A companion robot for pets

Abstract

Companion robot for pets, characterized in that it comprises a robot body (100), wherein the robot body (100) comprises a movable body, a main controller that connects to and can communicate with a user terminal, and a temperature detector (1) for detecting the pet's body temperature, wherein the main controller and the temperature detector (1) are mounted on the movable body, the temperature detector (1) connects to and communicates with the main controller; and comprises an elastic play component (200), wherein one end of the elastic play component (200) is connected to the movable body, while the other end protrudes from the movable body.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of pet care technology, in particular to a companion robot for pets. Background technology

[0002] With rising living standards, many households now keep pets such as cats and dogs. Given the demands of modern working hours, owners often cannot provide their animals with constant companionship, leading to the use of pet companion robots. These robots consist of a movable robotic body and an attached camera. The camera communicates with the pet owner's mobile device, allowing them to remotely monitor their pet's activities.

[0003] Existing companion robots for pets, however, only observe pets via cameras and offer limited functions that do not meet the needs of pet owners. Contents of the utility model

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to solve the aforementioned problems by providing a companion robot for pets that can both playfully interact with pets and monitor their health, thus better meeting the needs of pet owners.

[0005] A companion robot for pets, comprising: a robot body, wherein the robot body includes a movable body, a main controller that connects to and communicates with a user terminal, and a temperature detector for detecting the pet's body temperature, wherein the main controller and the temperature detector are mounted on the movable body, and the temperature detector connects to and communicates with the main controller; and an elastic play component, wherein one end of the elastic play component is connected to the movable body, while the other end protrudes from the movable body.

[0006] In one embodiment, the elastic play component comprises a connecting section and a curved section, wherein one end of the connecting section is connected to the moving body and the other end of the connecting section is connected to the curved section. In another embodiment, the moving body comprises a movable vehicle body and a micromotor attached to the movable vehicle body, wherein the main control unit and the temperature detector are both attached to the movable vehicle body, the output shaft of the micromotor being connected to the elastic play component, and the micromotor being connected to and communicating with the main control unit.In one embodiment, the movable body further comprises a first fixed plate mounted on the movable vehicle body, wherein the first fixed plate has a recess and a through-hole connected to the recess, the recess being located on the side of the first fixed plate facing the movable vehicle body and the through-hole penetrating the top of the first fixed plate, wherein a part of the micromotor is provided within the recess and the output shaft of the micromotor extends into the through-hole, and an end of the elastic clearance component extends into the through-hole and is connected to the output shaft.

[0007] In one embodiment, the movable body further comprises a second fixed plate located on top of the movable vehicle body, the second fixed plate being situated on one side of the first fixed plate, and the second fixed plate having a mounting hole in which the temperature detector is installed. In one embodiment, the robot body further comprises a tracker that connects to and communicates with the main controller, the tracker being attached to the movable vehicle body. In one embodiment, the robot body further comprises an image acquisition unit that connects to and communicates with the main controller, the image acquisition unit being mounted on the movable vehicle body and capturing images of the pet.In one embodiment, the robot body further comprises a loudspeaker connected to the main control, wherein a cavity is provided within the movable vehicle body, the loudspeaker and the main control are provided within the cavity, and the side wall of the movable vehicle body has sound openings that are connected to the cavity.

[0008] In one embodiment, the pet companion robot further comprises a charging station, wherein the charging station is provided with a charging slot, and the robot body further comprises a battery attached to the movable body, wherein the battery is electrically connected to the temperature detector and to the main controller, and the robot body is able to move into the charging slot so that the charging station can charge the battery. In one embodiment, the temperature detector is an infrared temperature sensor.

[0009] For the aforementioned pet companion robot, the temperature detector, main controller, and elastic play component are attached to the moving body. The temperature detector and main controller work together to immediately detect changes in the pet's body temperature, thus facilitating health monitoring. The movement of the body powers the elastic play component, enabling interaction and play with the pet, thereby meeting the needs of pet owners. Furthermore, the elastic play component possesses elastic deformation capabilities and overall flexibility. During interaction and play, the pet's grasping of the elastic play component causes it to deform and thus wobble.This increases the entertainment value of the pet companion robot during interaction with the pet, and the flexible elastic play component poses a low risk of scratching the pet during interaction. Figures Fig. Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of the companion robot for pets according to some embodiments of the present application; Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the robot body and the elastic play component according to some embodiments of the present application; Fig. Figure 3 is an alternative three-dimensional view of the robot body and the elastic play component according to some embodiments of the present application; Fig. Figure 4 is another three-dimensional view of the robot body and the elastic play component according to some embodiments of the present application (where the second mounting plate and the temperature detector are omitted).

