Conductive Patch Landing Surface for Autonomous Charger Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for rechargeable devices, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, require precise alignment between the device and the charger, making remote recharging cumbersome and inefficient, especially for unmanned devices.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a landing surface with multiple conductive patches and a rechargeable device with corresponding contacts, allowing for the establishment of multiple separate conductive paths for charging, even with imprecision in alignment, through a configuration of conductive patches and contacts that ensure reliable electrical contact without direct connections between patches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual connector insertion is used for charging, then charging can be performed, but the process becomes cumbersome and requires human participation
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system enables autonomous platforms to recharge themselves automatically upon landing on the charging surface. The platform's contacts automatically establish electrical connection with the conductive patches on the charging surface without requiring human intervention, making the system self-servicing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If precise alignment between device and charger is required, then reliable electrical contact is achieved, but the system becomes complex and difficult to operate remotely
Solution Approach 1:
The charging surface is divided into multiple conductive patches arranged in a grid pattern, and the platform has multiple corresponding contacts. This segmentation allows the system to tolerate misalignment because multiple contact points increase the probability that at least two separate conductive paths will be established even if perfect alignment is not achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the charging surface have different electrical properties through the distributed conductive patches. The patches are configured with specific geometries and spacing to ensure that local contact conditions can establish reliable electrical connection even when the platform is not precisely centered or oriented.
3Reliability
If multiple conductive paths are established, then charging reliability is improved under imprecise alignment, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple conductive patches and contacts serve multiple functions: they establish separate conductive paths for reliable charging, provide redundancy against misalignment, and enable automated operation. The same structural elements achieve both reliability and automation goals without requiring additional complex components.
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 efficient and reliable charging of rechargeable devices without the need for precise alignment, ensuring that at least two separate conductive paths are established for charging, even under conditions of imprecision, thereby facilitating remote and automated recharging.
Implementation Method 1
The configurations of the conductive patches and of the contacts are selected to establish, when the contacts of the rechargeable device come into contact with the landing surface, a plurality of separate conductive paths between a charger and the rechargeable device.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for charging rechargeable devices. A landing surface includes a plurality of conductive patches, and a rechargeable device includes a plurality of contacts. The configurations of the conductive patches and of the contacts are selected to establish, when the contacts of the rechargeable device come into contact with the landing surface, a plurality of separate conductive paths between a charger and the rechargeable device.