WO2022141818A1

WO2022141818A1 - Charging station and charging station control method

Info

Publication number: WO2022141818A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/081928
Authority: WO
Inventors: 魏显民; 陈远; 王兆光
Original assignee: 美智纵横科技有限责任公司
Priority date: 2021-01-04
Filing date: 2021-03-19
Publication date: 2022-07-07
Also published as: CN112773274A; CN112773274B

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application provide a charging station and a charging station control method. The charging station comprises: a main body which comprises an air duct; a fan assembly, an air outlet of the fan assembly being connected to an air inlet of the air duct, and an air outlet of the air duct being used for docking with a rolling brush of a sweeping robot; and a control assembly, for determining that the sweeping robot arrives at a charging position of the charging station, and sending a first control instruction to the fan assembly; wherein the fan assembly is used for receiving the first control instruction and controlling running of a fan of the fan assembly.

Description

Charging station and charging station control method

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application with application number 202110004658.x filed with the China Patent Office on January 4, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

technical field

The present application relates to the field of smart home technology, and in particular, to a charging station and a charging station control method.

Background technique

Sweeping robots are gradually replacing manual labor as the main player in household cleaning. The body of the sweeping robot is mainly disc-shaped and uses rechargeable batteries as power. The laser rangefinder is used to detect obstacles to achieve automatic obstacle avoidance, and the corresponding area is cleaned according to the set cleaning path. When the Quantity of electric charge of the sweeping robot is low or when a working cycle is completed, the sweeping robot will automatically find the charging station through infrared, ultrasonic, camera, laser navigation and other technologies, and return to the charging station for charging .

The roller brush of the sweeping robot has water stains and dirt after cleaning. When the sweeping robot returns to the charging station for charging, the water stains and dirt will easily lead to the failure of the electrical contact between the sweeping robot and the charging station, affecting the charging function of the sweeping robot. Therefore, how to improve the reliability of the cleaning robot charging station has become an important problem to be solved urgently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the existing technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a charging station and a charging station control method.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are implemented as follows:

The embodiment of the present application provides a charging station, which is applied to a cleaning robot, including:

a main body, the main body has an air duct;

a fan assembly, the air outlet of the fan assembly is connected to the air inlet of the air duct; the air outlet of the air duct is used for docking the roller brush of the sweeping robot;

a control component, configured to determine the charging position where the sweeping robot arrives at the charging station, and send a first control command to the fan component;

The fan assembly is configured to receive the first control instruction and control the fan operation of the fan assembly.

In some embodiments of the present application, the charging station further includes a dust collecting assembly, and an air inlet of the dust collecting assembly is used for docking with the dust collecting box of the cleaning robot; the air outlet of the dust collecting assembly is connected to the The air inlet of the fan assembly is communicated.

In some embodiments of the present application, the charging station further includes a charging component; the control component is further configured to determine that the cleaning robot reaches the charging position, and generate a second control instruction;

The charging assembly is configured to receive the second control instruction and control the wireless charging module of the charging assembly to charge the cleaning robot.

In some embodiments of the present application, the charging station further includes: a telescopic control component, configured to receive the second control instruction, and under the driving of the second control instruction, control the wireless charging module to move from the pops up inside the body.

In some embodiments of the present application, the control component is further configured to determine that the cleaning robot is fully charged, and send a third control instruction to the telescopic control component;

The telescopic control assembly is further configured to receive the third control instruction, and under the driving of the third control instruction, control the wireless charging module to return to the main body.

The embodiment of the present application also proposes a charging station control method, which is applied to a charging station. The charging station includes a main body, and the main body has an air duct, and an air outlet of the air duct is used for docking the roller brush of the sweeping robot; The methods described include:

determining the charging position where the cleaning robot arrives at the charging station;

receiving a first control instruction sent by a control component of the charging station;

Driven by the first control instruction, the fan assembly of the charging station is controlled to operate.

