A connector for wireless charging and a pool robot

Abstract

This application discloses a connector for wireless charging and a swimming pool robot, relating to the field of robotics technology. The connector for wireless charging includes a housing for detachably inserting into a socket located on the body of the swimming pool robot. Inside the housing are a wireless charging module and a heat pipe, the heat pipe conducting heat from the wireless charging module. A ventilation channel is provided within the heat pipe. An air inlet and an air outlet are located on the outer surface of the housing, positioned at opposite ends of the ventilation channel and connected to it. When the swimming pool robot is charged via the connector, the heat pipe conducts heat from the wireless charging module, while the ventilation channel within the heat pipe conducts the absorbed heat to the environment, thus achieving efficient heat dissipation for the wireless charging module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of robotics technology, specifically to a connector for wireless charging and a pool robot. Background Technology

[0002] With the development and widespread application of robotics technology, more and more jobs can be completed or assisted by robots. Pool robots are a type of robot used for cleaning swimming pools. They can clean the surface, bottom, and walls of the pool, effectively improving cleaning efficiency and reducing the cost of manual cleaning.

[0003] Because pool robots need to operate underwater, their waterproofing requirements are quite high. Most existing pool robots use wired charging, but to prevent water from entering the charging port, it needs to be sealed with a sealing cap before submersion, which is cumbersome. In addition to wired charging, some pool robots are equipped with wireless charging, thus avoiding the problem of charging failure due to water entering the charging port.

[0004] When wireless charging is performed, the charging coil generates a lot of heat due to the high power of wireless charging. This will accelerate the aging of the internal components of the charging base, thus affecting the lifespan of the wireless charging base. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a connector and pool robot for wireless charging to solve the problems in the prior art.

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, a first aspect of this application provides a connector for wireless charging, comprising a housing for detachably inserting into a plug hole, wherein the plug hole is disposed on the body of a pool robot.

[0007] The housing contains a wireless charging module and a heat pipe, the heat pipe being used to conduct heat from the wireless charging module.

[0008] The heat pipe is provided with a ventilation channel; the outer surface of the shell is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, which are located at both ends of the ventilation channel and are connected to the ventilation channel.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the ventilation channel is arranged along the length of the housing;

[0010] The housing includes a first outer end face and a second outer end face, which are respectively located at both ends of the length direction of the housing; wherein, the air inlet is disposed on the first outer end face and the air outlet is disposed on the second outer end face;

[0011] The normal to the first outer end face is parallel to the length direction of the shell, and the second outer end face is not parallel to the first outer end face.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the inner wall of the ventilation channel includes a heat dissipation structure for increasing the surface area of ​​the inner wall of the ventilation channel; wherein the heat dissipation structure is arranged along the airflow direction within the ventilation channel.

[0013] In one possible implementation, a cooling fan is provided inside the ventilation channel.

[0014] In one possible implementation, a positioning protrusion is provided in the ventilation channel, which is used to position and support the cooling fan.

[0015] The cooling fan includes an outer frame, on which an elastic sleeve is fitted, wherein the elastic sleeve is pressed against the inner wall of the ventilation channel.

[0016] In one possible implementation, a thermally conductive medium is disposed between the wireless charging module and the heat pipe, wherein both the wireless charging module and the heat pipe are in contact with the thermally conductive medium.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the housing includes a plug portion and a boss, the plug portion being detachably plugged into the plug hole, and the boss being disposed at the connecting end of the plug portion;

[0018] The cross-sectional area of ​​the insertion hole is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outer contour of the boss.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the boss includes a bottom surface that surrounds the connecting end;

[0020] A connector is provided on the bottom surface, which is used to detachably connect to the main body.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the outer wall of the plug portion includes a first component surface and a second component surface arranged in parallel, wherein the widths of the first component surface and the second component surface are different.

[0022] The cross-sectional shape of the insertion hole corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the outer contour of the insertion part.

[0023] A second aspect of this application provides a pool robot, including a body, wherein the robot body is provided with a plug hole, wherein the plug hole is used for a connector for wireless charging as described above to be detachably plugged into it;

[0024] The connector for wireless charging is used to wirelessly charge the main body.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this application include at least the following:

[0026] The connector for wireless charging disclosed in this application includes a housing for detachably inserting into a plug-in hole, wherein the plug-in hole is located on the body of a pool robot. The connector connects to the body of the pool robot via a plug-in method, ensuring the stability of the connection between the connector and the body, and facilitating the alignment between the wireless charging module inside the connector and the induction coil inside the body.