[0010] 100. Robot body; 200. Elastic play component; 201. Connecting section; 202. Curved section; 300. Charging station; 301. Charging chute; 302. First conductive element; 303. Charging station body; 1. Temperature detector; 2. Movable vehicle body; 21. Vehicle housing; 22. Crawler track; 3. Micromotor; 4. First mounting plate; 41. Recess; 42. Through hole; 5. Second mounting plate; 51. Mounting hole; 6. Image acquisition unit; 7. Sound opening; 8. Second conductive element. Specific embodiments

[0011] To clarify and make more understandable the aforementioned purpose, features, and advantages of the application, the specific embodiments of the application are described in more detail below with reference to the figures. The following description contains numerous specific details to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in numerous other ways that differ from those described here, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0012] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that terms such as "center", "longitudinal direction", "horizontal direction", "length", "width", "thickness", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial" and "circumferential" denote an orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the figures, and serve only to facilitate and simplify the description of the application and do not mean that the device or element in question must have a specific orientation, be constructed and function in a specific orientation, and are therefore not to be understood as a limitation of the application.

[0013] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be understood as implying a relative meaning or an implicit determination of the number of specified technical features. Thus, the features designated as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the application, "multiple" means at least two, e.g., two, three, etc., unless expressly and specifically limited otherwise.

[0014] In this application, terms such as "installed," "connected," "coupled," "attached," etc., are to be understood in their broadest sense unless expressly stated and defined otherwise. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical or electrical connection; it may be a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, a connection within two elements, or an interaction between two elements, unless expressly limited otherwise. The specific meanings of the above terms in the context of this application can be understood by general technical personnel in this field according to the specific situations.

[0015] Unless expressly stated and limited otherwise, descriptions in this application in which a first feature is described as being "on" or "under" a second feature may mean either direct contact between the first and second features or indirect contact via an intermediary. Furthermore, the first feature being "above," "above," and "on" the second feature includes the first feature being directly or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is horizontally higher above the second feature. The first feature being "below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is horizontally lower below the second feature.

[0016] It should be noted that when an element is described as being “attached” or “attached” to another element, it may be mounted directly to another element or an element may be interposed between them. When an element is “connected” to another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or an element may be interposed between them. Where applicable, the terms “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, and similar expressions used in this application are for explanatory purposes only and do not denote any single embodiment.

[0017] With reference to the Fig. 1 shows the Fig. 1 A three-dimensional view of the pet companion robot according to some embodiments of the present application. The pet companion robot provided by one embodiment of the present application comprises a robot body 100 and an elastic play component 200. The robot body 100 comprises a movable body, a wireless transmission module, a main controller (not shown) that connects to and communicates with a user terminal, and a temperature detector 1 for detecting the pet's body temperature, wherein the wireless transmission module, the main controller, and the temperature detector 1 are mounted on the movable body, the wireless transmission module and the temperature detector 1 each connect to and communicate with the main controller, and wherein one end of the elastic play component 200 is connected to the movable body, while the other end protrudes from the movable body.A wireless transmission unit can be a WiFi, 4G, or 5G communication module responsible for establishing a signal connection with a wireless router located outside the pet companion robot. The main controller connects to the user terminal via the wireless network. In this embodiment, the user terminal is the pet owner's mobile phone, which has an app installed for remotely controlling the main controller. The temperature detector 1 transmits the pet's body temperature readings to the main controller. The main controller analyzes and processes the received temperature data. If abnormal temperatures are detected, it sends alerts to the pet owner's mobile phone, thus enabling monitoring of the pet's health.For the pet companion robot with this structure, the temperature detector 1, the main controller, and the elastic play component 200 are attached to the moving body. The temperature detector 1 and the main controller work together to immediately detect changes in the pet's body temperature, thus facilitating the pet's health monitoring. The movement of the moving body powers the elastic play component 200, enabling interaction and play with the pet, thereby meeting the needs of pet owners. Furthermore, the elastic play component 200 possesses elastic deformation capabilities and overall good flexibility.During interaction and play with the pet, the pet's grasping of the elastic play component 200 causes it to deform elastically, resulting in a swaying motion. This increases the entertainment value of the companion robot for pets during interaction, and the flexible elastic play component 200 poses a low risk of scratching the pet during interaction.

