Autonomous robot auto-docking and energy management systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A system for charging an autonomous robot, the system comprising:
- an autonomous mobile device comprisingan undercarriage,a wheel extending from the undercarriage toward a ground surface to support at least a portion of the mobile device above the ground surface, anda detector vertically aligned with the wheel and disposed above the wheel; and
a stationary charger comprisinga base plate defining a wheel receiver configured to receive the wheel of the autonomous mobile device, the wheel receiver comprising a depression in the base plate,charging contacts disposed along the base plate, wherein;
the charging contacts are configured to align with corresponding charging contacts on the undercarriage of the autonomous mobile device when the wheel of the autonomous mobile device is disposed in the wheel receiver;
the wheel of the autonomous mobile device is positionable in the wheel receiver defined by the depression in the base plate to establish electrical communication between the autonomous mobile device and the stationary charger, andthe depression in the base plate forming the wheel receiver is at least partially between the charging contacts and the contacts are elevated relative to the wheel receiver.
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Abstract
A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.
921 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for charging an autonomous robot, the system comprising:
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an autonomous mobile device comprising an undercarriage, a wheel extending from the undercarriage toward a ground surface to support at least a portion of the mobile device above the ground surface, and a detector vertically aligned with the wheel and disposed above the wheel; and a stationary charger comprising a base plate defining a wheel receiver configured to receive the wheel of the autonomous mobile device, the wheel receiver comprising a depression in the base plate, charging contacts disposed along the base plate, wherein; the charging contacts are configured to align with corresponding charging contacts on the undercarriage of the autonomous mobile device when the wheel of the autonomous mobile device is disposed in the wheel receiver; the wheel of the autonomous mobile device is positionable in the wheel receiver defined by the depression in the base plate to establish electrical communication between the autonomous mobile device and the stationary charger, and the depression in the base plate forming the wheel receiver is at least partially between the charging contacts and the contacts are elevated relative to the wheel receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for charging an autonomous robot, the system comprising:
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an autonomous mobile device comprising an undercarriage, a wheel extending from the undercarriage toward a ground surface to support at least a portion of the mobile device above the ground surface, and a detector vertically aligned with the wheel and disposed above the wheel; and a stationary charger comprising a base plate defining a wheel receiver configured to receive the wheel of the autonomous mobile device, charging contacts disposed along the base plate, wherein the charging contacts align with corresponding charging contacts on the undercarriage of the autonomous mobile device and the wheel of the autonomous mobile device is positionable in the wheel receiver defined by the base plate to establish electrical communication between the autonomous mobile device and the stationary charger, and wherein the wheel receiver is defined by a portion of the base plate between the charging contacts and has a substantially oval shape having a first diameter and a second diameter, the first diameter greater than the second diameter, and the charging contacts separated from one another by a distance greater than the first diameter and are symmetrically disposed on either side of the wheel receiver, and a signal emitter substantially axially aligned with the wheel of the autonomous mobile device disposed in the wheel receiver with electrical communication established between the detector of the autonomous mobile device and the stationary charger. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification