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The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Patent No.:

US 11760221 B1

PDFFull Text
Date of Patent:
Sep. 19, 2023

Filed:

Jun. 27, 2018

Charging systems and methods for autonomous carts

Applicant:

A9.com, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);

Inventors:

Jacob Blacksberg, Boulder, CO (US);

Matthew Ventimiglia, Lafayette, CO (US);

Karl McDowall, Boulder, CO (US);

Nima Keivan, Boulder, CO (US);

Assignee:

A9.com, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);

Attorney:

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP

Primary Examiner:

Jerry D Robbins

Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B60L 53/37 (2019.01); G05D 1/02 (2020.01); G01V 3/08 (2006.01); B60L 3/04 (2006.01); G01V 3/02 (2006.01); B60L 53/30 (2019.01); B60L 53/31 (2019.01); B60L 53/16 (2019.01); G05B 19/418 (2006.01); H02J 7/00 (2006.01); B60L 53/62 (2019.01); B60L 53/66 (2019.01); B60L 53/60 (2019.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B60L 53/37 (2019.02); B60L 3/04 (2013.01); B60L 53/16 (2019.02); B60L 53/305 (2019.02); B60L 53/31 (2019.02); B60L 53/60 (2019.02); B60L 53/62 (2019.02); B60L 53/66 (2019.02); G01V 3/02 (2013.01); G01V 3/081 (2013.01); G05B 19/418 (2013.01); G05D 1/0225 (2013.01); G05D 1/0231 (2013.01); G05D 1/0234 (2013.01); H02J 7/0013 (2013.01); H02J 7/00036 (2020.01); H02J 7/0042 (2013.01); H02J 7/0044 (2013.01); H02J 7/00047 (2020.01); B60L 2200/30 (2013.01); B60L 2200/44 (2013.01); G05D 2201/0216 (2013.01);
Abstract

An autonomous robot moves materials in a warehouse or other industrial environment. It runs on an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery. When its battery becomes depleted, it maneuvers to a nearby charger. It guides itself to the charger using visual cues, such as a target on or near the charger, until it establishes a good electrical connection with the charger. Proximity sensors on the charger and/or the autonomous robot determine if the autonomous robot is positioned properly; if so, the charger begins charging the autonomous robot's battery. While charging, the charger monitors the resistance of the electrical connection for open- or short-circuit conditions. It also monitors the status of the proximity sensors. If the charger detects an open-circuit or a short-circuit or that the autonomous robot has moved away from the charger, the charger stops charging.

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