[0018] The main controller comprises a printed circuit board and several electronic components mounted on it, such as chips. The data processing and analysis functions of the main controller are performed through the interaction between the circuit board and these electronic components.

[0019] With continued reference to Fig. In some embodiments, the elastic play component 200 comprises a connecting section 201 and a curved section 202, wherein one end of the connecting section 201 is connected to the movable body and the other end of the connecting section 201 is connected to the curved section 202. The connecting section 201 is attached to the robot body 100 and supports the entire elastic play component 200 through the movable body. A curved section 202 is provided on the connecting section 201. When the elastic play component 200 interacts with the pet, the animal can grasp the curved section 202 and thereby increase its activity level. Alternatively, external play objects can be suspended from the curved section 202 to interact with the pet and increase the entertainment value.

[0020] In this embodiment, the connecting section 201 and the curved section 202 form an integral structure. Of course, in other embodiments, the connecting section 201 and the curved section 202 can be configured as separate components.

[0021] To prevent sharp edges on the elastic play component 200 from scratching the pet, in this embodiment both the connecting section 201 and the curved section 202 are designed as cylindrical shapes, thus avoiding sharp edges on the outer surfaces of the connecting section 201 and the curved section 202. Of course, in actual implementation, the specific shapes of the connecting section 201 and the curved section 202 can be flexibly designed as needed. No restrictions are imposed here regarding the specific shapes of the connecting section 201 and the curved section 202.

[0022] With reference to the Fig. 4 In some embodiments, the movable body comprises a movable vehicle body 2 and a micromotor 3 attached to the movable vehicle body 2, wherein the main control unit and the temperature detector 1 are both attached to the movable vehicle body 2, the output shaft of the micromotor 3 being connected to the elastic clearance component 200, and the micromotor 3 connecting and communicating with the main control unit. With reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. The movable vehicle body 2 comprises a vehicle housing 21, a motor drive assembly (not shown), and a movable element attached to the underside of the vehicle housing 21. The movable element projects at least partially beyond the outer surface of the vehicle housing 21. The motor drive assembly is located within the vehicle housing 21 and connected to the movable element. Operation of the motor drive assembly powers the movable element to move the movable vehicle body 2. The motor drive assembly communicates with the main controller, allowing pet owners to operate the motor drive assembly via the main controller on their mobile devices and thus control the movement of the movable vehicle body 2. The movable element can consist of wheels or tracks 22. In this embodiment, the movable element is a track 22.To improve the smooth running of the movable vehicle body 2, two sets of caterpillar tracks 22 are provided, spaced apart from each other. The movable vehicle body 2 serves as a mount for the micromotor 3. An elastic play component 200 is connected to the output shaft of the micromotor 3. When the main controller activates the micromotor 3, it drives the elastic play component 200 to oscillate, thereby improving the interactivity between the pet companion robot and the pet, and increasing the entertainment value of the pet companion robot.

[0023] In this embodiment, the micromotor 3 is provided in the vehicle housing 21. One end of the elastic play component 200 is connected to the micromotor 3, while the other end protrudes from the vehicle housing 21. With reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 shows the Fig. 2 a three-dimensional view of the robot body and the elastic play component according to some embodiments of the present application; the Fig. Figure 4 shows a further three-dimensional view of the robot body and the elastic play component according to some embodiments of the present application (where the second mounting plate and the temperature detector are omitted). The movable body further comprises a first fixed plate 4 mounted on the movable vehicle body 2, the first fixed plate 4 having a recess 41 and a through-hole 42 connected to the recess 41, the recess 41 being located on the side of the first fixed plate 4 facing the movable vehicle body 2, and the through-hole 42 penetrating the top of the first fixed plate 4, a portion of the micromotor 3 being provided within the recess 41, the output shaft of the micromotor 3 extending into the through-hole 42, and an end of the elastic play component 200 extending into the through-hole 42 and being connected to the output shaft.A recess 41 is provided on the side of the first fixed plate 4, which faces the movable vehicle body 2. This recess creates a space between the first fixed plate 4 and the movable vehicle body 2 to accommodate the micromotor 3. Since the through-hole 42 is connected to the recess 41, the output shaft of the micromotor 3 projects into the through-hole 42 and connects with the elastic play component 200 in the through-hole 42. When the micromotor 3 rotates, it drives the elastic play component 200 to vibrate, thus enabling improved interaction with the pet.

