Robotic Charging Terminal for 360-Degree Docking Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic tool charging stations often require precise alignment and orientation for efficient charging, which can be cumbersome and may lead to increased wear on the surrounding terrain due to repetitive charging approaches.
Innovation Solution
A charging station design with a terminal that allows for a 360-degree approach envelope and adjustable height, featuring a disk-shaped body with conductive and insulating layers, enabling the robotic tool to dock from various angles and positions, ensuring electrical connection regardless of orientation, and an automatic adjustment mechanism for optimal alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a charging station requires precise alignment and orientation for efficient charging, then charging efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and terrain wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging terminal is designed with rotational freedom to dynamically adjust its orientation. The terminal can rotate about a vertical axis to maintain optimal charging alignment with the robotic tool regardless of the tool's approach direction, eliminating the need for precise pre-alignment while maintaining charging efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station is designed to accept charging requests from robotic tools approaching from any direction within 360 degrees. The universal design allows the same charging terminal to serve multiple approach vectors, making the system adaptable to various tool orientations and positions
2Productivity
If a charging station requires precise alignment and orientation, then charging efficiency is improved, but terrain wear increases due to repetitive charging approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic rotational capability of the charging terminal allows it to adapt to different approach angles, enabling robotic tools to charge from various directions rather than following repetitive fixed-path approaches, thereby distributing wear across different terrain areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of approach angle by allowing charging from multiple directions. This parameter change enables flexible routing of robotic tools to the charging station, preventing concentrated terrain wear at any single approach location
3Ease of operation
If the charging terminal allows approach from multiple directions, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal incorporates a rotational mechanism with a motor and control system that enables multi-directional approach capability. This dynamic component adds structural complexity but provides the necessary flexibility for tools to approach from any direction within the approach envelope
Solution Approach 2:
The control system receives feedback about the robotic tool's position and orientation, then automatically adjusts the terminal's rotational position to maintain optimal charging alignment. This feedback loop manages the complexity by automating the alignment process rather than requiring manual intervention
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A charging station for use with a robotic tool, the charging station including a core having a first end and a second end, the first end of the core being configured to be supported on a support surface and the core defining a core axis. The charging station also including a charging terminal coupled to the core, where the charging terminal includes a disk-shaped body extending radially outwardly from the core, where the charging terminal includes a lateral plane subdividing the body into a first sub-section and a second sub-section, and where a positive electrode is positioned on an exterior surface of the first sub-section and where a ground electrode is positioned on an exterior surface of the second sub-section.