[0027] The housing contains a wireless charging module and a heat pipe. When the pool robot is charged via the connector, the heat pipe conducts heat from the wireless charging module. At the same time, the ventilation channels within the heat pipe conduct the heat absorbed by the heat pipe to the environment, thus achieving efficient heat dissipation for the wireless charging module. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 A first schematic diagram of a connector is shown;

[0030] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Second schematic diagram of the middle connector;

[0031] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 The third schematic diagram of the joint;

[0032] Figure 4 A first schematic diagram of the main body of a pool robot is shown;

[0033] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 The second schematic diagram of the main body;

[0034] Figure 6 It shows Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the body with the connector installed;

[0035] Figure 7 It shows Figure 1 Explosion diagram of the joint;

[0036] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a main shell is shown;

[0037] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a shell cover is shown;

[0038] Figure 10 It shows Figure 1 Side view of the connector;

[0039] Figure 11 A top view of a ventilation duct is shown;

[0040] Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of a heat pipe with a cooling fan installed is shown.

[0041] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of a cooling fan is shown.

[0042] Explanation of key component symbols:

[0043] 10-Connector, 20-Body, 21-Plug-in hole, 100-Shell, 101-Main shell, 102-Shell cover, 110-First outer end face, 111-Air inlet, 120-Second outer end face, 121-Air outlet, 130-Plug-in part, 131-Connecting end, 132-First component surface, 1321-Concave part, 133-Second component surface, 140-Boss, 141-Bottom surface, 142-Connector, 200-Wireless charging module, 300-Heat pipe, 310-Ventilation channel, 311-Heat dissipation structure, 312-Positioning protrusion, 400-Circuit board, 500-Tail sleeve, 600-Cooling fan, 610-Outer frame, 620-Elastic sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0045] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0046] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0047] In the description of this application, the serial numbers assigned to components, such as "first," "second," etc., are only used to distinguish the described objects and have no sequential or technical meaning. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this application include both direct and indirect connections (linkages).

[0048] The cooling fan mentioned in this application is a miniature fan. The structure and model of the cooling fan can be referenced from the cooling fans in laptops or smartphones.

[0049] The principles and structure of wireless charging can be found in existing technologies and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0050] Example

[0051] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, a connector for wireless charging is provided, including a housing 100. For ease of description, the "connector for wireless charging" will be referred to as the "connector" in the following text.

[0052] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the housing 100 is detachably inserted into the insertion hole 21, wherein the insertion hole 21 is provided on the body 20 of the pool robot. The insertion hole 21 is a through hole.

[0053] like Figure 7As shown, a wireless charging module 200 and a heat pipe 300 are disposed inside the housing 100. The heat pipe 300 is used to conduct heat from the wireless charging module 200. The wireless charging module 200 includes a transmitting coil.

[0054] A ventilation channel 310 is provided inside the heat pipe 300. An air inlet 111 and an air outlet 121 are provided on the outer surface of the housing 100. The air inlet 111 and the air outlet 121 are located at both ends of the ventilation channel 310, and both the air inlet 111 and the air outlet 121 are connected to the ventilation channel 310.

[0055] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the housing 100 includes a detachably connected main housing 101 and a housing cover 102. The main housing 101 and the housing cover 102 are detachably connected by means of snap-fit, screw connection, or other methods.

[0056] The main housing 101 has a hollow interior structure for mounting and accommodating the circuit board 400, wireless charging module 200, and heat pipe 300. An opening is provided at the top of the main housing 101, and a cover 102 is used to cover this opening. An air inlet 111 is located on the cover 102. After the connection between the main housing 101 and the cover 102 is completed, the heat pipe 300 and the air inlet 111 are connected to each other.

[0057] In some embodiments, the heat pipe 300 and the main shell 101 may be an integral structure. In other embodiments, the heat pipe 300 and the main shell 101 may be a separate structure, wherein the heat pipe 300 and the main shell 101 may be connected by means of plugging, bonding or other methods.

[0058] The heat pipe 300 can be made of materials with high thermal conductivity, such as metal.

[0059] A tail sleeve 500 is provided on the cover 102. The tail sleeve 500 is used to fit over the power cord of the connector 10 to protect the power cord. The power cord of the connector 10 is not shown in the attached drawings.

[0060] In existing technology, swimming pool robots are wirelessly charged via a charging dock. Before charging, the user needs to place the charging dock on the corresponding location on the swimming pool robot, ensuring that the transmitting coil inside the charging dock is close to and aligned with the receiving coil inside the swimming pool robot. The charging dock is then magnetically attached to the swimming pool robot for fixation. However, because the charging dock and swimming pool robot are connected magnetically, magnets need to be incorporated into both, which increases the weight of both the charging dock and the swimming pool robot.

[0061] In this embodiment, the connector 10 is connected to the body 20 of the pool robot via a plug-in connection, ensuring the stability of the connection between the connector 10 and the body 20, and facilitating the alignment between the wireless charging module inside the connector 10 and the induction coil inside the body 20. Furthermore, there is no need to include magnets for connection within the connector 10 and the body 20, thereby reducing the weight of the connector 10 and the body 20.

