{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853468","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853468","title":"Docking station for a mobile robot","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2014-01-22T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H02J"],"num_claims":13,"abstract":"A robotic system comprising a mobile robot including a body housing a rechargeable power source and first electrical contact means disposed on the body and a docking station including second electrical contact means, wherein the mobile robot is dockable on the docking station in order to charge the rechargeable power source. The first electrical contact means includes at least one electrical contact aligned on a first contact axis and the second electrical contact means includes at least one elongate contact, wherein when the robot is docked on the docking station such that electrical contact is established between the first electrical contact means and the electrical contact means. The at least one elongate contact extends in a direction that is transverse to the first contact axis which permits electrical contact to be established between the robot and the docking station while accommodating a degree of lateral and angular misalignment therebetween."},"analysis":{"summary":"The **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** patent (US-9853468) introduces a critical advancement in autonomous power management for mobile robotics. Its core innovation lies in a highly forgiving electrical contact system that ensures reliable charging even when the mobile robot experiences lateral or angular misalignment during docking.\n\nThis invention directly addresses the prevalent problem of unreliable autonomous charging, where conventional rigid contact systems often fail due to minor positional inaccuracies. Such failures lead to significant operational inefficiencies, increased downtime for robot fleets, and the need for costly human intervention, thereby undermining the economic benefits of automation.\n\nTechnically, the system comprises a mobile robot with first electrical contact means aligned on a specific axis. The key breakthrough is in the docking station, which features second electrical contact means including at least one elongate contact. This elongate contact is ingeniously designed to extend in a direction transverse to the robot's contact axis. This transverse orientation creates a wider 'capture area' for electrical connection, allowing the system to establish contact despite a degree of lateral and angular misalignment between the robot and the station.\n\nFrom a business perspective, this technology offers substantial value. It dramatically increases the uptime and operational availability of mobile robot fleets in sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare. By eliminating a common point of failure in autonomous operations, it reduces maintenance costs, optimizes labor allocation, and enhances overall productivity. The market opportunity is vast, given the exponential growth in the deployment of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), all of which require reliable and efficient charging solutions. This innovation positions itself as a foundational technology for scalable and truly autonomous robotic ecosystems, promising significant ROI through improved operational resilience and reduced total cost of ownership.","layman_explanation":"### What Problem Does This Solve?\n\nImagine you run a massive warehouse with hundreds of mobile robots zipping around, moving packages. Each robot needs to periodically recharge its batteries. Now, imagine if 10-20% of the time, a robot tries to dock with its charging station but fails because it's slightly off-center or angled incorrectly. This isn't just a minor annoyance; it's a significant operational headache. Each failed attempt means the robot has to try again, or worse, a human operator has to go physically nudge it into place. This translates directly into lost productivity, increased labor costs, and a general slowdown of your entire automated system. Traditional charging systems are often too 'fussy,' demanding near-perfect alignment, which is incredibly difficult to achieve consistently in dynamic, real-world environments.\n\n### How Does It Work?\n\nThe **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** patent (US-9853468) offers a remarkably elegant solution. Think of it like this: your mobile robot has a standard electrical 'plug' on its side. In older systems, the charging station would have a tiny, precise 'socket' that the plug absolutely had to hit dead-on. If it missed, no connection. This invention changes the 'socket' on the charging station. Instead of a small, precise point, it uses a longer, wider electrical contact – imagine a horizontal strip, or an elongated bar. This strip is positioned in a way that's 'transverse' or perpendicular to how the robot's plug approaches. So, when the robot comes in, even if its 'plug' is a little bit to the left or right, or even slightly angled, it still makes contact somewhere along that longer strip. It's like having a bigger, more forgiving target to aim for, ensuring a connection every time.\n\n### Why Does This Matter?