Electronic device, non-contact charging system and pet robot

Abstract

The invention provides an electronic device. This electronic device is provided with: a power receiving coil unit for non-contact charging; a coil holder that holds the power receiving coil unit; and a housing that houses the power receiving coil unit and the coil holder. An opening is formed in the housing. The coil holder holds the power receiving coil unit in a state in which the power receiving coil unit is exposed from the opening, and reinforces the opening by being fixed to or in contact with the peripheral edge of the opening in the housing.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference of related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-165721, filed on September 24, 2024. The description, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-165721 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to electronic devices, contactless charging systems, and pet robots. Background Technology

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-77174 discloses that, in order to prevent misalignment between the coil of the electronic device and the coil of the charger during contactless charging, which would reduce the transmission efficiency of contactless charging, a magnet is used in the center of the coil or a groove or protrusion is provided that can fit into the charger and the electronic device.

[0005] However, using a magnet in the center of the coil increases the coil's diameter, resulting in a larger electronic device. Furthermore, in chargers and electronic devices, the presence of interlocking protrusions and recesses also contributes to the device's increased size.

[0006] This disclosure addresses the problem of improving and resolving this situation, and aims to provide an electronic device, a contactless charging system, and a pet robot that can suppress the enlargement of electronic devices and improve the transmission efficiency of contactless charging. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, one embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention comprises: a receiving coil unit for contactless charging; a coil support for holding the receiving coil unit; and a housing for housing the receiving coil unit and the coil support, wherein an opening is formed in the housing, the coil support holds the receiving coil unit in a state where the receiving coil unit is exposed from the opening, and the opening is reinforced by a portion fixed to or abutting against the periphery of the opening in the housing. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the appearance of the robot in the implementation method.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the robot as seen from the side.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the frame of the implementation method.

[0011] Figure 4 It is Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the frame cut along section line IV-IV.

[0012] Figure 5 Is to make Figure 3 An exploded three-dimensional diagram of the first shell of the torso, which is disassembled by reversing the top and bottom.

[0013] Figure 6 Is to make Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the second shell in a reversed state.

[0014] Figure 7 From Figure 6 A perspective view of the second housing opening with the coil support and other components removed.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the second housing in the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 9 It will be from Figure 7 An exploded 3D view of the coil support and other components removed from the second housing.

[0017] Figure 10 (a) is a perspective view of the coil support of the embodiment. Figure 10 (b) is a perspective view of the coil support of the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 11 Is to make Figure 9 A three-dimensional view of the receiving coil and the receiving substrate reversed vertically.

[0019] Figure 12 It is Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the frame cut along section line XII-XII.

[0020] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the contactless charging unit in the implementation method.

[0021] Figure 14 It is Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of the contactless charging unit cut along the XIV-XIV section line. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are labeled with the same symbols. The robot 200 of this embodiment is a pet robot that mimics a small animal by using a battery capable of non-contact power supply to move its head. Figure 1 As shown, robot 200, as an example, has a decorative part 202 that mimics eyes and an outer casing 201 with hair 203. Figure 2As shown, the robot 200 has a frame 207. The frame 207 is covered by an outer casing 201 and housed inside the outer casing 201. The frame 207 is an electronic device having a head 204, a connecting part 205, and a torso (shell) 206. The connecting part 205 connects the head 204 and the torso 206.

[0023] In the following description, it is assumed that the robot 200 is typically placed on a horizontal floor, and the direction corresponding to the face of the robot 200 (the part of the head 204 opposite to the torso 206) is defined as forward, and the direction corresponding to the tail (the part of the tail opposite to the head 204) is defined as backward. Furthermore, when the robot 200 is placed on a horizontal surface, the direction of the part in contact with the ground is defined as downward, and the opposite direction is defined as upward. Moreover, the direction orthogonal to a line extending in the forward / backward direction of the robot 200 and also orthogonal to a line extending in the vertical direction is defined as the left / right direction.

[0024] The outer casing 201 is an example of an outer casing component, elongated in the front-to-back direction and forming a bag-like shape capable of internally housing the frame 207. The outer casing 201 is stubby from the head 204 to the torso 206, completely covering the torso 206 and head 204. This shape of the outer casing 201 allows the robot 200 to assume a prone position. To mimic the feel of a small animal, the surface of the outer casing 201 is formed of artificial plush fabric that imitates the fur 203 of a small animal. The lining of the outer casing 201 is formed of soft materials such as leather, resin, and rubber. Due to its soft material composition, the outer casing 201 follows the movement of the frame 207. Specifically, the outer casing 201 follows the rotation of the head 204 relative to the torso 206.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the torso 206 extends in the front-to-back direction. The torso 206 contacts a mounting surface such as a floor or workbench where the robot 200 is placed via an outer casing 201. The torso 206 has a torsion motor 221 at its front end. The head 204 is connected to the front end of the torso 206 via a connecting part 205. The connecting part 205 has a lifting motor 222. Furthermore, in Figure 2 In this configuration, the torsion motor 221 is mounted on the torso 206, but it can also be mounted on the connecting part 205 or the head 204. The head 204 is rotatably connected to the torso 206 about the left-right and front-back directions of the robot 200.

[0026] The connecting part 205 rotatably connects the torso 206 and the head 204 around a first rotation axis extending forward and backward through the connecting part 205. The torsion motor 221 is a servo motor for rotating the head 204 relative to the torso 206 clockwise (right-hand rotation) or counterclockwise (left-hand rotation) around the first rotation axis. Furthermore, the connecting part 205 rotatably connects the torso 206 and the head 204 around a second rotation axis extending left and right through the connecting part 205. The lifting motor 222 is a servo motor for rotating the head 204 upward (forward rotation) or downward (reverse rotation) around the second rotation axis.

[0027] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the torso 206 is, for example, a cylindrical shell made of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin, having a first shell 250 on the back side of the torso 206 constituting the robot 200 and a second shell 280 on the ventral side of the torso 206. The torso 206 houses a torsion motor 221, a secondary battery 264, a battery holder 265, a coil holder 266, a receiving coil 268, etc.

[0028] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the first housing 250 includes: a torsion motor 221 that provides power to the head 204; an action unit fixing part 262 that fixes the connecting part 205 to the torso 206; a substrate mounting part 263 on which a main substrate 275 is mounted; a secondary battery 264 that supplies power to the robot 200; a battery bracket 265 that holds the secondary battery 264; a main substrate 275 that controls the robot 200; and a PSoC substrate 276. The first housing 250 constitutes the upper half of the outer shell of the torso 206. Figure 5 As shown, the first housing 250 has a motor shaft insertion hole 251 formed at the front, allowing the rotating shaft of the torsion motor 221 to be inserted into the connecting part 205. In the first housing 250, the screw hole 253, together with the fitting part 254, is used to integrate the first housing 250 and the second housing 280.

[0029] The torsion motor 221, together with the head 204, the connecting part 205, the lifting motor 222 within the connecting part, and the motion unit fixing part 262 (described later), constitute the motion unit 208. The motion unit 208 is a component that realizes the movements of the robot 200. The motion unit 208 is a consumable component and is replaced with a new motion unit 208 after a period of use. The motion unit fixing part 262 uses fixing components 290 such as screws to fix the motion unit 208 to the upper front of the first housing 250 of the torso 206. In addition, the motion unit fixing part 262 houses the torsion motor 221. The main substrate 275 is mounted on the rear side of the substrate mounting part 263, and the PSoC substrate 276 is mounted on the left side of the substrate mounting part 263.

[0030] The secondary battery 264, which supplies power to the robot 200, is a battery capable of being charged via contactless charging. The secondary battery 264 is positioned closest to the opening 282 among the components located inside the first housing 250. To protect the area where a protective substrate is located inside the battery, impact-absorbing material 270 is attached to the secondary battery 264. The battery support 265, consisting of a lower main surface 2651 and peripheral walls 2653, 2654, and 2655, houses the secondary battery 264 and, together with the impact-absorbing material 270, protects the secondary battery 264 from vibration, impact, and other effects. The battery support 265 is secured to the lower end of the substrate mounting portion 263 using screws or other fixing components 290. Among the peripheral walls 2653, 2654, and 2655 that stand downwards from the main surface 2651, impact-absorbing material 270 (used to prevent foreign matter from entering) is provided on the rear peripheral wall 2654 between it and the secondary battery 264.

