Robot Battery Exchange Station With Pack-Based Sensor Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing warehouse management systems face inefficiencies in battery management and data transfer for mobile robots, particularly in scenarios where robots need to operate continuously without waiting for battery recharge and where data storage and transfer are cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of exchangeable battery packs with rechargeable batteries and local data storage components, along with a battery exchange station equipped with multiple chargers and communication interfaces, allows robots to swap batteries and transfer data efficiently, enabling continuous operation and centralized data management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mobile robots use rechargeable batteries with local data storage components, then continuous operation is enabled and centralized data management is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery and local data storage component into a single integrated battery pack unit. This merging allows the robot to swap both power and data storage simultaneously, enabling continuous operation without separate recharging and data transfer steps, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack serves multiple functions: it provides electrical power to the robot and simultaneously stores sensor data locally. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and interfaces, managing complexity while enabling continuous operation and centralized data management.
2Loss of time
If battery exchange station implements simultaneous charging and data transfer, then operational downtime is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exchange station performs battery charging and data transfer simultaneously through parallel processing. While the battery is being recharged, the data is being transferred to centralized storage, eliminating sequential waiting time and reducing operational downtime despite increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares replacement battery packs in advance with pre-charged batteries and pre-cleared data storage components. This preliminary preparation allows robots to swap batteries instantly without waiting for charging or data transfer, significantly reducing operational downtime.
3Ease of operation
If robots transfer data wirelessly during operation, then operational flexibility is maintained, but wireless communication interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts data transfer from the wireless communication domain and relocates it to the physical domain through battery pack swapping. Data is transferred physically via the battery connection rather than wirelessly, eliminating communication interference while maintaining operational flexibility through quick battery exchanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack serves as an intermediary carrier for data storage and transfer. Instead of direct wireless communication between robot and centralized system, data is first stored locally in the battery pack's storage component, then transferred through the battery exchange station, mediating the data transfer process and eliminating wireless interference.
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 mobile robots to operate continuously without downtime for battery recharge and facilitates efficient data transfer from multiple robots to a central location, improving operational efficiency and reducing the need for wireless communication interference.
Implementation Method 1
a battery charger to charge a battery of the battery pack
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An example method includes receiving, by a mobile robotic device, power from a battery of a first battery pack in order to operate within an environment. The method further includes establishing a first data channel between the mobile robotic device and the first battery pack. The method also includes using the first data channel to transfer sensor data acquired by the mobile robotic device during operation to a local data storage component of the first battery pack. The method additionally includes navigating, by the mobile robotic device, to a battery exchange station to transfer the first battery pack containing the battery and the local data storage component with the sensor data to the battery exchange station. The method further includes after transferring the first battery pack to the battery exchange station, receiving a second battery pack from the battery exchange station to continue operation within the environment.