A functional extension device for a wearable electronic device

Abstract

This invention proposes a functional expansion device for wearable electronic devices, including an adapter box, a ribbon cable, an expansion compartment, and a functional module. The adapter box is fixedly connected to the expansion compartment via the ribbon cable. A connector socket is provided inside the expansion compartment. The adapter box includes a skirt and a base, with an opening in the center of the base. The detection and sensing windows on the back cover of the wearable electronic device contact the human body through this opening. Lugs are provided on the outer side of the skirt, and the lugs, lugs, and strap are coaxially hinged by pins. A transfer contact point is also installed on the base of the adapter box, with a wire embedded in a groove. The transfer contact point penetrates the adapter box and corresponds one-to-one with the metal contacts on the back cover, ensuring full contact. The functional module is detachably installed inside the compartment. A connector pin socket is provided on the functional module, and the transfer contact point and the connector socket are connected by a wire. The connector pin socket and the connector pin socket are interface-matched terminals. This invention solves the problem that wearable electronic devices cannot simultaneously meet the needs of cost-effectiveness, aesthetics, and personalized functionality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electronic device technology and relates to a function expansion device, particularly a function expansion device for wearable electronic devices. Background Technology

[0002] Driven by the demands of economic and social development and the advancements in electronics, artificial intelligence, and other technologies, consumers' aesthetic standards for smartwatches are constantly rising, and their functional needs are becoming increasingly diverse. However, constrained by the significant technological challenges and cost factors associated with increasing battery energy density and further miniaturizing chips, it is difficult to simultaneously achieve a combination of rich functionality, a compact and aesthetically pleasing design, and long standby time.

[0003] Currently, most smartwatches on the market, while offering a wide range of features, are also characterized by large dials and thick bodies. Some brands have even increased the thickness of their smartwatches to over 10mm in order to achieve both added functionality and longer battery life. While one brand's smartwatch boasts rich features and better control over size and weight, its battery life is less than 24 hours.

[0004] Furthermore, different types of users, at different times, and in different scenarios have significantly different individual needs for smartwatches, in addition to the usual common functional requirements. For example, users want a lightweight and aesthetically pleasing smartwatch for daily home or work use; those traveling outdoors want a smartwatch with an extremely long standby time, or even one that never needs to be charged; people with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or high blood sugar want a smartwatch that can monitor their symptoms as needed; electronics enthusiasts and drone pilots want to use a smartwatch to remotely control drones, special instruments, or other functional devices; and some even want their smartwatches to have satellite calling capabilities. Clearly, given the diversification of functional needs and the continuous emergence of new functional requirements, it is impossible for manufacturers to include all the functions needed by consumers in a single small smartwatch, and consumers are unwilling to pay for unnecessary features.

[0005] In summary, no existing smartwatch can simultaneously guarantee both an economical and aesthetically pleasing design, and the affordability and convenience to meet the diverse needs of consumers for personalized features. Further improvements are still needed.

[0006] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of the present invention and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the technical problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a functional expansion device for wearable electronic devices.

[0008] A functional expansion device for wearable electronic devices includes an adapter box, a ribbon cable, an expansion compartment, and a functional module. The adapter box is fixedly connected to the expansion compartment via the ribbon cable. The expansion compartment includes a compartment body and a collar, with a cavity inside the compartment. A terminal block is provided in the cavity near the adapter box. The collar is used to pass through a watch strap to assist in restraining the expansion compartment. The adapter box includes an integrally formed skirt and a base for fixing and connecting. The watch head of the wearable electronic device is embedded in the adapter box. An opening is provided in the center of the base of the adapter box, through which the detection and sensing windows on the back cover of the wearable electronic device come into contact with the human body. Four lugs are symmetrically arranged on the outer side of the skirt of the adapter box, corresponding to the lugs on the wearable electronic device, located between the lugs and the watch strap. The adapter box is coaxially hinged with pins; the bottom of the adapter box is also equipped with adapter contacts, and the adapter box has a groove with embedded wires. The wires are covered by an insulating layer and a highly wear-resistant composite material; the adapter contacts are made of metal and run through the adapter box, with one end corresponding to the metal contacts on the back cover of the wearable electronic device for full contact; the shape of the functional module matches the body and is detachably embedded in the body; the functional module is equipped with a connector pin socket, the model and position of which correspond to the connector strip; the adapter contacts and the connector strip are connected by wires. When the functional module is installed in the body, the connector pin socket is simultaneously inserted into the connector strip. The connector strip and the connector pin socket are interface-matched and support hot-swappable, plug-and-play terminals.

[0009] Based on the same technical concept, the present invention also proposes another functional expansion device for wearable electronic devices, including an adapter box, a ribbon cable, an expansion compartment, and a functional module. The adapter box is fixedly connected to the expansion compartment via a ribbon cable; the expansion compartment includes a compartment body and a collar, and a cavity is provided inside the compartment body. A terminal block is provided on the side of the cavity near the adapter box; the collar is used to pass through the watch strap and assist in restraining the expansion compartment. The adapter box includes an integrally molded skirt and base. Its structural shape, internal circuitry, detection / sensing window, and fixing method are completely consistent with the bottom shell of the wearable electronic device. It is used to replace the original bottom shell of the wearable electronic device and to transmit power / electrical signals with the internal electronic devices of the wearable electronic device. The adapter box has a groove with a wire embedded in it. One end of the wire is connected to the terminal block via a ribbon cable, and the other end is directly connected to the terminal block and / or internal circuitry of the bottom shell of the wearable electronic device. The adapter box has four symmetrical lugs on the outer side of the skirt, which correspond to the lugs on the wearable electronic device. They are located between the lugs and the strap, and the lugs, lugs, and strap are coaxially hinged by pins. The functional module's shape matches the container body and is detachably embedded within it. The functional module is equipped with a connector pin socket, the model and position of which correspond to the connector strip. When the functional module is installed in the container body, the connector pin socket is simultaneously inserted into the connector strip. The connector strip and connector pin socket are interface-matched and support hot-swappable, plug-and-play wiring terminals.