In some embodiments of the present application, the method further includes:

receiving a second control instruction sent by the control component of the charging station;

Driven by the second control instruction, the wireless charging module of the charging assembly of the charging station is controlled to charge the cleaning robot.

In some embodiments of the present application, under the driving of the second control instruction, controlling the wireless charging module of the charging assembly of the charging station to charge the cleaning robot includes:

Controlling the wireless charging module to pop out from the main body of the charging station under the driving of the second control instruction;

The wireless charging module is controlled to charge the cleaning robot.

In some embodiments of the present application, the method further includes:

receiving a third control command sent by the control component; under the driving of the third control command, controlling the wireless charging module to return to the main body of the charging station;

The wireless charging module is controlled to stop charging the cleaning robot.

In some embodiments of the present application, the charging station further includes a dust collecting assembly;

The air inlet of the dust collecting assembly is used for docking with the dust collecting box of the sweeping robot; the air outlet of the dust collecting assembly is communicated with the air inlet of the fan assembly.

In the charging station provided by the embodiment of the present application, the control component is used to determine the charging position where the sweeping robot arrives at the charging station, and send a first control command to the fan component; the fan component is used to receive the first control command, and control the fan operation of the fan component . Since the air outlet of the fan assembly is connected to the air inlet of the air duct, and the air outlet of the air duct is connected to the rolling brush of the sweeping robot, the dry air discharged from the air duct can clean the rolling brush of the sweeping robot while charging the sweeping robot. Drying solves the problem of electrical contact failure of the charging station charging function caused by water stains attached to the cleaning robot, thereby improving the reliability of the cleaning robot charging station.

Description of drawings

1 is a schematic structural diagram of a charging station and a sweeping robot in the related art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a charging station according to an embodiment of the present application;

3 is a schematic structural diagram of a charging station and a cleaning robot provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is an application scenario diagram of a charging station provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a charging station control method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of another charging station control method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of another charging station control method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of another charging station control method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application, but not to limit the present application.

In order to make the sweeping robot more intelligent during use, the existing sweeping robot is equipped with a recharge function, which can search and move to the charging station for charging when the power is insufficient. The recharge function is an important function of the sweeping robot, which requires the sweeping robot to automatically find the charging position of the charging station for charging after cleaning.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a charging station and a cleaning robot in the related art. Referring to FIG. 1 , the charging station may include: a base 101 and a housing 102 . The base 101 is a supporting structure of the charging station, which can support the charging station to be placed on any plane smoothly.

Exemplarily, the bearing surface is provided on the side of the base 101 facing the housing, and when the first cleaning robot 103 is connected to the charging station for charging, the first cleaning robot 103 can move to the bearing surface to form a position opposite to the charging station. fixed relative position.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the first cleaning robot 103 and the charging contact shrapnel of the charging station are in the lower part. When the cleaning robot 103 is being charged, the charging terminal provided on the base 101 is in contact with the charging terminal of the first cleaning robot 103 , so that the charging station can charge the first cleaning robot 103 . However, the roller brush of the first cleaning robot 103 is stained with water after the cleaning operation, and the water stains and dirt can easily cause the charging electrodes of the first cleaning robot 103 to rust, resulting in electrical contact between the first cleaning robot 103 and the charging station. If it fails, the charging function of the first cleaning robot 103 will be affected; at the same time, water and dirt will easily affect the appearance of the first cleaning robot 103 .

FIG. 2 shows a schematic structural diagram of a charging station provided by an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 2 , the charging station may include:

The main body 201, the fan assembly 202, and the control assembly 203, wherein the main body 201 has an air duct, and the air outlet of the air duct is used for docking the roller brush of the sweeping robot; The fan assembly sends the first control command; the air outlet of the fan assembly 202 is connected to the air inlet of the air duct; the fan assembly 202 can receive the first control command sent by the control assembly 203, and under the driving of the first control command, controls the fan assembly 202. The fan is running.

