Robotic Charging Terminal Geometry for Debris-Tolerant Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic garden tools face challenges in efficient and versatile charging solutions that accommodate various configurations and debris removal, limiting their operational reliability and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A charging station with a convex, deformable charging terminal and a robotic garden tool featuring a concave charging port with conductive and insulating portions, allowing for flexible alignment and debris removal, enabling efficient charging and improved user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed charging terminal is used, then the charging alignment is simple, but it cannot accommodate various orientations and debris removal is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The charging terminal incorporates moveable members that can pivot between a first position (near the upper surface) and a second position (extending vertically above). This dynamic capability allows the terminal to adapt to various charging orientations and accommodate different tool positions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The charging terminal is divided into multiple moveable members that can independently pivot. This segmentation allows each portion to adjust independently, providing versatile orientation accommodation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design
2Ease of operation
If a convex charging terminal with flexible material is used, then deformation is permitted for better alignment, but manufacturing precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The charging terminal uses flexible material that can deform to accommodate misalignment between the charging station and robotic tool. This flexibility ensures reliable electrical contact even when positioning is not perfectly precise, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible material allows the charging terminal to change its physical parameters (shape, position) dynamically during operation. This enables the terminal to adapt to various alignment conditions while maintaining reliable electrical connection, balancing operational ease with manufacturing tolerances
3Reliability
If the charging terminal extends vertically above the base, then charging contact is improved, but the risk of debris interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable members can pivot to extend vertically above the base during charging to ensure reliable contact, and can return to a retracted position when not in use to minimize debris accumulation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between charging reliability and debris interference
Solution Approach 2:
The charging electrodes are extracted from a fixed position and placed on moveable members that can extend only when needed. This allows the charging contact points to be positioned vertically above the base during operation for reliable contact, while minimizing their exposure to debris when not charging
Data Source
AI summary
A charging station for use with a robotic garden tool, the charging station including a base having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the base being configured to be supported on a support surface, a charging terminal coupled to the upper surface of the base, where the charging terminal includes a positive electrode and a ground electrode electrically insulated from the positive electrode, where the positive electrode and the ground electrode are configured to selectively extend upward to a location vertically above the upper surface of the base.