[0024] With reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. In some embodiments, the movable body 4 further comprises a second fixed plate 5, which is provided on top of the movable vehicle body 2. The second fixed plate 5 is located on one side of the first fixed plate 4 and has a mounting hole 51 in which the temperature detector 1 is installed. The second fixed plate 5 serves to support and position the temperature detector 1 and facilitates its installation. Furthermore, mounting the temperature detector 1 in the mounting hole 51 allows the second fixed plate 5 to partially conceal the temperature detector 1, thereby improving the overall aesthetics of the pet companion robot.

[0025] In this embodiment, the temperature detector 1 is an infrared temperature detector. Infrared temperature detectors offer fast detection speeds and are a commonly used type of temperature detector. Of course, in other embodiments, the temperature detector 1 can also include other types of temperature sensors, and there are no particular restrictions regarding the sensor type.

[0026] In some embodiments, the robot body 100 further includes a tracker (not shown) that connects and communicates with the main controller. This tracker is provided on the movable vehicle body 2 and is installed inside the movable vehicle body. In this embodiment, the tracker functions as an infrared tracker. By mounting the tracker on the movable vehicle body 2, the movable vehicle body 2 can track and interact with the pet.

[0027] With reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 shows the Fig. 3 prefers an alternative three-dimensional view of the robot body and the elastic play component according to some embodiments. The robot body 100 further comprises an image acquisition unit 6, which connects and communicates with the main controller, wherein the image acquisition unit 6 is mounted on the movable vehicle body 2 and captures images of the pet. The image acquisition unit 6 is a camera, wherein the image acquisition unit 6 can photograph the pet and transmit the captured image data to the main controller. The main controller can determine the pet's activity frequency based on the received image data. When processing the temperature data acquired by the temperature detector 1, the main controller can therefore combine this with the pet's activity frequency to predict its health status and thus improve the accuracy of such predictions.In some embodiments, the robot body 100 further comprises a loudspeaker (not shown) connected to the main controller, wherein a cavity is provided within the movable vehicle body 2, the loudspeaker and the main controller are located within the cavity, and the side wall of the movable vehicle body 2 has sound openings 7 that communicate with the cavity. Several sound openings 7 are provided, with multiple sound openings 7 being arranged at intervals. In this embodiment, the cavity is located within the vehicle housing 21. By arranging the loudspeaker and the main controller in this cavity, the loudspeaker and the main controller are concealed within the movable vehicle body 2, thereby improving the overall aesthetics of the companion robot for pets.The speaker attached to the movable vehicle body 2 allows pet owners to interact verbally with their pets via mobile devices, thereby improving the intelligence of the pet companion robot.

[0028] To improve the spatial quality of the sound output of the companion robot for pets, a sound zone is provided on each of the two opposite sides of the vehicle housing 21, with each sound zone having several sound openings 7.

[0029] For information on the power supply for the electronic components in the pet companion robot, see Fig.In this embodiment, the pet companion robot further comprises a charging station 300, the charging station 300 having a charging slot 301. The robot body 100 also includes a battery mounted on the movable vehicle body, the charging station 300 being designed to charge this battery. The battery is electrically connected to the temperature detector 1 and the main controller. The robot body 100 can be moved into the charging slot 301 so that the charging station 300 can charge the battery. The robot body 100 includes a tracker, an image acquisition unit 6, and a loudspeaker, the battery being electrically connected to each of the tracker, the image acquisition unit 6, and the loudspeaker, respectively. In this embodiment, the charging station 300 comprises a charging station body 303 and a first conductive element 302.The body of the charging station 303 is provided with a charging bay 301, and the first conductive element 302 is positioned at the bottom of the charging bay 301. The robot body further includes a second conductive element 8, which is electrically connected to the battery, with the second conductive element 8 being positioned at the base of the vehicle housing 21 of the movable vehicle body 2. When the robot body 100 moves into the charging bay 301, the first conductive element 302 and the second conductive element 8 come into contact and establish an electrical connection, thereby enabling the charging of the battery.

