MOVABLE CONTAINER

Abstract

A movable container including: an outer shell, a handle, and a power supply mechanism. The outer shell is designed to receive a shock. The handle located between the shell and interior of the movable container. The power supply mechanism is embedded in the outer shell, and is arranged to selectively provide an electrical power.

Description

BACKGROUND

Recently, users require more functions for a smart luggage. For example, self-driving, active following or a navigation system. To control the behavior of the smart luggage, a wristband or a smart watch might be adapted. However, charging such device is an issue for the users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a movable container to solve the aforementioned problems.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a movable container, including: an outer shell, a handle, a power supply mechanism. The outer shell is designed to receive a shock. The handle located between the shell and interior of the movable container. The power supply mechanism is embedded in the outer shell, and is arranged to selectively provide an electrical power.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a movable container, including: a shell and an electric terminal. The shell substantially defines a first contour of the movable container, and provides a space for a detachable battery being attached to the shell externally without laying the movable container open. The electrical terminal engages the detachable power supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a power supply mechanism of a movable container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a charging coil of a power supply mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a charging coil of a power supply mechanism according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a movable container while charging an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outer shell of a movable container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a power supply mechanism of a movable container according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front view diagram illustrating a charging coil in an inner part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a charging coil in an outer part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a movable container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the disclosure. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in the respective testing measurements. Also, as used herein, the term “about” generally means within 10%, 5%, 1%, or 0.5% of a given value or range. Alternatively, the term “about” means within an acceptable standard error of the mean when considered by one of ordinary skill in the art. Other than in the operating/working examples, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages such as those for quantities of materials, durations of times, temperatures, operating conditions, ratios of amounts, and the likes thereof disclosed herein should be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the present disclosure and attached claims are approximations that can vary as desired. At the very least, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Ranges can be expressed herein as from one endpoint to another endpoint or between two endpoints. All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, unless specified otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a power supply mechanism 110 of a movable container 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The power supply mechanism 110 includes a housing 200 embedded in a top surface 120 of the movable container 10. The housing 200 includes a recess REC for receiving a to-be-charged device. The power supply mechanism 110 further includes a cover 300, a charging coil 400, and a control device 500. The cover 300 is partly jointed with the recess REC. The charging coil receives a current and provides electrical power wirelessly accordingly to perform wireless charging upon the to-be-charged device. The control device 500 is arranged to control the power supply mechanism 110 and provides electrical power when a supply condition is fit. In this embodiment, the control device 500 includes a buckle 510 and a switch 520, wherein the buckle 510 is attached to the cover 300, and the switch 520 is embedded in an opening on the housing 200 and electrically connected to the charging coil 400. With such configurations, when the cover 300 is closed, the buckle 510 activates the switch 520, and the charging coil 400 receives current and provides the electrical power wirelessly.

