Robot Docking Platform Ramps for Protected Charging Contact Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic systems require significant human intervention for tasks like refueling, testing, and servicing, which limits their autonomy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot system with a docking station that includes a platform with raised charging contacts and ramps, allowing the robot to autonomously dock, charge, and maintain itself by lifting its cleaning module over the charging contacts, reducing the risk of damage to the charging contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot uses a cleaning module that extends below the housing for autonomous cleaning operations, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of damage to charging contacts during docking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp features are pre-configured on the docking platform to automatically lift the cleaning module above the charging contacts before the robot makes contact. This preliminary action prevents potential damage by ensuring the cleaning module is in a safe position during the docking approach, resolving the contradiction between maintaining cleaning effectiveness and protecting charging contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp features act as an intermediary mechanism between the robot's approach and the charging contact engagement. As the robot drives onto the platform, the ramps temporarily support and elevate the cleaning module, mediating the interaction between the cleaning mechanism and charging contacts to prevent damage while preserving both functions.
2Extent of automation
If the robot docks autonomously without human intervention, then operational efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the docking system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking platform is designed with ramps that create a smooth, continuous surface transition from the approach area to the docking position. This equipotential design eliminates the need for complex active control mechanisms by allowing the robot to dock through simple forward motion, reducing system complexity while maintaining autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp features automatically perform the function of positioning and protecting the cleaning module during docking without requiring additional sensors, actuators, or control systems. The passive mechanical design enables autonomous docking by leveraging the robot's own driving motion to engage the ramps, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If the cleaning module is positioned to extend below the housing for effective cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but the difficulty of docking without damaging charging contacts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp features are designed to automatically elevate the cleaning module above the charging contacts before the robot completes its docking approach. This preliminary protective action ensures that the cleaning module, which must extend below the housing for effective cleaning, will not damage the charging contacts during docking, thereby maintaining both cleaning performance and docking ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramps serve as a mechanical intermediary that temporarily supports the cleaning module during the docking process. This intermediary structure allows the cleaning module to maintain its low position for effective cleaning while preventing contact with the charging contacts, making the docking process as easy as simple forward motion without damage risk.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile robot system includes a docking station and a mobile robot. The docking station includes a platform, first and second charging contacts on the platform, and first and second ramp features on the platform. The robot includes a housing, first and second drive wheels, first and second raised charging contacts on a bottom of the housing, and a cleaning module including at least one rotatable cleaning head that extends below the bottom of the housing. The robot is movable from an approach position with the robot spaced apart from a front of the platform to a docked position with the robot on the platform and the docking station charging contacts engaged with the robot charging contacts. As the robot moves from the approach position to the docked position, the robot engages the first and second ramp features and the cleaning mechanism is lifted over the docking station charging contacts.