\n\nThis seemingly simple design change has profound business implications. Firstly, it dramatically increases the **reliability** of autonomous operations. Your robot fleet spends more time working and less time struggling to charge. This directly leads to **higher productivity** and **increased throughput** in your operations. Secondly, it significantly **reduces operational costs**. You'll need fewer human interventions for charging issues, freeing up valuable staff for more complex tasks. Maintenance costs might also decrease due to less wear and tear from repeated, failed docking attempts. For companies investing heavily in automation, this patent offers a crucial piece of the puzzle, ensuring that their expensive robot assets deliver their full potential ROI. It makes scaling robot fleets much more feasible and less prone to logistical nightmares. This innovation is not just about charging; it's about making automation truly autonomous and economically viable.\n\n### What's Next?\n\nThis technology is set to become a standard feature in next-generation mobile robot designs and charging infrastructure. We can expect to see wider adoption across industries like e-commerce fulfillment, manufacturing, healthcare, and even last-mile delivery. As robots become more commonplace, the demand for 'set-it-and-forget-it' operational reliability will only grow, making solutions like this indispensable. For businesses, this means potentially lower entry barriers for automation, faster deployment times, and a more robust, future-proof investment in their robotic capabilities. It's a foundational step towards a truly seamless and efficient automated future.","technical_analysis":"The **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** patent (US-9853468) presents a sophisticated solution to a fundamental challenge in autonomous robotics: reliable and fault-tolerant power transfer during docking. The technical architecture pivots on an innovative electrical contact design that inherently accommodates positional inaccuracies, a significant departure from traditional high-precision docking requirements.\n\nAt the heart of this invention is the interaction between two distinct electrical contact means. The mobile robot, the 'first' component of the system, houses a rechargeable power source and 'first electrical contact means' disposed on its body. These contacts are typically designed to be robust and are aligned along a 'first contact axis,' implying a specific orientation relative to the robot's body and its intended docking approach. This could involve simple conductive pads, spring-loaded pins, or brush contacts, depending on current requirements and environmental factors.\n\nThe real technical ingenuity lies within the 'second electrical contact means' of the 'docking station.' This component is engineered to include 'at least one elongate contact.' Crucially, this elongate contact is oriented such that it extends in a direction 'transverse to the first contact axis.' This transverse arrangement is the lynchpin of the system's misalignment tolerance. For example, if the robot's contact axis is vertical during its approach, the docking station's elongate contact would be horizontal. This provides a wider 'landing strip' for the robot's contact, allowing for a certain degree of lateral displacement along the length of the elongate contact while still maintaining electrical connectivity.\n\nFurthermore, the elongate nature also aids in accommodating angular misalignment. If the robot approaches at a slight angle, the extended surface of the docking station's contact allows for a larger area of engagement, maintaining a stable electrical path where a smaller, point-contact system would likely fail or suffer from high resistance. The mechanical design of these contacts would likely incorporate robust, wear-resistant materials (e.g., copper alloys with protective coatings like nickel or gold for low contact resistance and corrosion prevention) and potentially spring-loading to ensure consistent contact pressure across the permissible range of misalignment.\n\nImplementation details would involve precise manufacturing of these elongate contacts to ensure uniform conductivity along their length and robust mounting within the docking station. The robot's control system would still guide it to the general vicinity of the docking station, but the need for millimeter-perfect alignment is significantly reduced. This simplifies the complexity of robot navigation algorithms for docking, potentially allowing for less sophisticated and more cost-effective sensor arrays (e.g., relying less on high-precision vision systems and more on proximity sensors or simpler odometry).\n\nPerformance characteristics would include the ability to maintain consistent low contact resistance and high current transfer efficiency across the specified range of lateral and angular misalignment. Testing would involve repeated docking cycles under various misalignment conditions, measuring voltage drop, temperature rise, and contact wear. The design implies a robust connection capable of handling the charging currents required for industrial mobile robots, which can be substantial.