Alternatively, the control device 500 may include another switch, e.g., a button switch 600. The button switch 600 is embedded in the housing 200. When a user activates the button switch 600 by pressing, the charging coil 400 receives current and provides the electrical power wirelessly. The to-be-charged device may be a wristband, a smart watch, or a smart phone, and such devices are associated with the movable container 10 for controlling the movable container 10. When the to-be-charged device is being charged, such device is placed in the recess REC and receives the electrical power from the charging coil 400. The power supply mechanism 110 may further include a light source 700 such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED). The charging coil 400 may provide electrical power to illuminate the light source 700. In other embodiments, the light source 700 and the button switch 600 may be integrated together. In other words, when a user activates the button switch 600, the button switch 600 illuminates.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are diagrams illustrating the charging coil 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 2A, the charging coil 400 is attached to the bottom of the recess REC. In FIG. 2B, the charging coil 400 is attached to the bottom surface of the cover 300. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the charging coil 400 may receive the current via a wire coming through the housing 200 and the wire is connected to a power supply source (e.g., a detachable battery) external to the recess REC. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the movable container 10 while charging an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device (e.g., the wristband or the smart watch mentioned above) is placed in the recess REC with the cover 300 being closed and receives the electrical power provided by the charging coil 400. The light source 700 illuminates to indicate that the electronic device is being charged. Preferably, at least a part (i.e., a part or all of it) of the cover 300 may be made of a transparent material. With such configurations, users can check the charging status of the electronic device or messages displayed on the screen through the transparent cover 300.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outer shell 100 of the movable container 10. A surface SUR of the outer shell 100 includes a first part P1 and a second part P2. As shown in FIG. 4, a height deviation exists between the first part P1 and the second part P2 on the x direction. In other words, the second part P2 can be seen as a recess of the outer shell 100.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a power supply mechanism 130 of the movable container 10 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The movable container 10 includes a handle HD having a top HD_T and a rod HD_R. The rod HD_R is embedded in a handle tube TB. The handle tube TB is located between the first part P1 and the second part P2 of the surface SUR of the outer shell 10. In this embodiment, the handle HD is stretchable. When the handle HD is retrieved from stretch, the rod HD_R is fully embedded in the tube TB while the top HD_T is below or level with the top surface of the outer shell 100 and above a handle-top receiving structure S1 of the outer shell 100. The handle-top receiving structure S1 can be seen as a part of the part P1. As shown in FIG. 5, the handle tube TB preferably equally divides the compartment surrounded by the first part P1 and the second part P2, and two sub-compartments SUB1 and SUB 2 are formed adjacent to the tube TB. The power supply mechanism 130 includes an inner part INN and an outer part OUT. The inner part INN is attached to the surface SUR of the outer shell 100 via an attachment mechanism. In this embodiment, the attachment mechanism includes an adhesive. In other words, the inner part INN is glued to the outer shell 100 (in particular, to the second part P2 of the surface SUR and the handle tube TB), and the power supply mechanism 130 is accordingly embedded in the outer shell 100 of the movable container 10. In other words, the power supply mechanism 130 covers the tube TB and the sub-compartments SUB1 and SUB2.

The outer shell 100 and the power supply mechanism 130 are made of different materials. The power supply mechanism 130 is made by a material whose hardness is relatively lower than the material used to make the outer shell 100. With such configurations, when the movable container 10 is suffered from collision, the power supply mechanism 130 mitigates the shock to prevent stuff stored inside the power supply mechanism 130 from being damaged.

FIG. 6 is a front view diagram illustrating the charging coil 800 in the inner part INN of the power supply mechanism 130 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, inside the inner part INN, two storage bags B1 and B2 are sewn on the inner part INN and located in the sub-compartments SUB1 and SUB2 respectively for receiving stuff. At least a part (i.e., a part or all of it) of each storage bag is by an elastic band for fixing stuff stored therein to prevent the stored stuff from randomly moving. In this embodiment, a charging coil 800 is sewn in the inner part INN and covered by a fabric, and also attached to the second part P2. The charging coil 800 receives electric current from a power supply source (e.g., a detachable battery) to provide electrical power wirelessly. For example, the charging coil 800 is behind the bag B2 as shown in FIG. 2. The to-be-charged device may be received by the bag B2 and the power supply source (e.g., a detachable battery) is received by the bag B1, and the detachable battery electrically connects to the charging coil 800 via a wire. With such configurations, the charging coil 800 thus provides the electrical power to charge the to-be-charged device wirelessly.

However, the charging coil 800 is not limited to be sewn in the inner part INN and to be attached to the second part P2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the charging coil 800 in the outer part OUT of the power supply mechanism 130 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the charging coil 800 is sewn in the outer part OUT and covered by a fabric FBC. For example, the charging coil 800 is sewn in a location corresponding to the bag B2. The to-be-charged device may be received by the bag B2 and the power supply source (e.g., a detachable battery) is received by the bag B 1, and the detachable battery electrically connects to the charging coil 800 via a wire. With such configurations, the charging coil 800 thus provides electrical power to charge the to-be-charged device wirelessly. In addition, the outer part OUT is attached to the first part P1 of the surface SUR via a zipper (not shown in figures). However, this should not be a limitation of the present disclosure. In other embodiments, a buckle, a latch or a magnet is adapted for the outer part OUT being attached to the first part P1.

For example, the power supply mechanism 130 includes a control device including a buckle (e.g., the buckle 501) and a switch (e.g., the switch 502), wherein the buckle 501 is attached to the outer part OUT and the switch is embedded in the outer shell 100 (e.g., the handle-receiving structure S1). When the outer part OUT closes up the sub-compartments SUB1 and SUB2, the buckle on the outer part OUT activates the switch embedded in the outer shell 100, and the charging coil 800 thus provides the electrical power. For another example, the power supply mechanism 130 includes a control device including a magnet and a switch. The magnet is embedded in the outer part OUT and the switch is embedded in the outer shell 100. When the outer part OUT closes up the sub-compartments SUB1 and SUB2, the switch is activated by the magnet, and the charging coil 800 thus provides the electrical power. However, these examples are only for illustrative purpose, it is not a limitation of the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the charging coil 800 may be activated to provide the electrical power by other methods.

