Robot Battery Deep Sleep Mode to Reduce Storage Self-Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household robots, such as autonomous vacuuming and mopping robots, face issues with battery discharge due to the high internal energy demand of battery managers during extended periods of non-use, leading to potential battery failure before reaching the end customer.
Innovation Solution
A deep sleep-capable battery manager is configured to enter a low-power mode upon a wake-up signal generated externally, using an auxiliary battery or charging station energy without drawing power from the main battery, and requires a deliberate user action to exit the deep sleep mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery manager performs complex monitoring tasks on the battery, then the battery management capability is improved, but the internal energy demand increases causing high self-discharge during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The battery manager dynamically adjusts its monitoring activity based on operational state. During storage periods, the battery manager reduces monitoring frequency and complexity, while during active use, it performs comprehensive monitoring. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliable battery management when needed while minimizing energy consumption during storage, directly resolving the contradiction between management capability and self-discharge loss.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the robot is stored for extended periods after production, then the battery may be completely discharged, but the robot needs to be ready for immediate use by the end customer
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging actions during storage periods to ensure the battery remains functional when the customer receives the robot. The battery manager monitors charge levels during storage and automatically initiates charging when power is available, preventing complete discharge before delivery. This preliminary action ensures the robot is ready for immediate use while extending storage duration.
3Reliability
If the battery manager is always active to monitor battery status, then the battery safety is improved, but the energy consumption increases during non-use periods
Solution Approach 1:
The battery manager implements periodic monitoring instead of continuous monitoring. During active use, the battery manager checks battery status at regular intervals appropriate for operational safety. During storage or non-use periods, the monitoring frequency is reduced to minimal periodic checks. This periodic action maintains battery safety through regular monitoring while significantly reducing energy consumption during non-use periods, resolving the contradiction between safety and energy use.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A robot (4) with a battery module (8) containing a battery (10) and a battery manager (12) managing the battery (10), wherein the battery manager (12) is configured to put the battery module (8) into deep sleep mode (MT) upon a sleep signal (14) and to exit deep sleep mode (MT) upon a wake-up signal (16), is configured to generate the wake-up signal (16) without using energy from the battery (10). A robot arrangement (2) comprising the robot (4) and a charging station (6) for the robot (4), which has a counterpart interface (46) for providing electrical energy (44), wherein the robot (4) can be coupled to the charging station (6) such that the interface (42) can be supplied with electrical energy (44) from the counterpart interface (46). In a method for operating the robot (4) or the robot arrangement (2), the wake-up signal (16) is generated without using energy from the battery (10).