Docking station for a mobile robot
First Claim
1. A robotic system comprising:
- a mobile robot including a body housing a rechargeable power source and a first electrical contact part disposed on the body;
a docking station including a second electrical contact part, wherein the mobile robot is dockable on the docking station in order to charge the rechargeable power source;
wherein the first electrical contact part includes at least one continuous conductive material having a width and a length, and wherein the length is greater than the width and the length is aligned with a first contact axis;
and wherein the second electrical contact part includes at least one elongate contact;
and wherein when the robot is docked on the docking station such that electrical contact is established between the first electrical contact part and the second electrical contact part, the at least one elongate contact extends in a direction that is transverse to the first contact axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A robotic system comprising a mobile robot including a body housing a rechargeable power source and first electrical contact means disposed on the body and a docking station including second electrical contact means, wherein the mobile robot is dockable on the docking station in order to charge the rechargeable power source. The first electrical contact means includes at least one electrical contact aligned on a first contact axis and the second electrical contact means includes at least one elongate contact, wherein when the robot is docked on the docking station such that electrical contact is established between the first electrical contact means and the electrical contact means. The at least one elongate contact extends in a direction that is transverse to the first contact axis which permits electrical contact to be established between the robot and the docking station while accommodating a degree of lateral and angular misalignment therebetween.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A robotic system comprising:
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a mobile robot including a body housing a rechargeable power source and a first electrical contact part disposed on the body; a docking station including a second electrical contact part, wherein the mobile robot is dockable on the docking station in order to charge the rechargeable power source; wherein the first electrical contact part includes at least one continuous conductive material having a width and a length, and wherein the length is greater than the width and the length is aligned with a first contact axis; and wherein the second electrical contact part includes at least one elongate contact; and wherein when the robot is docked on the docking station such that electrical contact is established between the first electrical contact part and the second electrical contact part, the at least one elongate contact extends in a direction that is transverse to the first contact axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification