Robot with an automatic charging function

• US 8,369,989 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2009
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Sip, Kim-Yeung
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEHNCKE, CHRISTINE M
• Application Number:
  US12/533,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20100174434A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 901/15, 901/1, 901/50, 320/108, 320/109, 320/107, 744/900.2, 744/900.3, 744/900.1, 744/900.5, 744/900.7, 744/900.8, 318/568.21, 700/245, 701/23
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/005 using batteries, e.g. as a back-up power source
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/00 Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages B25J1/00 takes precedence; programme-controlled manipulators B25J9/00 ; vehicle aspects B60, B62, e.g. remote-controlled steering for motor vehicles B62D1/24; control of position of vehicles G05D1/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20311 including power cable or connector

Abstract

A robot with an automatic charging function, comprising: a body, an arm mechanism rotatably connected to the body, a head mechanism and a driver rotatably connected to the arm mechanism; wherein a receiving space is formed in the body for receiving the arm mechanism; the head mechanism comprises two conduction terminals for receiving power from power outlets of a charging station; when power of the robot is lower than a preset level, the driver is configured to drive the arm mechanism to rotate out of the receiving space of the body, simultaneously, the driver is configured to drive the head mechanism to rotate relatively to the arm mechanism till the two conduction terminals of the head mechanism are electronically connected to the power outlets of the charge station, thereby receiving power from the charge station.

Claims

1. A robot with an automatic charging function, comprising:

a body, an arm mechanism rotatably connected to the body, a head mechanism and a driver rotatably connected to drive the arm mechanism;

wherein

a receiving space is formed in the body for receiving the arm mechanism, the receiving space has a first side wall, and the first side wall defines a through hole;

the head mechanism comprises conduction terminals for receiving power from power outlets of a charging station;

when a power of the robot is lower than a preset level, the driver is configured to drive the arm mechanism to rotate out of the receiving space of the body, simultaneously, the driver is configured to drive the head mechanism to rotate relatively to the arm mechanism till the two conduction terminals of the head mechanism are electronically connected to the power outlets of the charge station, thereby receiving power from the charge station;

wherein the driver includes a first driver mechanism and a second driver mechanism, the first driver mechanism is configured to drive the arm mechanism and the head mechanism to rotate relatively to the body; and

the second driver mechanism is configured to drive the head mechanism to rotate relatively to the arm mechanism; and

the head mechanism further comprises a first connection portion rotatably coupled to the head mechanism, and a second connection portion connected to the first connection portion and rotatably coupled to the body;

the second connection portion defines a through hole;

an axis, which is fixed over and protrudes from the through hole of the second connection portion, is set in the second connection portion on a first side of the arm mechanism;

the axis is rotatably fixed in the through hole of the receiving space, and configured to rotatably fix the arm mechanism to the body.

2. The robot as described in claim 1, wherein the first connection portion is rotatably fixed to the head mechanism;

a first hook portion is located in the first connection portion;

the arm mechanism further comprises a control box located in the first hook portion of the first connection portion, the control box is configured to detect a rotation angle of the head mechanism relatively to the arm mechanism.

3. The robot as described in claim 2, wherein the second driver mechanism is located in the arm mechanism and comprises a motor and a gear train;

the robot further comprises a hinge element, the hinge element comprises an axis, a joggle portion, and a fix portion;

the gear train of the second driver comprises a gear;

a through hole is defined in the gear;

a through hole is defined in the control box and is aligned with the through hole of the gear;

the axis is passed through the through hole of the gear and the through hole of the control box, thereby rotatably fixed to the control box;

the joggle portion is meshed with the gear and in turn drive the hinge element to rotate when the gear is driven to rotate.

4. The robot as described in claim 3, wherein the head mechanism further comprises two support portions;

a hook groove is formed in one support portion of the head mechanism for receiving the fix portion;

a through hole is defined in the first connection portion, the fix portion is passed trough the through hole of the first connection portion, and is secured to the hook groove of the support portion, so as that, the two support portions are pivotally fixed to the first connection portion;

when the gear is driven to rotate, the hinge element in turn drives the head mechanism to rotate relatively to the arm mechanism.