APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING CHARGING POWER TO AN EXTERNAL DEVICE - Patent application

Abstract

To provide apparatus and methods for providing charging power to an external device.SOLUTION: Apparatus for providing charging power to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 1100 including four landing legs 1110-1140 having power charging terminals includes: a conductive plate assembly 1200 including a plurality of conductive plates 1210-1240 and 1212-1242; a plurality of detector circuits; and a plurality of selection circuits. A maximum surface length of each of the conductive plates is less than a predetermined distance. The plurality of detector circuits respectively coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of conductive plates, and each of the detector circuits is configured to be responsive to a voltage on one of external power charging terminals to provide a detection signal. The plurality of selection circuits respectively coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of conductive plates, and each of the selection circuits is further coupled to receive the detection signal from a corresponding one of the detector circuits and configured to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to one of the power-supply terminals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 111122501, filed on June 16, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical field]

[0002] The present application relates to providing charging power to external devices, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for providing charging power to external devices. [Background technology]

[0003] When a device needs to be charged, the user typically needs to align the device's charging connector with the charger's connector before electrically connecting the device to the charger. Alignment may require additional attention and time from the user. This may cause inconvenience and inefficiency for the user. If the device being charged is an unattended device, the unattended device and / or the charger may require additional mechanisms to align with these connectors. The additional mechanisms may cause additional power consumption and / or increased costs and require additional operating time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments of the present application provide an apparatus and method for providing charging power to an external device.

[0005] These embodiments include an apparatus for providing charging power to a pair of external power charging terminals coupled to a power storage device of an external device. The pair of external power charging terminals are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The apparatus includes a conductive plate assembly. The conductive plate assembly includes a plurality of conductive plates. Each conductive plate has a surface. The surface has a maximum surface length that is less than a predetermined distance. The maximum surface length is equal to or greater than the length between any two points on the surface of the conductive plate. The apparatus also includes a plurality of detector circuits each coupled to a corresponding conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates. Each of the detector circuits is configured to respond to a voltage at one of the external power charging terminals to provide a detection signal when the corresponding conductive plate is in contact with one of the external power charging terminals. The apparatus also includes a plurality of selection circuits each coupled to a corresponding conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates and including a pair of power supply terminals for receiving a power supply voltage. Each selection circuit is further coupled to receive a detection signal from a corresponding one of the detector circuits and configured to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to one of the power supply terminals in response to receiving the detection signal.

[0006] These embodiments also include an apparatus for supplying charging power to a pair of external power charging terminals coupled to a power storage device of an external device. The pair of external power charging terminals are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The apparatus includes a conductive plate assembly. The conductive plate assembly includes a plurality of conductive plates. The apparatus also includes a plurality of detector circuits each coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive plates. The plurality of detector circuits are coupled to an electrical common circuit point. Each of the detector circuits is configured to respond to a voltage at one of the external power charging terminals to provide a detection signal when the corresponding conductive plate is in contact with one of the external power charging terminals. The apparatus also includes a plurality of selection circuits each coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive plates. The selection circuits include a pair of power supply terminals for receiving a power supply voltage. Each selection circuit is further coupled to receive a detection signal from a corresponding one of the detector circuits and configured to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate with one of the power supply terminals in response to receiving the detection signal.

[0007] These embodiments further include a method for providing charging power to a pair of charging terminals coupled to the power storage device. The method includes detecting, based on a first current, that a first conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates is in contact with the first charging terminal. The method also includes detecting, based on a second current, that a second conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates is in contact with the second charging terminal. The second current is sourced from the first current or the first current is sourced from the second current. The method further includes electrically connecting the first conductive plate with a first power supply terminal of the pair of power supply terminals. The method also includes electrically connecting the second conductive plate with a second power supply terminal of the pair of power supply terminals. The method further includes providing charging power from the pair of power supply terminals through the first and second conductive plates to the pair of charging terminals. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] 1A-1C illustrate an exemplary device and an exemplary conductive plate assembly for providing charging power to the exemplary device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] [Figure 1B] 1B illustrates an exemplary shape of a conductive plate of the exemplary conductive plate assembly of FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Figure 1C] 1C illustrates a maximum surface length of an exemplary shape of the conductive plate of FIG. 1B, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG.

[0011] [FIG. 1D] A diagram showing dimensions of the exemplary conductive plate assembly of FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example apparatus for providing charging power, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] 3A, 3B, and 3C are diagrams of example conductive plates, detector circuitry, and detection operation in the example device of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] 4A and 4B are diagrams of example conductive plates, detector circuitry, selection circuitry, and detection and selection operations in the example device of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 4C] A diagram of an exemplary equivalent circuit connection between the exemplary device of Figure 1A and the exemplary apparatus of Figure 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] 5A and 5B are diagrams of example conductive plates, detector circuitry, selection circuitry, and detection and selection operations in the example device of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example method for providing charging power according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The implementations set forth in the following description of exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present invention. Instead, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with aspects related to the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0019] Disclosed embodiments include an apparatus for providing charging power to a pair of external power charging terminals coupled to a power storage device of an external device, including a laptop, tablet, smartphone, appliance, electronic component, gadget, machine, medical device, vehicle, unmanned vehicle, autonomous vehicle, or any other device having a power storage device to be charged. The power storage device of the external device may be a rechargeable battery, a secondary battery, a storage battery, an electrostatic double layer capacitor, an electrochemical pseudocapacitor, a hybrid capacitor, a lithium ion capacitor, or any other energy storage device or component.

[0020] The power storage device of the external device is coupled to a pair of power charging terminals, which are part of the external device or terminals of a connecting line for power charging or terminals of a peripheral device for power charging. The pair of charging terminals are external to the device for supplying charging power and can be referred to as a pair of external power charging terminals in the present disclosure. The pair of external power charging terminals are arranged at a predetermined distance apart. The predetermined distance is a distance that prevents the two external power charging terminals from being coupled to the same conductive plate of the device for supplying charging power. Additionally or alternatively, the predetermined distance may be a distance that ensures that the two external power charging terminals are coupled to two different conductive plates of the device for supplying charging power.

[0021] The apparatus for supplying charging power includes a conductive plate assembly including a plurality of conductive plates. The conductive plate assembly is an assembly that is coupled to a pair of external power charging terminals to supply charging power. When an external device is coupled to the apparatus, two or more of the plurality of conductive plates are coupled to the pair of external power charging terminals to supply charging power. The conductive plate is a conductive part and is used as a contact terminal that is connected to one of the pair of external power charging terminals.

[0022] Each conductive plate has a surface. The surface is used to be coupled to one of a pair of external power charging terminals. The shape of the surface may be a circle, a triangle, a square, a hexagon, a rectangle, or any other polygon. The surface has a maximum surface length. The maximum surface length is equal to or greater than the length between any two points on the surface of the conductive plate. The maximum surface length of the shape is less than a predetermined distance that the pair of external power charging terminals are spaced apart from each other. Thus, two external power charging terminals are prevented from being coupled to the same conductive plate. As a result, the two external power charging terminals are coupled to two or more different conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly to receive charging power.

[0023] 1A illustrates an example unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 1100 and an example plate assembly 1200 for providing charging power to the example UAV 1100, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1A, the plate assembly 1200 includes a plurality of plates, including plates 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240, 1212, 1222, 1232, and 1242, for providing charging power to the UAV 1100. The UAV 1100 includes four landing legs 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140. The landing legs 1110 and 1120 each include a positive and negative power charging terminal. The positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 is a distance D from the negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120. CT are placed just apart.

[0024] The UAV 1100 is an external device of the conductive plate assembly 1200. The UAV 1110 includes a battery (not shown) to be charged. The positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 are coupled to the battery (not shown). When the UAV 1100 needs to be charged, the UAV 1100 lands or rests on the conductive plate assembly 1200 such that the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 are coupled to the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 at points P1 and P2, respectively, to receive charging power.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1A, the conductive plate assembly 1200 includes a plurality of conductive plates arranged in an array and separated from one another (FIG. 1D). Each conductive plate has, for example, a square surface. The square surface has a maximum surface length L SQR-MAX is the length of the diagonal (Figure 1B). The maximum surface length (L SQR-MAX ) is equal to or greater than the length between any two points on the surface of the conductive plate. For example, the maximum surface length (L SQR-MAX ) is longer than the length of the side between two adjacent vertices. As another example, the maximum surface length of the conductive plate (L SQR-MAX ) is equal to the length of the diagonal of the conductive plate.

[0026] The maximum surface length of the conductive plate (L SQR-MAX ) is the distance (D CT ) shorter than the length of the landing leg 1110. Thus, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 are prevented from being coupled to the same conductive plate of the conductive plate assembly 1200. As a result, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the UAV 1100 are coupled to two or more different conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200 for receiving charging power. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 of the UAV 1100 are coupled to the conductive plates 1210 and 1230, respectively.

[0027] 1B illustrates an exemplary shape of the conductive plate of the exemplary conductive plate assembly 1200 of FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, as shown on the left side of FIG. 1B, the conductive plate may have a square surface. The surface of the square conductive plate has a maximum surface length L SQR-MAX As described above with reference to FIG. 1A, the maximum surface length (L SQR-MAX ) is the distance between the two external charging terminals (D CT ) shorter.

[0028] In some embodiments, the conductive plate assembly 1200 can have a plurality of conductive plates with hexagonal surfaces. As shown in the center of FIG. 1B, the surface of a hexagonal conductive plate has a maximum surface length L HEX-MAX The maximum surface length of the conductive plate (L HEX-MAX ) is the distance between the two external charging terminals (D CT ) is shorter.

[0029] In some embodiments, the plate assembly 1200 can have multiple plates with circular surfaces. As shown on the right side of FIG. 1B, the surface of a circular plate has a diameter that is equal to the maximum surface length L CIR-MAX The maximum surface length of the conductive plate (L CIR-MAX ) is the distance between the two external charging terminals (D CT ) or less.

[0030] FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating the maximum surface length of the exemplary shapes of the conductive plate of FIG. 1B according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1C, all the maximum surface lengths (L in FIG. SQR-MAX , L HEX-MAX , L CIR-MAX ) is the distance between the positive and negative power charging terminals on the landing legs 1110 and 1120 (D CT ) when the UAV 1100 lands or rests on the plate assembly 1200, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 contact the plate assembly 1200 at contact points P+ and P- (FIG. 1C), respectively. The two contact points P+ and P- are located within the maximum surface length (L SQR-MAX , L HEX-MAX , L CIR-MAX ) CT The landing legs 1110 and 1120 are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 0.1 mm, i.e., the two contact points P+ and P- cannot be on the same conductive plate. This prevents a short circuit from being formed between the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 when the UAV 1100 lands or rests on the conductive plate assembly 1200 in any orientation.

[0031] 1D illustrates dimensions of the exemplary plate assembly 1200 of FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1D, the plate assembly 1200 includes plates 1251, 1252, 1253, 1254, 1261, 1262, 1263, 1264, 1271, 1272, 1273, 1274, 1281, 1282, 1283, and 1284, each having a square surface. Each square surface has a maximum surface length (L SQR-MAX ) There is a gap between any two adjacent conductive plates. The gap is defined as the gap width W GAP and diagonal gap width W GAP-Diag The gap may include an insulating material or an air gap that prevents any two adjacent conductive plates from electrically coupling to one another.

[0032] When the UAV 1100 lands or rests on the conductive plate assembly 1200 (FIG. 1D), the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 (FIG. 1A) contact each other, for example, at contact points P L + and P L -(FIG. 1D) can contact two or more conductive plates, each having a large contact area. As shown in FIG. 1D, the contact point P L +, P L -The large contact area of ​​the gap is the diagonal gap width (W GAP-Diag ) is greater than the diagonal gap width (W GAP-Diag ), the maximum surface length (L SQR-MAX ) greater than the distance D CT This ensures that the two external power charging terminals on the landing legs 1110 and 1120 can contact two or more different plates of the plate assembly 1200.

