Docking station for a mobile robot

• US 9,992,894 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2014
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Inventors: Ireland, Simon Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Parihar, Suchin
• Application Number:
  US14/161,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20140204510A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,595 Days
• Field of Search: 320115
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/02 Docking stations; Docking operations
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2873 Docking units or charging stations for autonomous or robotic vacuum cleaners A47L2201/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/00 Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus casings, cabinets, drawers H05K5/00

Abstract

A docking station for a mobile robot including a first side portion and a second side portion and housing an electrical system having power input means. The power input means includes a first power input socket provided on the first side portion and a second power input socket provided on the second side portion. The two power input sockets allows a user flexibility in their choice of location for the docking station in an environment.

Claims

1. A docking station for a mobile robot, including a first side and a second side and housing an electrical system having a power input, wherein the power input includes duplicate power input sockets with a first one of the duplicate power input sockets provided on the first side and a second one of the duplicate power input sockets provided on the second side.

2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the first side and second side are on opposite sides of the docking station.

3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the docking station has a rear edge and wherein the first power input socket and the second power input socket are located proximate the rear edge.

4. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the first power input socket and the second power input sockets are located in an elongate housing.

5. The docking station of claim 4, wherein the docketing station has a rear edge and wherein the first power input socket and the second power input socket are located proximate the rear edge, and wherein the elongate housing defines the rear edge of the docking station.

6. The docking station of claim 4, wherein each end of the elongate housing includes an aperture and wherein the first and second power input sockets are accessible through a respective one of the apertures.

7. The docking station of claim 4, including a back portion that is hinged to the elongate housing.

8. The docking station of claim 7, wherein the elongate housing is substantially cylindrical and wherein the back plate has a complementary-shaped mounting portion that clips onto the cylindrical housing.

9. The docking station of claim 4, wherein a base portion extends forwardly from the elongate housing.

10. The docking station of claim 9, wherein the base portion includes charging contacts.

11. The docking station of claim 9, including a mechanical interlock that is pivotably mounted to the elongate housing and is operable by docking of the mobile robot onto the base plate.

12. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the first power input socket includes an interlock that disables the second power input socket when an associated power supply plug is engaged in the first power input socket.

13. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the second power input socket includes an interlock that disables the first power input socket when an associated power supply plug is engaged in the second power input socket.