Floor cleaning system

Abstract

A floor cleaning system (100) comprises a first floor cleaner (110) and a second floor cleaner (115), each configured to travel over a floor surface (105) and clean the floor surface; wherein the first floor cleaner is configured to lift the second floor cleaner vertically from the floor surface and carry it along.

Description

[0001] A floor cleaner is designed to move across a floor surface and clean it. For example, the floor cleaner can include an autonomous vacuum cleaner, an autonomous sweeper, or an autonomous mop. The floor cleaner can be used particularly in a household.

[0002] The size of a floor cleaner is usually determined by the size of the cleaning device, drive unit, and energy storage unit. Common devices have a diameter of approximately 30 to 40 cm and can be up to approximately 12 cm high. Such a device often cannot reach every corner of a household to clean the floor in that area. However, a smaller floor cleaner may not have the necessary endurance, cleaning power, or control capabilities.

[0003] CN 203 841 672 U proposes a floor cleaner configured to accommodate a smaller floor cleaner and to release it as needed. For this purpose, the larger floor cleaner is provided with a side flap that can be opened like a ramp to allow the smaller floor cleaner to move into or out of the first one. However, the floor cleaners are loosely integrated at best, and the release and retrieval of the smaller floor cleaner is essentially controlled solely by the smaller floor cleaner. EP 1 806 086 A2 describes a cleaning system with a cleaning robot and a docking station.

[0004] One object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved floor cleaning system with a first and a second floor cleaner that can interact in an improved manner. The invention achieves this object by means of the subject matter of independent claims 1, 10, 11, and 12. Subclaims specify preferred embodiments.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a floor cleaning system comprises a first floor cleaner and a second floor cleaner, each configured to move over a floor surface and clean the floor surface. The first floor cleaner is configured to vertically lift the second floor cleaner from the floor surface and carry it along.

[0006] According to the invention, a mechanical connection between the first and second floor cleaners can be used to lift the second floor cleaner vertically from the floor and hold it on the first floor cleaner. This allows the first floor cleaner to work on a floor area and only detach the second one when a cleaning task requires a smaller device. After use, the second floor cleaner can be picked up more easily by the first. The vertical lifting allows for more precise positioning of the second floor cleaner. Furthermore, the vertical lifting allows for improved mechanical security of the second floor cleaner on the first floor cleaner.

[0007] The first floor cleaner has a bay for accommodating the second floor cleaner. The bay can be designed such that it essentially holds the second floor cleaner in a form-fitting manner in the horizontal direction. An outline of the first floor cleaner with the second floor cleaner accommodated can result in a closed shape. In particular, the bay can be designed such that the first floor cleaner does not protrude beyond the outline of the second floor cleaner, so that its mobility or rotation is not restricted by the second floor cleaner as much as possible.

[0008] A lifter is mounted in the bay, which is configured to engage the second floor cleaner from below. The lifter is preferably mounted at a predetermined height above the floor surface and can engage a corresponding engagement element to lift the second floor cleaner. While not connected to the first floor cleaner, the second floor cleaner can maneuver freely on the floor surface and does not need to drive onto an element associated with the first floor cleaner to pick up or set down from the first floor cleaner.

[0009] A contact can be installed in the bay to supply the second floor cleaner with electrical power. The lifter can be configured to raise or lower the second floor cleaner while the second floor cleaner is connected to the contact. The contact can advantageously be used, on the one hand, to charge an electrical energy storage device of the second floor cleaner and, on the other hand, to detect correct positioning of the second floor cleaner in the bay of the first floor cleaner, so that the lifter can only be activated when safe picking up or setting down of the second floor cleaner is guaranteed.

[0010] It is particularly preferred that the contact extends vertically to allow electrical connection to the second floor cleaner over a predetermined range of its vertical position. In particular, the contact may extend over a vertical range at least as large as the second floor cleaner can be raised or lowered relative to the first. Should the electrical connection be interrupted during a lifting or lowering operation, it can be determined that the corresponding maneuver has failed. In this case, the lifter can be retracted in the opposite direction to repeat the maneuver or abort it.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment, a contact element is formed on the first floor cleaner, against which the second floor cleaner can be pressed from below by means of the lifter. This allows the second floor cleaner to be better secured to the first floor cleaner to prevent accidental release. By pressing the second floor cleaner upwards against the first floor cleaner, an engagement mechanism of the lifter can be locked to the second floor cleaner in a force-fitting or positive-locking manner, so that the second floor cleaner is firmly held to the first floor cleaner in all directions.

[0012] It is generally preferred that a lifter attached to the first floor cleaner for lifting the second floor cleaner has a linear drive for moving an engagement element for engaging with the second floor cleaner. The lifter can lift the second floor cleaner vertically and in particular comprise a spindle drive. The lifter can therefore be designed to save space, and a force acting on the second floor cleaner can be large due to the spindle drive. The linear drive can ensure precise guidance of the second floor cleaner in the vertical direction. Precise alignment of the second floor cleaner with respect to the first can be used to establish further connections between the floor cleaners when picking them up or to separate them again when setting them down.

[0013] Such connections can be used to exchange collected dirt, cleaning fluid or data between the floor cleaners.

[0014] A connection between the first and second floor cleaners can be established by means of mutually corresponding engagement elements. Preferably, a first engagement element is attached to one of the floor cleaners and a second engagement element is attached to the other, wherein the engagement elements are configured to be brought closer to one another horizontally until they partially lie one above the other and to engage one another in a form-fitting manner when they are then moved towards one another in a vertical direction. Due to the vertical movement of at least one of the engagement elements, undercuts of the engagement elements can engage one another, so that a form-fitting connection in the horizontal direction can be achieved between the engagement elements. The form-fitting connection can act in one or more horizontal directions.

[0015] One of the engagement elements can have a V-shaped limit in order to establish a predetermined mutual horizontal orientation of the floor cleaners when engaging with the other engagement element. The other engagement element can also be V-shaped or point-shaped. In particular, a lateral offset or a relative rotation about the vertical axis of the second floor cleaner can be corrected by the V-shaped limit during a lifting process. Preferably, an engagement element of the first floor cleaner is located in the region of a bay for receiving the second floor cleaner, wherein a shape of the bay allows only a limited lateral or rotational alignment error of the second floor cleaner with respect to a desired position. The V-shaped limit can be dimensioned such that its corrective function is not, or not significantly, greater than the positioning error possible due to the design of the bay.

[0016] In one embodiment, an upwardly opening hook is formed on the first floor cleaner, and a downwardly opening engagement element is formed on the second floor cleaner. The engagement element of the second floor cleaner can extend in a horizontal direction to enable secure engagement of the hook even in the event of a horizontal or rotational positioning error about the vertical axis. This embodiment can be easily combined with the V-shaped limitation.

[0017] In a reverse embodiment, a downwardly opening hook is formed on the second floor cleaner, and an upwardly opening engagement element is formed on the first floor cleaner. The engagement element can be designed, for example, in the form of a rim, an edge, or a bracket. This allows the hook to engage even in the event of a positioning error of a predetermined maximum size. This embodiment can also be combined with the V-shaped limitation. The hook attached to the second floor cleaner can be pivoted in a horizontal direction to prevent the second floor cleaner from snagging on an object. The hook can be pushed back into a predetermined pivot position by means of an elastic element.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a first floor cleaner is configured to move across a floor surface and clean the floor surface; wherein the first floor cleaner comprises a lifter for engaging with a further floor cleaner and lifting the further floor cleaner from the floor surface and carrying it along. The first floor cleaner has a bay for receiving the second floor cleaner, and a lifter is mounted in the bay, which is configured to engage the second floor cleaner from below.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a second floor cleaner is configured to move over a floor surface and clean the floor surface; wherein the second floor cleaner has an engagement element for being lifted from the floor surface and carried along by another floor cleaner. The second floor cleaner is configured to be received in a bay of the other floor cleaner, and the engagement element of the floor cleaner is provided so that a lifter mounted in the bay engages the engagement element of the floor cleaner from below.

[0020] The two floor cleaners can each be part of a system described herein.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for receiving a second floor cleaner by a first floor cleaner comprises the steps of orienting the floor cleaners such that the second floor cleaner faces toward a bay of the first floor cleaner, and the bay of the first floor cleaner faces the second floor cleaner; approaching one of the floor cleaners toward the other until the second floor cleaner is connected to electrical contacts in the bay; and vertically lifting the second floor cleaner by the first floor cleaner.

[0022] The method can be implemented, in particular, by a system described herein. Advantages and features of the various aspects of the present invention can be transferred to one another.

[0023] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a system with a first and a second floor cleaner; Figure 2 shows various phases when picking up one floor cleaner by another; Figure 3 shows engagement elements on corresponding floor cleaners in a first embodiment; Figures 4A to 4D show sectional views during the picking up or setting down of one floor cleaner by another; Figure 5 shows engagement elements on corresponding floor cleaners in a second embodiment; Figure 6 shows engagement elements on corresponding floor cleaners in further embodiments represents.

[0024] Figure 1shows a system 100 for cleaning a floor surface 105. The system 100 comprises a first floor cleaner 110 and a second floor cleaner 115, each configured to move over and clean the floor surface 105 independently of the other floor cleaner 110, 115. In a variant of the present invention, the floor surface 105 can also be treated in a different manner. Movement, control, and treatment are carried out in a generally known manner, so corresponding elements will not be discussed in detail here.

[0025] The first floor cleaner 110 is overall larger than the second 115 and is configured to pick up or set down the second floor cleaner 115. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, a bay 120 is formed on the first floor cleaner 110, into which bay the second floor cleaner 115 can move on the floor surface 105. The bay 120 is preferably shaped such that it supports the establishment of a predetermined relative positioning of the second floor cleaner 115 on the first 110 during picking up. For this purpose, a horizontal entrance area of ​​the bay 120 can be beveled in a funnel shape, for example, as shown. A further section of the bay 120 can be shaped such that it supports a horizontal placement of the second floor cleaner 115 in a predetermined orientation. In particular, the further section can be shaped such that it can lie substantially flat against the second floor cleaner 115.

[0026] In the horizontal direction, the second floor cleaner 115 can have the D-shape shown. The first floor cleaner 110 can have a corresponding shape, from which the bay 120 is cut out. When the second floor cleaner 115 is accommodated in the bay 120, it can again form a D-shape together with the first 110. The second floor cleaner 115 can be flatter than the first 110, so that the two can be flush with each other at the top, while only the first 110 touches the floor surface 105.

[0027] In the bay 120, a lifter 122 is preferably attached to the first floor cleaner 110, which lifter is configured to engage, in particular, in a form-fitting manner with the second floor cleaner 115 when the latter is located in the predetermined orientation in the bay 120, and to lift the second floor cleaner 115 from the floor surface 105 or to place it onto it in a controlled manner.

[0028] If the first floor cleaner 110 is located at a known position and sets down the second floor cleaner 115 there, its position and orientation can be known, allowing navigation of the second floor cleaner 115. To bring the second floor cleaner 115 closer to the first floor cleaner 110 so that it can be picked up by the first floor cleaner 110, various sensors or markings can be provided on the floor cleaners 110, 115. In the exemplary embodiment shown, rod-shaped antennas 125 are attached to the second floor cleaner 115, with which a wireless signal can be received, which can be emitted by a radiator 130 on the first floor cleaner 110. An approximate distance and direction between the floor cleaners 110, 115 can be determined using triangulation.In another embodiment, an infrared receiver can be provided instead of the antenna 125, with the emitter 130 configured to emit infrared light. In both variants, the transmitting and receiving sides can also be interchanged between the floor cleaners 110, 115.

[0029] Figure 2 shows various phases during the pickup of a second floor cleaner 115 by a first floor cleaner 110. Three phases are shown, which differ in the positions and / or orientations of the second floor cleaner 115. The position and orientation of the first floor cleaner 110 remains constant, for example. The approach of the second floor cleaner 115 to the first floor cleaner 110 can be controlled by moving the second floor cleaner 115 and / or the first floor cleaner 110 relative to the floor surface 105.

[0030] In a first phase, the lower range of Figure 2The second floor cleaner 115 shown is oriented as desired. Typically, the second floor cleaner 115 is controlled so that it does not move more than a predetermined distance from the first floor cleaner 110 to prevent the second floor cleaner 115 from becoming lost.

[0031] In a second phase, the second floor cleaner 115 is in a Figure 2 middle position. The distance to the first floor cleaner 110 is limited to a predetermined value. At the same time, it can be ensured that the distance does not fall below a further predetermined value. The first floor cleaner 110 can then be oriented so that its bay 120 faces the second floor cleaner 115. The second floor cleaner 115 can be oriented so that it can be accommodated in the bay 120 after approaching the first floor cleaner 110.

[0032] In a third phase, the floor cleaners 110 and 115 were brought closer together in a linear movement until the second floor cleaner 115, as shown in the upper illustration, arrived in the bay 120 of the first floor cleaner 110. Correct positioning of the floor cleaners 110, 115 relative to each other can be determined using a sensor mounted in the area of ​​the bay 120. If the positioning is acceptable, the lifter 122 can be activated to lift the second floor cleaner 115 from the floor surface 105 and, more preferably, to secure it to the first floor cleaner 110 for transport.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the second floor cleaner 115 can be lifted vertically by means of the lifter 122 and pressed against a contact element 205, whereby the second floor cleaner 115 can be held more stably on the first floor cleaner 110. In a first embodiment, the contact element 205 projects horizontally away from the first floor cleaner 110 and is configured to bear against an upper side of the second floor cleaner 115 when the latter is lifted into an upper vertical position relative to the first floor cleaner 110. In a second embodiment, the contact element 205 is configured to bear in a corresponding manner against the upper side of an engagement element of the second floor cleaner 120, which is described below with reference to Figure 5 is described in more detail.

[0034] Figure 3 shows engagement elements on corresponding floor cleaners 110, 115 in a first embodiment.

[0035] In the area of ​​the bay 120, two first electrical contacts 305 are attached to the first floor cleaner 110. Correspondingly, second electrical contacts 310 are attached to the second floor cleaner 115, which can abut the first contacts 305 in pairs when the second floor cleaner 115 is located in a predetermined orientation in the bay 120 of the first floor cleaner 110. The first electrical contacts 305 are elongated in the vertical direction so that an electrical connection to the second electrical contacts 310 can be maintained when the second floor cleaner 115 is raised or lowered by means of the lifter 122 on the first floor cleaner 110. The second contacts 310 can have substantially the same vertical and horizontal dimensions.

[0036] In a reverse embodiment, the second contacts 310 can also be vertically elongated, while the first contacts 305 can have similar vertical and horizontal dimensions. These embodiments can also be mixed. In general, it is preferred that a pair of contacts 305, 310 is used to transmit an electrical current between the floor cleaners 110, 115. The current can be used to charge an electrical energy storage device of the second floor cleaner 115. The current is preferably provided from an energy storage device of the first floor cleaner 110. Additionally or alternatively, information can also be exchanged between the floor cleaners 110, 115 via the contacts 305, 310.

[0037] For the mechanical connection of the second floor cleaner 115 to the first floor cleaner 110, corresponding engagement elements are provided. A first engagement element 315 is attached to the first floor cleaner 110, and a second engagement element 320 is attached to the second floor cleaner 115. The first engagement element 315 comprises at least one hook that extends horizontally away from the first floor cleaner 110 and upwards from there. In this way, the hook 315 is open upwards. On the second floor cleaner 115, the second engagement element 320 is correspondingly open downwards. The second engagement element 320 is formed by a horizontally extending contact edge or an edge of a structure, for example a housing of the second floor cleaner 115. On a side facing the first floor cleaner 110, the second floor cleaner 115 is semicircular, and the bay 120 of the first floor cleaner 110 has a corresponding shape.As a result, the second floor cleaner 115 can also be rotated about the vertical axis from a predetermined orientation relative to the first floor cleaner 110, and the engagement elements 315, 320 can still engage securely with each other.

[0038] Figures 4A to 4D show sectional views of floor cleaners 110, 115 during a picking up or setting down of the smaller 115 by the larger 110. The illustrated phases can be understood as phases or steps of a method. From top to bottom, a second floor cleaner 115 can be passed through by a first floor cleaner 110, while from bottom to top, a second floor cleaner 115 can be passed through by a first floor cleaner 110.

[0039] In Figure 4A the second floor cleaner 115 is located outside the bay 120 of the first floor cleaner 110 and is already correctly aligned about its vertical axis in order to enter the bay 120 by traveling in the direction of the first floor cleaner 110.

[0040] The first engagement element 315 on the first floor cleaner 110 is in a lower position.

[0041] In Figure 4B The second floor cleaner 115 is fully retracted into the bay 120 of the first floor cleaner 110, and the contacts 305, 310 are electrically connected to each other in pairs. This allows a predetermined test current to be controlled through the contacts 305, 310, the flow of which can indicate that the second floor cleaner 115 is ready to be lifted onto the first floor cleaner 110 by means of the lifter 122. The contacts 305, 310 are mounted with respect to the engagement elements 315, 320 such that the electrical connection is only established when the engagement elements 315, 320 overlap horizontally in a predetermined manner, as shown.

[0042] In Figure 4CThe first engagement element 315 is moved upward by the lifter 122 until the hook 315 engages horizontally behind the edge 320. In this position, the second floor cleaner 115 can no longer be separated horizontally from the first floor cleaner 110 without first lifting it. The electrical contacts 305, 310 are further electrically connected to each other in pairs.

[0043] In Figure 4D The lifter 122 has moved the first engagement element 315 upwards so far that the second floor cleaner 115 is lifted upwards on the first floor cleaner 110 and thus lifted off a floor surface 105. At the same time, the second floor cleaner 115 can be mechanically secured to the first floor cleaner by means of the engagement elements 315, 320, ensuring that it is securely fastened during transport. The electrical contacts 305, 310 remain electrically connected to each other in pairs.

[0044] Figure 5shows engagement elements 315, 320 electrical contacts 305, 310 on corresponding floor cleaners 110, 115 in a second embodiment. In a sense, in reversal of the Figure 3In the embodiment shown, the first engagement element 315 on the first floor cleaner 110 is horizontally elongated and open upwards, and the second engagement element 320 on the second floor cleaner 115 is designed as a hook and open downwards. By way of example, two hooks 320 are provided on the second floor cleaner 115. The hooks 320 can each be pivotable about a vertical axis, wherein an elastic element can be provided to push the hooks 320 back into a predetermined position about the vertical axis. If the second floor cleaner 115 moves into the bay 120 of the first floor cleaner 110, the engagement elements 315, 320 can partially overlap in the horizontal direction. If the bracket 315 is then raised by means of the lifter 122, the hooks 320 can engage in the bracket 315.Here too, a predetermined rotational misalignment of the second floor cleaner 115 with respect to the first 110 cannot jeopardize a secure engagement of the engagement elements 315, 320.

[0045] Figure 6 shows engagement elements 315, 320 305, 310 on mutually corresponding floor cleaners 110, 115 in further embodiments.

[0046] In the upper area of Figure 6 an A- or W-shaped configuration of the first engagement element 315 on the first floor cleaner 110 can be seen, which engages in the hook-shaped second engagement element 320 of Figure 5can engage. The second engagement element 320 can be centered relative to the first 315 or pulled into a predetermined horizontal position. This can help to make picking up the second floor cleaner 115 on the first 110 more secure. Picking up can be successful even if there are uneven surfaces in the area of ​​the floor cleaners 110, 115, for example a carpet edge, a carpet fold, or a cable. The first engagement element 315 comprises two edges that converge towards one another in the manner of a funnel or wedge and are open at the top. Several pairs of such edges can also be provided, with one pair being assigned to a second engagement element 320. In the present case, two adjacent first engagement elements 315 are provided, so that their edges approximately form the shape of the letter W.

[0047] In the lower part of Figure 6A corresponding embodiment of the second engagement element 320 on the second floor cleaner 115 is shown. Here, a second engagement element 320 comprises two downwardly open edges converging towards each other for receiving first engagement elements 315 according to Figure 3 . Alignment or centering of the second floor cleaner 115 with respect to the first 110 can also occur when the lifter 122 engages the engagement elements 115, 120 and vertically lifts the second floor cleaner 115 on the first 110. In this embodiment, too, several pairs of edges, each forming a second engagement element 320, can be provided to engage an associated first engagement element 315. In the present case, two adjacent second engagement elements 320 are provided, so that their edges approximately form the shape of the letter M.