Exemplarily, the main body 201 may be provided with various components for implementing charging functions and communication functions, such as transformers, rectifiers, communication modules, etc., wherein the transformers are used to convert the standard voltage of 220V into the power required by the sweeping robot. The required charging voltage is 24V. Here, the charging voltage required by the sweeping robot is less than the human body's safe voltage of 36V.

Exemplarily, the main body 201 is provided with a recharge guide assembly, and the recharge guide assembly is used to guide the cleaning robot to run to a charging station for charging.

Exemplarily, the recharging guide assembly may be an infrared transmitter, and the infrared transmitter emits infrared signals at different angles. Correspondingly, after receiving the infrared signal from the charging station, the cleaning robot determines the direction of the cleaning robot relative to the charging station, so that the cleaning robot can dock with the charging station and run along the infrared rays to the charging position of the charging station.

Exemplarily, after detecting that the battery power is less than a preset threshold, the cleaning robot performs wireless communication with the recharging guide component of the charging station through the main control chip to obtain the charging position of the charging station.

Exemplarily, the sweeping robot calls map information of the scene where it is located, generates a navigation path in the map information of the scene according to the location of the charging station, and moves to the charging position of the charging station according to the navigation path.

Exemplarily, the control component 203 of the charging station includes a sensor and a processor, wherein the sensor is used to detect whether the cleaning robot reaches the charging position of the charging station, and the processor is used to determine the charging position of the cleaning robot to the charging station, and send the information to the fan assembly 202. the first control command.

Exemplarily, the main body 201 has a first cavity, the first cavity is used for accommodating the fan assembly 202, the air inlet of the air duct is connected to the air outlet of the fan assembly 2020, and the air outlet of the air duct is used for docking with the roller brush of the cleaning robot.

In some embodiments of the present application, the charging station further includes a dust collection assembly, and the air inlet of the dust collection assembly is used for docking with the dust collection box of the sweeping robot; the air outlet of the dust collection assembly communicates with the air inlet of the fan assembly.

Exemplarily, the main body 201 has a second cavity, the second cavity is used for accommodating the dust collecting assembly, and the air outlet of the second cavity communicates with the air inlet of the fan assembly.

Exemplarily, when it is determined that the cleaning robot arrives at the charging position of the charging station, the control component sends a first control instruction to the fan assembly, and driven by the first control instruction, the fan of the fan assembly is in a running state, and a negative effect is formed in the dust collecting assembly. pressure.

It should be understood that since the air inlet of the dust collecting assembly can be connected to the dust collecting chamber of the cleaning robot, the dust in the dust collecting box of the cleaning robot can be sucked out under the action of negative pressure.

Exemplarily, the dust collecting assembly is provided with an air filter device, and based on the air filter device, the solid pollutants and the air in the dust box of the cleaning robot are separated. Under the action of the negative pressure generated by the fan assembly, the clean air discharged from the air outlet of the dust collection assembly is drained to the roller brush of the sweeping robot through the air duct.

In some embodiments of the present application, the charging station further includes a charging component; the control component is further configured to determine that the cleaning robot arrives at the charging position, and generate a second control command; the charging component is configured to receive the second control command and control the wireless connection of the charging component. The charging module charges the cleaning robot.

In some embodiments of the present application, the charging station further includes: a telescopic control component, configured to receive a second control command, and under the driving of the second control command, control the wireless charging module to be ejected from the main body.

Exemplarily, under the driving of the second control instruction, the wireless charging module of the charging assembly pops out into the main body and approaches the wireless charging module on the cleaning robot. When the distance between the wireless charging module of the charging assembly and the wireless charging module of the sweeping robot reaches a preset distance, the wireless charging module of the charging assembly stops moving. For example, the preset spacing is 10mm.

