Service station for a mobile, self-propelled device

Abstract

A service station (1) for a mobile, self-propelled device (10) is specified, which device has a base unit (2) and a base tray (3) arranged on the base unit (2). The base tray (3) is provided to accommodate and / or clean at least one cleaning pad (11) of the device (10) after the device (10) has been docked to the service station (1). The base unit (2) has a water supply (8) for fresh water, from which a water line leads into the base tray (3). The base unit (2) has a dirty water discharge (5) for dirty water, to which dirty water lines (4, 14, 24) lead from the base tray (3), wherein the dirty water can be pumped from the base tray (3) into the dirty water lines (4, 14, 24) via a dirty water pump (9).The base unit (2) has a mixing valve (6) via which the drainage of the dirty water from the base tray (3) via the dirty water pipes (4, 24) to the dirty water discharge (5) or via the dirty water pipes (24, 14) back into the base tray (3) can be controlled.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a service station for a mobile, self-propelled device having a base unit and a base tray arranged on the base unit, a service system having such a service station and a device docked to the service station, and a cleaning method of a cleaning pad of the device at such a service station.

[0002] Current service stations for robot vacuum cleaners only direct fresh water into the base tray to clean the cleaning pads and the base tray itself. The resulting dirty water is then directed into a dirty water tank or wastewater connection without being reused or treated.

[0003] The reuse of dirty water is known from washing machines and dishwashers, where it is used for a certain period of time to clean and rinse laundry and dishes.

[0004] From the publications CN 2 06 261 561 U, CN 1 13 520 245 A, CN 1 14 788 672 A and CN 1 13 038 293 A, service stations for mobile, self-propelled devices are known, which include different variants of circuit rinsing for cleaning a cleaning pad and / or a base tray.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a service station in which the cleaning performance of the cleaning pad and the base tray can be increased while at the same time maintaining or reducing water consumption.

[0006] This object is achieved by a service station for a mobile, self-propelled device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] According to the invention, a service station for a mobile, self-propelled device comprises a base unit and a base tray arranged on the base unit. The base tray is provided to accommodate and / or clean at least one cleaning pad of the device after the device has been docked at the service station. The base unit has a water supply for fresh water, from which a water line leads into the base tray. The base unit has a dirty water discharge for dirty water, to which dirty water lines lead from the base tray, wherein the dirty water can be pumped from the base tray into the dirty water lines via a dirty water pump. The base unit has a mixing valve via which the dirty water can be controlled to be discharged from the base tray via the dirty water lines to the dirty water discharge or via the dirty water lines back into the base tray.

[0008] The core of the invention is to pump the dirty water generated during cleaning of the cleaning pads in the service station back into the base tray via dirty water pumps and a mixing valve. Part of the cleaning performance is achieved by actively rinsing the cleaning pads (the mechanical cleaning action of the water on the cleaning pad). The circulation principle makes it possible to use a specific amount of water for multiple rinsing processes. The dirty water can be kept in continuous motion, which improves the removal of dirt from the cleaning pad and reduces the likelihood of dirt settling in the base tray.

[0009] The service station according to the invention offers the following advantages: - Improved cleaning performance per amount of fresh water used (through multiple rinsing); - Resource efficiency through water saving - Extension of the filling and emptying cycle of the fresh and waste water tanks of a service station without a fixed water / waste water connection, as less water is consumed; and - Possibility to reduce the size of the service station (without fixed water / wastewater connection) by using small water tanks, as less water is consumed.

[0010] A mobile, self-propelled device is specifically understood to be a floor cleaning device that can autonomously clean floors, for example, in a household. This includes, among others, vacuum and / or sweeping and / or mopping robots. In particular, the mobile, self-propelled device is a combination device that can perform both dry and wet cleaning. During operation (cleaning mode), the devices preferably operate without or with as little user intervention as possible. For example, the device moves automatically into a specified room to clean the floor according to a predefined and programmed process strategy.

[0011] A service station is understood to mean any base station for a mobile, self-propelled device, in particular a cleaning robot, which, in addition to simply charging the cleaning robot's battery, provides at least one additional service function. This service function can, in particular, include vacuuming dust and dirt from the robot's dust box, refilling water into the robot's water tank, and / or cleaning or washing the cleaning pad attached to the robot for floor mopping. The service function is therefore a service task that should be performed to further work the floor in order to ensure optimal cleaning or to be able to continue the cleaning process. The service station can, of course, also offer more than one service function.

[0012] Docking the device at the service station specifically refers to a mechanical and / or electrical connection of the device to the service station. For example, the device has two charging contacts on its front underside, i.e. electrical contacts that are used to charge the battery. The service station has two corresponding mating contacts, which are also electrical contacts that are used to charge the battery. To charge, the device moves onto the base shell in such a way that its charging contacts are in mechanical and electrical connection with the mating contacts, allowing a charging current to flow from the service station to the device. Once docked, the device's cleaning pad is arranged in or on the base shell.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the cleaning pad in the base tray is cleaned by a mechanical cleaning action of water on the cleaning pad.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, by returning the dirty water to the base tray, the dirty water can be used for several rinsing processes of the cleaning pad.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the dirty water is kept continuously in motion when cleaning the cleaning pad.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, a circulating flush of the dirty water can be generated via the mixing valve.

[0017] In another advantageous embodiment, the frequency of the circuit flushing can be specified by the user. For example, the frequency of the circuit flushing can be adjusted by the user via an app on their smartphone, cell phone, tablet, or similar device to determine the degree of water conservation / cleaning efficiency.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, the service station further comprises a dirty water sensor in one of the dirty water pipes or in the mixing valve, wherein the mixing valve can be controlled depending on a measured degree of contamination of the dirty water.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, once a predetermined degree of contamination has been reached, the dirty water is drained via the dirty water pipes into the dirty water drain and fresh water is led from the water supply via the water pipe into the base tray.

[0020] In particular, a dirty water sensor in front of or in the area of ​​the mixing valve measures the degree of contamination of the water in order to automatically feed the dirty water to the waste water connection (or waste water tank) and to introduce new fresh water from the fresh water connection when necessary.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment, the service station further comprises a cleaning agent container for cleaning the cleaning pad, from which cleaning agent can be directed to the mixing valve, the water line, or the base tray via a cleaning agent line. The cleaning effect of the circulation system can be further enhanced by adding the cleaning agent.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for cleaning a cleaning pad of a mobile, self-propelled device at a service station as described, in which, after the device has been docked at the service station, the cleaning pad and / or the base tray of the service station are cleaned and / or rinsed by means of a circulating flush of the dirty water.

[0023] Furthermore, the invention relates to a service system for carrying out a cleaning method comprising the mobile, self-propelled device and a service station as described.

[0024] Any features, configurations, embodiments and advantages relating to the service station also apply in connection with the method according to the invention and the service system according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following embodiment of the invention, which merely represents examples. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a service system with a service station according to the invention and a mobile, self-propelled device.

[0026] Fig.1 shows a mobile, self-propelled device 10, in particular a vacuum-mopping robot, which is docked to a service station 1. The service station has a base unit 2 and a base tray 3. The robot is docked to the service station 1 such that a cleaning pad 11 of the robot, for example a cleaning mop, is arranged on or in the base tray 3, so that the cleaning pad 11 can be cleaned and / or rinsed in the base tray 3.

[0027] The base unit 2 contains a water supply 8 for fresh water, for example a fresh water connection, from which a water pipe 7 leads into the base pan 3. The base unit 2 also contains a dirty water discharge 5 for dirty water, for example a wastewater connection, to which dirty water pipes 4, 14, 24 lead from the base pan 3. A dirty water pump 9 is arranged on the dirty water pipe 24, with which the dirty water can be pumped from the base pan 3 into the dirty water pipe 24. A mixing valve 6 is also arranged on the dirty water pipes 4, 14, 24, via which the dirty water can be discharged from the base pan 3 via the dirty water pipes 24, 4 to the dirty water discharge 5 or via the dirty water pipes 24, 14 back into the base pan 3.

[0028] The dirty water generated during cleaning of the cleaning pad 11 in the service station 1 is pumped back into the base tray 3 via the dirty water pump 9 and the mixing valve 6 via dirty water lines 14, 24. Part of the cleaning performance is achieved by actively rinsing the cleaning pad (mechanical cleaning action of the water on the cleaning pad). The circulation principle makes it possible to use a specific amount of water for multiple rinsing processes. The dirty water can be kept continuously in motion, which improves the removal of dirt from the cleaning pad 11 and reduces the likelihood of dirt settling in the base tray 3.

[0029] A dirty water sensor can measure the degree of water contamination (not shown) upstream of or near the mixing valve 6 in order to automatically direct the dirty water to the dirty water outlet 5, for example, a wastewater connection or wastewater tank, and to introduce new fresh water from the water supply 8, for example, a fresh water connection. The frequency of the circuit flushing can be set by a user, for example, via an app, to determine the degree of water conservation / cleaning efficiency.

[0030] The cleaning effect of the described circulation system can be further increased by adding a cleaning agent (not shown).

Claims

[1] Service station (1) for a mobile, self-propelled device (10) comprising a base unit (2) and a base tray (3) arranged on the base unit (2), wherein - the base tray (3) is designed to receive and / or clean at least one cleaning pad (11) of the device (10) after the device (10) has been docked to the service station (1), - the base unit (2) has a water supply (8) for fresh water, from which a water pipe leads into the base tray (3), - the base unit (2) has a wastewater discharge (5) for wastewater, to which wastewater lines (4, 14, 24) lead from the base tray (3), wherein the wastewater can be pumped from the base tray (3) into the wastewater lines (4, 14, 24) via a wastewater pump (9), and - the base unit (2) has a mixing valve (6) which allows the discharge of wastewater from the base tray (3) via the wastewater lines (4, 24) to the wastewater discharge (5) or via the wastewater lines (24, 14) back into the base tray (3) to be controlled. [2] Service station according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning pad (11) in the base tray (3) is cleaned by a mechanical cleaning action of water on the cleaning pad (11). [3] Service station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein by returning the dirty water to the base tray (3) the dirty water can be used for several rinsing cycles of the cleaning pad (11). [4] Service station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dirty water is continuously kept in motion during cleaning of the cleaning pad (11). [5] Service station according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a circulating flush of the wastewater can be generated via the mixing valve (6). [6] Service station according to claim 5, wherein the frequency of the circulation flushing can be specified by the user. [7] Service station according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a wastewater sensor in one of the wastewater lines (4, 14, 24) or in the mixing valve (6), wherein the mixing valve (6) can be controlled depending on a measured degree of contamination of the wastewater. [8] Service station according to claim 7, wherein from a predetermined degree of contamination the wastewater is discharged via the wastewater pipes (4, 24) into the wastewater outlet (5) and fresh water is supplied from the water supply (8) via the water pipe (7) into the bottom tray (3). [9] Service station according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cleaning agent container for cleaning agent for cleaning the cleaning pad (11), from which cleaning agent can be conveyed via a cleaning agent line to the mixing valve (6), to the water line (7) or to the base tray (3). [10] Method for cleaning a cleaning pad (11) of a mobile, self-propelled device (10) at a service station (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, after docking the device (10) at the service station (1), the cleaning pad (11) and / or the base tray (3) of the service station (1) are cleaned and / or rinsed by means of a circulating flush of the dirty water. [11] Service system for carrying out a cleaning process according to claim 10, comprising - the mobile, self-driving device (10), and - the service station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9.

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