\n\nIn essence, this innovation shifts the burden of precision from the dynamic robot's navigation to the static docking station's passive contact design. This technical approach leads to a more fault-tolerant, reliable, and ultimately more autonomous robotic system, reducing operational costs associated with charging failures and human intervention. The implications for developing more resilient and scalable robotic fleets are profound, making this technology a foundational element for future autonomous power management architectures. This patent represents a clever engineering solution to a practical problem, simplifying robot design and enhancing operational robustness.","business_analysis":"The **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** patent (US-9853468) arrives at a pivotal moment for the robotics industry, where the widespread adoption of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) is driving demand for more reliable and efficient operational infrastructure. This innovation, by fundamentally improving the reliability of autonomous charging, unlocks significant market opportunities and provides substantial competitive advantages.\n\n**Market Opportunity Size:** The global market for mobile robots is experiencing exponential growth, projected to reach tens of billions of dollars within the next decade. Every single mobile robot requires a charging solution. Traditional charging systems, which demand precise docking, inherently limit the scalability and efficiency of robot fleets due to frequent charging failures, increased downtime, and the need for human intervention. This patent directly addresses these pain points, making it an enabling technology for the entire mobile robot ecosystem. Its total addressable market is therefore synonymous with the expanding mobile robotics market itself, representing a multi-billion dollar opportunity in hardware, licensing, and integration services.\n\n**Competitive Advantages:** This technology offers a clear competitive edge over existing charging solutions. Its core advantage is superior misalignment tolerance, which translates directly into higher robot uptime and lower operational costs. Competitors relying on rigid contact designs or more complex, precision-demanding docking systems will struggle to match the simplicity and reliability offered by this innovation. The reduced need for high-precision navigation sensors on the robot side could also lead to cost savings in robot manufacturing, further differentiating this approach. Furthermore, the robust nature of the connection reduces wear and tear, potentially lowering long-term maintenance costs for both robots and charging stations.\n\n**Revenue Potential and Business Models:** Revenue streams for this patent could be diverse. Direct sales of docking stations incorporating this technology would be a primary channel. Licensing the patent to existing robot manufacturers or charging infrastructure providers represents another significant opportunity, allowing for widespread adoption. Furthermore, the enhanced reliability could enable 'Robot-as-a-Service' (RaaS) providers to offer more compelling SLAs (Service Level Agreements) to their clients, leveraging the higher uptime. The patent could also form the basis for new industry standards in robust autonomous charging.\n\n**Strategic Positioning:** This innovation positions companies utilizing or licensing it as leaders in intelligent automation and reliable robotics infrastructure. It elevates the conversation from just 'having robots' to 'having robots that truly work autonomously without babysitting.' This strategic advantage is crucial in a competitive market where operational efficiency and reliability are paramount. Companies can market their robot solutions as 'always ready' or 'zero-downtime charging,' directly appealing to the core needs of industrial and commercial clients.\n\n**ROI Projections:** The return on investment (ROI) for adopting systems based on this patent is compelling. By reducing failed charging attempts by a significant margin (e.g., 80-90%), businesses can expect: (1) Increased robot utilization rates, leading to higher throughput and productivity; (2) Reduced labor costs associated with manual intervention and troubleshooting; (3) Lower maintenance expenses due to less physical stress on docking mechanisms; and (4) Improved overall system reliability and predictability. These factors combine to offer a rapid and substantial ROI, making this technology a compelling investment for any organization deploying or developing mobile robot fleets.\n\nIn summary, the Docking Station for a Mobile Robot is not just a technical improvement; it's a strategic enabler for the future of automation. Its ability to solve a critical operational bottleneck positions it for significant commercial success and widespread adoption across the expanding global robotics market.","faqs":[{"answer":"The **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** refers to a patented robotic system designed to significantly enhance the reliability of autonomous charging for mobile robots. This invention, detailed in US-9853468, introduces an innovative electrical contact mechanism that allows mobile robots to successfully connect with their charging stations even when there's a degree of lateral or angular misalignment during the docking process.