Horizontal Robot Docking Contacts for Autonomous Recharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous robots, such as lawn mowers, require manual charging and reorientation, wasting user time as they often stop in difficult locations and need to be manually brought to a charging unit, and the charging process is time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A docking station and robot system where the robot includes laterally protruding magnetic contacts for horizontal docking, allowing for automatic energy transmission and signal exchange, enabling the robot to self-dock and recharge, and optionally integrate with irrigation systems for operation initiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the robot is battery powered and operates autonomously, then the robot can perform domestic functions independently, but the robot requires manual charging and reorientation when battery power is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The robot automatically docks with the docking station when battery power is depleted or task completion is detected, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The docking mechanism includes automatic alignment and contact establishment between the robot's transmission parts and the station's corresponding components, enabling self-charging and self-reorientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station is pre-positioned at a convenient location with charging components ready to receive the robot. The system prepares the charging interface in advance, so when the robot returns, the connection is immediately available without requiring manual setup or configuration.
2Loss of energy
If the robot stops when battery power runs out, then the robot conserves energy, but the robot becomes difficult to locate and retrieve for charging
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station serves as an intermediary that the robot automatically returns to when energy is depleted. The station acts as a fixed, easily locatable point that replaces the need for users to search for the robot throughout the property. The robot navigates to this known location and docks automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot's control system monitors battery power levels and provides feedback to initiate the return journey to the docking station before complete power depletion occurs. This ensures the robot reaches the easily locatable station while still having sufficient power, avoiding the problem of being stranded in difficult-to-reach locations.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the user manually brings the robot to the charging unit, then the robot can be recharged, but the user must spend time locating and transporting the robot
Solution Approach 1:
The robot autonomously navigates to the docking station and establishes docking contact without user intervention. The entire process of returning to charge, docking, and beginning recharging occurs automatically, freeing the user from the time-consuming tasks of locating and transporting the robot.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station is installed in a fixed, accessible location with all charging components prepared in advance. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for users to search for charging equipment or manually connect cables, as everything is pre-positioned for automatic docking and charging.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the robot requires several hours to fully recharge, then the battery can be adequately recharged, but the robot remains idle and non-productive during charging
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous operation by implementing battery swapping capability. When one battery is depleted, the robot automatically exchanges it with a charged battery from the docking station, allowing the robot to remain productive while batteries are recharged in the background. This eliminates idle time associated with waiting for charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system is divided into multiple separate battery units that can be independently charged and swapped. This segmentation allows the robot to operate with one battery while another is being recharged, maintaining continuous productivity without interruption.
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
Facilitates efficient and automated recharging of robots, reducing user intervention and wait time, allowing robots to resume operation quickly and integrate seamlessly with existing systems like irrigation schedules.
Implementation Method 1
The robot includes laterally protruding magnetic contacts for horizontal docking, allowing for automatic energy transmission
Implementation Method 2
These transmission parts, docking contacts on the robot, and contact arms of a contact member on the docking station, facilitate the transmission of energy, such as electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A docking station (20) and a robot (22) for docking therein, include corresponding transmission parts. These transmission parts are for the transmission of energy, such as electricity, for recharging the robot (22), and/or signals, for operating the robot (22), the energy and/or signals passing between the docking station and the robot (22). The docking station (20) and robot (22) are such that the docking of the robot (22) in the docking station (20) is at a horizontal orientation, as the transmission part on the robot (22) includes laterally protruding docking contacts that contact corresponding laterally oriented contact arms of the docking station (20).