Refer back to FIG. 5, a button switch 900 is embedded in the outer shell 100. When a user activates the button switch 900 by pressing, the charging coil 800 receives current and provides the electrical power wirelessly to charge the to-be-charged device which is placed in the inner part INN (in particular, the bag B1 or B2). A light source 1000 such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) may be embedded in the outer shell 100. The charging coil 800 may provide the electrical power to illuminate the light source 1000. In other embodiments, the light source 1000 and the button switch 900 may be implemented together. In other words, when a user activates the button switch 900, the button switch 900 illuminates. In addition, the locations of the button switch 900 and the light source 1000 are not limited by the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the button switch 900 and the light source 1000 are located on the rod HD_R of the handle HD.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the movable container 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, a detachable battery DB is placed in one of bags (e.g., the bag B1) on the inner part INN for providing current. The to-be-charged device such as an electronic device ED is placed in either the other bag (i.e., the bag B2) on the inner part INN or the recess REC. For example, the electronic device ED is placed in the bag B2 as shown in FIG. 8. When the outer part OUT closes up the second part P2, the detachable battery DB cannot be seen from outside. In other words, the detachable battery is placed in the outer shell without protruding any external corner of the shell.

The movable container 10 includes a power distribution board PDB arranged to transfer current provided by the detachable battery DB to components installed within the movable container 10. In other embodiments, the power distribution board PDB can not only transfer the current provided by the detachable battery DB, but actively adjust the current provided to the components. In addition, the power distribution board PDB is embedded in the outer shell 100 and cannot be seen from outside. It should be noted that, the location of the power distribution board PDB is not limited by the present disclosure. The power distribution board PDB is electrically connected to the detachable battery DB via a wire.

The movable container 10 further includes a charge level sensor CLS electrically connected to the detachable battery DB. The charge level sensor CLS is arranged to monitor the charge level of the detachable battery DB and transmit an indicator signal to the power distribution board PDB. For example, when the charge level of the detachable battery DB is lower than a first predetermined value, the charge level sensor CLS transmits the indicator signal to inform the power distribution board PDB, and the power distribution board PDB stops transferring the current to the charging coil 400 or 800 accordingly. In other words, the movable container 10 terminates the wireless charging function when the charge level of the detachable battery DB is lower than the first predetermined value.

It should be noted that, the current is not limited to be transferred to the charging coil 400 or 800 via the power distribution board PDB. In other embodiments, the charging coil 400 or 800 is electrically connected to the detachable battery DB via a wire without the power distribution board PDB.

Referring to FIG. 8 again, the movable container 10 further includes motor M1 to M4 associated with wheels W1 to W4. The motors M1 to M4 may be attached to the outer shell 100 by latch, buckle, or magnet. This is not a limitation of the present disclosure. The power distribution board PDB transfers the current to motors M1 to M4 so that motors M1 to M4 can provide a momentum to the movable container 10 by driving wheels W1 to W4. It should be noted that the power distribution board PDB may actively adjust the current planned to be transferred to each motor. By reducing the current being transferred to motors associated with inner wheels and increasing the current being transferred to motors associated with outer wheels, the movable container 10 is able to make rotation movement. In this embodiment, when the charge level of the detachable battery DB is lower than a second predetermined value, the charge level sensor CLS transmits the indicator signal to inform the power distribution board PDB, and the power distribution board PDB stops transferring the current to the motors M1 to M4 accordingly. In other words, the movable container 10 terminates the self-driving function when the charge level of the detachable battery DB is lower than the second predetermined value. In this embodiment, the second predetermined value is lower than the first predetermined value. However, this is a limitation of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8 again, the movable container 10 further includes a sensing mechanism SSN. The sensing mechanism SSN is electrically connected to the power distribution board PDB, and arranged to sense a distance feature and/or a recognition feature in accordance with the momentum provided by the motors M1 to M4. Specifically, the sensing mechanism PDB receives current from the detachable battery DB via the power distribution board PDB. In this embodiment, the sensing mechanism SSN locates on a side of the movable container 10 and includes an image sensor and a proximity sensor. For example, the image sensor is arranged to sense the distance feature and/or a recognition feature for people-following in accordance with the momentum provided by motors M1 to M4. The proximity sensor is arranged to avoid the movable container 10 colliding any obstacle. With such configurations, the movable container 10 may follow a target in accordance with the distance feature and the recognition feature. In this embodiment, when the charge level of the detachable battery DB is lower than the second predetermined value, the charge level sensor CLS transmits the indicator signal to inform the power distribution board PDB, and the power distribution board PDB stops transferring the current to the sensing mechanism SSN accordingly. In other words, the movable container 10 terminates the sensing function when the charge level of the detachable battery DB is lower than the second predetermined value.

