot 100. The service station 150 comprises a cleaning device 153, 256, 257 (e.g. a suction mouth 153) for cleaning a cleaning robot 100 arranged on the service station 150 (in particular standing on the placement surface 153).The service station 150 comprises an electrically operated actuator 304 (e.g. a fan) which is configured to act on the cleaning device 153, 256, 257 of the service station 150 in order to clean the cleaning robot 100. Furthermore, the service station 150 comprises an electrically conductive contact element 152 (e.g. a contact plate) for (electrically conductive) connection of the electrical energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 arranged on the service station 150 to the service station 150. In a charging mode, the energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 100 can be charged via the contact element 152.The method 520 comprises causing 521 the actuator 304 to be operated in a robot cleaning mode (in particular directly) via the electrically conductive contact element 152 with electrical power from the electrical energy store 201 of the cleaning robot 150 (such that the actuator 304 can be operated with a higher power, whereby the cleaning quality for cleaning the cleaning robot 100 is increased). The electrical power from the energy storage 201 of the cleaning robot 150 may be provided while the actuator 304 is operated in the cleaning mode.The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are intended to illustrate only the principle of the cleaning robot described in this document and / or of the service station described in this document and / or of the system described in this document and / or of the methods described in this document.List of reference characters100 Cleaning robot 101 Drive unit 102 Brush roller 104 Guide and / or support element 105 Bumper 106 Cleaning unit / suction nozzle 107 Suction mouth 110 Environment sensor 111 Storage unit 120 Direction of movement / longitudinal direction 121 Upper side 122 Underside 123 Side wall 130 Control unit 140 Collecting container / dust box 150 Service station 151 Collecting container 152 Electrical / electrically conductive contact element 153 Suction mouth 154 Placement platform 159 Contact element (communication) 201 Energy store 202 Electrical / electrically conductive contact part 203 Switching element 204 Actuator / blower 205 Filter unit 206 Exhaust air opening 207 Supply line of contact element 208 Supply line of energy store 209 Contact element (communication) 211 Suction air 213 Suction opening 214 Suction air opening 215 Blocking element (filter unit) 240 Switching element 250 System 251 Power supply unit 252 Power supply connection 253 Power supply unit current 255 Filter unit 256 Suction channel 257 Suction air duct 261 Suction air 304 Actuator / blower 330 Control unit 351 Power supply unit 353 Robot power 356 Interface 401 Energy store 510, 520 Method 511, 512 Method step