[0033] Alternatively, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 (FIG. 1A) may be connected to, for example, contact points P L + and P L - a contact point P with a medium contact area smaller than the large contact area M+ and P M -(FIG. 1D), each may contact two or more conductive plates. As shown in FIG. 1D, the contact points P M +, P M - The dimension of the intermediate contact area is the gap width (W GAP ) is larger than the gap width (W GAP ) and the diagonal gap width (W GAP-Diag ), the maximum surface length (e.g., L SQR-MAX ) to diagonal gap width (W GAP-Diag ) plus the distance D CT (i.e., D CT >L SQR-MAX +W GAP-Diag ) can ensure that the two external power charging terminals on the landing legs 1110 and 1120 contact two or more different conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200. CT is the maximum surface length (e.g., L SQR-MAX ) and the maximum surface length (e.g., L SQR-MAX ) to diagonal gap width (W GAP-Diag ) plus the distance (i.e., L SQR-MAX <D CT <L SQR-MAX +W GAP-Diag ), the two external power charging terminals on the landing legs 1110 and 1120 may contact two or more different conductive plates with a high probability. Nevertheless, it is also possible that one or both of the two external power charging terminals contact the conductive plate assembly 1200 at the intersection of the gap. In this situation, the UAV 1100 may need to re-land or move a small distance to contact two or more conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200 for charging.

[0034] Alternatively, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 (FIG. 1A) may be connected to, for example, contact points P M + and P M - contact points P each having a contact area smaller than the contact area S + and P S - may contact the conductive plate assembly 1200 at contact point P S+, P S - The microcontact area is the gap width (W GAP ) The dimension of the contact area (e.g., the small contact area) is smaller than the gap width (W GAP ), the maximum surface length (e.g., L SQR-MAX ) greater than the distance D CT may allow the two external power charging terminals on the landing legs 1110 and 1120 to contact two different conductive plates with a high probability. Nevertheless, one or both of the two external power charging terminals on the landing legs 1110 and 1120 may contact the conductive plate assembly 1200 over the gap area. In this situation, the UAV 1100 may need to re-land or move a small distance or angle rotation to contact the two conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200 for power charging.

[0035] Additionally or alternatively, a maximum surface length (e.g., L SQR-MAX ) to diagonal gap width (W GAP-Diag ) plus twice the distance D CT (i.e., D CT >L SQR-MAX +2×W GAP-Diag ) can make the two external power charging terminals on the landing legs 1110 and 1120 contact two different conductive plates with a high probability. Nevertheless, one or both of the two external power charging terminals on the landing legs 1110 and 1120 may contact the conductive plate assembly 1200 over the gap area. In this situation, the UAV 1100 may need to re-land or move a small distance or angle rotation to contact the two conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200 for power charging.

[0036] In some embodiments, in the device for supplying charging power, a plurality of conductive plates are arranged in succession such that the upper surface of the conductive plate assembly is substantially flat. Each of the conductive plates has length and width dimensions substantially the same as the length and width dimensions of the other conductive plates. Each of the length and width dimensions of each conductive plate is shorter than a predetermined distance by which a pair of external power charging terminals in the landing legs 1110 and 1120 are spaced apart from each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1D, the conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200 are arranged in succession such that the upper surface of the conductive plate assembly 1200 is substantially flat. Thus, the UAV 1100 can stably land or rest on the upper surface for charging. Each of the square conductive plates has length and width dimensions substantially the same as the length and width dimensions of the other conductive plates. Each of the length and width dimensions of each conductive plate is shorter than a predetermined distance, for example, the distance (D CT ) is smaller than this distance (D CT ) is the maximum surface length (L SQR-MAX ) is predetermined to be greater than

[0037] The device for providing charging power also includes a plurality of detector circuits each coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly. The plurality of detector circuits may be configured to detect which two or more of the plurality of conductive plates are in contact with the pair of external power charging terminals via voltage, current, pressure, light, microwave, sensing, any combination thereof, any other parameter, or any change occurring. The plurality of detector circuits are configured to generate two or more detection signals upon detecting that the two or more conductive plates are in contact. The detection signals may indicate that the plurality of conductive plates are in contact and / or which two or more conductive plates are in contact. The device may be configured to provide charging power to the two or more conductive plates in contact based on the detection signals.

[0038] The device for supplying charging power also includes a plurality of selection circuits each coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive plates. The plurality of selection circuits are configured to electrically connect two or more conductive plates in contact with the pair of external power charging terminals to a pair of power supply terminals for receiving a power supply voltage. For example, the plurality of selection circuits may be configured to electrically connect the two or more conductive plates in contact with the power supply terminals based on detection signals from the plurality of detector circuits.

[0039] 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary apparatus 2000 for supplying charging power, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus 2000 includes a conductive plate assembly 1200, a detector circuit 1300, and a selection circuit 1400. The detector circuit 1300 is coupled to the conductive plate assembly 1200 and the selection circuit 1400. The selection circuit 1400 is coupled to the conductive plate assembly 1200 and the detector circuit 1300, and has a pair of power supply terminals 1510 and 1520 for receiving a power supply voltage. As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of power supply terminals 1510 and 1520 may be coupled to a rectifier 1600 and a power source 1700.

[0040] As described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D, the conductive plate assembly 1200 includes a number of conductive plates for providing charging power to an external device.

[0041] The detector circuit 1300 is configured to detect which two or more of the conductive plates are in contact with a pair of external power charging terminals. When the detector circuit 1300 detects that two or more of the conductive plates are in contact, the detector circuit 1300 is configured to transmit two or more detection signals to the selection circuit 1400. The detection signals can correspond to the two or more conductive plates that the external power charging terminals are in contact with. Thus, the detection signals can indicate which two or more conductive plates are in contact. Additionally or alternatively, each detection signal can indicate which one of the external power charging terminals a corresponding one of the conductive plates is in contact with. The device 2000 may be configured to select and / or provide charging power to the two or more of the contacting conductive plates based on the detection signals.

[0042] The selection circuit 1400 is configured to receive a detection signal from the detector circuit 1300 and electrically connect the contacting conductive plate with the power supply terminals 1510 and 1520 based on the detection signal. For example, when the UAV 1100 lands or rests on the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 (FIG. 1A), the selection circuit 1400 is configured to receive two detection signals corresponding to the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 (FIG. 1A), respectively. The selection circuit 1400 is configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1210 and the power supply terminal 1510 based on the detection signal corresponding to the conductive plate 1210. The selection circuit 1400 is also configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1230 with the power supply terminal 1520 based on the other detection signal corresponding to the conductive plate 1230. As a result, the selection circuit 1400 electrically connects the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 of the UAV 1100 to the positive and negative power supply terminals 1510 and 1520, respectively, for receiving charging power via the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 (Figure 1A).

[0043] The rectifier 1600 and the power source 1700 are configured to supply a power supply voltage to a pair of power supply terminals 1510, 1520. For example, the rectifier 1600 may convert alternating current (AC) power from the power source 1700 into direct current (DC) power as a power source to the pair of power supply terminals 1510 and 1520 for charging the UAV 1100 (FIG. 1A).

[0044] In some embodiments, the pair of power supply terminals 1510 and 1520, instead of being coupled to the rectifier 1600 and the power source 1700, may be coupled to any other device that provides charging power, such as various power sources, power adapters, power supplies, and power storage devices.

[0045] In some embodiments, the external device to be charged may include a rectifier. In such an embodiment, the apparatus 2000 is configured, for example, to supply AC power to the contacting conductive plates. Thus, the power supply terminals 1510 and 1520 are coupled to an AC power source instead of being coupled to the rectifier 1600. The selection circuit 1400 may have similar functionality as disclosed herein and may supply AC power from the power supply terminals 1510 and 1520 to the contacting conductive plates to charge the power storage device of the external device.

[0046] As described above, in the device for supplying charging power, the multiple detector circuits may be configured to detect which two or more of the multiple conductive plates are in contact with the pair of external power charging terminals by voltage, current, pressure, light, microwave, sensing, any combination thereof, any other parameter, or any change that occurs. For example, in some embodiments, each detector circuit is configured to respond to the voltage of one of the external power charging terminals to provide a detection signal when the corresponding conductive plate is in contact with one of the external power charging terminals. As described above, the pair of external power charging terminals is coupled to the storage device of the external device. Thereby, the two power charging terminals have a voltage as the storage device, regardless of whether the storage device of the external device needs charging or not.

[0047] When one of the external power charging terminals contacts one of the conductive plates, the one of the conductive plates also has a voltage of one of the external power charging terminals. A corresponding one of the detector circuits is coupled to the contacting one of the conductive plates and configured to provide a detection signal in response to the voltage of the contacting one of the conductive plates. The detection signal is indicative of one of the conductive plates contacting one of the external power charging terminals. The device is configured to selectively supply charging power to the contacting one of the conductive plates based on the detection signal.

[0048] When the UAV 1100 lands or is placed on the conductive plate assembly 1200, each of the external power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 can contact one or more conductive plates. Thus, a pair of external power charging terminals can contact two or more conductive plates. Each of the detector circuits corresponding to the two or more conductive plates in contact is configured to respond to the voltage of one of the external power charging terminals and provide a detection signal for the device 2000 to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to the power supply terminal 1510 or 1520. The voltage of each external power charging terminal may be a positive voltage or a negative voltage. The selection circuit 1400 selects the power supply terminal 1510 or 1520 to electrically connect with the corresponding conductive plate according to the positive voltage and the negative voltage.

[0049] 3A is a diagram of exemplary conductive plates 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240, detector circuits 1310, 1320, 1330, and 1340, and detection operations in the exemplary device 2000 of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3A, conductive plate assembly 1200 (FIGS. 1A and 2) includes conductive plates 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240. Detector circuit 1300 (FIG. 2) includes detector circuits 1310, 1320, 1330, and 1340. Detector circuits 1310, 1320, 1330, and 1340 are coupled to conductive plates 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240, respectively, and coupled to electrical common circuit point 800.

[0050] 3A, the detector circuits 1310, 1320, 1330, 1340 include first and second diodes connected in parallel and a resistor. The positive terminal of the first diode and the negative terminal of the second diode are coupled to corresponding conductive plates. The negative terminal of the first diode and the positive terminal of the second diode are coupled to the resistor. The resistor is coupled to an electrical common point 800.

[0051] Specifically, the detector circuit 1310 includes diodes 1310-D1 and 1310-D2 and a resistor 1310-R. The diode 1310-D1 has a positive terminal coupled to the conductive plate 1210 and a negative terminal coupled to a first terminal of the resistor 1310-R. The diode 1310-D2 has a negative terminal coupled to the conductive plate 1210 and a positive terminal coupled to the first terminal of the resistor 1310-R. The resistor 1310-R has a second terminal coupled to the electrical common circuit point 800. The electrical common circuit point 800 may be a connection node, a conductive line, or multiple conductive lines coupled to each other, with each node having the same voltage level.

[0052] As described above, the detector circuit 1320 includes diodes 1310-D1 and 1310-D2 and resistor 1310-R coupled to each other, to the conductive plate 1210, and to the electrical common circuit point 800, as well as diodes 1320-D1 and 1320-D2 and resistor 1320-R coupled to each other, to the conductive plate 1220, and to the electrical common circuit point 800.

[0053] As described above, the detector circuit 1330 includes diodes 1310-D1 and 1310-D2 and resistor 1310-R coupled to each other, to conductive plate 1230, and to electrical common circuit point 800, as well as diodes 1330-D1 and 1330-D2 and resistor 1330-R coupled to each other, to conductive plate 1210, and to electrical common circuit point 800.

