Robot Cleaner Charging Terminal Contact Detection Using Object Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robot cleaners and charging systems lack the ability to accurately determine if the charging terminals of the robot cleaner and the charging device are in contact without applying voltage, which can lead to safety issues and inefficient charging processes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an object sensor and a processor in both the robot cleaner and the charging device to detect identification objects, allowing the system to control the charging circuit and apply voltage only when contact is confirmed, thus preventing voltage application when terminals are exposed and ensuring safe and efficient docking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage is applied to the charging terminal to detect contact, then charging can be initiated, but safety hazards arise when the terminal is exposed to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the identification object (robot cleaner) using a sensor before applying voltage to the charging terminal. This preliminary action ensures that voltage is only applied when the terminal is properly contacted, preventing electrical shock hazards while maintaining charging reliability
Solution Approach 2:
An identification object and corresponding sensor are introduced as intermediaries between the charging terminal and the robot cleaner. The sensor detects the identification object as a mediator to confirm proper docking before voltage application, eliminating the need to apply voltage directly to test for contact
2Object-affected harmful factors
If contact detection is performed without voltage application, then safety is improved, but the ability to accurately determine terminal contact is lost
Solution Approach 1:
An identification object (such as a magnetic component or visual marker) is attached to the robot cleaner, and a corresponding sensor (magnetic sensor or optical sensor) is used in the charging device to detect it. This intermediary detection method provides accurate contact determination without requiring voltage application, maintaining both safety and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical contact detection (which requires voltage) with non-electrical detection methods such as magnetic field detection or optical detection. This substitution allows accurate determination of terminal contact through physical or field-based sensors without applying voltage, resolving the contradiction between safety and detection accuracy
3Ease of operation
If the charging terminal is always exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unintended voltage application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging terminal remains exposed for easy access, but a preliminary detection step using the sensor to detect the identification object is required before voltage application. This preliminary action maintains accessibility while preventing unintended voltage application through conditional control based on sensor detection
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner and a charging device capable of determining whether contact is made between charging terminals of the charging device and the robot cleaner are provided. The charging device may include a charging circuit including at least one terminal having at least a portion exposed to the outside, at least one object sensor to detect at least one identification object arranged in a robot cleaner, the at least one object sensor being arranged separately from the at least one terminal configured, and at least one processor configured to control the charging circuit to apply a voltage to the at least one terminal in response to the at least one object sensor detecting the at least one identification object.