Claims

Service station (150) for a cleaning robot (100); wherein the service station (150) comprises - a cleaning device (153, 256, 257) for cleaning a cleaning robot (100) arranged at the service station (150); - an electrically operated actuator (304) which is designed to act on the cleaning device (153, 256, 257) of the service station (150) in order to clean the cleaning robot (100); - an electrically conductive contact element (152) for connecting an electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) arranged at the service station (150); and a control unit (330) which is configured to cause the actuator (304) to be operated in a robot cleaning mode via the electrically conductive contact element (152) with electrical power from the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (150).The service station (150) according to claim 1, wherein - the service station (150) comprises a switching element (240) configured to couple or decouple an electrical connection of the actuator (304) of the service station (150) to the electrically conductive contact element (152); and - the control unit (330) is configured to cause the switching element (240) to couple the electrical connection of the actuator (304) to the electrically conductive contact element (152) of the service station (150) in the robot cleaning mode.Service station (150) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the service station (150) comprises a DC voltage interface (356), in particular a USB-C interface, which is configured to provide a DC current with a low voltage DC voltage; and - the control unit (330) is configured to - provide electrical power from the DC voltage interface (356) to the electrically conductive contact element (152) in a charging mode, in particular to charge the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100); and - to supply the actuator (304) with electrical power from the DC voltage interface (356) in the robot cleaning mode.The service station (150) according to claim 3, wherein - the service station (150) comprises a switching element (240) configured to couple the DC voltage interface (356) to an electrical connection of the actuator (304) of the service station (150) or to decouple it therefrom; and - the control unit (330) is configured to cause the switching element (240) to couple the electrical connection of the actuator (304) to the DC voltage interface (356) in the robot cleaning mode.Service station (150) according to claim 4, wherein - the switching element (240) is configured to couple the DC voltage interface (356) to the electrically conductive contact element (152) for electrically contacting the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) or to decouple it therefrom; and - the control unit (330) is configured to cause the switching element (240) to couple the DC voltage interface (356) to the electrically conductive contact element (152) in the charging mode, and in particular to decouple it from the electrical connection of the actuator (304).Service station (150) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (330) is configured to - determine a state of charge of the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100); and - depending on the determined state of charge of the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100), to cause the actuator (304) of the service station (150) to be supplied with electrical power from the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (150) or not in the robot cleaning mode.Service station (150) according to claim 6, wherein the control unit (330) is configured to - cause the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) to be charged in advance of the robot cleaning mode in a charging mode if the charging state is less than a charging state threshold value; and - if it is detected that the charging state is greater than the charging state threshold value, cause the actuator (304) of the service station (150) to be supplied with electrical power from the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) in the subsequent robot cleaning mode.Service station (150) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (330) is configured to prevent a charging process for charging the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) on the basis of electrical power provided to the service station (150) via an energy source (251, 252, 351, 401) during the robot cleaning mode.Service station (150) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (330) is configured to - cause the actuator (304) of the service station (150) to be supplied with electrical power from the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) in the robot cleaning mode if the state of charge of the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) is greater than a state of charge threshold value; and - cause the actuator (304) to not be supplied with electrical power from the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) in the robot cleaning mode if the state of charge of the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) is less than the state of charge threshold value.Service station (150) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the service station (150) comprises one or more station-own energy sources (251, 252, 351, 401) which are configured to provide a maximum possible total electric power; and - the control unit (330) is configured to cause the actuator (304) to be operated in the robot cleaning mode by means of the reference of electric power from the electric energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) with an electric power which, in particular by 10% or more, exceeds the maximum possible electric power of the one or more station-own energy sources (251, 252, 351, 401).Service station (150) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the service station (150) is configured to be equipped with different quantities of in each case zero, one or more station-own energy sources (251, 252, 351, 401); - the different quantities of station-own energy sources (251, 252, 351, 401) are limited to different maximum possible electrical powers; and - the control unit (330) is configured to - determine the maximum possible electrical power of the quantity of station-own energy sources (251, 252, 351, 401) installed in the service station (150); and - depending on the determined maximum possible electrical power, to cause or prevent the actuator (304) from being operated in the robot cleaning mode with electrical power from the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (150).Service station (150) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the different sets of respectively one or more station-own energy sources (251, 252, 351, 401) respectively comprise none, one or more of - a 230 V power supply unit (251) configured to be coupled to a 230 V alternating current supply grid in order to provide electrical energy for the operation of the service station (150); - a direct voltage interface (356), in particular a USB-C interface, configured to provide a direct current with a low voltage direct voltage; and / or - an electrical energy store (401).Service station (150) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the electrically operated actuator (304) of the service station (150) comprises a fan; - the cleaning robot (100) comprises a collecting container (140) for dirt particles; - the cleaning device (153, 256, 257) of the service station (150) has a suction mouth (153) for suctioning the collecting container (140) of the cleaning robot (100); - the service station (150) comprises a collecting container (151) for dirt particles; and - the fan of the service station (150) in the robot cleaning mode is configured to cause a suction air flow (261), by means of which dirt particles are conveyed from the collecting container (140) of the cleaning robot (100) through the suction mouth (153) of the service station (150) into the collecting container (151) of the service station (150).A system (250) comprising - a robot cleaner (100) having an electrical energy store (201); and - a service station (150) configured according to any one of the preceding claims.Method (520) for operating a service station (150) for a cleaning robot (100); wherein the service station (150) comprises - a cleaning device (153, 256, 257) for cleaning a cleaning robot (100) arranged at the service station (150); - an electrically operated actuator (304) which is designed to act on the cleaning device (153, 256, 257) of the service station (150) in order to clean the cleaning robot (100); and - an electrically conductive contact element (152) for connecting an electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (100) arranged at the service station (150); and wherein the method (520) comprises, - causing (521) the actuator (304) to be operated in a robot cleaning mode via the electrically conductive contact element (152) with electrical power from the electrical energy store (201) of the cleaning robot (150).

Images