Service Robot Charging Interruption for Power Failure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Service robots may remain in a halted state due to battery discharge when the charging apparatus experiences power failure or is out of order, or when a user intentionally interrupts the charging process, leading to continuous attempts to reconnect without resolution.

Innovation Solution

A method for charging a service robot that involves docking with a charging apparatus when the battery level falls below a threshold, checking for a predetermined charging voltage, and interrupting charging if power failure or the charging apparatus is out of order, using inductive signals and floor detection sensors to determine the status and prevent continuous re-attempts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the service robot continuously attempts to reconnect to the charging apparatus when charging fails, then the robot can potentially resume charging, but the battery will discharge and the robot will remain in a halted state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging reliabilityVSAvoidbattery discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The controller detects whether a predetermined voltage is input to the input terminal during charging attempts. Based on this feedback, the controller determines whether to continue attempting to connect to the charging apparatus or to interrupt the charging mode and resume cleaning mode, preventing continuous battery discharge without resolution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The service robot autonomously monitors its own battery status and charging state, making decisions about whether to attempt reconnection or resume cleaning operations based on detected voltage levels, without requiring external intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the service robot detects charging failure and attempts to reconnect to the charging apparatus, then charging may be resumed, but the robot wastes time wandering to locate the charging apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging resumptionVSAvoidtime to locate charging apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller uses feedback from voltage detection at the input terminal to determine whether the charging apparatus is functioning properly. If no predetermined voltage is detected after connection attempts, the controller concludes the charging apparatus is out of order and stops wandering to locate it, resuming cleaning operations instead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If the service robot remains in charging mode after connection failure, then the robot maintains docking position, but the robot cannot perform cleaning operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocking stabilityVSAvoidcleaning operation continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging mode is made dynamic rather than static. The controller continuously monitors voltage input to the input terminal and can transition between charging mode and cleaning mode based on real-time conditions, allowing the robot to resume productive operations when charging is unavailable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2768111B1Method for charging service robot
Publication Date: 2017.06.21 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2768111B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2768111B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2768111B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for charging a service robot is provided, which includes (a) docking an input terminal of the service robot with an output terminal of a charging apparatus, if an available battery power source falls below a predetermined level; (b) checking whether a predetermined charging voltage is input to the input terminal of the service robot; (c) determining whether power failure has occurred or the charging apparatus is out of order, if the charging voltage is not input in step (b); and (d) interrupting charging of the battery, if it is determined that power failure has occurred or the charging apparatus is out of order.