Charging apparatus for mobile robot

• US 8,150,551 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2008
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kaneko, Satoshi, Nakayama, Takashi, Okazaki, Koji, Kimura, Yuta
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US12/327,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20090149995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,217 Days
• Field of Search: 700/258, 901/1, 320107-109, 320/112, 320/114, 455/462, 439/136, 318/6, 318/568.12, 318/568.16
• US Class Current: 700/258
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/005 using batteries, e.g. as a back-up power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/00 Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A charging apparatus for a mobile robot enabling the mobile robot to move relatively freely even during charging using a wiring member, while preventing occurrence of an inconvenience such as damage to the wiring member, is provided. The charging apparatus includes a charging power source, a control board which controls the charging power source, and a wiring members for use in supplying electric power from the charging power source to a battery mounted on the mobile robot. The wiring member is connected to the mobile robot to follow the movement of the robot. The charging apparatus further includes a detector which detects tension applied to the wiring member. When the wiring members is pulled, an appropriate measure to stop the mobile robot or disconnect the wiring member from the robot is taken in accordance with a signal from the tension detector.

Claims

1. A charging apparatus for charging a battery mounted on a mobile robot, comprising:

a charging power source;

a control board which controls the charging power source;

a wiring member having an end connected to the charging power source and another end connected to the mobile robot and following movement of the mobile robot, electric power being supplied from the charging power source via the wiring member to the battery mounted on the mobile robot; and

a tension detector which detects a first predetermined tension applied to the wiring member and a second predetermined tension applied to the wiring member,

wherein when the tension detector detects the first predetermined tension applied to the wiring member, the control board transmits a motion restriction signal to the mobile robot to instruct that the movement of the mobile robot should be restricted, and when the tension detector detects the second predetermined tension applied to the wiring member, the control board stops supply of the electric power from the charging power source.

2. The charging apparatus for a mobile robot according to claim 1, wherein the second predetermined tension is greater than the first predetermined tension.

3. The charging apparatus for a mobile robot according to claim 1, wherein the tension detector further comprises:

a first microswitch configured to detect the first predetermined tension applied to the wiring member; and

a second microswitch configured to detect the second predetermined tension applied to the wiring member.

4. A charging apparatus for charging a battery mounted on a mobile robot, comprising:

a charging power source;

a control board which controls the charging power source;

a wiring member having an end connected to the charging power source and another end connected to the mobile robot and following movement of the mobile robot, electric power being supplied from the charging power source via the wiring member to the battery mounted on the mobile robot; and

a tension detector which detects tension applied to the wiring member,

wherein in the case where the tension detector detects the tension applied to the wiring member, the control board transmits a motion restriction signal to the mobile robot to instruct that the movement of the mobile robot should be restricted.

5. The charging apparatus for a mobile robot according to claim 4, wherein the motion restriction signal is a signal prohibiting movement of the mobile robot in a direction away from the charging apparatus.

6. The charging apparatus for a mobile robot according to claim 4, wherein the motion restriction signal is a signal causing the mobile robot to move in a direction approaching the charging apparatus.

7. The charging apparatus for a mobile robot according to claim 4, wherein the motion restriction signal is a signal causing the mobile robot to stop.

8. A charging apparatus for charging a battery mounted on a mobile robot, comprising:

a charging power source;

a control board which controls the charging power source;

a wiring member having an end connected to the charging power source and another end connected to the mobile robot and following movement of the mobile robot, electric power being supplied from the charging power source via the wiring member to the battery mounted on the mobile robot; and

a tension detector which detects tension applied to the wiring member,

wherein in the case where the tension detector detects the tension applied to the wiring member, the control board stops supply of the electric power from the charging power source.