[0048] In a further embodiment, a first engagement element 315 can act as the first contact 305 and a second engagement element 320 can act as the second contact 310. A further first and second engagement element 315 and 320, which are configured for mutual engagement, can also be designed as electrical contacts 305, 310. This allows the second floor cleaner 115 to be supplied with electrical energy from the first floor cleaner 110 in an improved manner, as long as the engagement elements 310, 315 engage with each other. A vertical sliding contact, as shown for example in Figure 3 is then no longer necessary. However, the presence of the second floor cleaner 115 at the first 110 must then be determined in a manner other than by means of the electrical contacts 105, 110. Reference symbol

[0049] 100System for cleaning a floor area, floor cleaning system 105Floor area 110First (larger) floor cleaner 115Second (smaller) floor cleaner 120Bay 122Lifter 125Antenna 130Emitter 205Investment element 305First electrical contact 310Second electrical contact 315First engagement element 320Second engagement element

Claims

1. Floor cleaning system (100), comprising: - a first floor cleaner (110) and a second floor cleaner (115); - which are each designed to move over a floor surface (105) and to clean the floor surface (105); wherein the first floor cleaner (110) is designed to lift the second floor cleaner (115) vertically from the floor surface (105) and to carry it along; characterised in that the first floor cleaner (110) has an inlet (120) for receiving the second floor cleaner (115) and a lifter (122) is attached in the inlet (120) and is designed to engage into the second floor cleaner (115) from below.

2. System (100) according to claim 1, wherein a contact (305) is attached in the inlet (120), in order to supply electrical energy to the second floor cleaner (115), and the lifter (122) is designed to lift or lower the second floor cleaner (115) while the second floor cleaner (115) is connected to the contact (305).

3. System (100) according to claim 2, wherein the contact (305) extends in the vertical direction in order to permit an electrical connection to the second floor cleaner (115) over a predetermined range from its vertical position.

4. System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a stop element (205) is embodied on the first floor cleaner (110), against which stop element the second floor cleaner (115) can be pressed from below by means of the lifter (122).

5. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a lifter (122) for lifting the second floor cleaner (115) is attached to the first floor cleaner (110), wherein the lifter (122) has a linear drive for moving an engagement element (315) for engagement into the second floor cleaner (115).

6. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first engagement element (315) is attached to one of the floor cleaners (110, 115) and a second engagement element (320) is attached to the other (110, 115); wherein the engagement elements (315, 320) are designed to be brought closer together horizontally until they lie partially one on top of the other; and to engage into one another in a form-fit manner when they are to be moved on top of each other in the vertical direction.

7. System (100) according to claim 6, wherein one of the engagement elements (315, 320) has a V-shaped boundary, in order to establish a predetermined, mutual horizontal orientation of the floor cleaner (110, 115) upon engagement into the other engagement element (315, 320).

8. System (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a hook (315) which opens upwards and an engagement element (320) which opens downwards are embodied on the first floor cleaner (110) and on the second floor cleaner (115) in each instance.

9. System (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a hook (320) which opens downwards and an engagement element (315) which opens upwards are embodied on the second floor cleaner (115) and on the first floor cleaner (110) in each instance.

10. Floor cleaner (110), which is designed to move over a floor surface (105) and to clean the floor surface (105); comprising a lifter (122), in order to engage into a further floor cleaner (115) and to lift the further floor cleaner (115) from the floor surface (105) and carry it along; characterised in that the floor cleaner (110) has an inlet (120) for receiving the further floor cleaner (115) and the lifter (122) is attached in the inlet (120) and is designed to engage into the further floor cleaner (115) from below.

11. Floor cleaner (115), which is designed to move over a floor surface (105) and to clean the floor surface (105); comprising an engagement element (320) in order to be lifted away from the floor surface (105) by a further floor cleaner (110) and carried along; characterised in that the floor cleaner (115) is embodied to be received in an inlet (110) of the further floor cleaner (110) and the engagement element (320) of the floor cleaner (115) is provided so that a lifter (122) attached in the inlet (120) engages into the engagement element (320) from below.

12. Method for receiving a second floor cleaner (115) by way of a first floor cleaner (110), characterised in that the method comprises the following steps: - orienting the floor cleaner (110, 115) so that the second floor cleaner (115) points in the direction of an inlet (120) of the first floor cleaner (110), and the inlet (120) of the first floor cleaner (110) points towards the second floor cleaner (115); - bringing one of the floor cleaners (110, 115) closer to the other, until the second floor cleaner (115) is connected to electrical contacts (305) in the inlet (120); and - vertically lifting the second floor cleaner (115) by means of the first.

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