Charging Station with Vertically Sliding Plug for Robot Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging stations for moving robots require significant space for installation due to the use of power cables, posing safety hazards and limitations in proximity to outlets, as they cannot be installed adjacent to walls and may cause tripping or entanglement issues.
Innovation Solution
A charging station with a vertically sliding plug and a moving mechanism that automatically adjusts the terminal's position between a hidden and docking position, controlled by a receiver and controller to align with the robot's connector, allowing wireless communication and safe charging proximity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power cable is used to connect the docking station to the outlet, then the docking station can be positioned away from the wall, but it requires a relatively large installation space and creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The power cable is extracted from the docking station structure and directly connected to the outlet, separating the power transmission function from the docking station body. This allows the docking station to be installed close to the wall without requiring space for cable routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug acts as an intermediary element that directly bridges the outlet and the docking station's power input, eliminating the need for a long power cable and enabling wall-proximity installation.
2Ease of operation
If a power cable is used for power transmission, then the docking station can be positioned away from the wall, but it creates tripping hazards and entanglement risks
Solution Approach 1:
The power cable is extracted from the system by directly plugging into the outlet, removing the hazardous cable from the robot's movement path and eliminating tripping and entanglement risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical cable connection is replaced with a fixed plug-outlet connection, eliminating the flexible but hazardous cable that could entangle the robot during movement.
3Ease of operation
If the terminal is always exposed for charging, then charging is convenient, but it increases safety risks when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is designed to dynamically change its state between exposed and retracted positions based on charging requirements. It protrudes only when needed for charging and retracts when not in use, optimizing both convenience and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal has different spatial positions for different functions: it is exposed at the front for charging access and retracted into the case for safety when not in use, creating location-specific functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a charging station including a case, a rear hole elongated vertically on a rear surface of the case, a plug protruding to a rear side of the case for vertically sliding along the rear hole, a terminal provided at the case and allowing a moving robot to be docked thereto, and a moving mechanism for moving the terminal between a hidden position at which the terminal is located in the case and a docking position at which the terminal is protruding to a front side of the case.