Cavity-Integrated Power Supplier for Autonomous Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic power supply systems for moving bodies, such as autonomous devices, face challenges in simplifying the drive mechanism and efficiently utilizing space during power supply, as they require complex mechanisms to reach the power supplier and are hindered by the need to avoid obstacles, leading to reduced approachability and increased drive distances.
Innovation Solution
An automatic power supply device with a cavity unit in its housing, equipped with a drive mechanism that includes a power supplier terminal, allows the moving body to approach and align with the power supply device, enabling a simpler configuration and effective space utilization by using a cavity unit to position the power supplier within the device's housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the moving body is stopped at a distant position from the automatic power supply device, then the obstacle detection safety is improved, but the drive distance increases and the drive mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the moving body approach the power supply device from a distance, the power supplier is inverted to move toward the moving body. The power supplier extends from the housing to contact the power receiving terminal on the moving body, reversing the traditional approach direction and reducing the required drive distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supplier acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between the stationary housing and the moving body. It extends and retracts to establish electrical contact without requiring the moving body to travel a long distance or the housing to have a complex drive mechanism.
2Reliability
If the power supplier is positioned outside the housing, then the power supply contact is improved, but the space utilization during power supply deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power supplier is designed as a dynamic component that can extend and retract. During power supply, it extends to contact the moving body; during storage, it retracts into the housing. This dynamic behavior allows the system to achieve both good power supply contact and efficient space utilization at different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supplier is nested within the housing when not in use, similar to a nested doll structure. It can be stored compactly inside the housing and deployed outward only when power supply is needed, maximizing space utilization while maintaining functional capability.
3Productivity
If the moving body approaches the power supply device, then the power supply efficiency is improved, but the collision risk with obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the moving body approaching the power supply device (which risks obstacle collision), the power supplier moves toward the moving body. This inverted approach allows power supply to occur while the moving body remains stationary or moves minimally, eliminating the collision risk while maintaining high power supply efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Provided is an automatic power supply device which enables to perform an automatic power supply with a simple configuration, with respect to a moving body. The automatic power supply device that includes a terminal for a power supply, and supplies power to a rechargeable battery which is placed in the moving body through a power receiver which is disposed in the moving body, the automatic power supply device includes a mechanism that drives a power supplier including the power supply terminal, and a mechanism that automatically charges the moving body. The automatic power supply device includes a cavity in a portion of a housing shape of the automatic power supply device, in a measurement area of an environment recognition sensor which is included in the moving body.