Charging apparatus for moving robot and method thereof

• US 8,575,892 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Young Gie
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A
• Assistant Examiner(s): PELTON, NATHANIEL R
• Application Number:
  US12/447,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20100026247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,203 Days
• Field of Search: 320/162, 320/109
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0036 using connection detecting circuits H02J7/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

Provided is a charging apparatus for a moving robot including a charging terminal that is connected to a terminal for charging a battery of the moving robot; a power supply unit that supplies a charging voltage for charging the battery of the moving robot; a power switching unit that outputs a detection signal, depending on whether a voltage is applied from the charging terminal or not, and switches a current flow between the power supply unit and the charging terminal in accordance with an input control signal; and a control unit that responds to the detection signal so as to output the control signal.

Claims

1. A charging apparatus for a moving robot, comprising:

a charging terminal connected to a terminal and configured to charge a battery of the moving robot;

a power supply unit configured to supply a charging voltage that charges the battery of the moving robot;

a power switching unit configured to output a detection signal depending on whether a voltage is applied from the charging terminal, and switches a current flow between the power supply unit and the charging terminal in accordance with a control signal;

a guide signal sending unit that sends a guide signal for guiding the return of the moving robot; and

a control unit that responds to the detection signal so as to output the control signal,

wherein the detection signal includes a first detection signal, which is output when the voltage is applied from the charging terminal, and a second detection signal which is output when the voltage is not applied from the charging terminal,

wherein when the first detection signal is output, the control unit outputs a first control signal such that a current flows between the power supply unit and the charging terminal,

wherein when the second detection signal is output, the control unit outputs a second control signal such that the current flow between the power supply unit and the charging terminal is cut off, and wherein the voltage is applied to the charging terminal from the battery of the moving robot, and

wherein the power switching unit includes a switching element which is turned on and off, depending on whether the voltage is applied to the charging terminal, and outputs a voltage corresponding to any one of the first and second detection signals.

2. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power switching unit includes a second switching element which is turned on/off in accordance with the control unit so as to switch the current flow between the power supply unit and the charging terminal.

3. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a docking detection unit that detects whether the moving robot is docked.

4. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving robot is a robot cleaner.