In some embodiments of the present application, the control component is further configured to determine that the cleaning robot is fully charged, and send a third control command to the telescopic control component; the telescopic control component is further configured to receive a third control command, and driven by the third control command , control the wireless charging module to return to the main body.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic structural diagram of a charging station and a cleaning robot provided by an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 3 , the charging station may include:

The main body 201, the fan assembly 202, and the control assembly 203, wherein the main body 201 has an air duct 204; the air outlet of the fan assembly 202 is connected to the air inlet of the air duct 204; Roller brush 207. The control component 203 is used to determine the charging position where the second sweeping robot 206 arrives at the charging station, and send a first control command to the fan assembly 202; the control module of the fan assembly 202 can receive the first control command, under the driving of the first control command , the fan of the control fan assembly 202 is in a running state.

It should be understood that the first cleaning robot 103 and the second cleaning robot 206 may have some or all of the same functional structures. For example, the first cleaning robot 103 and the second cleaning robot 206 use the same wired charging function module.

Exemplarily, the main body 201 is provided with a base 208 , the bottom surface of the base 208 is used as a plane for placing the charging station, and the part of the base 208 extending from the main body 201 is provided with an upward bearing surface 209 .

Exemplarily, the charging position of the charging station may be the position on the carrying surface 209 for parking the second cleaning robot 206. When the relative position of the second cleaning robot 206 and the carrying surface 209 meets the preset condition, the second sweeping robot may be determined. The robot 206 arrives at the charging position of the charging station.

In some embodiments of the present application, the charging station further includes a dust collecting assembly 212, and the air inlet 210 of the dust collecting assembly 212 is used for docking with the dust collecting box 211 of the second cleaning robot 206; the air outlet of the dust collecting assembly 212 is connected to the fan assembly The air inlet of 202 is connected.

Exemplarily, the air inlet of the dust collecting assembly 212 is connected to the air outlet of the air duct 213 , and the air inlet 210 corresponding to the air duct 213 is used for docking with the dust collecting box 211 of the second cleaning robot 206 .

In some embodiments of the present application, the charging station further includes a charging component 214; the control component 203 is further configured to determine the charging position where the second cleaning robot 206 arrives at the charging station, and generate a second control instruction. The control module of the charging assembly 214 may receive the second control instruction, and under the driving of the second control instruction, control the wireless charging module 215 of the charging assembly 214 to charge the second cleaning robot 206 .

Exemplarily, the wireless charging module 215 of the charging assembly 214 is provided with a transmitting coil, and the wireless charging module 216 of the second cleaning robot 206 is provided with a receiving coil. Magnetic induction to charge the second cleaning robot 206 .

In some embodiments of the present application, the charging station further includes: a telescopic control component 217, the control module of the telescopic control component 217 can receive a second control command sent by the control component 203, and under the driving of the second control command, control wireless charging The module 215 is ejected from the body 201 .

Exemplarily, one end of the telescopic control assembly 217 is connected to the main body 201 of the charging station, and the other end of the telescopic control assembly 217 is connected to the wireless charging module 215 of the charging assembly 214 .

Exemplarily, the telescopic control assembly 217 adopts a folding mechanism, and the unfolding of the folding mechanism is driven by a motor, so that the wireless charging module 215 is ejected from the main body 201 .

In some embodiments of the present application, the control component 203 is further configured to determine that the charging of the second cleaning robot 206 is completed, and send a third control instruction to the control module of the telescopic control component 217; the control module of the telescopic control component 217 can receive the third control command command, under the driving of the third control command, to control the wireless charging module 215 to return to the main body 201 . At the same time, the control module of the charging assembly 214 controls the wireless charging module 215 to stop charging the second cleaning robot 206 under the driving of the third control instruction.

Exemplarily, the retractable control assembly 217 adopts a folding mechanism, and the wireless charging module 215 is retracted into the main body 201 based on the motor-driven retraction of the folding mechanism.