[0031] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the second housing 280 includes: a coil support 266 on which a receiving coil is mounted; a power receiving board 267 that transmits power received by the receiving coil 268 to the robot 200; a receiving coil 268 wirelessly connected to the power supply coil 310 of the charging device 300 (described later); and a coil strip 269 protecting the receiving coil 268. The second housing 280 constitutes the lower half of the outer shell of the body 206. A rectangular opening 282 is formed at the bottom 281 of the second housing 280 (at the position furthest from the first housing 250), as shown... Figure 4 As shown, inside the opening 282, the receiving coil 268 is positioned along the outer peripheral surface of the second housing 280. Figure 6 , 7As shown in Figure 8, a coil support pressing member 283 is formed at the lower rear of the interior of the second housing 280, which abuts against the protrusion 2667 of the coil support 266 when a strong upward force is applied to the coil support 266. The coil support pressing member 283 has a horizontal portion 2831 that is level with the main surface of the coil support 266, and a vertical portion 2832 that is vertical and serves as a reinforcing rib for the horizontal portion 2831. The coil support 266 is fixed to the opening 282 by fastening fixing members 290 such as screws into the four screw holes 287 and the four screw holes 26681 of the coil support 266. A connecting portion 205 is arranged on the front portion 284 of the body with a small gap. A screw hole 286 is formed on each side of the upper end of the second housing 280. By inserting a screw or other fixing component 290 through the screw hole 286 and fastening it in the screw hole 253 of the first housing 250, the first housing 250 and the second housing 280 are fixed together and integrated.

[0032] like Figure 4 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 As shown, a power receiving substrate 267 is mounted with gaps on the upper main surface 2661 of the coil support 266, and a power receiving coil 268, which is attached to the ferrite 271 (lower surface), is mounted on the lower main surface 2662 using double-sided adhesive tape 272. Figure 4 , 9As shown in (a) and (b) of 10, upright sections 2663, 2664, 2665 are formed perpendicular to the main surface 2661 on the coil support 266. On the coil support 266, the circuit board 267 is mounted on a protrusion 26611 with a mounting portion, a screw hole 26612 with a mounting platform, etc., with the circuit components facing the main surface 2661, secured by a screw or other fixing member 290, and mounted on the coil support 266 such that its front end is clamped onto 2666. Thus, the coil support 266 is mounted such that the circuit board 267 is housed inside the coil support 266. The coil support 266 has a protrusion 2667 that abuts against the coil support pressing member 283 of the second housing 280. The protrusion 2667 includes: a flat portion 26671, which abuts against the horizontal portion 2831 to suppress deformation of the coil support 266 when a load is applied, such as when the energized coil 268 or the coil support 266 is pressed upward; and a vertical wall 26672, which serves as a rib to reinforce the flat portion 26671. Furthermore, normally, the flat portion 26671 and the horizontal portion 2831 are spaced apart and do not abut against each other. Additionally, a small wall 2669 is fitted into the opening 282 of the second housing 280 of the coil support 266. Furthermore, an impact-absorbing material 270 is mounted on the mounting portion 26683 of the coil support 266. Thus, the coil support 266 is positioned below the secondary battery 264, with the impact-absorbing material 270 sandwiched between its left and right ends, and the secondary battery 264 is supported by the impact-absorbing material 270. The impact-absorbing material is located at the position furthest from the opening 282 among the components disposed within the second housing 280. Furthermore, since the coil support 266 stands upright and surrounds the four sides of the rectangular plate and is reinforced by reinforcing ribs 26613, an internal cavity is provided to house the receiving substrate 267, while maintaining high strength. Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 9 As shown, coil band 269 is used to cover Figure 11 The receiving coil 268 is arranged in a manner that closes the opening 282. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the ends 2692, 2693, 2694, and 2695 of the coil strip 269 are bent and fixed between the end of the opening 282 and the coil support 266.