[0054] As described above, the detector circuit 1340 includes diodes 1310-D1 and 1310-D2 and resistor 1310-R coupled to each other, to conductive plate 1210, and to electrical common circuit point 800, as well as diodes 1340-D1 and 1340-D2 and resistor 1340-R coupled to each other, to conductive plate 1240, and to electrical common circuit point 800.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 3A, when the UAV 1100 lands or is placed on the device 2000 to receive charging power, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 can contact the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 at contact points P1 and P2, respectively. The power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 has a positive voltage provided by the battery of the UAV 1100. Since the positive power charging terminal contacts the conductive plate 1210, the conductive plate 1210 also has a positive voltage. When the conductive plate 1210 has a positive voltage, the diode 1310-D1 is forward biased and turned on because the positive terminal of the diode 1310-D1 is coupled to the conductive plate 1210. The diode 1310-D2 is reverse biased and turned off because the negative terminal of the diode 1310-D2 is coupled to the conductive plate 1210.

[0056] The negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 has a negative voltage provided by the battery of the UAV 1100. Because the negative power charging terminal contacts the conductive plate 1230, the conductive plate 1230 has a negative voltage. When the conductive plate 1230 has a negative voltage, the diode 1330-D2 is forward biased and turned on because the negative terminal of the diode 1330-D2 is coupled to the conductive plate 1230. The diode 1330-D1 is reverse biased and turned off because the positive terminal of the diode 1330-D1 is coupled to the conductive plate 1230.

[0057] When diode 1310-D1 of detector circuit 1310 and diode 1330-D2 of detector circuit 1330 are turned on, a conductive path is formed from plate 1210 through diode 1310-D1, resistor 1310-R, electrical common point 800, resistor 1330-R, and diode 1330-D2 to plate 1230. Because plates 1210 and 1230 have positive and negative voltages, respectively, current flows from plate 1210 through the conductive path to plate 1230. Current flows through diode 1310-D1 as current 1310-i1, through resistor 1310-R as current 1310-i3, through electrical common point 800 as current 981, through resistor 1330-R as current 1330-i4, and through diode 1330-D2 as current 1330-i2, as shown in FIG. 3A.

[0058] In a manner similar to that described below with reference to Figures 4A or 5A, current 1310-i1 and / or current 1310-i3 can be used to trigger, i.e., cause a first selection circuit corresponding to detector circuit 1310 to electrically connect conductive plate 1210 to positive power supply terminal 1510. In a manner similar to that described below with reference to Figures 4B or 5B, current 1330-i2 and / or current 1330-i4 can be used to trigger, i.e., cause a second selection circuit corresponding to detector circuit 1330 to electrically connect conductive plate 1230 to negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0059] 3A, conductive plates 1220 and 1240 are not in contact with the external power charging terminals, and therefore no current flows through the corresponding detector circuits 1320 and 1340. Also, no current flows through the other detector circuits 1300 that correspond to the conductive plates that are not in contact with the external power charging terminals.

[0060] In addition to the conductive plates and detector circuits shown in FIG. 3A, the conductive plate assembly 1200 (FIGS. 1A and 2) may also include other conductive plates. The detector circuit 1300 (FIG. 2) may also include other detector circuits respectively coupled to the other conductive plates. Such other detector circuits are also coupled to the electrical common circuit point 800. This allows the device 2000 to selectively supply charging power through any two or more conductive plates to which the external power charging terminals are in contact. Thus, the UAV 1100 may land or be placed on the device 2000 without an alignment operation.

[0061] 3B is a diagram of exemplary conductive plates 1212, 1222, 1232, and 1242, detector circuits 1312, 1322, 1332, and 1342, and detection operations in the exemplary device 2000 of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3B, the conductive plate assembly 1200 (FIGS. 1A and 2) includes conductive plates 1212, 1222, 1232, and 1242. The detector circuit 1300 (FIG. 2) includes detector circuits 1312, 1322, 1332, and 1342. The detector circuits 1312, 1322, 1332, and 1342 are coupled to the conductive plates 1212, 1222, 1232, and 1242, respectively, and are coupled to the electrical common circuit point 800.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3B, the detector circuits 1312, 1322, 1332, 1342 include first and second diodes and a resistor connected in parallel, which are coupled to each other, to corresponding conductive plates, and to electrical common circuit point 800, similar to the first and second diodes and resistors in each of the detector circuits 1310, 1320, 1330, and 1340, as described above with reference to Figure 3A.

[0063] Specifically, the detector circuit 1312 includes diodes 1312-D1 and 1312-D2 and a resistor 1312-R. The diode 1312-D1 has a positive terminal coupled to the conductive plate 1212 and a negative terminal coupled to a first terminal of the resistor 1312-R. The diode 1312-D2 has a negative terminal coupled to the conductive plate 1212 and a positive terminal coupled to the first terminal of the resistor 1312-R. The resistor 1312-R has a second terminal coupled to the electrical common point 800.

[0064] As described above, the detector circuit 1322 includes diodes 1312-D1 and 1312-D2 and resistor 1312-R coupled to each other, to the conductive plate 1212, and to the electrical common circuit point 800, as well as diodes 1322-D1 and 1322-D2 and resistor 1322-R coupled to each other, to the conductive plate 1222, and to the electrical common circuit point 800.

[0065] As described above, the detector circuit 1332 includes diodes 1312-D1 and 1312-D2 and resistor 1312-R coupled to each other, to conductive plate 1232, and to electrical common circuit point 800, as well as diodes 1312-D1 and 1312-D2 and resistor 1312-R coupled to each other, to conductive plate 1212, and to electrical common circuit point 800.

[0066] As described above, the detector circuit 1342 includes diodes 1312-D1 and 1312-D2 and resistor 1312-R coupled to each other, to conductive plate 1212, and to electrical common circuit point 800, as well as diodes 1342-D1 and 1342-D2 and resistor 1342-R coupled to each other, to conductive plate 1242, and to electrical common circuit point 800.

[0067] When the UAV 1100 lands or is placed on the device 2000 to receive charging power, if the landing leg 1110 is placed in the groove between the conductive plates 1212 and 1222, the positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 may contact both the conductive plates 1212 and 1222 at contact point P3, as shown in FIG. 3B. The negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 may contact the conductive plate 1242 at contact point P4, as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0068] The positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 is supplied with a positive voltage from the battery of the UAV 1100. The positive power charging terminal contacts the conductive plates 1212 and 1222, so that both conductive plates 1212 and 1222 have a positive voltage. When the conductive plate 1212 has a positive voltage, the positive terminal of the diode 1312-D1 is coupled to the conductive plate 1212, so that the diode 1312-D1 is forward biased and turned on. The negative terminal of the diode 1312-D2 is coupled to the conductive plate 1212, so that the diode 1312-D2 is reverse biased and turned off. When the conductive plate 1222 has a positive voltage, the positive terminal of the diode 1322-D1 is coupled to the conductive plate 1222, so that the diode 1322-D1 is forward biased and turned on. Because the negative terminal of diode 1322-D2 is coupled to conductive plate 1222, diode 1322-D2 is reverse biased and turned off.

[0069] The negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 is supplied with a negative voltage from the battery of the UAV 1100. Because the negative power charging terminal contacts the conductive plate 1242, the conductive plate 1242 has a negative voltage. When the conductive plate 1242 has a negative voltage, the diode 1342-D2 is forward biased and turned on because the negative terminal of the diode 1342-D2 is coupled to the conductive plate 1242. The diode 1342-D1 is reverse biased and turned off because the positive terminal of the diode 1342-D1 is coupled to the conductive plate 1242.

[0070] When diode 1312-D1 of detector circuit 1312 and diode 1342-D2 of detector circuit 1342 are turned on, a first conductive path is formed from conductive plate 1212 through diode 1312-D1, resistor 1312-R, electrical common point 800, resistor 1342-R, and diode 1342-D2 to conductive plate 1242. Because conductive plates 1212 and 1242 have positive and negative voltages, respectively, a first current flows from conductive plate 1212 through the first conductive path to conductive plate 1242. As shown in FIG. 3B, the first current flows through diode 1312-D1 as current 1312-i1, through resistor 1312-R as current 1312-i3, through electrical common circuit point 800 as part of current 982, through resistor 1342-R as part of current 1342-i4, and through diode 1342-D2 as part of current 1342-i2.

[0071] In addition, when diode 1322-D1 of detector circuit 1322 and diode 1342-D2 of detector circuit 1342 are turned on, a second conductive path is formed from plate 1222 through diode 1322-D1, resistor 1322-R, electrical common point 800, resistor 1342-R, and diode 1342-D2 to plate 1242. Because plates 1222 and 1242 have positive and negative voltages, respectively, a second current flows from plate 1222 through the second conductive path to plate 1242. As shown in FIG. 3B, the second current flows through diode 1322-D1 as current 1322-i1, through resistor 1322-R as current 1322-i3, through electrical common circuit point 800 as part of current 982, through resistor 1342-R as part of current 1342-i4, and through diode 1342-D2 as part of current 1342-i2.

[0072] In a manner similar to that described below with reference to FIG. 4A or 5A, the current 1312-i1 and / or the current 1312-i3 can be used to trigger, i.e., cause a first selection circuit corresponding to the detector circuit 1312 to electrically connect the conductive plate 1212 to the positive power supply terminal 1510. In a manner similar to that described below with reference to FIG. 4A or 5A, the current 1322-i1 and / or the current 1322-i3 can be used to trigger, i.e., cause a second selection circuit corresponding to the detector circuit 1322 to electrically connect the conductive plate 1222 to the positive power supply terminal 1510. In a manner similar to that described below with reference to FIG. 4B or 5B, the current 1342-i2 and / or the current 1342-i4 can be used to trigger, i.e., cause a third selection circuit corresponding to the detector circuit 1342 to electrically connect the conductive plate 1242 to the negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0073] 3B, the conductive plate 1232 is not in contact with the external power charging terminal, and therefore no current flows through the corresponding detector circuit 1332. Also, no current flows through the other detector circuits 1300 that correspond to the conductive plates that are not in contact with the external power charging terminal.

[0074] 3C is a diagram of exemplary conductive plates 1210, 1212, 1220, and 1222, detector circuits 1310, 1312, 1320, and 1322, and detection operations in the exemplary device 2000 of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3C, the conductive plate assembly 1200 (FIGS. 1 and 2) includes conductive plates 1210, 1212, 1220, and 1222. The detector circuit 1300 (FIG. 2) includes detector circuits 1310, 1312, 1320, and 1322. The detector circuits 1310, 1312, 1320, and 1322 are coupled to the conductive plates 1210, 1212, 1220, and 1222, respectively, and are coupled to the electrical common circuit point 800.

[0075] As shown in Figure 3C, the detector circuits 1310, 1312, 1320, 1322 include first and second diodes connected in parallel and a resistor, which are coupled to each other, to corresponding conductive plates, and to electrical common circuit point 800, as are the first and second diodes and resistors in each of the detector circuits 1310, 1320, 1330, and 1340, as described above with reference to Figure 3A.

[0076] Specifically, detector circuit 1310 includes diodes 1310-D1 and 1310-D2 and resistor 1310-R coupled as described above with reference to Figure 3A. Detector circuit 1312 includes diodes 1312-D1 and 1312-D2 and resistor 1312-R coupled as described above with reference to Figure 3B. Detector circuit 1320 includes diodes 1320-D1 and 1320-D2 and resistor 1320-R coupled as described above with reference to Figure 3A. Detector circuit 1322 includes diodes 1322-D1 and 1322-D2 and resistor 1322-R coupled as described above with reference to Figure 3B.