FIG. 4 shows an application scenario diagram of a charging station provided by an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 4 , the second cleaning robot 206 drives into the charging position of the charging station and stays on the bearing surface 209 of the base of the charging station. The control component 203 determines the charging position where the second cleaning robot 206 arrives at the charging station, and sends a first control command to the fan assembly 202 . Driven by the first control command, the fan of the fan assembly 202 is controlled to be in a running state.

It should be understood that, since the air outlet of the fan assembly 202 is connected to the air inlet of the air duct 204 , the air outlet 205 corresponding to the air duct 204 is connected to the roller brush 207 of the second cleaning robot 206 . Therefore, the second cleaning robot 206 is being charged while charging. , the dry air discharged from the air duct 204 can dry the roller brush 207 of the second sweeping robot 206. Therefore, the problem of the electrical contact failure of the charging station charging function caused by the water stains attached to the sweeping robot is solved, thereby improving the cleaning performance. Reliability of robotic charging stations.

Exemplarily, based on the connection between the communication module of the charging station and the second cleaning robot 206, the charging component 214 can charge the second cleaning robot 206 by using a wired charging method or a wireless charging method. After the charging is completed, the second cleaning robot 206 can stay at the charging position of the charging station or drive out of the charging station.

Based on the same technical concept as the foregoing embodiments, referring to FIG. 5 , an embodiment of the present application provides a charging station control method, which is applied to a charging station. The charging station includes a main body, the main body has an air duct, and an air outlet of the air duct is used for docking and sweeping. The rolling brush of the robot; the charging station control method may include the following steps:

Step A501: Determine the charging position where the cleaning robot arrives at the charging station.

Here, for the implementation process of step A501, please refer to the relevant content about the control component in the charging station provided in the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here.

Step A502: Receive the first control instruction sent by the control component of the charging station.

Step A503: Under the driving of the first control instruction, control the operation of the fan of the fan assembly of the charging station.

Here, for the implementation process of step A502 and step A503, please refer to the relevant content about the fan assembly in the charging station provided in the embodiment of the present application, and details are not repeated here.

Based on the charging station control method provided by the present application, determine the charging position where the sweeping robot arrives at the charging station; receive the first control command sent by the control component of the charging station; and control the operation of the fan component of the charging station under the driving of the first control command. Since the air outlet of the fan assembly is connected to the air inlet of the air duct, and the air outlet of the air duct is connected to the rolling brush of the sweeping robot, the dry air discharged from the air duct can clean the rolling brush of the sweeping robot while charging the sweeping robot. Dry, to avoid the electric contact failure of the charging function of the charging station caused by the water stains and dirt attached to the cleaning robot, thereby improving the reliability of the charging station of the cleaning robot.

In some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 6 , the above charging station control method may further include the following steps:

Step A504: Receive a second control instruction sent by the control component of the charging station.

Step A505: Driven by the second control instruction, control the wireless charging module of the charging assembly to charge the cleaning robot.

Here, for the implementation process of step A504 and step A505, please refer to the relevant content about the charging component in the charging station provided in the embodiment of the present application, which is not repeated here.

In some embodiments of the present application, in the above step A503, under the driving of the second control instruction, the wireless charging module of the charging assembly is controlled to charge the cleaning robot. Referring to FIG. 7, the following steps may be included:

Step A5051: Driven by the second control instruction, the wireless charging module controlling the charging assembly is ejected from the main body of the charging station.

Step A5052: Control the wireless charging module of the charging assembly to charge the cleaning robot.

Here, for the implementation process of step A5051 and step A5052, please refer to the relevant content about the charging component in the charging station provided in the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here.

In some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 8 , the above charging station control method may further include the following steps:

Step A5053: Receive the third control instruction sent by the control component; and under the driving of the third control instruction, control the wireless charging module of the charging component to return to the main body of the charging station.

Step A5054: Control the wireless charging module of the charging component to stop charging the cleaning robot.

