Patent · US Active

Mobile robot docking systems and methods

US11292136B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
12References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 30, 2020
Grant dateApr 5, 2022
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 30, 2040

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T90/14
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A mobile robot system includes a docking station and a mobile robot. The docking station includes a platform, first and second charging contacts on the platform, and first and second ramp features on the platform. The robot includes a housing, first and second drive wheels, first and second raised charging contacts on a bottom of the housing, and a cleaning module including at least one rotatable cleaning head that extends below the bottom of the housing. The robot is movable from an approach position with the robot spaced apart from a front of the platform to a docked position with the robot on the platform and the docking station charging contacts engaged with the robot charging contacts. As the robot moves from the approach position to the docked position, the robot engages the first and second ramp features and the cleaning mechanism is lifted over the docking station charging contacts.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.