[0033] In addition, the robot 200 also includes various sensors, control units, storage units, etc., with structures known in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-104908, but detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0034] Next, the positional relationships of the various components located inside the torso 206 will be explained. For example... Figure 4As shown, in the torso 206, the substrate mounting part 263, the actuation unit fixing part 262, the torsion motor 221, the battery bracket 265, and the secondary battery 264 are sequentially mounted on the first housing 250 from top to bottom. Furthermore, on the second housing 280, the receiving substrate 267, the coil bracket 266, the receiving coil 268, and the coil strip 269 are sequentially mounted from top to bottom. Specifically, the secondary battery 264 is positioned closest to the opening 282 among the components disposed inside the first housing 250, and the impact-absorbing material 270 mounted on the coil bracket 266 is positioned furthest from the opening 282 among the components disposed inside the second housing 280. The secondary battery 264 is supported by the impact-absorbing material 270 mounted on the coil bracket 266. Therefore, if the first housing 250 and the second housing 280 are disassembled, the secondary battery 264 is positioned on the first housing 250 in a location where it can be immediately replaced. Therefore, when the torso 206 is reversed and the second housing 280 is removed, the secondary battery 264 can be immediately removed. In addition, the secondary battery 264 is protected above and to the left by a battery bracket 265, in front by a second housing 280, and in the remaining directions by impact-absorbing material 270. Figure 12 (etc.), which improves the safety of robot 200. Furthermore, the coil support 266, relative to the second housing 280, suppresses movement in the forward, backward, left, and right directions by having the insertion portion 288 insert through two insertion holes 26682. It is also fixed to the periphery of the opening 282 by four screw holes 26681, 287 using fixing members 290, thereby suppressing movement in the up-down and forward-backward-left-right directions, improving the integration of the second housing 280 and the coil support 266, and increasing the strength of the second housing 280. Furthermore, the receiving coil 268, coil strip 269, and ferrite 271 are components of the receiving coil unit 295 for contactless charging. The receiving coil unit sometimes does not include the coil strip and ferrite; in other cases, it may consist only of the receiving coil 268. The coil support 266 can also be fixed to the second housing 280 by making it tightly attached to the periphery instead of using screws or the like.

[0035] The above describes the structure of the robot 200 according to this embodiment. Next, the structure of the charging device 300 according to this embodiment will be described. Furthermore, the components used in the description of the charging device 300... Figure 13 , 14 For clarity, the external component 201 has been omitted from the diagram. (For example...) Figure 13 , 14As shown, the charging device 300 is bowl-shaped and includes an outer frame 301, a bottom surface 302, and a power supply unit 303. The outer frame 301 forms the outer periphery of the charging device 300 and is made of insulating materials such as plastic. An AC adapter (not shown) for connection to a household socket is connected to the connecting portion 3011 of the outer frame 301. The bottom surface 302 is the surface of the torso 206 of the robot 200, and in the case of the robot 200, it is configured to be parallel to the receiving coil 268 provided on the torso 206. A position defining wall 304 for defining the position of the torso 206 of the robot 200 and a power supply opening 305 are formed on the bottom surface 302. The power supply unit 303 converts the direct current supplied from the AC adapter into alternating current and transmits power to the robot 200 from the power supply coil 310 (a power supply coil unit arranged in a state exposed from the power supply opening 305) located inside the power supply opening 305 and along the bottom surface 302, via the power supply board 311. The coil strip 312 is configured to cover the power supply opening 305. Furthermore, the power supply coil 310 and the coil strip 312 are components of a power supply coil unit for contactless charging. Sometimes the power supply coil unit does not include the coil strip; other times it consists only of the power supply coil 310.

[0036] The above describes the structure of the charging device 300 according to this embodiment. Next, the method for replacing the secondary battery 264 of the robot 200 will be described. First, open the fastener (not shown) of the outer casing 201 of the robot 200 and remove the frame 207. Next, reverse the frame 207 vertically and remove the second housing 280 from the frame 207. With the frame 207 with the second housing 280 removed, the secondary battery 264 can be easily removed from the first housing 250, and the user replaces the consumed (or faulty) secondary battery 264 with a new one. Then, install the second housing 280, reinstall the frame 207 back into the outer casing 201, and close the fastener, thereby easily completing the battery replacement.