Here, for the implementation process of step A5053 and step A5054, please refer to the relevant content of the charging component in the charging station provided in the embodiment of the present application, and details are not described here.

In some embodiments of the present application, the charging station further includes a dust collecting assembly; an air inlet of the dust collecting assembly is used for docking with the dust collecting box of the sweeping robot; and the air outlet of the dust collecting assembly communicates with the air inlet of the fan assembly.

In some embodiments, the functions or modules included in the apparatuses provided in the embodiments of the present application may be used to execute the methods described in the above method embodiments. For specific implementation, reference may be made to the above method embodiments. For brevity, here No longer.

The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited to this. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, All should be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Industrial Applicability

The embodiment of the present application provides a charging station and a charging station control method, the charging station includes: a main body, the main body has an air duct; a fan assembly, an air outlet of the fan assembly is connected to an air inlet of the air duct; The air outlet of the air duct is used for docking the roller brush of the sweeping robot; the control assembly is used to determine the charging position of the sweeping robot to the charging station, and send a first control command to the fan assembly; the fan assembly is used for The first control instruction is received, and the fan operation of the fan assembly is controlled. The embodiments of the present application can improve the reliability of the cleaning robot charging station.

Claims

A charging station comprising:

a main body, the main body has an air duct;

a fan assembly, the air outlet of the fan assembly is connected to the air inlet of the air duct; the air outlet of the air duct is used for docking the roller brush of the sweeping robot;

a control component, configured to determine the charging position where the sweeping robot arrives at the charging station, and send a first control command to the fan component;

The fan assembly is configured to receive the first control instruction and control the fan operation of the fan assembly.
The charging station according to claim 1, wherein the charging station further comprises a dust collecting assembly, the air inlet of the dust collecting assembly is used for docking with the dust collecting box of the cleaning robot; the air outlet of the dust collecting assembly communicated with the air inlet of the fan assembly.
The charging station of claim 1, wherein the charging station further comprises a charging assembly;

The control component is further configured to determine that the sweeping robot reaches the charging position, and generate a second control instruction;

The charging assembly is configured to receive the second control instruction and control the wireless charging module of the charging assembly to charge the cleaning robot.
The charging station of claim 3, wherein the charging station further comprises:

The telescopic control assembly is used for receiving the second control instruction, and under the driving of the second control instruction, controls the wireless charging module to pop out from the main body.
The charging station according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control component is further configured to determine that the cleaning robot is fully charged, and send a third control instruction to the telescopic control component;

The telescopic control assembly is further configured to receive the third control instruction, and under the driving of the third control instruction, control the wireless charging module to return to the main body.
A charging station control method, applied to a charging station, the charging station includes a main body, the main body has an air duct, and an air outlet of the air duct is used for docking a roller brush of a sweeping robot; the method includes:

determining the charging position where the cleaning robot arrives at the charging station;

receiving a first control instruction sent by a control component of the charging station;

Driven by the first control instruction, the operation of the fan assembly of the charging station is controlled, and the air outlet of the fan assembly is connected to the air inlet of the air duct.
The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a second control instruction sent by the control component of the charging station;

Driven by the second control instruction, the wireless charging module of the charging assembly of the charging station is controlled to charge the cleaning robot.
The method according to claim 6, wherein, under the driving of the second control instruction, controlling the wireless charging module of the charging assembly of the charging station to charge the cleaning robot comprises:

Controlling the wireless charging module to pop out from the main body of the charging station under the driving of the second control instruction;

The wireless charging module is controlled to charge the cleaning robot.
The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a third control command sent by the control component; under the driving of the third control command, controlling the wireless charging module to return to the main body of the charging station;

The wireless charging module is controlled to stop charging the cleaning robot.
The method of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the charging station further comprises a dust collection assembly;

The air inlet of the dust collecting assembly is used for docking with the dust collecting box of the sweeping robot; the air outlet of the dust collecting assembly is communicated with the air inlet of the fan assembly.