Patent ID: 8575892

Claim:
A charging apparatus for a moving robot, comprising: a charging terminal connected to a terminal and configured to charge a battery of the moving robot; a power supply unit configured to supply a charging voltage that charges the battery of the moving robot; a power switching unit configured to output a detection signal depending on whether a voltage is applied from the charging terminal, and switches a current flow between the power supply unit and the charging terminal in accordance with a control signal; a guide signal sending unit that sends a guide signal for guiding the return of the moving robot; and a control unit that responds to the detection signal so as to output the control signal, wherein the detection signal includes a first detection signal, which is output when the voltage is applied from the charging terminal, and a second detection signal which is output when the voltage is not applied from the charging terminal, wherein when the first detection signal is output, the control unit outputs a first control signal such that a current flows between the power supply unit and the charging terminal, wherein when the second detection signal is output, the control unit outputs a second control signal such that the current flow between the power supply unit and the charging terminal is cut off, and wherein the voltage is applied to the charging terminal from the battery of the moving robot, and wherein the power switching unit includes a switching element which is turned on and off, depending on whether the voltage is applied to the charging terminal, and outputs a voltage corresponding to any one of the first and second detection signals.