IP Library Granted Patent US 10,906,419
Granted Patent B2
US 10,906,419 · App. 16/258,048 · Granted Feb 2, 2021

Electrical charging system for a robot

Inventors: Hian Kai Kwa (Reading, MA); Christina Nicole Fong (Somerville, MA); Michael Sussman (Winchester, MA)
B60L53/35H01R13/05H01R13/6205H02J7/0042H02J7/0044H02J7/0027H02J7/00043H02J7/00047
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,906,419
App. No.
16/258,048
Granted
Feb 2, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A docking station for charging a robot including an electrical charger assembly affixed to the charger docking station and configured to mate with an electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is docked at the docking station for charging. There is at least one compliant member interconnecting the electrical charger assembly to a portion of the docking station to allow movement of the electrical charger assembly relative to the electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is mating with the docking station.

Claims (9)

1. A docking station for charging a robot, comprising:

an electrical charger assembly disposed on a mount affixed to the docking station and configured to mate with an electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is docked at the docking station for charging; and

a plurality of compliant members interconnecting the electrical charger assembly to a portion of the docking station, each of the compliant members affixed at one end to the mount and at an opposite end to the docking station to suspend the electrical charger assembly to allow movement of the electrical charger assembly relative to the electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is mating with the docking station.

2. The docking station of claim 1 wherein the electrical charger assembly includes a charger base having at least one terminal member with an electrical contact configured to engage with the electrical charging port on the robot when the robot is docked at the docking station.

3. The docking station of claim 2 wherein the charger base is coupled to an electrical power source and the electrical charging port is coupled to a battery of the robot.

4. The docking station of claim 1 wherein the plurality of compliant members interconnecting the electrical charger assembly to a corresponding plurality of portions of the docking station allow movement of the electrical charger assembly in all six degrees of freedom.

5. The docking station of claim 1 further including a frame to which the plurality of compliant members are affixed on the docking station.

6. The docking station of claim 1 further including a restraining device interconnected to the frame of the docking station and the mount of the electrical charging assembly to limit movement of the electrical charging assembly during an un-mating process.

7. The docking station of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of compliant members include a spring.

Assignments (7)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT REEL 007759, FRAME 0295 Recorded Dec 19, 2024
From: LOCUS ROBOTICS CORP.
To: FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 069743/0206 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT REEL 007759, FRAME 0314 Recorded Dec 19, 2024
From: LOCUS ROBOTICS CORP.
To: FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 069743/0192 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE RECEIVING PARTY DATA PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 69386 FRAME 647. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Dec 11, 2024
From: LOCUS ROBOTICS CORP.
To: HERCULES CAPITAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 069589/0575 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2024
From: LOCUS ROBOTICS CORP.
To: FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 069386/0647 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2022
From: LOCUS ROBOTIC CORP.
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 060402/0874 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2022
From: LOCUS ROBOTIC CORP.
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 060402/0854 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2019
From: KWA, HIAN KAI; SUSSMAN, MICHAEL; FONG, CHRISTINA NICOLE
To: LOCUS ROBOTICS CORP.
Reel/Frame 049483/0910 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 15833051 · Dec 6, 2017
Continuation 15088519 · Apr 1, 2016
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