[0030] It should be noted that the above-mentioned pet companion robot can be used to accompany both cats and other pets such as dogs or pigs, without any specific restrictions regarding the type of pet.

[0031] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined in any way. To simplify the description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, if there is no contradiction between the combinations of these technical features, all combinations will be considered within the scope of this description.

[0032] The exemplary embodiments described above represent only some embodiments of the present application; their descriptions are detailed but should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the application. It should be noted that technical personnel may make many changes and modifications without deviating from the concept and scope of the application. These all fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the application shall be defined by the attached claims.

Claims

[1] Companion robots for pets, characterized by , that it comprises a robot body (100), wherein the robot body (100) comprises a movable body, a main controller that connects to and can communicate with a user terminal, and a temperature detector (1) for detecting the pet's body temperature, wherein the main controller and the temperature detector (1) are mounted on the movable body, the temperature detector (1) connects to and communicates with the main controller; and comprises an elastic play component (200), wherein one end of the elastic play component (200) is connected to the movable body, while the other end protrudes from the movable body. [2] Companion robot for pets according to claim 1, characterized by, that the elastic play component (200) comprises a connecting section (201) and a curved section (202), wherein one end of the connecting section (201) is connected to the movable body and the other end of the connecting section (201) is connected to the curved section (202). [3] Companion robot for pets according to claim 1, characterized by , that the movable body comprises a movable vehicle body (2) and a micromotor (3) attached to the movable vehicle body (2), wherein the main control and the temperature detector (1) are both attached to the movable vehicle body (2), wherein the output shaft of the micromotor (3) is connected to the elastic clearance component (200) and the micromotor (3) connects and communicates with the main control. [4] Companion robot for pets according to claim 3, characterized by, that the movable body further comprises a first fixed plate (4) which is mounted on the movable vehicle body (2), wherein the first fixed plate (4) has a recess (41) and a through hole (42) connected with the recess (41), wherein the recess (41) is located on the side of the first fixed plate (4) facing the movable vehicle body (2) and the through hole (42) penetrates the top of the first fixed plate (4), wherein a part of the micromotor (3) is provided within the recess (41) and the output shaft of the micromotor (3) extends into the through hole (42), and an end of the elastic clearance component (200) extends into the through hole (42) and is connected to the output shaft. [5] Companion robot for pets according to claim 4, characterized by, that the movable body further comprises a second fixed plate (5) which is provided on top of the movable vehicle body (2), wherein the second fixed plate (5) is located on one side of the first fixed plate (4), the second fixed plate (5) having a mounting hole (51), wherein the temperature detector (1) is installed in the mounting hole (51). [6] Companion robot for pets according to claim 3, characterized by , that the robot body (100) further comprises a tracker which connects and communicates with the main control, the tracker being attached to the movable vehicle body (2). [7] Companion robot for pets according to claim 3, characterized by , that the robot body (100) further comprises an image acquisition unit (6) which connects and communicates with the main control, wherein the image acquisition unit (6) is mounted on the movable vehicle body (2), and the image acquisition unit (6) captures images of the pet. [8] Companion robot for pets according to claim 3, characterized by , that the robot body (100) further comprises a loudspeaker connected to the main control, wherein a cavity is provided within the movable vehicle body (2), the loudspeaker and the main control are provided within the cavity, wherein the side wall of the movable vehicle body (2) has sound openings which are connected to the cavity (7). [9] Companion robot for pets according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by, that the companion robot for pets further comprises a charging station (300), wherein the charging station (300) is provided with a charging chute (301), the robot body (100) further comprises a battery attached to the movable body, wherein the battery is electrically connected to the temperature detector (1) and to the main control, and the robot body (100) is able to move into the charging chute (301) so that the charging station (300) can charge the battery. [10] Companion robot for pets according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the temperature detector (1) is an infrared temperature sensor.

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