Charging station and method for charging robot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional home robots are limited to single functions and require periodic battery charging, with existing charging stations failing to accommodate function modules and protect power supply terminals from external impacts, and lacking sensors for accurate placement and stable, forward motion during charging.
Innovation Solution
A charging station with a rotatable robot charging unit and detachable function module charging unit, featuring a power supply terminal that retracts internally when not in use, enabling accurate placement without sensors and stable, forward motion during charging and discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional charging station is used, then the robot can be charged, but the power supply terminal is exposed to external impacts when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply terminal is nested within the charging unit body, which rotates to expose or conceal the terminal. When the rotating member is in the first position, the terminal is exposed for charging; when in the second position, the terminal is concealed inside the charging unit body, protecting it from external impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station employs a rotating member that can dynamically change position between a first position (exposing the power supply terminal) and a second position (concealing the terminal). This dynamic movement allows the terminal to be protected when not in use while remaining accessible when needed.
2Measurement precision
If a charging station with sensor-based placement is used, then accurate robot placement is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station uses the robot's own weight as the driving force for the rotating member. When the robot is placed on the charging unit, its weight automatically rotates the member to the first position, exposing the power supply terminal for charging. This eliminates the need for separate sensors or actuators to detect and position the robot.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the sensor and actuator components from the charging station design. Instead of using electronic sensors to detect robot placement, the system uses a purely mechanical weight-based rotation mechanism that automatically positions the charging terminal based on the robot's presence and weight.
3Ease of operation
If the robot enters and exits the charging station by moving forward, then operation is simplified, but the robot cannot be stably placed without additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the robot's own weight to automatically trigger the charging mechanism. When the robot drives forward onto the charging unit, its weight automatically rotates the member to expose the terminal, and when the robot drives away, the weight automatically rotates the member to conceal the terminal. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable operation without additional sensors or actuators.
Data Source
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AI summary
The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a charging station and a method of charging a robot, that is configured to charge a robot and at least one of function modules detachably coupled to the robot, the charging station including a station body placed on the ground to that the robot may approach; a robot charging unit coupled to the station body to be rotatably relative to the station body and configured to supply power to the robot and charge it, if electrically connected to the robot; and a function module charging unit detachably coupled to the station body and configured to supply power to the function module and charge it, if electrically connected to the function module.