Overhead Charging Connector Layout for Drive-Through Robotic Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional robotic work tool charging stations are inadequate for larger, more advanced robotic tools as they are cumbersome, obstruct the path, cause lawn wear, and require excessive alignment effort, and are not suitable for rough or dirty environments.
Innovation Solution
A robotic work tool system with a charging station featuring two charging connectors on the robotic tool and station, arranged to establish contact from above, allowing drive-through charging and reducing the size and weight of the station, while accommodating variance in robotic tool height and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional charging stations are used for larger robotic work tools, then charging function is provided, but the charging station becomes too heavy and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The charging connectors are repositioned from a horizontal arrangement at ground level to a vertical arrangement extending upward from the supporting structure. This dimensional change allows the robotic work tool to approach and charge without requiring a heavy, enclosed traditional station structure, significantly reducing the weight and complexity of the charging station while maintaining reliable charging function.
2Reliability
If traditional charging stations are used, then charging is provided, but the station blocks the travel path of the robotic work tool
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the robotic work tool reversing into a charging station as in traditional designs, the inverted approach allows the tool to drive forward through the charging station. The charging connectors extend upward so that the tool can approach from the front, establish contact, and continue forward without blocking its own travel path or requiring reversal maneuvers.
3Reliability
If traditional charging stations are used, then charging is provided, but lawn wear is caused in the area surrounding the service station
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the charging connectors to a vertical arrangement extending above the ground, the charging interface is elevated away from the lawn surface. This eliminates the need for the robotic work tool to repeatedly stop, align, and reverse at ground level, thereby preventing lawn wear in the surrounding area while maintaining reliable charging function.
4Reliability
If traditional charging stations are used, then charging is provided, but excessive time and effort is required for alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The inverted charging design allows the robotic work tool to approach the charging station in its normal forward traveling direction rather than requiring it to reverse and precisely align with a ground-level interface. This reduces alignment time and effort significantly, as the tool can charge while maintaining its forward motion, while still ensuring reliable electrical contact through the vertically extending connectors.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic work tool system, comprising a charging station and a robotic work tool, said robotic work tool comprising two charging connectors arranged on an upper side of the robotic work tool and said charging station comprising two charging connectors and a supporting structure arranged to carry said charging connectors and to extend over and above said robotic work tool as the robotic work tool enters the charging station for establishing electrical contact between the charging connectors of the robotic work tool and the charging connectors of the charging station from above, wherein said supporting structure is arranged to allow the robotic work tool exit the charging station by driving through the charging station without reversing.