[0077] As shown in FIG 3C, when the UAV 1100 lands or is placed on the device 2000 to receive charging power, the positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 can contact the conductive plate 1210 at a contact point P1. The negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 can contact both the conductive plates 1212 and 1222 at a contact point P3 when the landing leg 1120 is placed in the groove between the conductive plates 1212 and 1222 as shown in FIG 3C.

[0078] The positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 is supplied with a positive voltage from the battery of the UAV 1100. The positive power charging terminal contacts the conductive plate 1210, so that the conductive plate 1210 has a positive voltage. When the conductive plate 1210 has a positive voltage, the diodes 1310-D1 and 1310-D2 of the detector circuit 1310 operate as described above with reference to FIG. 3A.

[0079] The negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 is supplied with a negative voltage from the battery of the UAV 1100. The negative power charging terminal contacts the conductive plates 1212 and 1222, so that the conductive plates 1212 and 1222 have a negative voltage. When the conductive plate 1212 has a negative voltage, the negative terminal of the diode 1312-D2 is coupled to the conductive plate 1212, so that the diode 1312-D2 is forward biased and turned on. The diode 1312-D1 is reverse biased and turned off, so that the positive terminal of the diode 1312-D1 is coupled to the conductive plate 1212. When the conductive plate 1222 has a negative voltage, the negative terminal of the diode 1322-D2 is coupled to the conductive plate 1222, so that the diode 1322-D2 is forward biased and turned on. Diode 1322-D1 is reverse biased and turned off because the positive terminal of diode 1322-D1 is coupled to conductive plate 1222.

[0080] When diode 1310-D1 of detector circuit 1310 and diode 1312-D2 of detector circuit 1312 are turned on, a first conductive path is formed from plate 1210 through diode 1310-D1, resistor 1310-R, electrical common point 800, resistor 1312-R, and diode 1312-D2 to plate 1212. Because plates 1210 and 1212 have positive and negative voltages, respectively, a first current flows from plate 1210 through the first conductive path to plate 1212. As shown in FIG. 3C, the first current flows through diode 1310-D1 as part of current 1310-i1, through resistor 1310-R as part of current 1310-i3, through electrical common point 800, through resistor 1312-R as current 1312-i4, and through diode 1312-D2 as current 1312-i2.

[0081] In addition, when diode 1310-D1 of detector circuit 1310 and diode 1322-D2 of detector circuit 1322 are turned on, a second conductive path is formed from plate 1210 through diode 1310-D1, resistor 1310-R, electrical common point 800, resistor 1322-R, and diode 1322-D2 to plate 1222. Because plates 1210 and 1222 have positive and negative voltages, respectively, a second current flows from plate 1210 through the second conductive path to plate 1222. As shown in FIG. 3C, the second current flows through diode 1310-D1 as part of current 1310-i1, through resistor 1310-R as part of current 1310-i3, through electrical common point 800 as current 983, through resistor 1322-R as current 1322-i4, and through diode 1322-D2 as current 1322-i2.

[0082] In a manner similar to that described below with reference to FIG. 4A or 5A, the current 1310-i1 and / or the current 1310-i3 can be used to trigger, i.e., cause a first selection circuit corresponding to the detector circuit 1310 to electrically connect the conductive plate 1210 to the positive power supply terminal 1510. In a manner similar to that described below with reference to FIG. 4B or 5B, the current 1312-i2 and / or the current 1312-i4 can be used to trigger, i.e., cause a second selection circuit corresponding to the detector circuit 1312 to electrically connect the conductive plate 1212 to the negative power supply terminal 1520. In a manner similar to that described below with reference to FIG. 4B or 5B, the current 1322-i2 and / or the current 1322-i4 can be used to trigger, i.e., cause a third selection circuit corresponding to the detector circuit 1322 to electrically connect the conductive plate 1222 to the negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0083] 3C, the conductive plate 1220 is not in contact with the external power charging terminal, so no current flows through the corresponding detector circuit 1320. Also, no current flows through the other detector circuits 1300 that correspond to the conductive plates that are not in contact with the external power charging terminal.

[0084] As described above, the apparatus for supplying charging power includes a plurality of selection circuits each coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive plates, the selection circuits including a pair of power supply terminals for receiving a power supply voltage, and each of the selection circuits is further coupled to receive a detection signal from a corresponding one of the detector circuits and configured to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to one of the power supply terminals in response to receiving the detection signal.

[0085] For example, the selection circuit 1400 (FIG. 2) includes a plurality of selection circuits each coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive plates. The selection circuits are coupled to power supply terminals 1510 and 1520 (FIG. 2) for receiving a power supply voltage. Each of the selection circuits 1400 is further coupled to receive a detection signal from a corresponding one of the detector circuits 1300 and configured to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to the power supply terminal 1510 or 1520 in response to receiving the detection signal. The detection signal may be, for example, a current 1310-i1 (FIG. 3A), 1310-i3 (FIG. 3A), 1330-i2 (FIG. 3A), 1330-i4 (FIG. 3A), 1312-i1 (FIG. 3B), 1312-i3 (FIG. 3B), 1322-i1 (FIG. 3B), 1322-i3 (FIG. 3B), 1342-i2 (FIG. 3B), 1342-i4 (FIG. 3B), 1310-i1 (FIG. 3C), 1310-i3 (FIG. 3C), 1312-i2 (FIG. 3C), 1312-i4 (FIG. 3C), 1322-i2 (FIG. 3C), or 1322-i4 (FIG. 3C) in one of the detector circuits 1300 corresponding to a conductive plate contacted by one of the external power charging terminals.

[0086] 4A is a diagram of an exemplary conductive plate 1210, a detector circuit 1310a, selection circuits 1410-1 and 1410-2, and detection and selection operations in the exemplary device 2000 of FIG. 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4A, the conductive plate assembly 1200 (FIG. 2) includes a conductive plate 1210. The detector circuit 1300 (FIGS. 1A and 2) includes a detector circuit 1310a. The conductive plate 1210 is coupled to the detector circuit 1310a. The selection circuit 1400 includes selection circuits 1410-1 and 1410-2 coupled to corresponding conductive plates 1210. The selection circuit 1410-1 is coupled between the conductive plate 1210 and the positive power supply terminal 1510. The selection circuit 1410-2 is coupled between the conductive plate 1210 and the negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0087] The detector circuit 1310a includes photocouplers 1310a-OC1 and 1310a-OC2 and a resistor 1310a-R. The photocoupler 1310a-OC1 includes a light emitting diode (LED) 1310a-D1 and a phototransistor 1310a-PT1. The photocoupler 1310a-OC2 includes an LED 1310a-D2 and a phototransistor 1310a-PT2. The LEDs 1310a-D1 and 1310a-D2 and the resistor 1310a-R are coupled to each other, to the conductive plate 1210, and to the electrical common circuit point 800, in the same manner as the diodes 1310-D1 and 1310-D2 and the resistor 1310-R are coupled to each other, to the conductive plate 1210, and to the electrical common circuit point 800, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A, the positive terminal of LED 1310a-D1 and the negative terminal of LED 1310a-D2 are coupled to corresponding conductive plates 1210. The negative terminal of LED 1310a-D1 and the positive terminal of LED 1310a-D2 are coupled to a first terminal of resistor 1310a-R. A second terminal of resistor 1310a-R is coupled to electrical common point 800.

[0088] Phototransistor 1310a-PT1 includes an NPN phototransistor. The collector terminal of phototransistor 1310a-PT1 is coupled to a positive voltage supply Vcc. The emitter terminal of phototransistor 1310a-PT1 is coupled to selection circuit 1410-1. Phototransistor 1310a-PT2 includes an NPN phototransistor. The collector terminal of phototransistor 1310a-PT2 is coupled to a positive voltage supply Vcc. The emitter terminal of phototransistor 1310a-PT2 is coupled to selection circuit 1410-2.

[0089] The selection circuit 1410-1 includes a relay switch 1410-SW1 and a driver circuit 1410-DR1. The relay switch 1410-SW1 is coupled between the conductive plate 1210 and the positive power supply terminal 1510. The driver circuit 1410-DR1 is coupled between the relay switch 1410-SW1 and the phototransistor 1310a-PT1. The driver circuit 1410-DR1 includes an NPN bipolar junction transistor (BJT). A collector terminal of the BJT of the driver circuit 1410-DR1 is coupled to a positive voltage source Vcc. A base terminal of the BJT of the driver circuit 1410-DR1 is coupled to an emitter terminal of the phototransistor 1310a-PT1. An emitter terminal of the BJT of the driver circuit 1410-DR1 is coupled to the relay switch 1410-SW1. The driver circuit 1410-DR1 is coupled to the relay switch 1410-SW1 and provides a first switching signal that turns on the relay switch 1410-SW1 to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate 1210 to the positive power supply terminal 1510 when the phototransistor 1310a-PT1 receives light from the LED 1310a-D1.

[0090] The selection circuit 1410-2 includes a relay switch 1410-SW2 and a driver circuit 1410-DR2. The relay switch 1410-SW2 is coupled between the conductive plate 1210 and the negative power supply terminal 1520. The driver circuit 1410-DR2 is coupled between the relay switch 1410-SW2 and the phototransistor 1310a-PT2. The driver circuit 1410-DR2 includes an NPN BJT. The collector terminal of the BJT of the driver circuit 1410-DR2 is coupled to a positive voltage source Vcc. The base terminal of the BJT of the driver circuit 1410-DR2 is coupled to the emitter terminal of the phototransistor 1310a-PT2. The emitter terminal of the BJT of the driver circuit 1410-DR2 is coupled to the relay switch 1410-SW2. The driver circuit 1410-DR2 is coupled to the relay switch 1410-SW2 and provides a second switching signal that turns on the relay switch 1410-SW2 to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate 1210 to the negative power supply terminal 1520 when the phototransistor 1310a-PT2 receives light from the LED 1310a-D2.

[0091] When the UAV 1100 lands or is placed on the device 2000 to receive charging power, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 contact the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 at contact points P1 and P2, respectively, as shown in, for example, Figures 4A and 4B. This is the same landing as described above with reference to Figure 3A. Thus, the LEDs 1310a-D1 and 1310a-D2 and the resistor 1310a-R operate similarly to the diodes 1310-D1 and 1310-D2 and the resistor 1310-R, except that when the LED 1310a-D1 is turned on, the LED 1310a-D1 emits light to the phototransistor 1310a-PT1, or when the LED 1310a-D2 is turned on, the LED 1310a-D2 emits light to the phototransistor 1310a-PT2, as described above with reference to Figure 3A.

[0092] Specifically, because the positive power charging terminal contacts conductive plate 1210, conductive plate 1210 has a positive voltage. When conductive plate 1210 has a positive voltage, LED 1310a-D1 is forward biased and turned on because its positive terminal is coupled to conductive plate 1210. LED 1310a-D2 is reverse biased and turned off because its negative terminal is coupled to conductive plate 1210.

[0093] When LED 1310a-D1 (FIG. 4A) of detector circuit 1310a (FIG. 4A) and LED 1330a-D2 (FIG. 4B) of detector circuit 1330a (FIG. 4B) are turned on, a conductive path is formed from conductive plate 1210 through LED 1310a-D1, resistor 1310a-R, electrical common point 800, resistor 1330a-R, and LED 1330a-D2 to conductive plate 1230. Since conductive plates 1210 and 1230 have positive and negative voltages, respectively, current flows from conductive plate 1210 through the conductive path to conductive plate 1230. As shown in FIG. 4A, current flows through LED 1310a-D1 as current 1310a-i1 and through resistor 1310a-R as current 1310a-i3.

