Robot docking station and robot for use therewith
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A robot comprising:
- a movement system for moving the robot over a surface;
a power supply for the robot, adapted to be electrically charged and for supplying electrical power to the movement system;
at least one magnetic contact extending from the robot, the at least one magnetic contact being electrically conductive for receiving and conducting electricity through the at least one magnetic contact for the power supply;
a control system in communication with the at least one magnetic contact;
the power supply in communication with the control system and in electrical communication with the at least one magnetic contact, and, the control system is configured for permitting charging of the power supply through the at least one magnetic contact; and
,the at least one magnetic contact of a magnetic strength for;
1) bringing the robot into a magnetic engagement including both a physical contact and an electrical contact with an electrically conductive portion of a charger for charging the power supply, the magnetic engagement through which the power supply of the robot is charged, and,
2) maintaining the magnetic engagement at least during the charging of the power supply.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A docking station (20) and a robot (22) for docking therein, include corresponding transmission parts. These transmission parts are for the transmission of energy, such as electricity, for recharging the robot (22), and/or signals, for operating the robot (22), the energy and/or signals passing between the docking station and the robot (22). The docking station (20) and robot (22) are such that the docking of the robot (22) in the docking station (20) is at a horizontal orientation, as the transmission part on the robot (22) includes laterally protruding docking contacts that contact corresponding laterally oriented contact arms of the docking station (20).
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A robot comprising:
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a movement system for moving the robot over a surface; a power supply for the robot, adapted to be electrically charged and for supplying electrical power to the movement system; at least one magnetic contact extending from the robot, the at least one magnetic contact being electrically conductive for receiving and conducting electricity through the at least one magnetic contact for the power supply; a control system in communication with the at least one magnetic contact; the power supply in communication with the control system and in electrical communication with the at least one magnetic contact, and, the control system is configured for permitting charging of the power supply through the at least one magnetic contact; and
,the at least one magnetic contact of a magnetic strength for;
1) bringing the robot into a magnetic engagement including both a physical contact and an electrical contact with an electrically conductive portion of a charger for charging the power supply, the magnetic engagement through which the power supply of the robot is charged, and,
2) maintaining the magnetic engagement at least during the charging of the power supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A docking station comprising:
- a portion configured for receiving a robot;
a receptor mechanism coupled to the robot receiving portion for receiving at least one magnetic docking contact extending from the robot, the at least one magnetic docking contact being electrically conductive;
a system for providing electricity to the robot for charging at least one power supply of the robot through the at least one magnetic docking contact, the system coupled to the receptor mechanism; and
, the receptor mechanism being magnetic and configured for conducting electricity, and for magnetically and electrically contacting the at least one magnetic docking contact of the robot and transmitting electricity therethrough, and the receptor mechanism for bringing the robot into a magnetic engagement through which the docking station charges the at least one power supply of the robot, and, the magnetic engagement including both a physical contact and an electrical contact between the receptor mechanism and the at least one magnetic docking contact of the robot. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a portion configured for receiving a robot;
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18. A docking station comprising:
- a portion configured for receiving a robot;
a receptor mechanism coupled to the robot receiving portion; and
a controller for coupling with at least one tap of an irrigation system, and the controller is coupled to the receptor mechanism, the receptor mechanism configured for being in at least electrical contact with at least one magnetic and electrically conductive docking contact extending from the robot, when the robot is docked in the docking station, and the controller, upon receiving a signal from the at last one tap, is configured for sending a signal to a robot docked in the docking station, through the receptor mechanism, for electrical transmission through the at least one magnetic docking contact, for initiating operation of the robot. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- a portion configured for receiving a robot;
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27. A robot comprising:
- a movement system for moving the robot over a surface;
a power supply adapted to be electrically charged and for supplying electrical power to the movement system; and
at least one magnetic contact for communicating with a transmission part of a docking station, the at least one magnetic contact extending laterally from the robot and being magnetic and electrically conductive, and in electrical communication with the power supply of the robot, the at least one magnetic contact for facilitating magnetic and electrical communication with the transmission part, the magnetic contact through which the power supply of the robot is charged when the movement system moves the robot into a position for docking in the docking station, and, the magnetic contact providing forces for bringing the robot into a magnetic engagement with the transmission part of the docking station, the magnetic contact through which the docking station electrically charges the power supply of the robot, and, the magnetic engagement maintaining the docking position of the robot in the docking station when the power supply of the robot is being charged. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
- a movement system for moving the robot over a surface;
Specification