Charging station, charging system and a method for automatically charging a device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional charging docks for robotic vacuum cleaners create unclean blind spots and are inefficient and costly, making them difficult to commercialize, especially with the introduction of wireless charging technologies.

Innovation Solution

A wall-mounted wired charging station with a rotatable arm, magnetic members, and a restoring member that allows the charging port to be rotated and securely attach to the robotic vacuum cleaner, enabling efficient charging without floor placement and preventing damage to the charging ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional floor-placed charging dock is used, then the robotic vacuum cleaner can automatically recharge, but unclean blind spots are created where dust accumulates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic recharging capabilityVSAvoiddust accumulation in blind spots

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station is mounted on the wall (vertical dimension) instead of being placed on the floor (horizontal dimension). This dimensional change eliminates the creation of floor-level blind spots where dust accumulates, while maintaining the automatic recharging function through the rotatable arm that extends to connect with the vacuum cleaner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging station incorporates a rotatable arm that can dynamically adjust its position to connect with the robotic vacuum cleaner. This dynamic structure allows the charging port to reach the vacuum cleaner when needed while maintaining a compact wall-mounted form factor that doesn't create dust-trapping blind spots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wireless charging technology is adopted, then floor placement issues are resolved, but recharging speed becomes inefficient and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor placement problemsVSAvoidrecharging speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wireless charging technology with a wired charging connection. The rotatable arm provides a mechanical means to extend and connect the charging cable to the vacuum cleaner, achieving both floor-placement elimination and efficient wired charging transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a wall-mounted charging station with rotatable arm is used, then dust accumulation is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust accumulationVSAvoidcharging station structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable arm provides a simple dynamic mechanism that allows the charging port to reach the vacuum cleaner while maintaining a compact wall-mounted structure. This single rotational degree of freedom adds minimal complexity while solving the dust accumulation problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The restoring member automatically returns the rotatable arm to its retracted position after charging, and the protective cover automatically protects the charging components. These self-service features reduce the need for complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If the charging port is exposed for connection, then charging efficiency improves, but the charging port is vulnerable to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidcharging port durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover acts as a protective shell that covers the charging components when not in use, protecting them from damage while allowing access when needed for charging operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The solution provides a clean, efficient, and cost-effective charging system that prevents dust accumulation and ensures the robotic vacuum cleaner can charge without damaging the charging ports, enhancing the commercial viability of robotic vacuum cleaners.

Implementation Method 1

The restoring member includes a tension spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The station-side magnetic member includes a permanent magnet or an electromagnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11241133B2Charging station, charging system and a method for automatically charging a device

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 AMTRAN TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

A charging station configured to be attached to a wall includes a main body, a rotatable arm, a restoring member, a charging port and a magnetic member. The main body is configured to be attached to the wall. The rotatable arm is rotatably connected to the main body. The restoring member is connected between the main body and the rotatable arm. The charging port and the magnetic member are disposed on a surface of the rotatable arm.