[0094] When the LED 1310a-D1 is turned on (i.e., the current 1310a-i1 flows through the LED 1310a-D1), the LED 1310a-D1 is configured to emit light to the phototransistor 1310a-PT1. When the phototransistor 1310a-PT1 receives light from the LED 1310a-D1, the phototransistor 1310a-PT1 is configured to transmit a detection signal, e.g., a current 911 (FIG. 4A), to the driver circuit 1410-DR1 of the selection circuit 1410-1. After the driver circuit 1410-DR1 receives the detection signal (current 911), the driver circuit 1410-DR1 is configured to drive and / or trigger the relay switch 1410-SW1 to turn on by a current 913 (FIG. 4A) to electrically connect the conductive plate 1210 to the positive power supply terminal 1510.

[0095] At the same time, the LED 1310a-D2 is turned off and does not emit light to the phototransistor 1310a-PT2. That is, the phototransistor 1310a-PT2 does not receive light from the LED 1310a-D2 and does not send a signal to the driver circuit 1410-DR2 of the selection circuit 1410-2. Therefore, the relay switch 1410-SW2 remains off. This causes the conductive plate 1210 to be not electrically connected to the negative power supply terminal 1520. That is, both the selection circuits 1410-1 and 1410-2 are configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1210 to the positive power supply terminal 1510 when the positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 is in contact with the conductive plate 1210.

[0096] In some embodiments, when the negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 contacts the conductive plate 1210 instead of the positive power charging terminal, the LED 1310a-D2, phototransistor 1310a-PT2, driver circuit 1410-DR2, and relay switch 1410-SW2 are configured to operate as LED 1330a-D2, phototransistor 1330a-PT2, driver circuit 1430-DR2, and relay switch 1430-SW2 (FIG. 4B), as described below with reference to FIG. 4B.

[0097] In some embodiments, when the conductive plate 1210 is not in contact with an external power charging terminal, the relay switches 1410-SW1 and 1410-SW remain off, i.e., the conductive plate 1210 is not connected to either of the power supply terminals 1510 and 1520.

[0098] 4B is a diagram of an exemplary conductive plate 1230, a detector circuit 1330a, selection circuits 1430-1 and 1430-2, and detection and selection operations in the exemplary device 2000 of FIG. 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4B, the conductive plate assembly 1200 (FIGS. 1A and 2) includes a conductive plate 1230. The detector circuit 1300 (FIG. 2) includes a detector circuit 1330a. The conductive plate 1230 is coupled to the detector circuit 1330a. The selection circuit 1400 includes selection circuits 1430-1 and 1430-2 coupled to corresponding conductive plates 1230. The selection circuit 1430-1 is connected between the conductive plate 1230 and the positive power supply terminal 1510. The selection circuit 1430-2 is connected between the conductive plate 1230 and the negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0099] Detector circuit 1330a includes photocouplers 1330a-OC1 and 1330a-OC2 and resistor 1330a-R. Photocoupler 1330a-OC1 includes LED 1330a-D1 and phototransistor 1330a-PT1. Photocoupler 1330a-OC2 includes LED 1330a-D2 and phototransistor 1330a-PT2. LEDs 1330a-D1 and 1330a-D2 and resistor 1330a-R are coupled to each other, to conductive plate 1230, and to electrical common 800, similarly to how diodes 1330-D1 and 1330-D2 and resistor 1330-R are coupled to conductive plate 1230 and to electrical common 800, as described above with reference to FIG. 4B, the positive terminal of LED 1330a-D1 and the negative terminal of LED 1330a-D2 are coupled to corresponding conductive plates 1230. The negative terminal of LED 1330a-D1 and the positive terminal of LED 1330a-D2 are coupled to a first terminal of resistor 1330a-R. A second terminal of resistor 1330a-R is coupled to electrical common point 800.

[0100] Phototransistors 1330a-PT1 and 1330a-PT2 comprise NPN phototransistors and are coupled to a positive voltage supply Vcc and to selection circuits 1430-1 and 1430-2, respectively, in the same manner as phototransistors 1310a-PT1 and 1310a-PT2 are coupled to a positive voltage supply Vcc and to selection circuits 1410-1 and 1410-2, respectively, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A.

[0101] The selection circuit 1430-1 includes a relay switch 1430-SW1 and a driver circuit 1430-DR1. The relay switch 1430-SW1 is coupled between the conductive plate 1230 and the positive power supply terminal 1510. The driver circuit 1430-DR1 is coupled between the relay switch 1430-SW1 and the phototransistor 1330a-PT1. The driver circuit 1430-DR1 includes an NPN BJT. The BJT of the driver circuit 1430-DR1 is coupled to a positive voltage supply Vcc, the phototransistor 1330a-PT1, and the relay switch 1430-SW1 in the same manner as the BJT of the driver circuit 1410-DR1 is coupled to the positive voltage supply Vcc, the phototransistor 1310a-PT1, and the relay switch 1430-SW1, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A. The driver circuit 1430-DR1 is coupled to the relay switch 1430-SW1, and provides a first switching signal that turns on the relay switch 1430-SW1 to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate 1230 to the positive power supply terminal 1510 when the phototransistor 1330a-PT1 receives light from the LED 1330a-D1.

[0102] The selection circuit 1430-2 includes a relay switch 1430-SW2 and a driver circuit 1430-DR2. The relay switch 1430-SW2 is connected between the conductive plate 1230 and the negative power supply terminal 1520. The driver circuit 1430-DR2 is coupled between the relay switch 1430-SW2 and the phototransistor 1330a-PT2. The driver circuit 1430-DR2 includes an NPN BJT. The BJT of the driver circuit 1430-DR2 is coupled to a positive voltage supply Vcc, the phototransistor 1330a-PT2, and the relay switch 1430-SW2 in the same manner as the BJT of the driver circuit 1410-DR2 is coupled to the positive voltage supply Vcc, the phototransistor 1310a-PT2, and the relay switch 1410-SW2, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A. The driver circuit 1430-DR2 is coupled to the relay switch 1430-SW2 and provides a second switching signal that turns on the relay switch 1430-SW2 to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate 1230 to the negative power supply terminal 1520 when the phototransistor 1330a-PT2 receives light from the LED 1330a-D2.

[0103] As described above, when the UAV 1100 lands or is placed on the device 2000 to receive charging power, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 contact the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 at contact points P1 and P2, respectively. This is the same landing as described above with reference to FIG. 3A. Thus, the LEDs 1330a-D1 and 1330a-D2 and the resistor 1330a-R operate similarly to the diodes 1330-D1 and 1330-D2 and the resistor 1330-R as described above with reference to FIG. 3A, except that when the LED 1330a-D1 is turned on, the LED 1330a-D1 emits light to the phototransistor 1330a-PT1, or when the LED 1330a-D2 is turned on, the LED 1330a-D2 emits light to the phototransistor 1330a-PT2.

[0104] Specifically, because the negative power charging terminal contacts conductive plate 1230, conductive plate 1230 has a negative voltage. When conductive plate 1230 has a negative voltage, LEDs 1330a-D2 are forward biased and turned on because their negative terminals are coupled to conductive plate 1230. LEDs 1330a-D1 are reverse biased and turned off because their positive terminals are coupled to conductive plate 1230.

[0105] As described above, when LED 1310a-D1 (FIG. 4A) of detector circuit 1310a (FIG. 4A) and LED 1330a-D2 (FIG. 4B) of detector circuit 1330a (FIG. 4B) are turned on, a conductive path is formed from conductive plate 1210 through LED 1310a-D1, resistor 1310a-R, electrical common point 800, resistor 1330a-R, and LED 1330a-D2 to conductive plate 1230. Since conductive plates 1210 and 1230 have positive and negative voltages, respectively, current flows from conductive plate 1210 through the conductive path to conductive plate 1230. As shown in FIG. 4B, current flows through LED 1330a-D2 as current 1330a-i2 and through resistor 1330a-R as current 1330a-i4.

[0106] When the LED 1330a-D2 is turned on (i.e., the current 1330a-i2 flows through the LED 1330a-D2), the LED 1330a-D2 is configured to emit light to the phototransistor 1330a-PT2. When the phototransistor 1330a-PT2 receives light from the LED 1330a-D2, the phototransistor 1330a-PT2 is configured to transmit a detection signal, e.g., a current 932 (FIG. 4B), to the driver circuit 1430-DR2 of the selection circuit 1430-2. After the driver circuit 1430-DR2 receives the detection signal (current 932), the driver circuit 1430-DR2 is configured to drive and / or trigger the relay switch 1430-SW2 to turn on by a current 934 (FIG. 4B) to electrically connect the conductive plate 1230 to the negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0107] At the same time, the LED 1330a-D1 is turned off and does not emit light to the phototransistor 1330a-PT1. That is, the phototransistor 1330a-PT1 does not receive light from the LED 1330a-D1 and does not send a signal to the driver circuit 1430-DR1 of the selection circuit 1430-1. Therefore, the relay switch 1430-SW1 remains switched off. This causes the conductive plate 1230 to not be electrically connected to the positive power supply terminal 1510. That is, the selection circuits 1430-1 and 1430-2 are configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1230 to the negative power supply terminal 1520 when the negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 is in contact with the conductive plate 1230.

[0108] In some embodiments, when the positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 contacts the conductive plate 1230 instead of the negative power charging terminal, the LED 1330a-D1, phototransistor 1330a-PT1, driver circuit 1430-DR1, and relay switch 1430-SW1 are configured to operate as the LED 1310a-D1, phototransistor 1310a-PT1, driver circuit 1410-DR1, and relay switch 1410-SW1 (FIG. 4A) described above with reference to FIG. 4A.

[0109] In some embodiments, when the conductive plate 1230 is not in contact with an external power charging terminal, the relay switches 1430-SW1 and 1430-SW remain off, i.e., the conductive plate 1230 is not connected to either of the power supply terminals 1510 and 1520.

[0110] In some embodiments, in an apparatus for supplying charging power, the detector circuit is configured to wirelessly control the selection circuit to electrically connect the two conductive plates to a pair of power supply terminals. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A, the detector circuit 1310a is configured to wirelessly control the selection circuit 1410-1 by emitting light from the LED 1310a-D1 to the phototransistor 1310a-PT1 to electrically connect the conductive plate 1210 to the positive power supply terminal 1510. Furthermore, as described above with reference to FIG. 4B, the detector circuit 1330a is configured to wirelessly control the selection circuit 1430-2 by emitting light from the LED 1330a-D2 to the phototransistor 1330a-PT2 to electrically connect the conductive plate 1230 to the negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0111] 4C is a diagram of an exemplary equivalent circuit connection between the exemplary UAV 1100 of FIG. 1A and the exemplary device 2000 of FIG. 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4C, the UAV 1100 includes a battery 1150. The positive terminal of the battery 1150 is electrically connected to the positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110. The negative terminal of the battery 1150 is electrically connected to the negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120. When the UAV 1100 lands or rests on the device 2000 to receive charging power, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 contact the conductive plates 1210 and 1230, respectively. This is the same landing as described above with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, or FIG. 3A. Thus, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, or FIG. 3A, the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 have positive and negative voltages, respectively.

[0112] As described above with reference to Figures 3A, 4A, and 4B, and as shown in Figure 4C, a first conductive path (dashed path) is formed from conductive plate 1210 having a positive voltage to conductive plate 1230 having a negative voltage. Along the first conductive path, a first current flows sequentially from conductive plate 1210 to conductive plate 1230 as currents 1310a-i1 (Figure 4A), 1310a-i3 (Figure 4A), 981 (Figure 3A), 1330a-i4 (Figure 4B), and 1330a-i2 (Figure 4B).

