Work tool coupler for electrifying a work tool

Abstract

Some implementations described herein relate to a work tool coupler for a work machine. The work tool coupler may include a mechanical interface configured to mechanically couple a work tool to the work machine. The work tool coupler may include an electrical interface between the work tool and the work machine. The electrical interface may include one or more electromagnets configured to guide or fix the work tool in a coupled position with respect to the work tool coupler. The electrical interface may include a transmitter coil configured to wirelessly provide electrical energy from a power source included in the work machine to the work tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A work tool coupler for a work machine, the work tool coupler comprising:
 a mechanical interface configured to mechanically couple a work tool to the work machine; and   an electrical interface between the work tool and the work machine, the electrical interface comprising:
 one or more electromagnets configured to guide or fix the work tool in a coupled position with respect to the work tool coupler; and 
 a transmitter coil configured to wirelessly provide electrical energy from a power source included in the work machine to the work tool. 
   
     
     
         2 . The work tool coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electromagnets are powered via the power source, and wherein the mechanical interface comprises:
 one or more electric actuators that are powered via the power source.   
     
     
         3 . The work tool coupler of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a communication interface; and   a controller, configured to:
 obtain, via the communication interface, an indication of a work tool type associated with the work tool; and 
 configure, based on the work tool type, one or more parameters associated with a flow of the electrical energy to the work tool via the transmitter coil. 
   
     
     
         4 . The work tool coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the work tool includes a receiver coil configured to wirelessly receive the electrical energy from the transmitter coil. 
     
     
         5 . The work tool coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the work tool is configured to store the electrical energy in a battery or use the electrical energy to power one or more components of the work tool. 
     
     
         6 . The work tool coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the coupled position is associated with aligning the transmitter coil with a receiver coil included in the work tool. 
     
     
         7 . The work tool coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the work machine is a wheel loader, a skid steer, an excavator, or a dozer. 
     
     
         8 . A work machine, comprising:
 a work tool coupler, comprising:
 one or more electromagnets,
 wherein at least one electromagnet, of the one or more electromagnets, is configured to couple a work tool to the work tool coupler, and 
 
 a wireless power transmitter configured to wirelessly provide electrical power to the work tool. 
   
     
     
         9 . The work machine of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 the work tool coupled to the work machine via the work tool coupler, the work tool comprising:
 a wireless power receiver configured to wirelessly receive electrical power via the wireless power transmitter. 
   
     
     
         10 . The work machine of  claim 9 , wherein the work tool further comprises:
 one or more recesses configured to receive the one or more electromagnets.   
     
     
         11 . The work machine of  claim 9 , wherein the work tool further comprises:
 one or more components configured to be powered via the electrical power that is received via the wireless power transmitter.   
     
     
         12 . The work machine of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more electromagnets are positioned to cause the wireless power transmitter to align with the wireless power receiver when the work tool is coupled to the work tool coupler. 
     
     
         13 . The work machine of  claim 8 , wherein the work tool coupler further comprises:
 one or more mechanical components configured to mechanically couple the work tool to the work tool coupler,
 wherein the work tool is further coupled to the work tool coupler via the one or more mechanical components. 
   
     
     
         14 . The work machine of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more mechanical components include at least one of:
 one or more pins, or   one or more electric linear actuators.   
     
     
         15 . The work machine of  claim 8 , wherein the work tool coupler further comprises:
 a communication interface configured to receive one or more wireless communications from a component of the work tool.   
     
     
         16 . A work tool coupling system, comprising:
 a work tool coupler, comprising:
 one or more electromagnets; and 
   a work tool configured to be coupled to the work tool coupler via the one or more electromagnets, the work tool comprising:
 a receiver coil configured to wirelessly receive electrical power from the work tool coupler. 
   
     
     
         17 . The work tool coupling system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more electromagnets are configured to generate a magnetic field, and wherein the receiver coil is configured to wirelessly receive the electrical power via the magnetic field. 
     
     
         18 . The work tool coupling system of  claim 16 , wherein the work tool coupler further comprises:
 a wireless charging component,
 wherein the receiver coil is configured to wirelessly receive the electrical power via the wireless charging component. 
   
     
     
         19 . The work tool coupling system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a communication interface; and   a controller, configured to:
 receive, via the communication interface, an indication of a work tool type associated with the work tool; and 
 configure, based on the work tool type, a voltage level associated with the electrical power. 
   
     
     
         20 . The work tool coupling system of  claim 19 , wherein the work tool coupler comprises a set of electromagnets including the one or more electromagnets, and
 wherein the controller is further configured to:
 select, based on the work tool type, the one or more electromagnets from the set of electromagnets; and 
 cause, based on selecting the one or more electromagnets, the one or more electromagnets to be electrically powered.