Robotic Charger Arm Tool With Vision, Hook, and Gripper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual charging of electric vehicles increases human input requirements for autonomous or semi-autonomous electric vehicles, disrupting their operational autonomy.
Innovation Solution
A robotic charging system comprising a robotic arm, vision sensor, hook, and gripper, where the vision sensor identifies the charging port, the hook opens the charging port door, and the gripper secures and positions an electric charger for automated charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual charging is used, then human input is required to charge the electric vehicle, but this increases human intervention requirements and disrupts operational autonomy
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm system autonomously performs the entire charging sequence without human intervention - locating the charging port via vision sensor, opening the port door with the hook, gripping the charger, and inserting it into the port. The system serves itself by automating what would otherwise require manual human operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector tool combines multiple functions into a single device: the vision sensor detects the charging port, the hook opens the port door, the gripper secures the charger, and the robotic arm positions and inserts the charger. This multi-functional tool eliminates the need for separate manual operations.
2Productivity
If a robotic arm system is implemented, then charging automation is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vision sensor, hook, gripper, and charging port interaction mechanisms into a single integrated end effector tool mounted on the robotic arm. This consolidation reduces system complexity compared to having separate independent systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The vision sensor performs preliminary detection and location of the charging port before the robotic arm executes the charging sequence. The hook prepares the charging port by opening the door in advance, enabling the gripper to immediately secure and insert the charger without delay.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for a robotic arm is configured to move an electric charger to an electric vehicle. The tool includes a base configured to be secured to the robotic arm, a vision sensor disposed on the base, a hook including a proximal end fixed to the base, a distal end having an arcuate shape, and a void defined between the proximal end and the distal end, and a gripper extending below the base. The gripper includes a track, two opposing fingers configured to move along the track, and an actuator configured to retract the two opposing fingers along the track.