[0113] 4A and 4B, and as shown in FIG. 4C, relay switch 1410-SW1 is configured to electrically connect plate 1210 to positive power supply terminal 1510. Relay switch 1430-SW2 electrically connects plate 1230 to negative power supply terminal 1520. This forms a second conductive path (solid line path) from rectifier 1600 and power source 1700 to positive power supply terminal 1510, plate 1210, battery 1150, plate 1230, and negative power supply terminal 1520. Along the second conductive path, the second current flows sequentially as current 971 (FIG. 4C) from the positive power supply terminal 1510 to the conductive plate 1210 to the positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 to the battery 1150 of the UAV 1100 to the negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 to the conductive plate 1230 and to the negative power supply terminal 1520 as current 972 (FIG. 4C). The second current is provided by the rectifier 1600 and the power supply 1700, which provides a voltage at the power supply terminal 1510 that is higher than the voltage of the battery 1150. Thus, the second current provides charging power to the battery 1150 of the UAV 1100. Thus, when the UAV 1100 lands or is placed on the conductive plate assembly 1200 of the device 2000, the battery 1150 of the UAV 1100 is charged using the second current supplied by the power source 1700.

[0114] In some embodiments, in an apparatus for supplying charging power, the detector circuit includes a current sensor that senses whether current flows through the two or more detector circuits when the external power charging terminal is in contact with the two or more conductive plates.

[0115] 5A is a diagram of an exemplary conductive plate 1210, a detector circuit 1310b, the above-mentioned selection circuits 1410-1 and 1410-2, and detection and selection operations in the exemplary device 2000 of FIG. 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5A, the conductive plate assembly 1200 (FIG. 2) includes a conductive plate 1210. The detector circuit 1300 (FIG. 2) includes a detector circuit 1310b. The conductive plate 1210 is coupled to the detector circuit 1310b. The selection circuit 1400 includes selection circuits 1410-1 and 1410-2 coupled to corresponding conductive plates 1210. The selection circuit 1410-1 is coupled between the conductive plate 1210 and the positive power supply terminal 1510. The selection circuit 1410-2 is coupled between the conductive plate 1210 and the negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0116] The detector circuit 1310b includes current sensors 1310b-CS1 and 1310b-CS2 and a resistor 1310b-R. The current sensors 1310b-CS1 and 1310b-CS2 are connected to a current input terminal I IN , current output terminal I OUT , ground terminal GND, and sensing output terminal S OUT The current input terminal (I IN ) and the current output terminal (I OUT ) is coupled to the corresponding conductive plate 1210. The current output terminal (I OUT ) and the current input terminal (I IN ) is coupled to a first terminal of a resistor 1310b-R. A second terminal of the resistor 1310b-R is coupled to the electrical common circuit point 800. A sense output terminal (S OUT ) is coupled to the selection circuit 1410-1. The sense output terminal (S OUT ) is coupled to the selection circuit 1410-2. The ground terminals GND of the current sensors 1310b-CS1 and 1310b-CS2 are coupled to ground.

[0117] The selection circuit 1410-1 includes a relay switch 1410-SW1 and a driver circuit 1410-DR1. The relay switch 1410-SW1 is coupled between the conductive plate 1210 and the positive power supply terminal 1510. The driver circuit 1410-DR1 is coupled between the relay switch 1410-SW1 and the current sensor 1310b-CS1. As shown in FIG. 5A and described above with reference to FIG. 4A, the driver circuit 1410-DR1 includes an NPN BJT and is coupled to a positive voltage source Vcc and the relay switch 1410-SW1. The base terminal of the BJT in the driver circuit 1410-DR1 (FIG. 5A) is connected to the sense output terminal (S OUT The driver circuit 1410-DR1 is coupled to a relay switch 1410-SW1 and connected to the sense output terminal (S OUT ) provides a first switching signal to turn on relay switch 1410-SW1 to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate 1210 to the positive power supply terminal 1510 in response to receiving a first detection signal (e.g., a sense signal or current 915) from the positive power supply terminal 1510.

[0118] The selection circuit 1410-2 includes a relay switch 1410-SW2 and a driver circuit 1410-DR2. The relay switch 1410-SW2 is coupled between the conductive plate 1210 and the negative power supply terminal 1520. The driver circuit 1410-DR2 is coupled between the relay switch 1410-SW2 and the current sensor 1310b-CS2. As shown in FIG. 5A and described above with reference to FIG. 4A, the driver circuit 1410-DR2 includes an NPN BJT and is coupled to the positive voltage supply Vcc and the relay switch 1410-SW2. The base terminal of the BJT in the driver circuit 1410-DR2 (FIG. 5A) is connected to the sense output terminal (S OUT ) of the current sensor 1310b-CS2. The driver circuit 1410-DR2 is coupled to a relay switch 1410-SW2 to drive the sense output terminal (S OUT) provides a second switching signal to turn on relay switch 1410-SW2 to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate 1210 with the negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0119] When the UAV 1100 lands or is placed on the device 2000 to receive charging power, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 contact the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 at contact points P1 and P2, respectively, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, for example. This is the same landing as described above with reference to Figures 4A and 4B, or Figure 3A.

[0120] The positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 is supplied with a positive voltage from the battery of the UAV 1100. The positive power charging terminal contacts the conductive plate 1210, so that the conductive plate 1210 has the same positive voltage. When the conductive plate 1210 is at a positive voltage, the current 1310b-i1 flows through the current input terminal (I IN ) and the current output terminal (I OUT ) The current sensor 1310b-CS1 is configured to sense the current 1310b-i1 and is connected to a sense output terminal (S OUT ) to the selection circuit 1410-1. OUT ) is coupled to the positive voltage conductive plate 1210, so no current flows through the current sensor 1310b-CS2. As a result, the current sensor 1310b-CS2 has a sense output terminal (S OUT ) does not generate a sensing signal.

[0121] When a current flows through the current sensor 1310b-CS1 (FIG. 5A) and the current sensor 1330b-CS2 (FIG. 5B), a conductive path is formed that starts from the conductive plate 1210, passes through the current sensor 1310b-CS1, the resistor 1310b-R, the electrical common circuit point 800, the resistor 1330b-R (FIG. 5B), the current sensor 1330b-CS2, and then reaches the conductive plate 1230. Since the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 have a positive voltage and a negative voltage, respectively, the current flows from the conductive plate 1210 to the conductive plate 1230 via the conductive path. As shown in FIG. 5A, the current flows through the current sensor 1310b-CS1 as a current 1310b-i1, and flows through the resistor 1310b-R as a current 1310b-i3.

[0122] When the current sensor 1310b-CS1 senses a current 1310b-i1, the current sensor 1310b-CS1 outputs its sensed output (S OUT 5A ) to a driver circuit 1410-DR1 of the selection circuit 1410-1. In response to receiving the first detection signal (current 915), the driver circuit 1410-DR1 is configured to drive and / or trigger the relay switch 1410-SW1 to turn on with a current 917 (FIG. 5A ) to electrically connect the conductive plate 1210 to the positive power supply terminal 1510.

[0123] At the same time, the current sensor 1310b-CS2 does not sense any current and its sensing output terminal (S OUT ) does not generate a sense signal at the positive power supply terminal 1510. Thus, the relay switch 1410-SW2 remains off. This causes the conductive plate 1210 to not be electrically connected to the negative power supply terminal 1520. That is, the selection circuits 1410-1 and 1410-2 are both configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1210 to the positive power supply terminal 1510 when the positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 is in contact with the conductive plate 1210.

[0124] In some embodiments, when the negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 contacts the conductive plate 1210 instead of the positive power charging terminal, the current sensor 1310b-CS2, driver circuit 1410-DR2, and relay switch 1410-SW2 (FIG. 5A) are configured to operate as the current sensor 1330b-CS2, driver circuit 1430-DR2, and relay switch 1430-SW2 (FIG. 5B), described below with reference to FIG. 5B.

[0125] 5B is a diagram of an exemplary conductive plate 1230, a detector circuit 1330b, the above-mentioned selection circuits 1430-1 and 1430-2, and detection and selection operations in the exemplary device 2000 of FIG. 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5B, the conductive plate assembly 1200 (FIGS. 1A and 2) includes a conductive plate 1230. The detector circuit 1300 (FIG. 2) includes a detector circuit 1330b. The conductive plate 1230 is coupled to the detector circuit 1330b. The selection circuit 1400 includes selection circuits 1430-1 and 1430-2 coupled to the corresponding conductive plate 1230. The selection circuit 1430-1 is connected between the conductive plate 1230 and the positive power supply terminal 1510. The selection circuit 1430-2 is connected between the conductive plate 1230 and the negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0126] The detector circuit 1330b includes current sensors 1330b-CS1 and 1330b-CS2 and a resistor 1330b-R. The current sensors 1330b-CS1 and 1330b-CS2 are connected to a current input terminal I IN , current output terminal I OUT , ground terminal GND, and sensing output terminal S OUT The current input terminal (I IN ) and the current output terminal (I OUT ) is coupled to the corresponding conductive plate 1230. The current output terminal (I OUT ) and the current input terminal (I IN) is coupled to a first terminal of a resistor 1330b-R. A second terminal of the resistor 1330b-R is coupled to the electrical common circuit point 800. A sense output terminal (S OUT ) is coupled to the selection circuit 1430-1. The sense output terminal (S OUT ) is coupled to the selection circuit 1430-2. The ground terminals GND of the current sensors 1330b-CS1 and 1330b-CS2 are coupled to ground.

[0127] The selection circuit 1430-1 includes a relay switch 1430-SW1 and a driver circuit 1430-DR1. The relay switch 1430-SW1 is coupled between the conductive plate 1230 and the positive power supply terminal 1510. The driver circuit 1430-DR1 is coupled between the relay switch 1430-SW1 and the current sensor 1330b-CS1. As shown in FIG. 5B and described above with reference to FIG. 4B, the driver circuit 1430-DR1 includes an NPN BJT and is coupled to a positive voltage supply Vcc and to the relay switch 1430-SW1. The base terminal of the BJT in the driver circuit 1430-DR1 (FIG. 5B) is connected to the sense output terminal (S) of the current sensor 1330b-CS1. OUT ) of the current sensor 1330b-CS1. The driver circuit 1430-DR1 couples to the sense output terminal (S OUT ) is coupled to the relay switch 1430-SW1 to provide a first switching signal that turns on the relay switch 1430-SW1 to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate 1230 with the positive power supply terminal 1510 in response to receiving a first detection signal (e.g., a sense signal or a current) from the positive power supply terminal 1510.

[0128] The selection circuit 1430-2 includes a relay switch 1430-SW2 and a driver circuit 1430-DR2. The relay switch 1430-SW2 is connected between the conductive plate 1230 and the negative power supply terminal 1520. The driver circuit 1430-DR2 is coupled between the relay switch 1430-SW2 and the current sensor 1330b-CS2. As shown in FIG. 5B and described above with reference to FIG. 4B, the driver circuit 1430-DR2 includes an NPN BJT and is coupled to the positive voltage supply Vcc and the relay switch 1430-SW2. The base terminal of the BJT in the driver circuit 1430-DR2 (FIG. 5B) is connected to the sense output terminal (S OUT ) of the current sensor 1330b-CS2. The driver circuit 1430-DR2 is coupled to a relay switch 1430-SW2 to drive the sense output terminal (S OUT 5B ), provides a second switching signal to turn on relay switch 1430-SW2 to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate 1230 with the negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0129] As described above, when the UAV 1100 lands or is placed on the device 2000 to receive charging power, the positive and negative power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 contact the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 at contact points P1 and P2, respectively, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B. This is the same landing as described above with reference to Figures 4A and 4B, or Figure 3A.

