Autonomous moving device and docking station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic moving devices, such as robotic cleaners, face challenges in detecting and removing metallic foreign materials during wireless charging, which can cause heat damage due to inefficiencies in power transfer and the impracticality of large-area sensor implementation.
Innovation Solution
The use of an existing IR module for communication between the power transfer unit and the power receiving unit to detect foreign materials without adding a separate sensor, allowing for cost-effective detection and removal of foreign materials during the charging process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If efficiency monitoring of PTU and PRU is used to detect metallic foreign materials, then power transfer safety is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to various deviation-incurring elements making it difficult to detect low level power loss during high-power transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an IR sensor as an intermediary detection means to detect metallic foreign materials. Instead of relying on efficiency monitoring of PTU and PRU which has low accuracy, the IR sensor directly detects the presence of metallic objects by sensing their thermal radiation or reflective properties, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical efficiency monitoring system with an optical detection system (IR sensor). This substitution allows for direct visual detection of metallic foreign materials without being affected by the limitations of electrical efficiency measurements, thus improving detection accuracy while maintaining safety
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a sensor is used to detect foreign materials between charging parts, then foreign material detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost deteriorates due to the need for large-area sensors to cover extensive charging surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing IR communication module as a copy or alternative detection mechanism instead of installing dedicated large-area sensors. The IR module, already present for communication purposes, is repurposed to detect metallic foreign materials, thereby providing detection capability without incurring additional manufacturing costs for separate sensor systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the IR communication module multi-functional by using it for both communication and foreign material detection. This universal use of the existing component eliminates the need for separate detection sensors, thereby improving detection capability while maintaining cost-effectiveness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively addresses the issue of foreign material detection and removal, preventing heat damage and ensuring efficient power transfer, while minimizing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The processor of the automatic moving device may control the foreign material detecting part, which uses an existing IR (infrared) communication module between the power transfer unit and the power receiving unit to detect the foreign material
Implementation Method 2
A magnetic induction scheme is commonly used, between the charging part provided in the robotic cleaner and the charging part provided in the docking station
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments disclosed in the present document relate to an autonomous driving device having a wireless charging function, and a docking station. According to various embodiments disclosed in the present document, provided is an autonomous moving device comprising: a housing in which at least one moving part and a first actuator part for providing power to the moving part are accommodated; a first charging part which is disposed to be adjacent to at least a portion of the surface of the housing and which is for the wireless charging of electric power used by the device; a second actuator part for causing air to flow; a first opening, formed at one side of the housing, for discharging the air toward the first charging part in order to remove foreign material from the first charging part or around the first charging part; and a first duct part connected to the first opening from the second actuator part. In addition to the aforementioned embodiments, the present document can provide an autonomous moving device according to more various embodiments, and a docking station according to various embodiments.