[0037] As described above, in the robot 200 of this embodiment, by providing an opening 282 on the second housing 280, the receiving coil 268 can be positioned close to the power supply coil 310 with minimal impact on the shape of the torso 206, and the distance between the receiving coil 268 and the power supply coil 310 can be reduced, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of contactless charging. Furthermore, the coil support 266 holds the receiving coil 268, positioning it inside the opening 282 and along the outer peripheral surface of the second housing 280 (keeping the receiving coil unit exposed from the opening 282, and fixing it to the torso 206 at multiple locations around the periphery of the opening 282). This allows for the placement of the receiving coil 268 while ensuring the freedom of arrangement of other electronic components within the second housing 280, and enables the receiving coil 268 to be close to the power supply coil 310 of the charging device 300 during contactless charging. Therefore, the transmission efficiency of contactless charging can be improved while suppressing the enlargement of electronic devices. Furthermore, by holding the robot 200 near its abdomen with their fingertips during contactless charging, the user can more accurately place the receiving coil 268 above the power supply coil 310 of the charging device 300 while confirming its position by touch. Additionally, since the coil support 266 is provided inside the second housing 280 with a closed opening 282, the opening 282 is reinforced, thus suppressing any reduction in strength caused by the opening 282. The coil support 266 has a protrusion 2667 that abuts against the coil support pressing member 283 formed at the periphery of the opening 282 in the second housing 280 when subjected to a large upward force, thus suppressing deformation of the coil support 266. Furthermore, since a small wall 2669 is fitted into the opening 282 of the second housing 280, any reduction in strength caused by the opening 282 is also suppressed. Furthermore, the receiving coil 268 is disposed inside the opening 282 and is thinner than the outer wall of the second housing 280, thus helping to save space. Additionally, since the receiving substrate 267 is housed within the coil support 266, it also helps to save space. Therefore, alignment of the receiving coil 268 for contactless charging is easy, and the enlargement of the frame 207 can be prevented. Moreover, with the receiving coil 268, receiving substrate 267, coil support 266, etc., disposed below the secondary battery 264, mounted on the second housing 280, the second housing 280 can be removed from the frame 207. Since the secondary battery 264 is disposed at the bottom of the first housing 250, if the frame 207 is reversed and the second housing 280 is removed, the secondary battery 264 can be immediately replaced, resulting in high maintainability.

[0038] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but the above embodiments are only examples, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the embodiments of this disclosure can be used in various applications, and all embodiments are included within the scope of this disclosure. For example, in the above embodiments, robot 200 is a pet robot, but it may also be an electronic device powered by a secondary battery that does not have an outer garment that imitates a small animal like the outer garment 201. For example, it may also be a cleaning robot or a meal delivery robot.

[0039] In the above embodiments, the torso 206 has a structure having a first housing 250 and a second housing 280, but for example, the torso may also be a structure consisting of a housing and the part corresponding to the bottom 281 can be detached, or it may be a structure with an openable and closable door on a housing, which allows for easy replacement of secondary batteries or motor units, etc.

[0040] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the outer casing 201 has hair 203, but it can also be feathers or skin that mimics that of a reptile instead of hair.

[0041] In the above embodiments, the head 204 is a movable structure, but it can also be a movable structure in place of the tail, or a structure in which both the head and tail are movable. Alternatively, it can be a movable structure in place of the head, such as an arm or leg.

[0042] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications and substitutions may be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that, have: A receiving coil unit used for contactless charging; Coil support, which holds the energized coil unit; and The housing houses the receiving coil unit and the coil support. An opening is formed on the housing. The coil support holds the energized coil unit in a position where it is exposed from the opening. The opening is reinforced by means of a portion fixed to or abutting the periphery of the opening in the housing.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coil support is fixed to the housing by screws at multiple points on the periphery.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving coil unit has a receiving coil for contactless charging and a receiving substrate connected to the receiving coil.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The coil support has the power receiving substrate mounted on the main surface opposite to the main surface that holds the power receiving coil.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a secondary battery that can be charged using the power received by the receiving coil.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The housing has a first housing on which the secondary battery is installed and a second housing having the opening. The first housing and the second housing are fixed to each other by detachable fixing components.

7. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The coil support has a protrusion that abuts against a coil support presser formed on the housing and a small wall that fits into the opening.

8. The electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The secondary battery is positioned closest to the opening among the components disposed within the first housing. Impact-absorbing material supporting the secondary battery is installed on the coil bracket. The impact-absorbing material is positioned in the component disposed in the second housing furthest from the opening.

9. A contactless charging system, characterized in that, have: The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and The charging device includes a power supply coil unit that provides contactless power to the electronic device disposed on its bottom surface. An opening for power supply is formed on the bottom surface. The power supply coil unit is configured to be exposed from the power supply opening.

10. A pet robot, characterized in that, have: The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and Mimicking the appearance of small animals, The electronic device is housed in the outer casing. Non-contact charging is performed by bringing the abdomen of the small animal, which corresponds to the outer casing, into contact with the bottom surface of the bowl-shaped charging device.

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