Battery cradle system for a robot

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12374747-B1
Application number	US-202217934998-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Sep 23, 2022
Priority date	Sep 23, 2022
Publication date	Jul 29, 2025
Grant date	Jul 29, 2025

Abstract

A system for removably coupling a battery assembly to a robot or charging system is provided herein. The system can include a cradle body, one or more connectors, and one or more charging interfaces. The cradle body can removably couple to and support a battery of varying shapes and sizes. The cradle body can wrap around at least a portion of the battery. The one or more connectors can be attached to the cradle body to releasably engage corresponding connectors of a robot when the battery assembly is coupled to the robot. The one or more charging interfaces can be attached to the cradle body via which power is provided to the battery to charge the battery.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for removably coupling a battery assembly to a robot or charging system, comprising:
a cradle body configured to removably couple to and support a battery of varying shapes and sizes, the cradle body configured to wrap around at least a portion of the battery;
one or more connectors attached to the cradle body and configured to releasably engage corresponding connectors of a robot when the battery assembly is coupled to the robot; and
one or more charging interfaces attached to the cradle body via which power is provided to the battery to charge the battery.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cradle body comprises multiple parts fastened together.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a handle movably coupled to the cradle body and to a locking mechanism, the handle selectively actuatable to actuate the locking mechanism between an engaged and disengaged position to lock and unlock the cradle body relative to a robot or charging system.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more charging interfaces are positioned on a bottom surface of the cradle body.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more charging interfaces are inductive antennas configured to receive power via inductive coupling.

6. A system for removably coupling a battery assembly to a robot or charging system, comprising:
a cradle body comprising:
a first segment and a second segment, each segment comprising:
a wall comprising a first end and a second end, the first end extending generally perpendicular from a first end of a support surface;
a flange extending generally parallel to the support surface extending from the second end of the wall; and

a connector configured to releasably engage the cradle body to the robot,

wherein a second end of each support surface are connected together to form a receiving area defined by the wall of the first segment, the wall of the second segment, the support surface of the first segment, and the support surface of the second segment.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first and second segments are mechanically coupled.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first and second segments are integral.

9. The system of claim 6 , further comprising at least one strap pivotally connected to the wall of the first segment or the wall of the second segment, the at least one strap configured to pivot between an open and closed position, wherein when in the closed position the at least one strap is connected to the wall of the first segment and the wall of the second segment.

10. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a charging interface configured to charge the battery assembly when connected to a charging station.

11. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a handle movably coupled to the cradle body and to a locking mechanism, the handle selectively actuatable to actuate the locking mechanism between an engaged and disengaged position to lock and unlock the cradle body relative to a robot or charging system.

12. A system for removably coupling a battery assembly to a robot and a charging system, comprising:
a cradle body comprising:
a support surface extending from a first end to a second end;
a first wall extending generally orthogonal from the first end of the support surface;

a connector positioned on a first surface of the cradle body, the connector configured to couple the cradle body to the robot; and
a charging interface positioned on a second surface of the cradle body, the second surface different than the first surface, the charging interface configured to charge the battery assembly when connected to the charging system.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the charging interface is positioned on the first wall.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the charging interface is positioned on a bottom surface of the support surface.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the charging interface comprises an inductive antenna configured to receive power via inductive coupling.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the charging interface comprises one or more charge contacts.

17. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a second wall having a first end and a second end, the first end extending orthogonal from the second end of the support surface.

18. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a handle movably coupled to the cradle body and to a locking mechanism, the handle selectively actuatable to actuate the locking mechanism between an engaged and disengaged position to lock and unlock the cradle body relative to a robot or charging system.

19. The system of claim 12 , wherein the cradle body further comprises one or more pockets configured to receive electronics.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Sing Samrin
• Conrad Mary Elizabeth

Classifications

• H02J7/751

  concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries · CPC title

• H02J7/485

  with provisions for charging different types of batteries · CPC title

• B60L53/80

  Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries · CPC title

• H01M50/249

  specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains (constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64) · CPC title

• B60L50/64

  Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles · CPC title