Mobile Robot Wireless Charging Alignment for Peak Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile robots face challenges in autonomously optimizing wireless battery charging due to varying shapes and sizes, which complicates alignment procedures necessary for efficient power transfer.
Innovation Solution
A system where a mobile robot uses an onboard camera and sensors to locate and align with a wireless battery charging station, executing a peak power detection routine to optimize power transfer, and establishes a wireless handshake for authentication and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual alignment procedures are used for wireless battery charging, then power transfer optimization is achievable, but human assistance is required and automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot autonomously performs alignment procedures for wireless battery charging without human assistance. The robot's controller executes alignment routines that adjust the robot's position and orientation to optimize power transfer between the wireless charging transmitter and the robot's battery receiver, enabling self-service charging operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors power transfer efficiency during charging and dynamically adjusts the robot's alignment based on detected power transfer levels. This closed-loop control enables the robot to autonomously optimize charging efficiency without human intervention
2Extent of automation
If autonomous alignment procedures are implemented, then human intervention is reduced, but alignment precision and power transfer optimization become more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with automated sensor-based detection and control systems. The mobile robot uses onboard sensors (cameras, proximity sensors, or wireless signal detectors) to automatically detect the charging station's position and adjust its alignment, substituting human mechanical manipulation with automated sensing and actuation
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system dynamically adjusts the robot's position and orientation during the charging process based on real-time feedback from power transfer measurements. The controller continuously modifies alignment parameters to optimize power transfer, making the system adaptive rather than static
3Ease of operation
If wireless charging is used, then charging convenience is improved, but power transfer efficiency becomes harder to optimize without human assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot's controller is designed to perform multiple functions including navigation, obstacle avoidance, task execution, and wireless charging alignment. This multi-functional control system integrates alignment routines with the robot's existing operational capabilities, reducing the need for separate specialized systems while maintaining charging convenience
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 autonomous and efficient wireless battery charging of mobile robots, improving their operational reliability and reducing the need for human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a stationary wireless battery charging station is provided. The mobile robot then approaches the wireless battery charging station and executes an alignment procedure to align a wireless charge receiving pad of the mobile robot with a battery charging pad of the wireless battery charging station
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for wirelessly charging a battery in a mobile robot. In an example method in accordance with the disclosure, a mobile robot locates and approaches a wireless battery charging station (by using an onboard camera, for example). The mobile robot then executes an alignment procedure to align a wireless charge receiving pad of the mobile robot with a battery charging pad of the wireless battery charging station. The alignment procedure may involve the mobile robot moving the wireless charge receiving pad in any of three axial directions, such as, backwards, forwards, sideways, upwards, and/or downwards. After alignment is completed, the mobile robot may establish a wireless handshake with the wireless battery charging station. The wireless handshake can include a verification of an authentication of the mobile robot to access the wireless battery charging station, followed by a wireless battery charging operation.