[0062] When the pool robot is charged through connector 10, the heat pipe 300 can conduct heat from the wireless charging module 200. At the same time, the ventilation channel 310 inside the heat pipe 300 can conduct the heat absorbed by the heat pipe 300 to the environment, thereby achieving efficient heat dissipation of the wireless charging module 200.

[0063] Ventilation duct 310 is provided along the length of housing 100. (Refer to...) Figure 2 and Figure 10 The direction indicated by arrow a is parallel to the length direction of the shell 100.

[0064] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the housing 100 includes a first outer end face 110 and a second outer end face 120, which are respectively located at both ends of the housing 100 in the length direction.

[0065] The air inlet 111 is located on the first outer end face 110, and the air outlet 121 is located on the second outer end face 120.

[0066] The normal to the first outer end face 110 is parallel to the length direction of the shell 100, and the second outer end face 120 is not parallel to the first outer end face 110. The normal to the first outer end face 110 refers to a virtual line that passes through the geometric center of the first outer end face 110 and is perpendicular to the first outer end face 110.

[0067] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the ventilation channel 310 is the same at all locations. The cross-sections of both the ventilation channel 310 and the housing 100 are perpendicular to the length direction of the housing 100.

[0068] The area of ​​the air inlet 111 is the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the ventilation channel 310. However, since the second outer end face 120 is not parallel to the first outer end face 110, and the air outlet 121 is located on the second outer end face 120, the area of ​​the air outlet 121 is larger than the area of ​​the air inlet 111, which can increase the exhaust volume and thus improve the ventilation and heat dissipation effect.

[0069] like Figure 11As shown, the inner wall of the ventilation channel 310 includes a heat dissipation structure 311, which is used to increase the surface area of ​​the inner wall of the ventilation channel 310. The heat dissipation structure 311 is arranged along the airflow direction within the ventilation channel 310.

[0070] The heat dissipation structure 311 includes raised ribs. The number of raised ribs can be set as needed. The heat dissipation structure 311 can guide airflow to a certain extent, making exhaust more efficient.

[0071] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, a cooling fan 600 is installed inside the ventilation channel 310. The cooling fan 600 can generate airflow within the ventilation channel 310, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the wireless charging module 200.

[0072] A positioning protrusion 312 is provided inside the ventilation channel 310, which is used to position and support the cooling fan 600.

[0073] like Figure 13 As shown, the cooling fan 600 includes an outer frame 610, on which an elastic sleeve 620 is fitted, wherein the elastic sleeve 620 is pressed against the inner wall of the ventilation channel 310.

[0074] When assembling the cooling fan 600 and the ventilation channel 310, the cooling fan 600 can be placed inside the ventilation channel 310 from the air inlet 111. A thrust is applied to the cooling fan 600, causing it to move towards the air outlet 121. When the cooling fan 600 contacts the positioning protrusion 312, it indicates that the cooling fan 600 has been installed correctly.

[0075] An elastic sleeve 620 is fitted onto the outer frame 610 of the cooling fan 600. After the cooling fan 600 is installed into the ventilation channel 310, the elastic sleeve 620 is compressed by the inner wall of the ventilation channel 310 and deforms, thus making the elastic sleeve 620 fit tightly against the inner wall of the ventilation channel 310. Under the action of friction between the elastic sleeve 620 and the inner wall of the ventilation channel 310, the cooling fan 600 can be stably kept inside the ventilation channel 310.

[0076] A wire-passing hole can be provided on the heat pipe 300, which is used for the power cable of the cooling fan 600 to pass through. After the power cable of the cooling fan 600 passes through the wire-passing hole, the wire-passing hole can be sealed with sealant or the like.

[0077] A heat-conducting medium is provided between the wireless charging module 200 and the heat-conducting pipe 300, wherein both the wireless charging module 200 and the heat-conducting pipe 300 are in contact with the heat-conducting medium.

[0078] In some embodiments, the thermally conductive medium includes thermally conductive silicone. In other embodiments, the thermally conductive medium includes a thermally conductive sheet, wherein the thermally conductive sheet may be a metal sheet, such as an aluminum sheet, a copper sheet, etc.

[0079] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 10 As shown, the housing 100 includes a plug-in portion 130 and a boss 140. The plug-in portion 130 is detachably plugged into the plug-in hole 21, and the boss 140 is disposed at the connection end 131 of the plug-in portion 130.

[0080] The cross-sectional area of ​​the insertion hole 21 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outer contour of the boss 140. Correspondingly, the cross-sectional area of ​​the outer contour of the insertion part 130 is also smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outer contour of the boss 140.

