Robot Recharging Dock Hall Sensor Safety Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot recharging systems pose safety risks due to exposed positive and negative contact pads, which can be hazardous, especially for children, as they can be misused.
Innovation Solution
A recharging dock equipped with a sensing circuit and switch-controlling circuit that uses a Hall sensor to detect the presence of a robot, enabling the recharging power supply to only output voltage when the robot is correctly aligned, thereby preventing accidental activation and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the positive and negative contact pads are exposed for direct connection, then the recharging process is simple and efficient, but the safety risk increases due to potential misuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (cover plate with alignment features and sensing circuit) between the exposed contact pads and the external environment. The cover plate physically shields the contact pads while incorporating alignment features that guide the robot to the correct position, and the sensing circuit detects proper alignment before enabling power transfer. This mediator resolves the contradiction by maintaining safety through shielding while preserving recharging efficiency through automated alignment detection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the contact pads are covered to prevent misuse, then the safety is improved, but the alignment and connection process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate incorporates self-aligning features including guide rails and positioning protrusions that automatically guide the robot to the correct position during approach. The sensing circuit on the cover plate autonomously detects when proper alignment is achieved and triggers the power transfer without human intervention. This self-service mechanism reduces the perceived complexity by automating the alignment process that would otherwise require precise manual positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate design creates an equipotential alignment surface where the robot's charging contacts naturally align with the underlying contact pads through mechanical guidance features. The guide rails and positioning structures ensure that when the robot approaches the dock, the connection points automatically align without requiring complex active control mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while maintaining safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sensing circuit continuously monitors for robot presence, then the safety is enhanced by preventing accidental activation, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing circuit operates in a periodic or event-triggered manner rather than continuous monitoring. The circuit periodically checks for the presence of the robot or activates sensing only when motion is detected near the dock. This periodic operation maintains safety by detecting robot presence while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring, resolving the contradiction between safety and energy efficiency.
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
The solution ensures the recharging dock is only activated when a robot is properly connected, reducing the risk of misuse and enhancing safety by controlling the output of the recharging power supply.
Implementation Method 1
A recharging dock equipped with a sensing circuit and switch-controlling circuit that uses a Hall sensor to detect the presence of a robot
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a recharging dock and a robot. The recharging dock may include: a recharging dock body and at least a pair of recharging contact pads configured on at least one side of the recharging dock body, at least one recharging switch circuit connecting to at least one recharging power supply respectively, and a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit is configured to turn on the recharging switch circuit upon detecting a magnetic component of a robot, and the recharging power supply may output a recharging voltage to the recharging contact pads. As such, the safety of the recharging dock of the robot may be improved.