It should be noted that, the locations of the sensing mechanism SSN are not limited to be on the side of the movable container 10. In addition, the current is not limited to be transferred to sensing mechanism SSN via the power distribution board PDB. In other embodiments, the sensing mechanism SSN is electrically connected to the detachable battery DB via a wire without the power distribution board PDB.

Referring to FIG. 8 again, the movable container 10 further includes a navigation mechanism NAV. The navigation mechanism NAV is electrically connected to the power distribution board PDB, wherein the navigation mechanism NAV is arranged to provide a location information of the movable container 10. In this embodiment, the navigation mechanism NAV is embedded in the outer shell 100. However, the location of the navigation mechanism NAV is not limited by the present disclosure. The navigation mechanism NAV may include a global positioning system (GPS) or an indoor positioning system such like a simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), a visual simultaneous localization and mapping (VSLAM), an indoor positioning system, a Wi-Fi positioning system (WPS) or iBeacon to provide the location information of the movable container 10. In this embodiment, when the charge level of the detachable battery DB is lower than the second predetermined value, the charge level sensor CLS transmits the indicator signal to inform the power distribution board PDB, and the power distribution board PDB stops transferring the current to the navigation mechanism NAV accordingly. In other words, the movable container 10 terminates the navigation function when the charge level of the detachable battery DB is lower than the second predetermined value.

It should be noted that, the current is not limited to be transferred to the navigation mechanism NAV via the power distribution board PDB. In other embodiments, the navigation mechanism NAV is electrically connected to the detachable battery DB via a wire without the power distribution board PDB.

Referring to FIG. 8 again, the movable container 10 further includes a lock LCK. The lock LCK is electrically connected to the power distribution board PDB, wherein the lock LCK is arranged to change a lock status of the movable container 10. In this embodiment, when the charge level of the detachable battery DB is lower than a third predetermined value, the charge level sensor CLS transmits the indicator signal to inform the power distribution board PDB, and the power distribution board PDB stops transferring the current to other elements (e.g., the sensing mechanism SSN, the charging coil 400 or 800, the navigation mechanism NAV, or the motors M1 to M4) but only transferring the current to the lock LCK. In other words, the movable container 10 remains the electronic lock function exclusively when the charge level of the detachable battery DB is lower than the third predetermined value. In this embodiment, the third predetermined value is lower than or equal to the second predetermined value. However, this is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that, the current is not limited to be transferred to the lock LCK via the power distribution board PDB. In other embodiments, the lock LCK is electrically connected to the detachable battery DB via a wire without the power distribution board PDB. In one embodiment, users of the movable container 10 may set up those predetermined values or the priority of abovementioned functions receiving current from the detachable battery DB through an application on a smart phone associated with the movable container 10. For example, the user may decide that the sensing mechanism SSN is more important than the navigation mechanism NAV, and set up the sensing mechanism SSN with a higher priority of receiving current from the detachable battery DB than that of navigation mechanism NAV via the application on the smart phone. With such configurations, when the charge level of the detachable battery DB is getting lower, the movable container 10 may terminate the navigation function before the sensing mechanism SSN.

