Pool Cleaning Robot Wireless Charging with Floating Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pool cleaning robots face inefficiencies in charging systems, often requiring tangled power cables and manual docking, which limits their usage and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A wireless contactless charging system using a floating unit with an inductive charger that allows the pool cleaning robot to autonomously navigate and charge without physical contact, utilizing sensors for spatial relationship estimation and adaptive charging based on environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a power cable is used to connect the pool cleaning robot to electrical power, then the robot can be charged, but the power cable gets tangled and limits the usage of the pool
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical power cable connection system with a wireless power transmission system. The floating unit equipped with a wireless power transmitter eliminates the need for physical cables, allowing the pool cleaning robot to charge without tangled wires while maintaining full mobility and pool usage convenience.
2Ease of operation
If a floating unit with wireless charger is used, then the robot can charge without cables and operate freely, but the charging range must be maintained which requires spatial relationship estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through autonomous spatial relationship estimation. The floating unit and pool cleaning robot automatically monitor and adjust their relative positions using sensors and communication systems, maintaining optimal charging alignment without manual intervention. This self-adjusting capability handles the complexity internally while preserving user convenience.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless charging is implemented with a floating unit, then retrofitting existing pools is unnecessary, but the charging efficiency depends on maintaining position within charging range
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the floating unit continuously monitors the position and charging status of the pool cleaning robot. When the robot moves out of optimal charging range, the system provides feedback signals to guide the robot back to the charging zone, ensuring efficient power transfer while maintaining compatibility with existing pool environments without retrofitting.
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, safe, and convenient charging of pool cleaning robots, reducing the need for constant power cord connections and allowing operation in existing pools without retrofitting, with the ability to adjust the charger's location and prolong cleaning periods.
Implementation Method 1
wirelessly charging a first wireless charging element, of a pool cleaning robot; wherein the method is characterized by: positioning the first wireless charging element, of the pool cleaning robot within a charging range of a second wireless charging element of a floating unit
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (400) for charging a pool cleaning robot (22), the method comprising: wirelessly charging (420) a first wireless charging element (222, 223) of a pool cleaning robot (22); wherein the method is characterized by: positioning (410) the first wireless charging element (222, 223) of the pool cleaning robot (22) within a charging range of a second wireless charging element (242) of a floating unit (24); wherein the positioning comprises estimating, by at least one of the pool cleaning robot (22) and the floating unit (24), future spatial relationship between the pool cleaning robot (22) and the floating unit (24) and taking into account the future spatial relationship.