Conductive Plate Charging Assembly for Self-Aligning Power Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems require manual alignment of charging connectors, which is inefficient and may increase power consumption and costs, especially for unmanned devices that need additional alignment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A conductive plate assembly with multiple conductive plates and detector circuits that automatically detect and connect with external power charging terminals, ensuring proper alignment and power transfer without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual alignment of charging connectors is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to additional time required
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system performs self-alignment through the detector circuits that automatically detect which conductive plates are contacted by the external charging terminals. The system self-configures the electrical connections without requiring manual alignment, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment process with an electrical detection system. Detector circuits monitor voltage signals to determine contact status, substituting manual mechanical alignment with automated electrical sensing, which improves productivity without compromising ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If additional alignment mechanisms are added for unmanned devices, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector circuits and selection circuits serve multiple functions: they detect contact status, determine which conductive plates are engaged, and control the switching of electrical connections. This multi-functionality improves ease of operation for unmanned devices without increasing device complexity, as the same circuitry performs multiple tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection function and the control function into a unified system. The detector circuits and selection circuits work together as an integrated automated alignment system, eliminating the need for separate mechanical alignment mechanisms and thereby improving ease of operation without increasing overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If additional alignment mechanisms are added for unmanned devices, then ease of operation is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector circuits perform partial detection by monitoring voltage signals only when needed during the charging connection process. This selective operation improves ease of operation for unmanned devices while minimizing power consumption, as the detection function is activated only during the relevant charging phase rather than continuously.
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
The solution enables efficient and automated charging of external devices by preventing short circuits and ensuring reliable power transfer, reducing alignment time and potential power consumption, while being suitable for both manned and unmanned devices.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the detector circuits is configured to be responsive to a voltage on one of the external power charging terminals to provide a detection signal when the corresponding conductive plate contacts the one of the external power charging terminals
Implementation Method 2
Each of the selection circuits is further coupled to receive the detection signal from a corresponding one of the detector circuits and configured to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to one of the power-supply terminals in response to receiving the detection signal
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for providing charging power to an external device, the apparatus including a conductive plate assembly including a plurality of conductive plates, a maximum surface length of each of the conductive plates being less than a predetermined distance; a plurality of detector circuits respectively coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of conductive plates, each of the detector circuits being configured to be responsive to a voltage on one of an external power charging terminals to provide a detection signal; and a plurality of selection circuits respectively coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of conductive plates and including a pair of power-supply terminals for receiving a power supply voltage, each of the selection circuits being further coupled to receive the detection signal from a corresponding one of the detector circuits and configured to electrically connect the corresponding conductive plate to one of the power-supply terminals.