Briefly summarized, the present disclosure proposes a movable container including a power supply mechanism for supplying electrical power. With the power supply mechanism embedded in the outer shell of the movable container, the movable container is able to charge an electronic device, and the electronic device can be easily taken out or placed without laying the movable container open. In the embodiments (e.g., the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3) that the power supply mechanism is embedded on the top surface of the outer shell, the to-be-charged device can be easily charged when the cover closes up the recess and activates the switch. In the embodiments (e.g., the embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 8) that the power supply mechanism is made by a different material than the outer shell, the power supply mechanism can prevent from being deformed when the outer shell suffered from collision, and the to-be-charged device can still be tightly attached to the charging coil 800 with the help of the bag or the elastic band. In addition, the movable container monitors the charge level of the battery to determine whether to terminate the function, and is able to arrange the priority of the functions of receiving current form the detachable battery to make sure the most important functions can stay active.

Claims

1. A movable container, comprising:

an outer shell designed to receive a shock;

a handle between the shell and interior of the movable container; and

a power supply mechanism, embedded in the outer shell, wherein the power supply mechanism is arranged to selectively provide an electrical power.

2. The movable container of claim 1, wherein the power supply mechanism comprises:

a control device, arranged to control the power supply mechanism to provide the electrical power when a supply condition is fit.

3. The movable container of claim 2, wherein the control device comprises a switch, and the control device controls the power supply mechanism to provide the electrical power when the switch is activated.

4. The movable container of claim 3, further comprising:

a light source, wherein the light source illuminates when the switch is activated.

5. The movable container of claim 3, wherein the power supply mechanism includes a cover partly jointed with a recess, and the switch is activated when the cover closes up the recess.

6. The movable container of claim 5, wherein the power supply mechanism is made of a first material while the outer shell is made of a second material, and the first material and the second material perform different deformation under the same shock.

7. The movable container of claim 5, wherein a part of the cover is attached to the recess by an adhesive.

8. The movable container of claim 5, further comprising:

an elastic band, attached to the power supply mechanism for fixing stuff.

9. The movable container of claim 5, wherein the power supply mechanism comprises:

a charging coil, arranged to receive a current to provide the electrical power when the supply condition is fit.

10. The movable container of claim 9, wherein the charging coil is attached to the cover.

11. The movable container of claim 9, wherein the charging coil is covered by a fabric.

12. The movable container of claim 9, wherein the charging coil is attached to the recess, and the cover is made of a transparent material.

13. The movable container of claim 9, further comprising:

a detachable battery, electrically connected to the power supply mechanism, wherein the detachable is arranged to output current;

a power distribution board, electrically connected to the detachable battery, wherein the power distribution board is arranged to transfer the current from the detachable battery; and

a charge level sensor, electrically connected to the detachable battery and the power distribution board, wherein the charge level sensor is arranged to detect a charge level of the detachable battery;

wherein when the charge level sensor detects that the charge level of the detachable battery is lower than a first predetermined value, the power distribution board stops transferring the current to the charging coil.

14. The movable container of claim 13, further comprising:

a plurality of motors, electrically connected to the power distribution board, wherein the motors are arranged to provide a momentum to the movable container;

wherein when the charge level sensor detects that the charge level of the detachable battery is lower than a second predetermined value, the power distribution board stops transferring the current to the motors.

15. The movable container of claim 14, further comprising:

a sensing mechanism, electrically connected to the power distribution board, wherein the sensing mechanism is arranged to sense a distance feature in accordance with the momentum provided by the motors;

wherein when the charge level sensor detects that the charge level of the detachable battery is lower than the second predetermined value, the power distribution board stops transferring the current to the sensing mechanism.

16. The movable container of claim 15, further comprising:

a navigation mechanism, electrically connected to the power distribution board, wherein the navigation mechanism is arranged to provide a location information of the movable container;

wherein when the charge level sensor detects that the charge level of the detachable battery is lower than the second predetermined value, the power distribution board stops transferring the current to the navigation mechanism.

17. A movable container, comprising:

a shell substantially defining a first contour of the movable container, the shell providing a space for a detachable battery being attached to the shell externally without laying the movable container open; and

an electric terminal for engaging the detachable power supply arranged to provide electrical power to electronic elements of the movable container.

18. The movable container of claim 17, wherein the electronic elements comprises a motor arranged to provide a momentum to the movable container.

19. The movable container of claim 18, wherein the electronic elements comprises a sensing device arranged to sense a distance feature in accordance with the momentum provided by the motor.

20. The movable container of claim 17, wherein the space is on a top surface of the movable container and is designed to accommodate the detachable battery such that the shell and the detachable power supply altogether defines a second contour without protruding any external corner of the shell in a perspective view.