Charging Station Swivel Mount for Autonomous Robot Docking Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous cleaning robots require regular human intervention for recharging, refueling, and removing dirty water, limiting their independent operation time and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A charging and refueling station with a resilient swivel mount, water exchange system, and draining mechanism that includes a sprung mount, flow sensor, float sensors, and rinsing nozzles to automate these processes, minimizing human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous cleaning robots operate for extended periods without human intervention, then productivity increases, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of monitoring and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The charging and refuelling station enables the cleaning robot to automatically recharge and refill water tanks without human intervention. The robot autonomously docks with the station, and the station's mechanisms automatically connect charging contacts and exchange water, allowing the robot to service itself during operation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The station incorporates sensors that monitor the robot's status, water tank levels, and charging state. This feedback system allows the station to automatically initiate appropriate actions such as starting charge transfer when the robot docks or activating pumps when water exchange is required, ensuring reliable autonomous operation.
2Reliability
If the charging mechanism is made rigid to ensure stable electrical contact, then reliability improves, but adaptability deteriorates when the robot docks with positioning variations
Solution Approach 1:
The charging mechanism employs a swivel mount that allows the contact plate to pivot and adapt its angle dynamically. This dynamic adjustment enables the rigid contact plate to maintain stable electrical contact while accommodating variations in the robot's docking position and orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a fixed mounting structure, a pivotable swivel mount, and the contact plate itself. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the swivel mount absorbs positioning variations while the contact plate maintains reliable electrical contact.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spring assembly is made more compliant to accommodate robot movement, then adaptability improves, but mechanical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly provides controlled compliance through elastic deformation, allowing the mount to adapt to robot movements and positioning variations. The dynamic spring response absorbs mechanical variations while maintaining overall system stability through predictable elastic behavior.
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
Enables autonomous operation with reduced human intervention, ensuring efficient charging and water management, and reducing mechanical interference and debris accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a sprung mount resiliently supported on the charging and refuelling station, a swivel mount pivotally supported on the sprung mount
Implementation Method 2
the sprung mount is resiliently mounted to a structural chassis of the charging and refuelling station via a spring assembly to allow for movement of the sprung mount towards and away from the chassis when force is applied by the cleaning robot on the swivel mount
Implementation Method 3
water is drained by gravity from the drain tank
Data Source
AI summary
A charging and refuelling station for an autonomous cleaning robot including; a charging mechanism including a sprung mount resiliently supported on the charging and refuelling station, a swivel mount pivotally supported on the sprung mount, the swivel mount supporting contact plates for contacting charging contact plates of the autonomous cleaning robot when docked at the station; and a water exchange system including a tap for fresh water refilling of the autonomous cleaning robot, and a draining system including a drain tank for receiving water draining from the autonomous cleaning robot.