Pivoting Charging Terminals for Multi-Direction Robotic Tool Docking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic tool charging stations lack efficient and versatile designs that allow for easy and safe charging from multiple directions, with limited adaptability to different robotic tool configurations and terrain types.

Innovation Solution

A charging station with pivotably mounted terminals and conductive/insulating surfaces, allowing the robotic tool to access and form electrical connections from various angles, featuring a controller that adjusts polarity based on the tool's approach direction, and charging plates on the tool that ensure surface contact for efficient energy transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the charging station uses fixed charging terminals, then the electrical connection is stable, but the robotic tool can only approach from a limited direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging access directionsVSAvoidterminal mounting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging terminals are pivotally mounted to the columns, allowing them to rotate and adjust their orientation dynamically. This enables the robotic tool to approach the charging station from multiple directions while maintaining reliable electrical contact, resolving the contradiction between charging accessibility and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the charging terminal has large surface area for better contact, then electrical connection is more reliable, but the charging station occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidcharging station footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The charging terminals extend radially outward from vertical columns, utilizing the radial dimension to provide extended contact surfaces. This allows the terminals to have sufficient surface area for reliable electrical connection without increasing the horizontal footprint of the charging station, as the contact surfaces extend outward rather than outward in the horizontal plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the charging terminal is rigid for stable connection, then electrical contact is reliable, but the terminal cannot adapt to different approach angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapproach angle accommodationVSAvoidelectrical contact stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotal mounting allows the charging terminals to rotate and adapt to different approach angles of the robotic tool. This dynamic capability enables the terminals to maintain stable electrical contact regardless of the direction from which the robotic tool approaches, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the charging station has single polarity terminals, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate bidirectional tool access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional access capabilityVSAvoidpolarity control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging terminals are designed with the capability to switch polarities, allowing them to function universally for robotic tools approaching from either direction. The controller adjusts the polarity based on the approach direction, enabling a single charging station design to accommodate bidirectional access without requiring separate charging systems for different directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 safe and efficient charging of robotic tools from multiple directions, reducing turf damage and accommodating various tool configurations and terrains, while ensuring reliable electrical connections and minimizing wear on the charging station area.

Implementation Method 1

a first charging terminal pivotably coupled to the first column for rotation about the first column axis, where the first charging terminal includes at least one electrode, and a second charging terminal pivotably coupled to the second column for rotation about the second column axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

the first charging terminal includes at least one electrode... the at least one electrode of the first charging terminal has an opposite polarity of the at least one electrode of the second charging terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230369872A1Robotic tool and charging station

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP

AI summary

A charging station for use with a robotic tool, the charging station including a first column defining a first column axis, a second column defining a second column axis. The charging station also including a first charging terminal pivotably coupled to the first column for rotation about the first column axis, where the first charging terminal includes at least one electrode, and a second charging terminal pivotably coupled to the second column for rotation about the second column axis, where the second charging terminal includes at least one electrode.