[0081] When assembling the connector 10 and the body 20, the plug portion 130 can be inserted into the plug hole 21, while the boss 140 cannot be inserted into the plug hole 21 due to size limitations. Thus, when the boss 140 and the body 20 come into contact with each other, the connector 10 can no longer be inserted into the plug hole 21, which means that the connector 10 is already inserted into the plug hole 21. At this time, the wireless charging module 200 inside the connector 10 and the receiving coil of the body 20 are aligned with each other, that is, close and aligned.

[0082] like Figure 3 As shown, the boss 140 includes a bottom surface 141, which surrounds the connecting end 131. A connector 142 is provided on the bottom surface 141, which is used for detachable connection with the body 20. The connector 142 may include a magnet.

[0083] When the connector 10 is inserted into the socket 21, the connector 142 will adhere to the surface of the body 20, thereby making the connection between the connector 10 and the body 20 more secure.

[0084] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 10 As shown, the outer wall of the insertion portion 130 includes a first component surface 132 and a second component surface 133 arranged in parallel, wherein the widths of the first component surface 132 and the second component surface 133 are different. (Refer to...) Figure 2 The width directions of the first component surface 132 and the second component surface 133 are both parallel to the direction indicated by arrow b, wherein the direction indicated by arrow b is perpendicular to the direction indicated by arrow a.

[0085] The cross-sectional shape of the insertion hole 21 corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the outer contour of the insertion part 130.

[0086] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the outer contour of the plug portion 130 can be trapezoidal, and the cross-sectional shape of the plug hole 21 is also trapezoidal. This structural design can prevent mistaken insertion, avoiding the plug portion 130 from being inserted incorrectly, which would cause the wireless charging module 200 and the receiving coil of the main body 20 to be misaligned.

[0087] The area of ​​the first component surface 132 is larger than the area of ​​the second component surface 133. The first component surface 132 includes a recess 1321, which further increases the area of ​​the first component surface 132, thereby improving the heat conduction and heat dissipation effect.

[0088] In this embodiment, a pool robot is also proposed, including a body 20. The robot body 20 is provided with a plug-in hole 21, wherein the plug-in hole 21 is used for the connector 10 mentioned above to be detachably plugged into it. The connector 10 is used for wireless charging of the body 20.

[0089] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0090] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A connector for wireless charging, characterized in that, Includes a housing for detachably inserting into a plug hole, wherein the plug hole is located on the body of the pool robot; The housing contains a wireless charging module and a heat pipe, the heat pipe being used to conduct heat from the wireless charging module. The heat pipe is provided with a ventilation channel; the outer surface of the shell is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, which are located at both ends of the ventilation channel and are connected to the ventilation channel.

2. The connector for wireless charging according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ventilation channel is arranged along the length of the housing; The housing includes a first outer end face and a second outer end face, which are respectively located at both ends of the length direction of the housing; wherein, the air inlet is disposed on the first outer end face and the air outlet is disposed on the second outer end face; The normal to the first outer end face is parallel to the length direction of the shell, and the second outer end face is not parallel to the first outer end face.

3. The connector for wireless charging according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the ventilation channel includes a heat dissipation structure, which is used to increase the surface area of ​​the inner wall of the ventilation channel; wherein the heat dissipation structure is arranged along the airflow direction in the ventilation channel.

4. The connector for wireless charging according to claim 1, characterized in that, A cooling fan is installed inside the ventilation duct.

5. The connector for wireless charging according to claim 4, characterized in that, The ventilation channel is provided with a positioning protrusion, which is used to position and support the cooling fan; The cooling fan includes an outer frame, on which an elastic sleeve is fitted, wherein the elastic sleeve is pressed against the inner wall of the ventilation channel.

6. The connector for wireless charging according to claim 1, characterized in that, A heat-conducting medium is provided between the wireless charging module and the heat-conducting pipe, wherein both the wireless charging module and the heat-conducting pipe are in contact with the heat-conducting medium.

7. The connector for wireless charging according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes a plug-in portion and a boss. The plug-in portion is detachably plugged into the plug-in hole, and the boss is disposed at the connecting end of the plug-in portion. The cross-sectional area of ​​the insertion hole is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outer contour of the boss.

8. The connector for wireless charging according to claim 7, characterized in that, The boss includes a bottom surface, which is disposed around the connecting end; A connector is provided on the bottom surface, which is used to detachably connect to the main body.

9. The connector for wireless charging according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outer wall of the plug portion includes a first component surface and a second component surface arranged in parallel, wherein the widths of the first component surface and the second component surface are different. The cross-sectional shape of the insertion hole corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the outer contour of the insertion part.

10. A swimming pool robot, characterized in that, The robot body includes a main body and is provided with a plug-in hole, wherein the plug-in hole is used for a connector for wireless charging as described in any one of claims 1-9 to be detachably plugged into it; The connector for wireless charging is used to wirelessly charge the main body.

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