Series Charging Control for Autonomous Mobile Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for electric autonomous moving bodies require multiple power supply units to be embedded in charging equipment, increasing equipment size and complexity, as each battery must be connected individually for charging, which limits the efficiency and scalability of charging multiple units simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A system where multiple electric autonomous moving bodies are aligned in series and connected to a single charger unit, with each body's battery charged via electrical connections and controlled to ensure the total charging current does not exceed the allowable limits of the charger and power supply line, using connectors or non-contact terminals for power transfer and communication to manage charging states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple power supply units are embedded in charging equipment to charge multiple batteries simultaneously, then charging capacity is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power supply units into a single charger unit that can charge multiple batteries simultaneously through series connection. The control unit integrates the functions of multiple independent chargers, managing power distribution to multiple batteries through a unified power supply unit, thereby reducing equipment size and complexity while maintaining multi-battery charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single charger unit is designed with universal functionality to charge multiple different batteries through series connection. The control unit can dynamically adjust charging parameters and manage power distribution to accommodate different battery configurations, making the charger adaptable to various charging scenarios without requiring dedicated power supply units for each battery.
2Device complexity
If multiple batteries are connected in series to a single power supply unit, then device complexity is reduced, but charging current is limited by the allowable current range
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts charging parameters based on the series connection configuration and allowable current limits. When batteries are connected in series, the control unit modifies charging strategies to optimize power delivery within the constrained current range, potentially switching between different charging modes or adjusting voltage distribution to maximize charging efficiency under current limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters such as voltage distribution and charging current allocation based on the series connection configuration. The control unit monitors and adjusts electrical parameters to ensure safe operation within allowable current ranges while maintaining effective charging, adapting parameters according to the number and state of connected batteries.
3Productivity
If batteries are charged in series connection, then charging efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases to manage current distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements feedback mechanisms to monitor the charging state of each battery in the series connection and adjusts power distribution accordingly. By continuously monitoring voltage, current, and charging status, the control system optimizes charging efficiency while managing the complexity of current distribution through real-time adjustments and adaptive control strategies.
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
This configuration allows for efficient and scalable charging of multiple electric autonomous moving bodies using a single charger unit, ensuring safe operation within the allowable current and power supply limits, prioritizing charging based on connection order in first-in first-out or last-in first-out systems to maximize battery life and usage.
Implementation Method 1
the charger unit and the plurality of electric autonomous moving bodies are electrically connected to one another, and power is supplied from the charger unit to the respective electric autonomous moving bodies
Data Source
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AI summary
When batteries of a plurality of electric autonomous moving bodies (20-1,...,20-4) are charged, each of the electric autonomous moving bodies (20-1,..,20-4) sends charging state information indicating a charging state of the battery (205) of the electric autonomous moving body. A controller executes control for switching a charging state and a non-charging state of the battery of each of the electric autonomous moving body based on the charging state information of the batteries of the respective electric autonomous moving bodies in such a way that the total amount of current that flows through the batteries of the respective electric autonomous moving bodies does not exceed an allowable current of a charger unit (10) and a power supply line.