[0130] The negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 is supplied with a negative voltage from the battery of the UAV 1100. Because the negative power charging terminal is in contact with the conductive plate 1230, the conductive plate 1230 has a negative voltage. When the conductive plate 1230 is at a negative voltage, the current 1330b-i2 flows through the current input terminal (I IN ) and the current output terminal (I OUT ) to the conductive plate 1230. The current sensor 1330b-CS2 is configured to sense the current 1330b-i2 and has a sensed output (S OUT) to the selection circuit 1430-2. IN ) is coupled to the negative voltage conductive plate 1230, no current flows through the current sensor 1330b-CS1. As a result, the current sensor 1330b-CS1 has a sense output terminal (S OUT ) does not generate a sensing signal.

[0131] In this manner, when a current flows through the current sensor 1310b-CS1 (FIG. 5A) and the current sensor 1330b-CS2 (FIG. 5B), a conductive path is formed that starts from the conductive plate 1210, passes through the current sensor 1310b-CS1, the resistor 1310b-R, the electrical common circuit point 800, the resistor 1330b-R (FIG. 5B), the current sensor 1330b-CS2, and then reaches the conductive plate 1230. Since the conductive plates 1210 and 1230 have a positive voltage and a negative voltage, respectively, the current flows from the conductive plate 1210 to the conductive plate 1230 via the conductive path. As shown in FIG. 5B, the current flows through the current sensor 1330b-CS2 as the current 1330b-i2 and through the resistor 1330a-R as the current 1330b-i4.

[0132] When the current sensor 1330b-CS2 senses the current 1330b-i2, the current sensor 1330b-CS2 outputs a sense output terminal (S OUT ) to a driver circuit 1430-DR2 of the selection circuit 1430-2. In response to receiving the second detection signal (current 936), the driver circuit 1430-DR2 is configured to drive and / or trigger the relay switch 1430-SW2 to turn on with a current 938 (FIG. 5B) to electrically connect the conductive plate 1230 to the negative power supply terminal 1520.

[0133] At the same time, the current sensor 1330b-CS1 does not sense current and has its sense output terminal (S OUT) does not generate a sense signal at the negative power supply terminal 1520. Thus, the relay switch 1430-SW1 remains switched off. This causes the conductive plate 1230 to not be electrically connected to the positive power supply terminal 1510. That is, the selection circuits 1410-1 and 1410-2 are both configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1230 to the negative power supply terminal 1520 when the negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 is in contact with the conductive plate 1230.

[0134] In some embodiments, when the positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 contacts the conductive plate 1230 instead of the negative power charging terminal, the current sensor 1330b-CS1, driver circuit 1430-DR1, and relay switch 1430-SW1 (FIG. 5B) are configured to operate as the current sensor 1310b-CS1, driver circuit 1410-DR1, and relay switch 1410-SW1 (FIG. 5A) described above with reference to FIG. 5A.

[0135] Thus, when the UAV 1100 lands or is placed on the device 2000 having the detector circuit as described above with reference to Figures 5A and 5B, the same equivalent circuit connections are made between the UAV 1100 (Figure 1A) and the device 2000 (Figure 2) as described above with reference to Figure 4C. The battery 1150 of the UAV 1100 is charged by the power source 1700.

[0136] 6 is a flow chart of an exemplary method 600 for providing charging power according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 600 can be implemented by the apparatus and devices disclosed and illustrated in the present disclosure for providing charging power to a pair of power charging terminals coupled to a power storage device. The method 600 includes detecting that a first conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates is in contact with the first power charging terminal based on a first current (step 610), detecting that a second conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates is in contact with the second power charging terminal based on a second current (step 620), electrically connecting the first conductive plate with the first power supply terminal of the pair of power supply terminals (step 630), electrically connecting the second conductive plate with the second power supply terminal of the pair of power supply terminals (step 640), and providing charging power from the pair of power supply terminals through the first and second conductive plates to the pair of power charging terminals (step 650).

[0137] Step 610 includes detecting that a first conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates is in contact with a first power charging terminal based on a first current. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 3A, the detector circuit 1300 of the device 2000 is configured to detect that a conductive plate 1210 of the plurality of conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200 is in contact with a positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 based on a current 1310-i1 (FIG. 3A).

[0138] As another example, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A or FIG. 5A, the detector circuit 1300 is configured to detect that the conductive plate 1210 of the multiple conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200 is in contact with the positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 based on the current 1310a-i1 (FIG. 4A) or 1310b-i1 (FIG. 5A).

[0139] Step 620 includes detecting that a second plate of the plurality of conductive plates is in contact with a second power charging terminal based on the second current. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 3A, the detector circuit 1300 of the device 2000 is configured to detect that a conductive plate 1230 of the plurality of conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200 is in contact with a negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 based on the current 1330-i2 (FIG. 3A).

[0140] Current 1330-i2 is sourced from current 1310-i1 through resistor 1310-R, electrical common point 800, and resistor 1330-R, as shown in Figure 3A. Specifically, current 1310-i1 flows outward from plate 1210 through diode 1310-D1 to resistor 1310-R. As discussed above with reference to Figure 3A, current 1330-i2 flows from resistor 1330-R toward plate 1230 through diode 1330-D2.

[0141] As another example, as described above with reference to FIG. 4B or FIG. 5B, the detector circuit 1300 is configured to detect that the conductive plate 1230 of the plurality of conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200 is in contact with the negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 based on the current 1330a-i2 (FIG. 4B) or 1330b-i2 (FIG. 5B).

[0142] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, or Figures 5A and 5B, current 1330a-i2 (Figure 4B) or 1330b-i2 (Figure 5B) is supplied from current 1310a-i1 (Figure 4A) or 1310b-i1 (Figure 5A) via resistor 1310a-R (Figure 4A) or 1310b-R (Figure 5A), electrical common circuit point 800, and resistor 1330a-R (Figure 4B) or 1330b-R (Figure 5B). Specifically, current 1310a-i1 (FIG. 4A) or 1310b-i1 (FIG. 5A) flows outward from conductive plate 1210, through LED 1310a-D1 (FIG. 4A) or current sensor 1310b-CS1 (FIG. 5A), to resistor 1310a-R (FIG. 4A) or 1310b-R (FIG. 5A). As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, or 5A and 5B, current 1330a-i2 (FIG. 4B) or 1330b-i2 (FIG. 5B) flows from resistor 1330a-R (FIG. 4B) or 1330b-R (FIG. 5B) to conductive plate 1230, through LED 1330a-D2 (FIG. 4B) or current sensor 1330b-CS2 (FIG. 5B).

[0143] Step 630 includes electrically connecting the first conductive plate to one of the pair of power supply terminals. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A, the selection circuit 1400 of the device 2000 is configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1210 to the positive power supply terminal 1510 when the selection circuit 1410-1 receives a detection signal, e.g., current 911, from the detector circuit 1310a. As another example, as described above with reference to FIG. 5A, the selection circuit 1400 of the device 2000 is configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1210 to the positive power supply terminal 1510 when the selection circuit 1410-1 receives a detection signal, e.g., current 915, from the detector circuit 1310b.

[0144] Step 640 includes electrically connecting the second conductive plate to a second one of the pair of power supply terminals. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 4B, the selection circuit 1400 of the device 2000 is configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1230 to the negative power supply terminal 1520 when the selection circuit 1430-2 receives a detection signal, e.g., current 932, from the detector circuit 1330a. As another example, as described above with reference to FIG. 5B, the selection circuit 1400 of the device 2000 is configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1230 to the negative power supply terminal 1520 when the selection circuit 1430-2 receives a detection signal, e.g., current 936, from the detector circuit 1330b.

[0145] Step 650 includes providing charging power from a pair of power supply terminals to a pair of power charging terminals via first and second conductive plates. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 4C, the apparatus 2000 is configured to provide charging power from a pair of power supply terminals 1510 and 1520 to a pair of external power charging terminals on the landing legs 1110 and 1120 of the UAV 1100 via conductive plates 1210 and 1230. Current 971 (FIG. 4C) is the charging current to the battery 1150 of the UAV 1100.

[0146] In some embodiments, providing charging power to the pair of power charging terminals in step 650 includes providing charging power to the pair of power charging terminals via a third current. The third current is different from the first current in step 610 and the second current in step 620. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A, the first current in step 610 is current 1310a-i1 (FIG. 4A). As described above with reference to FIG. 4B, the second current in step 620 is current 1330a-i2 (FIG. 4B). As described above with reference to FIG. 4C, the device 2000 is configured to provide charging power to the pair of external power charging terminals of the landing legs 1110 and 1120 via current 971 (FIG. 4C). The current 971 is different from the currents 1310a-i1 and 1330a-i2.

[0147] In some embodiments, a method for supplying charging power may include the steps of method 600 and may further include detecting that a third conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates is in contact with the first power charging terminal based on the third current and electrically connecting the third conductive plate with the first power supply terminal. Supplying charging power to the pair of power charging terminals in step 650 may include supplying charging power from the pair of power supply terminals through the first, second, and third conductive plates to the pair of power charging terminals.

[0148] For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 3B, the detector circuit 1300 of the device 2000 is configured to detect that the conductive plates 1212 and 1242 are in contact with the positive and negative power charging terminals based on the currents 1312-i1 (first current in step 610) and 1342-i2 (second current in step 620), respectively. The detector circuit 1300 of the device 2000 is also configured to detect that the conductive plate 1222 of the plurality of conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200 is also in contact with the positive power charging terminal of the landing leg 1110 based on the currents 1322-i1 (FIG. 3B). The selection circuit 1400 of the device 2000 is configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1222 to the positive power supply terminal 1510, similar to the conductive plate 1212 described above with reference to FIG. 3B, when the selection circuit corresponding to the detector circuit 1322 receives a detection signal from the detector circuit 1322. The positive power charging terminal contacts conductive plates 1212 and 1222, and the negative power charging terminal contacts conductive plate 1242, such that device 2000 is configured to supply charging power from a pair of power supply terminals 1510 and 1520 to the power charging terminals via conductive plates 1212, 1222, and 1242.

[0149] 3B, current 1322-i1 flows outward from conductive plate 1222. Current 1342-i2 is sourced from currents 1312-i1 and 1322-i1.

[0150] As another example, as described above with reference to FIG. 3C, the detector circuit 1300 of the device 2000 is configured to detect that the conductive plates 1210 and 1212 are in contact with the positive and negative power charging terminals based on the currents 1310-i1 (first current in step 610) and 1312-i2 (second current in step 620), respectively. The detector circuit 1300 of the device 2000 is also configured to detect that the conductive plate 1222 of the plurality of conductive plates of the conductive plate assembly 1200 is in contact with the negative power charging terminal of the landing leg 1120 based on the currents 1322-i2 (FIG. 3C). The selection circuit 1400 of the device 2000 is configured to electrically connect the conductive plate 1212 to the negative power supply terminal 1520, similar to the conductive plate 1222 described above with reference to FIG. 3C, when the selection circuit corresponding to the detector circuit 1322 receives a detection signal from the detector circuit 1322. The positive power charging terminal contacts conductive plate 1210 and the negative power charging terminal contacts conductive plates 1212 and 1222, such that device 2000 is configured to supply charging power from a pair of power supply terminals 1510 and 1520 to the power charging terminals via conductive plates 1210, 1212, and 1222.

[0151] 3C, current 1322-i2 flows toward conductive plate 1222. Currents 1312-i2 and 1322-i2 are sourced from current 1310-i1.

[0152] In some embodiments, a method for providing charging power may include the steps of method 600 and may further include generating a first detection signal based on the first current and generating a second detection signal based on the second current. Electrically connecting a first power supply terminal of the pair of power supply terminals and the first conductive plate in step 630 includes selecting the first power supply terminal based on the first detection signal. Electrically connecting a second power supply terminal of the pair of power supply terminals and the second conductive plate in step 640 includes selecting the second power supply terminal based on the second detection signal.