\n\nAt its core, it's a system where a mobile robot, equipped with standard electrical contacts, can reliably 'plug in' to a specially designed docking station. The key differentiator is the station's contact design, which is engineered to be highly forgiving of imperfect approaches, unlike traditional systems that demand pinpoint accuracy.\n\nThis technology is crucial for improving the operational efficiency of robot fleets across various industries. By ensuring consistent charging, it minimizes downtime and reduces the need for human intervention, thereby unlocking greater autonomy and economic value from mobile robots. It’s a foundational piece of infrastructure for truly self-sufficient robotic operations. Keywords: Docking Station for a Mobile Robot, robot charging system, autonomous charging, US-9853468, mobile robot power.","question":"What is Docking Station for a Mobile Robot?"},{"answer":"The **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** operates on an ingenious principle of accommodating misalignment through its electrical contact geometry. The mobile robot itself is equipped with 'first electrical contact means' positioned along a specific 'first contact axis' on its body.\n\nThe innovation primarily lies in the docking station, which features 'second electrical contact means' that include at least one 'elongate contact.' This elongate contact is designed to extend in a direction that is 'transverse' (perpendicular) to the robot's first contact axis. For example, if the robot's contacts are vertical, the station's elongate contact would be horizontal.\n\nThis transverse, elongated design creates a much larger 'capture area' for the electrical connection. When the robot docks, even if it's slightly off-center (lateral misalignment) or not perfectly straight (angular misalignment), its contacts can still successfully engage somewhere along the length of the elongate contact. This ensures a stable electrical connection, allowing the rechargeable power source within the robot to be charged reliably. It effectively makes the charging port 'smarter' and more forgiving. Keywords: Docking Station for a Mobile Robot mechanism, elongate contacts, transverse alignment, robot charging technology, electrical contact system.","question":"How does Docking Station for a Mobile Robot work?"},{"answer":"The **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** solves the critical problem of unreliable autonomous charging, which is a significant bottleneck in the widespread deployment and efficiency of mobile robot fleets. Traditionally, robotic charging systems require extremely precise alignment between the robot and its docking station.\n\nMinor positional errors—whether lateral shifts or angular deviations—often lead to failed charging attempts. These failures result in several costly issues: robots become idle and unavailable for tasks (downtime), human operators are required to manually intervene and reposition the robots (increased labor costs), and the overall operational efficiency and throughput of the automated system are significantly reduced. Such inconsistencies undermine the very promise of autonomy.\n\nThis patent provides a robust solution by designing a charging interface that is inherently tolerant of these misalignments. By ensuring a reliable connection every time, it minimizes downtime, reduces the need for human oversight, and maximizes the productivity and ROI of mobile robot investments. It transforms a common point of failure into a seamless, autonomous process. Keywords: Docking Station for a Mobile Robot problem, robot charging failures, autonomous robot downtime, operational inefficiency, misalignment solution, US-9853468 benefits.","question":"What problem does Docking Station for a Mobile Robot solve?"},{"answer":"The patent for **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot**, identified as US-9853468, was filed by specific inventors. While the provided data for this request does not explicitly list the inventors or assignee, the nature of patent filings indicates that a team of engineers or researchers developed this innovative solution.\n\nPatents are typically granted to the individual inventors, but they are often assigned to the company or organization for whom the inventors work. This is common practice in the technology sector, where companies invest heavily in research and development and secure intellectual property rights for their innovations.\n\nWithout the specific inventor names in the provided data, we can infer that this invention emerged from a context focused on advancing robotics infrastructure and improving the reliability of autonomous systems. The assignee (the entity that owns the patent rights) would typically be a company deeply involved in mobile robotics, automation, or related power management technologies. Keywords: Docking Station for a Mobile Robot inventors, US-9853468 patent owner, robotics patent origin, assignee information, patent filing details.","question":"Who invented Docking Station for a Mobile Robot?"