Inductive Charging Station for Robotic Mowers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic lawn mowers face difficulties in aligning electric contacts with charging stations due to navigational issues, corrosion, misalignment, and unsightly design, leading to inefficient charging and visibility concerns.
Innovation Solution
A robotic mower inductive charging station with a base structure featuring a horizontal pattern of transmitter coils allows charging from any direction and orientation, using receiver coils on the mower for inductive charging, and incorporates a beacon and perforations for concealing the station within vegetation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric contacts are used for charging connection, then charging can be achieved through direct contact, but alignment difficulty increases due to navigational problems, corrosion, and precision requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based charging system with an inductive charging system using electromagnetic fields. The transmitter coil in the base structure generates an alternating magnetic field that induces current in the receiver coil of the robotic mower, eliminating the need for physical contact and precise alignment between charging components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between the charging station and robotic mower. The alternating current in the transmitter coil creates a magnetic field that serves as a mediator to transfer energy to the receiver coil without requiring direct contact or precise alignment between the two components.
2Reliability
If traditional charging station structure with ramp and upright is used, then charging function is provided, but the station becomes large and unsightly, cannot be concealed in landscape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the visible ramp and upright structures from the charging station design, retaining only the essential base structure with the transmitter coil. This eliminates the large physical footprint and unsightly appearance while maintaining the charging function through the concealed inductive charging components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a low-profile base structure that can be positioned flush with or slightly above the ground surface, allowing it to be concealed by grass and vegetation. The charging components are integrated into a thin, flat form factor that blends with the landscape rather than protruding into view.
3Reliability
If precise alignment of electric contacts is required, then charging connection can be established, but navigational precision and positioning accuracy must be非常高
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the precision mechanical alignment system with an electromagnetic field-based inductive charging system. The alternating magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil creates a larger effective charging zone, allowing the robotic mower to be charged without precise positioning or alignment, thereby reducing navigational and positioning precision requirements.
4Ease of operation
If electric contacts are exposed for connection, then charging can occur, but contact corrosion and wet condition damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the exposed electrical contact system with an inductive charging system using electromagnetic fields. This eliminates the need for exposed metal contacts that are susceptible to corrosion and damage from wet conditions, as energy transfer occurs through magnetic coupling between the transmitter and receiver coils without physical contact.
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 charging from any angle or orientation, reducing alignment errors and providing a compact, concealed charging solution that maximizes energy transfer and aesthetic integration with the lawn.
Implementation Method 1
A robotic mower inductive charging station includes a base structure having a plurality of transmitter coils mounted in a horizontal pattern. The robotic mower may have a plurality of receiver coils mounted thereto in a horizontal pattern corresponding to the transmitter coils for inductively charging a battery pack
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic mower inductive charging station includes a plurality of transmitter coils mounted on a horizontal base structure in a pattern for inductive charging of a robotic mower that may enter and approach the charging station from any direction. The horizontal base structure may have a plurality of slots, perforations or holes covering at least about 50% of the base structure's surface area.