Method for emptying cleaning robots and cleaning system

Abstract

A method for emptying cleaning robots and cleaning system, having a dirt collection unit and a suction interface using a trolley, configured to store the plurality of cleaning robots outside their cleaning phase in which they carry out cleaning tasks, and which has a suction system with a foldable suction platform, a suction opening, a dirt container, and a blower. The method includes the steps of unfolding the suction platform of the trolley, if it is folded, so that it is arranged on a substrate on which the trolley stands in an operational set-up position, arranging one of the cleaning robots on the unfolded suction platform, aligning the suction interface to the suction opening, and activating the blower in order to empty the cleaning robot arranged and aligned on the suction platform so that dirt is transported from the dirt collection unit into the dirt container.

1 . A method for emptying cleaning robots having a dirt collection unit and a suction interface by way of a trolley configured to store the plurality of cleaning robots outside of a cleaning phase in which the cleaning robots carry out cleaning tasks, and the trolley having a suction system with a foldable suction platform, a suction opening, a dirt container, and a blower, the method comprising the following steps:
 unfolding the suction platform of the trolley, if it is folded, so that the suction platform is arranged on a substrate on which the trolley stands in an operational set-up position,   arranging one of the cleaning robots on the unfolded suction platform,   aligning the suction interface to the suction opening, and   activating the blower in order to empty the cleaning robot arranged and aligned on the suction platform so that dirt is transported from the dirt collection unit into the dirt container.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning robot arranged on the suction platform is also cleaned mechanically or by sensors. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a suction channel of the trolley, which connects the suction opening to the dirt container, flexibly adapts to the suction interface during the alignment of the suction interface with the suction opening. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the suction platform can be approached by the active cleaning robots at any time during a cleaning phase in which the active cleaning robots are carrying out cleaning tasks. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in a cleaning phase in which the active cleaning robots carry out cleaning tasks, the trolley transmits a signal to active cleaning robots which the active cleaning robots receive and which enables them to approach the trolley and to find the trolley when they want to approach the trolley. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the cleaning robots, when approaching the trolley for emptying, sends a signal to the trolley to request whether the one cleaning robot can arrange itself on the suction platform for emptying, and in that the trolley, if the suction platform is free, sends a free signal to the one cleaning robot that the one cleaning robot can arrange itself on the suction platform, and in that the trolley, if the suction platform is occupied by another cleaning robot, sends a waiting signal to the one cleaning robot so that it remains in a waiting position until it receives the free signal from the trolley. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a cleaning robot arranged on the suction platform leaves the suction platform after it has been emptied. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the alignment of the suction interface with the suction opening is completed, a start signal is sent to the blower to activate the blower. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein each active cleaning robot arranges and aligns itself on the suction platform after completing its cleaning task and is emptied by the suction platform. 
     
     
         10 . A cleaning system with a trolley and a plurality of cleaning robots, configured to carry out the method according to  claim 1 .