Robot Cleaner Charging Dock with Guided Induction Signal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging devices for robot cleaners face challenges in accurately guiding the return induction signal and ensuring tight contact between the power supply and charging terminals during docking, which affects the efficiency and accuracy of the charging process.
Innovation Solution
A charging device with a main body featuring a terminal unit, an induction signal generating unit, and an induction signal guide member that includes docking and access induction sensors, where the docking induction sensor transmits a signal within the overlap area of access induction sensor signals to guide the robot cleaner to a precise docking position, and an induction signal guide member limits the transmission angle to enhance linearity and contact stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the docking path is guided using conventional induction signals, then the robot cleaner can return to the charging device, but the docking accuracy and linearity of the induction signal are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The induction signal generating unit is segmented into multiple sensors: a docking induction sensor for precise docking guidance and a plurality of access induction sensors for approach guidance. This segmentation allows each sensor type to optimize its function, with the docking induction sensor providing high-precision linear signals only in the critical docking area where its signals intersect and overlap with access induction sensor signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking induction sensor transmits signals specifically targeted at the docking position with enhanced linearity in the local area where signals intersect. The induction signal guide member is positioned to transmit docking induction signals only within the specific docking area, providing localized high-quality linear signals precisely where needed for accurate docking, rather than attempting to provide uniform signal quality across the entire approach path.
2Reliability
If the robot cleaner is guided to the charging device, then charging can be performed, but the contact force between power supply and charging terminals is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The docking induction sensor provides continuous feedback signals to guide the robot cleaner's approach and docking. The signal linearity improvement ensures that the feedback information is accurate, allowing the robot to make precise adjustments to its position and orientation, thereby achieving optimal contact force between the power supply terminal and charging terminal upon docking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical docking alignment with an optical/electromagnetic field-based induction signal system. The improved linearity of the docking induction signal in the intersecting signal area provides more accurate guidance, reducing mechanical errors and ensuring better terminal contact without relying solely on mechanical precision.
3Area of stationary object
If the induction signal transmitting area is expanded, then the robot cleaner can locate the charging device from a distance, but the linearity of the induction signal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The signal transmission space is segmented into different functional zones: an approach area covered by access induction sensors and a docking area where docking induction sensor signals intersect with access induction sensor signals. This segmentation allows the system to provide wide-area coverage for approach guidance while maintaining high linearity in the critical docking zone through signal intersection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides different signal qualities in different spatial regions. In the approach area, access induction sensors provide broad coverage. In the docking area, where docking induction sensor signals intersect with access induction sensor signals, the linearity is locally enhanced to ensure precise docking alignment, accepting that signal linearity varies by location rather than attempting uniform quality throughout.
Data Source
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AI summary
A charging device (1) of a robot cleaner is provided. The charging device (1) of a robot cleaner according to the embodiment includes at least one cover (400, 500) forming an appearance of the charging device (1), a base (300) which is coupled with the cover (400, 500) and includes a terminal unit (200) for charging the robot cleaner, an induction signal generating unit (160) disposed at a side of the cover (400, 500) or the base (300) to transmit a return induction signal to the robot cleaner, and an induction signal guide member (140) disposed at a side of the induction signal generating unit (160) to enhance a docking performance of the robot cleaner by improving linearity of the induction signal. The charging device (1) according to the embodiment can guide the path for the return of the robot cleaner and recharge the robot cleaner stably.