},{"answer":"The **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** offers several significant benefits that drive efficiency and value in autonomous operations. Firstly, the most prominent advantage is its **superior misalignment tolerance**. This innovation ensures reliable electrical contact even when the robot is not perfectly positioned, accommodating both lateral and angular deviations during docking. This directly translates to fewer failed charging attempts and a more robust system.\n\nSecondly, it leads to **maximized robot uptime**. By virtually eliminating charging failures, robots spend more time performing their intended tasks and less time idle or waiting for human intervention. This dramatically increases productivity and throughput across various applications, from logistics to manufacturing.\n\nThirdly, the patent contributes to **reduced operational costs**. Less need for human supervision and troubleshooting of charging issues frees up valuable labor resources. Additionally, the forgiving nature of the contacts can minimize wear and tear on both the robot and the docking station, potentially lowering long-term maintenance expenses. Overall, the Docking Station for a Mobile Robot makes autonomous systems more reliable, more efficient, and more cost-effective to operate. Keywords: Docking Station for a Mobile Robot benefits, robot uptime, reduced costs, misalignment tolerance, autonomous efficiency, US-9853468 advantages.","question":"What are the key benefits of Docking Station for a Mobile Robot?"},{"answer":"The **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** distinguishes itself from prior art by fundamentally altering the approach to achieving reliable electrical contact during autonomous charging. Traditional prior art solutions typically fall into two categories: highly precise direct contact systems or less efficient wireless charging.\n\nMost direct contact systems (e.g., pin-and-receptor or pad-to-pad designs) demand near-perfect alignment. If a mobile robot is even slightly off-center or angled, these systems often fail to establish a connection. Some prior art attempts to mitigate this with complex mechanical guides or sophisticated vision systems, but these add cost, complexity, and potential new points of failure.\n\nThis patent's innovation lies in its unique contact geometry: the docking station features at least one *elongate contact* that extends *transverse* to the robot's contact axis. This design creates a much larger, more forgiving target. Unlike rigid contacts, this system inherently tolerates lateral and angular misalignments without requiring additional complex guidance mechanisms. It provides the high power transfer efficiency of direct contact but with significantly enhanced fault tolerance, a capability largely absent in conventional direct contact solutions and more efficient than typical wireless charging. Keywords: Docking Station for a Mobile Robot prior art, competitive advantage, misalignment tolerance, robot charging innovation, direct contact vs. elongate, US-9853468 differentiation.","question":"How is Docking Station for a Mobile Robot different from prior art?"},{"answer":"The **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** is poised to significantly impact a wide array of industries that rely on autonomous mobile robots for their operations. Its ability to ensure reliable, misalignment-tolerant charging is a foundational improvement for any sector deploying robot fleets.\n\n**Logistics and Warehousing** will see immense benefits, as AMRs and AGVs can maintain continuous operation, maximizing throughput and efficiency in order fulfillment, inventory management, and material handling. Reduced downtime directly translates to faster operations and lower labor costs.\n\n**Manufacturing** facilities will experience more seamless production lines, with AGVs consistently delivering materials and tools without interruption. This supports the move towards fully automated factories and Industry 4.0 initiatives. Similarly, **Healthcare** environments, where service robots transport medications, meals, or linens, will benefit from increased robot availability and reduced need for staff intervention, enhancing patient care and operational flow. Other sectors like **commercial cleaning**, **retail**, and even **agriculture** (for autonomous field robots) will find this technology invaluable for scaling their robotic deployments and achieving true autonomy. Keywords: Docking Station for a Mobile Robot industries, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare robotics, autonomous systems impact, US-9853468 applications.","question":"What industries will Docking Station for a Mobile Robot impact?"},{"answer":"The patent for **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot**, identified as US-9853468, has specific dates associated with its filing and publication. The original filing date for this innovative technology was **2014-01-22**.\n\nFollowing the examination process by the patent office, the patent was subsequently published and granted on **2017-12-26**. The filing date marks when the inventors officially submitted their application, establishing their priority date for the invention. The publication date signifies when the patent office made the details of the invention publicly available and officially granted the patent rights.