[0153] For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A, the photocoupler 1310a-OC1 is configured to generate a first detection signal (current 911) based on the current 1310a-i1. Specifically, the LED 1310a-D1 of the photocoupler 1310a-OC1 is configured to emit light based on the current 1310a-i1. The phototransistor 1310a-PT1 is configured to receive light from the LED 1310a-D1 and generate a first detection signal (current 911). The selection circuit 1400 is configured to select the positive power supply terminal 1510 to be electrically connected to the conductive plate 1210 based on the first detection signal (current 911). Specifically, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A, the selection circuit 1410-1 is configured to electrically connect the positive power supply terminal 1510 to the conductive plate 1210, while the selection circuit 1410-2 is configured to not electrically connect the negative power supply terminal 1520 to the conductive plate 1210.

[0154] Furthermore, as described above with reference to FIG. 4B, the photocoupler 1330a-OC2 is configured to generate a second detection signal (current 932) based on the current 1330a-i2. Specifically, the LED 1330a-D2 of the photocoupler 1330a-OC2 is configured to emit light based on the current 1330a-i2. The phototransistor 1330a-PT2 is configured to receive light from the LED 1330a-D2 and generate a second detection signal (current 932). The selection circuit 1400 is configured to select the negative power supply terminal 1520 to electrically connect with the conductive plate 1230 based on the second detection signal (current 932). Specifically, as described above with reference to FIG. 4B, the selection circuit 1430-2 is configured to electrically connect the negative power supply terminal 1520 with the conductive plate 1230, while the selection circuit 1430-1 is configured to not electrically connect the positive power supply terminal 1510 with the conductive plate 1230.

[0155] In some embodiments, a method for supplying charging power may include multiple operations of apparatus 2000 described above with reference to Figures 1A-1D, 2, 3A-3C, 4A-4C, 5A, and / or 5B.

[0156] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause one or more computers to perform the above-described methods. The computer readable medium may include volatile or non-volatile, magnetic, semiconductor, tape, optical, removable, non-removable, or other types of computer readable media or computer readable storage devices. For example, the computer readable medium may be a storage device or memory module having computer instructions stored thereon, as disclosed. In some embodiments, the computer readable medium may be a disk or flash drive having computer instructions stored thereon.

[0157] It will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact construction described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is intended that the scope of the present application should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supplying charging power to a pair of external power charging terminals coupled to a power storage device of an external device, the pair of external power charging terminals being disposed at a predetermined distance apart, the apparatus comprising: a conductive plate assembly including a plurality of conductive plates, each of the conductive plates having a surface, the surfaces having a maximum surface length that is less than the predetermined distance, the maximum surface length being equal to or greater than a length between any two points on the surfaces of the conductive plates; a plurality of detector circuits respectively coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive plates, each of the detector circuits comprising: a first photocoupler including a first light emitting diode (LED) and a first phototransistor; a second photocoupler including a second LED and a second phototransistor; and a resistor, wherein a positive terminal of the first LED and a negative terminal of the second LED are coupled to the corresponding conductive plate, and a negative terminal of the first LED and a positive terminal of the second LED are coupled to the resistor, the resistor coupled to an electrical common circuit point, each of the detector circuits configured to respond to a voltage of one of the external power charging terminals to provide a detection signal if the corresponding conductive plate is in contact with one of the external power charging terminals; a plurality of selection circuits each coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive plates and including a pair of supply terminals for receiving a supply voltage, each of the selection circuits further coupled to receive the detection signal from a corresponding one of the detector circuits and configured to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to one of the supply terminals in response to receiving the detection signal; Device.

2. the plurality of conductive plates are arranged in succession such that a top surface of the conductive plate assembly is substantially planar; each of the conductive plates having length and width dimensions substantially the same as length and width dimensions of the other conductive plates; each of the length and width dimensions of each of the conductive plates is less than the predetermined distance; 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. the plurality of detector circuits are coupled to the electrical common circuit point; 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

4. Each of the detector circuits includes a first diode and a second diode coupled in parallel and a resistor; a positive terminal of the first diode and a negative terminal of the second diode are coupled to the corresponding conductive plates; a negative terminal of the first diode and a positive terminal of the second diode are coupled to the resistor; the resistor is coupled to the electrical common point; 4. The apparatus of claim 3.

5. Each of the selection circuits is a first switch circuit coupled between the corresponding conductive plate and a first one of the power supply terminals; a first driver circuit coupled to the first switch circuit; a second switch circuit coupled between the corresponding conductive plate and a second one of the power supply terminals; a second driver circuit coupled to the second switch circuit; Equipped with 5. The apparatus of claim 4.

6. the detection signal includes a first detection signal and a second detection signal; the first switch circuit includes a first relay switch; the first driver circuit is coupled to the first relay switch and provides a first switching signal to turn on the first relay switch in response to receiving the first detection signal; the second switch circuit includes a second relay switch; the second driver circuit is coupled to the second relay switch and provides a second switching signal that turns on the second relay switch in response to receiving the second detection signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 5.

7. the first switch circuit includes a first relay switch; the first driver circuit is coupled to the first relay switch and provides a first switching signal to turn on the first relay switch when a first current flows through the first diode; the second switch circuit includes a second relay switch; the second driver circuit is coupled to the second relay switch and provides a second switching signal that turns on the second relay switch when a second current flows through the second diode.

6. The apparatus of claim 5.

8. Each of the selection circuits a first switch circuit coupled between the corresponding conductive plate and a first one of the power supply terminals; a first driver circuit coupled between the first switch circuit and the first phototransistor; a second switch circuit coupled between the corresponding conductive plate and a second one of the power supply terminals; a second driver circuit coupled between the second switch circuit and the second phototransistor; Equipped with 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

9. The first driver circuit is coupled to the first switch circuit, and when the first phototransistor receives light from the first LED, provides a first switching signal to turn on the first switch circuit to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to the first power supply terminal; or the second driver circuit is coupled to the second switch circuit and provides a second switching signal to turn on the second switch circuit to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to the second power supply terminal when the second phototransistor receives light from the second LED; 9. The apparatus of claim 8.

10. When the first phototransistor receives light from the first LED, the first phototransistor sends a first detection signal to the first driver circuit; or When the second phototransistor receives light from the second LED, the second phototransistor sends a second detection signal to the second driver circuit.

10. The apparatus of claim 9.

11. Each of the detector circuits comprises: A first current sensor; A second current sensor; Resistor and Equipped with a current input terminal of the first current sensor and a current output terminal of the second current sensor are coupled to the corresponding conductive plates; a current output terminal of the first current sensor and a current input terminal of the second current sensor are coupled to the resistor; the resistor is coupled to the electrical common point; 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

12. Each of the selection circuits is a first switch circuit coupled between the corresponding conductive plate and a first one of the power supply terminals; a first driver circuit coupled between the first switch circuit and a signal output terminal of the first current sensor; a second switch circuit coupled between the corresponding conductive plate and a second one of the power supply terminals; a second driver circuit coupled between the second switch circuit and a signal output terminal of the second current sensor; Equipped with the first driver circuit is coupled to the first switch circuit and provides a first switching signal in response to receiving a first detection signal from the first current sensor for turning on the first switch circuit to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to the first power supply terminal; the second driver circuit is coupled to the second switch circuit and provides a second switching signal in response to receiving a second detection signal from the second current sensor to turn on the second switch circuit to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to the second power supply terminal.

12. The apparatus of claim 11.

13. The detector circuit is configured to wirelessly control the selection circuit to electrically connect two of the conductive plates to the pair of power supply terminals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

14. An apparatus for supplying charging power to a pair of external power charging terminals coupled to a power storage device of an external device, the pair of external power charging terminals being arranged a predetermined distance apart, the apparatus comprising: a conductive plate assembly including a plurality of conductive plates; a plurality of detector circuits respectively coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive plates, each of the detector circuits comprising: a first photocoupler including a first light emitting diode (LED) and a first phototransistor, a second photocoupler including a second LED and a second phototransistor, and a resistor, a positive terminal of the first LED and a negative terminal of the second LED coupled to the corresponding conductive plate, a negative terminal of the first LED and a positive terminal of the second LED coupled to the resistor, the resistor coupled to an electrical common circuit point, the plurality of detector circuits coupled to the electrical common circuit point, each of the detector circuits configured to respond to a voltage of one of the external power charging terminals to provide a detection signal if the corresponding conductive plate is in contact with one of the external power charging terminals; a plurality of selection circuits each coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive plates and including a pair of supply terminals for receiving a supply voltage, each of the selection circuits further coupled to receive the detection signal from a corresponding one of the detector circuits and configured to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to one of the supply terminals in response to receiving the detection signal; Device.

15. Each of the detector circuits includes a first diode and a second diode coupled in parallel, and a resistor; a positive terminal of the first diode and a negative terminal of the second diode are coupled to the corresponding conductive plates; a negative terminal of the first diode and a positive terminal of the second diode are coupled to the resistor; the resistor is coupled to the electrical common point; 15. The apparatus of claim 14.

16. The detector circuits according to claim 1, A first current sensor; A second current sensor; Resistor and Equipped with a current input terminal of the first current sensor and a current output terminal of the second current sensor are coupled to the corresponding conductive plates; a current output terminal of the first current sensor and a current input terminal of the second current sensor are coupled to the resistor; the resistor is coupled to the electrical common point; 15. The apparatus of claim 14.

17. The detector circuit is configured to wirelessly control the selection circuit to electrically connect two of the conductive plates to the pair of power supply terminals.

15. The apparatus of claim 14.

18. A method for supplying charging power to a pair of power charging terminals coupled to a power storage device, comprising: detecting, based on the first current, that a first conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates is in contact with a first power charging terminal of the power charging terminals; detecting that a second conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates is in contact with a second power charging terminal of the power charging terminals based on a second current, the second current being sourced from the first current or the first current being sourced from the second current; electrically connecting the first conductive plate to a first power supply terminal of a pair of power supply terminals; electrically connecting the second conductive plate to a second power supply terminal of the pair of power supply terminals; supplying charging power from the pair of power supply terminals to the pair of power charging terminals via the first, second and third conductive plates; detecting that a third conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates is in contact with the first power charging terminal based on a third current; electrically connecting the third conductive plate and the first power supply terminal; Including, method.

19. When the second current is supplied from the first current, the first current flows outward from the first conductive plate; the second current flows towards the second conductive plate; or When the first current is supplied from the second current, the second current flows outward from the second conductive plate; the first current flows toward the first conductive plate; 20. The method of claim 18.

20. The third current flows outward from the third conductive plate, and the second current is supplied from the first and third currents.

20. The method of claim 18.

21. The third current flows toward the third conductive plate, and the second and third currents are supplied from the first current.

20. The method of claim 18.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a first detection signal based on the first current; generating a second sense signal based on the second current; Further comprising: the step of electrically connecting the first conductive plate to the first power supply terminal of the pair of power supply terminals includes the step of selecting the first power supply terminal based on the first detection signal; the step of electrically connecting the second conductive plate to the second power supply terminal of the pair of power supply terminals includes the step of selecting the second power supply terminal based on the second detection signal.

20. The method of claim 18.

23. The step of generating the first detection signal comprises: emitting a first light based on the first current; receiving the first light to generate the first detection signal; The step of generating a second detection signal includes: emitting a second light based on the second current; and receiving the second light to generate the second detection signal.

23. The method of claim 22.

24. The step of supplying charging power to the pair of power charging terminals further includes the step of supplying charging power to the pair of power charging terminals via a third current, the third current being different from the first and second currents.

20. The method of claim 18.

Images