Rail Charging Terminal Layout for Self-Aligning Moving Carts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moving devices, such as cart POS systems, face challenges in ensuring reliable and efficient charging of secondary batteries due to the need for precise alignment of non-contact charging facilities, which can be inconsistent when handled by multiple users or stacked in varying configurations.
Innovation Solution
A moving device power feeding device is designed with a rail system that includes a terminal accommodating portion, a power receiving terminal, and a power transmitting terminal, allowing for easy alignment and contact without relying on handling skills, ensuring consistent charging by using a groove-shaped terminal receiving portion and power transmitting terminals along the rail's longitudinal direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-contact charging is used for moving devices, then charging convenience is improved, but charging reliability deteriorates due to alignment difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The power receiving terminal is designed to move automatically along the width direction of the moving device. When the device is placed on the rail, the terminal moves from an accommodated position to a separated position where it contacts the power transmitting terminal, enabling dynamic adaptation to positional variations without requiring precise manual alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-alignment through the movement mechanism of the power receiving terminal. The terminal automatically positions itself relative to the power transmitting terminal on the rail without external intervention, ensuring reliable contact while maintaining ease of operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users handle the devices freely, then device accessibility is improved, but positional alignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rail structure acts as an intermediary between the moving device and the power source. It provides a fixed reference framework with groove-shaped terminal receiving portions that guide the power receiving terminal into correct alignment, ensuring consistent positional accuracy regardless of which user handles the device
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal accommodating portion is designed with specific local characteristics (groove-shaped structure) that provide alignment guidance only where needed. This localized structural feature ensures accurate positioning of the power terminals without constraining the overall mobility and accessibility of the device
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices are stacked in varying configurations, then storage flexibility is improved, but charging consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power receiving terminal's ability to move along the width direction allows it to adapt to different stacking configurations. Whether devices are stacked in first-in-first-out or last-in-first-out methods, the terminal automatically positions itself to maintain consistent contact with the power transmitting terminal on the rail
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
This solution enables reliable and efficient power feeding to secondary batteries, reducing the risk of insufficient charging and improving the reliability of the charging process, even when the devices are stacked or handled by multiple users, by ensuring accurate positional alignment and contact between power receiving and transmitting terminals.
Implementation Method 1
One or more power transmitting terminals are disposed on a surface, inside the terminal receiving portion, on which the power receiving terminal slides during movement, are present over a longitudinal direction of the rail, and are configured to come into contact with the power receiving terminal to transmit electric power to the power receiving terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal accommodating portion is disposed on a front side or a rear side in a traveling direction of the wheel that travels between the pair of side walls of a rail, and is attached to the moving device. A power receiving terminal receives electric power to be fed to a secondary battery, and is provided to be movable along a width direction. A terminal receiving portion is groove-shaped and is provided in one side wall of the rail, and the power receiving terminal configured to move along the width direction of the moving device is inserted into the terminal receiving portion. A power transmitting terminal is disposed on a surface, inside the terminal receiving portion, on which the power receiving terminal slides during movement, is present over a longitudinal direction of the rail, and comes into contact with and transmit power to the power receiving terminal.