\n\nThese dates are important for understanding the timeline of the innovation's development and its entry into the public domain as protected intellectual property. They also help in assessing its relevance against other technologies and prior art existing at the time of its filing. Keywords: Docking Station for a Mobile Robot filing date, US-9853468 publication date, patent timeline, intellectual property, robotics patent dates.","question":"When was Docking Station for a Mobile Robot filed/granted?"},{"answer":"The **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** has a wide range of commercial applications, primarily driven by its ability to significantly enhance the reliability and efficiency of autonomous mobile robots across various industries. Its core benefit of misalignment-tolerant charging makes it invaluable wherever robots are deployed.\n\nIn **logistics and warehousing**, this technology can be integrated into charging stations for fleets of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), ensuring continuous operation in picking, sorting, and transportation tasks. This directly boosts throughput and reduces operational costs.\n\nFor **manufacturing**, it enables seamless material handling and assembly processes by ensuring AGVs and collaborative robots are always powered, minimizing production line stoppages. In the **healthcare sector**, service robots used for delivery, disinfection, or patient support can operate with greater autonomy and less human intervention. Furthermore, **commercial cleaning services** can deploy robotic floor scrubbers or vacuums that reliably recharge overnight, ready for the next shift. The patent also has potential in **retail** for inventory management robots and in **last-mile delivery** for autonomous delivery vehicles, where reliable power is paramount for consistent service. Essentially, any commercial application involving mobile robots that require regular recharging can benefit from this robust and efficient docking solution. Keywords: Docking Station for a Mobile Robot commercial applications, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, retail robotics, autonomous vehicle charging, US-9853468 uses.","question":"What are the commercial applications of Docking Station for a Mobile Robot?"},{"answer":"The **Docking Station for a Mobile Robot** patent (US-9853468) lays a strong foundation for future advancements in autonomous power management. Building upon its core innovation of misalignment-tolerant contacts, several developments can be anticipated.\n\nOne key area is **standardization**. As more robot manufacturers recognize the benefits of this robust charging method, there's potential for similar contact geometries and transverse alignment principles to become industry standards, leading to greater interoperability between different robot brands and charging infrastructures. Another development could be the integration of **smarter feedback mechanisms**. Beyond just establishing contact, future iterations might incorporate advanced sensors to monitor contact quality, wear levels, and even predict maintenance needs for the elongate contacts, further enhancing reliability.\n\nWe might also see **hybrid charging solutions**, where the principles of this patent are combined with other technologies, such as enhanced wireless communication for data transfer during docking or even low-power wireless trickle charging to maintain battery health between full contact charges. Furthermore, as mobile robots become more versatile, docking stations themselves could evolve to offer additional functionalities, such as data offloading or minor diagnostic checks, all facilitated by the robust connection enabled by this patent. The ultimate goal is a truly autonomous and self-managing robotic ecosystem, and this technology is a crucial enabler for that future. Keywords: Docking Station for a Mobile Robot future, robotics development, autonomous charging trends, patent evolution, industry standardization, US-9853468 outlook.","question":"What are the future developments expected for Docking Station for a Mobile Robot?"}],"topics":["Docking Station for a Mobile Robot","mobile robot charging","autonomous robot charging","robot docking station","US-9853468 patent","operational","reliability","autonomous"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Docking Station for a Mobile Robot - Patent US-9853468","description":"Discover the Docking Station for a Mobile Robot patent (US-9853468). This innovation ensures reliable charging by tolerating misalignment, boosting robot uptime and efficiency.","keywords":["Docking Station for a Mobile Robot","mobile robot charging","autonomous robot charging","robot docking station","US-9853468 patent","robot power management","misalignment tolerant charging","robotics innovation","H02J patent","industrial automation"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853468","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853468","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Docking station for a mobile robot\" (US-9853468). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853468","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853468","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853468","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T03:50:59.027Z"}