Multi-Source Charging Station with Battery Transfer for Compact Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems with charging stations for remotely operated vehicles are inefficient due to the time-consuming process of moving robots between charging stations, which increases the robot's size and reduces the cavity size for storage bins, especially in compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a power source transport device that includes a vertically movable lift and horizontally movable support with connecting pins, allowing for efficient relocation of power sources between the robot and charging stations, reducing the need for auxiliary power sources and minimizing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the robot is equipped with an auxiliary power source to move between charging stations, then the robot can autonomously relocate to charging stations, but the robot size increases and cavity size for storage bins decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary power source and charging functionality are extracted from the robot and relocated to the charging station infrastructure. The charging station now houses multiple power sources that can service multiple robots, eliminating the need for each robot to carry its own auxiliary power source for relocation purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
A power source transport device acts as an intermediary between the robot and charging stations. This device automatically transfers power sources between robots and charging stations, enabling robot relocation without requiring the robot to have its own auxiliary power source.
2Ease of operation
If multiple charging stations are distributed across the storage system, then robots can access charging stations, but the time required for robots to move between charging stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power source transport device serves as an intermediary that eliminates the time-consuming step of robot relocation. It automatically retrieves power sources from charging stations and delivers them to robots, or vice versa, without requiring the robot to physically move to the charging station.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging function is segmented into multiple independent charging stations distributed throughout the storage system. Each charging station can independently service robots, and the power source transport device can selectively service any station, allowing parallel charging operations and reducing wait times.
3Ease of operation
If charging stations are fixed to the base in accessible positions, then robots can reach charging stations, but the overall system area required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power source transport device introduces vertical movement dimension to the charging architecture. Instead of horizontally distributing charging stations across the base area, the system uses vertical lifting mechanisms to bring power sources to charging positions, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce horizontal footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that can service multiple robots sequentially. The power source transport device can transfer power sources between multiple charging stations and multiple robots, making the charging infrastructure serve the entire robot fleet rather than requiring dedicated charging stations for each robot.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
The invention concerns a storage system comprising a charging station assembly for charging a plurality of power sources and a method thereof. The charging station assembly comprises a charging station support fixing the charging station assembly to a base of the storage system, a plurality of charging stations, each charging station comprising charging means for charging the plurality of power sources and a power source transport device enabling relocation of the power source between an operational position on a remotely operated vehicle and a charging position in or at any one of the plurality of charging stations.