[0010] The beneficial technical effects achieved by this invention are: It can provide a beautiful, practical and easy-to-wear function expansion device for smartwatches with basic common functions. Wearing it on the wrist in conjunction with the smartwatch, users can choose to install the function modules they need as needed. It can not only ensure the economic and beautiful appearance of the smartwatch itself, but also meet the personalized function needs of different consumers in an economical and convenient way. It has outstanding substantive features and significant progress.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the written description, claims, and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of one specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a top left side view of one specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a top right side view of one specific embodiment of the present invention alongside a smartwatch; Figure 4 This is a lower right side view of one specific embodiment of the present invention alongside a smartwatch; Figure 5 This is a view of one specific embodiment of the present invention combined with a smartwatch in an unfolded state; Figure 6 This is a top view of one specific embodiment of the present invention combined with a smartwatch in an unfolded state; Figure 7 This is a left front view of one specific embodiment of the present invention in a smartwatch-in-combination fastened state; Figure 8 This is a right rear view of one specific embodiment of the present invention in a smartwatch-in-combination fastened state; Reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Adapter box; 11. Support lug; 12. Adapter contact point; 13. Wire; 2. Ribbon cable; 3. Expansion compartment; 31. Compartment body; 32. Terminal block; 33. Collar; 4. Functional module; 41. Terminal pin socket. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific details such as particular system structures, models, and technical parameters mentioned in the following description are merely illustrative of the specific embodiments and not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Furthermore, content that should be known and understood by those skilled in the art will not be repeated here.

[0014] like Figures 1-8 As shown, a specific embodiment 1 of a functional expansion device for wearable electronic devices includes an adapter box 1, a ribbon cable 2, an expansion compartment 3, and a functional module 4.

[0015] In this specific embodiment, the function expansion device is an expansion of the functions of existing wearable electronic devices. It is best to use leather or plastic watch straps, but it is also applicable to other types of watch straps such as chain straps and braided straps, and there is no essential difference.

[0016] For ease of description, the side closer to the arm is defined as the inside, and the opposite side as the outside. The top of the display screen is called the top, and the bottom is called the bottom. The position of the operating components can be adjusted or modified according to the wearer's actual needs, and these modifications should be considered to be based on the same technical concept as this specific embodiment.

[0017] In this specific embodiment, there are two expansion compartments 3, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the adapter box 1, or there can be only one. Each expansion compartment 3 includes a compartment body 31 and a collar 33. The compartment body 31 has a cavity, and a terminal block 32 is located on the side of the cavity closest to the adapter box 1. Each expansion compartment 3 has a collar 33 on both sides for passing through the watch strap, assisting in restraining the expansion compartment 3 and preventing it from swaying laterally along the watch strap.

[0018] Adapter box 1 is adapted to the shape of the smartwatch head and includes a one-piece molded skirt and base for fixation and connection. Adapter box 1 is ergonomically designed in an arc shape, allowing the rear half of the smartwatch case and back cover of the selected model to fit snugly into adapter box 1 for reliable connection and positioning. An opening is located in the center of the base of adapter box 1, through which various detection and sensor windows on the smartwatch's back cover come into contact with the human body. The thinner the base of adapter box 1 is, the better, while still meeting strength and installation requirements. The skirt is made of elastic material and can be detachably fixed to the smartwatch case by its own deformation.

[0019] In this specific embodiment, four lugs 11 are symmetrically arranged on the outer side of the skirt of the adapter box 1, corresponding to the lugs on the smartwatch, and located between the lugs and the watchband. The lugs, lugs 11, and watchband are coaxially hinged by pins, which securely fixes the adapter box 1 to the inside of the smartwatch without changing the structure of the smartwatch. Two or more adapter contact points 12 are also installed on the bottom of the adapter box 1. The specific number and position are determined according to the metal contact points on the back cover of the smartwatch. The wires 13 are embedded in the grooves of the adapter box 1.

[0020] The adapter contact 12 is made of metal and runs through the adapter box 1. One end of the adapter contact 12 corresponds to and reliably contacts the metal contacts on the back cover of the smartwatch that are used for charging and signal input / output. The original wired charging device or wired information interaction device of the smartwatch can be used to conduct electricity with the metal contacts on the back cover of the smartwatch through the adapter contact 12 to perform charging or signal input / output operations.

[0021] Functional module 4 is shaped to match the housing 31 and is detachably embedded within it. Functional module 4 has a connector pin 41, the model and position of which correspond to the connector strip 32. The adapter contact 12 and connector strip 32 are connected by a wire 13. When functional module 4 is installed in housing 31, connector pin 41 is simultaneously inserted into connector strip 32, forming a path for electrical signals to travel from adapter contact 12 to functional module 4, enabling wired energy and electrical signal interaction between the smartwatch and functional module 4 via adapter contact 12. Connector strip 32 and connector pin 41 are interface-matched terminals, supporting hot-swapping and plug-and-play functionality between functional module 4 and expansion housing 3. Different functions of the smartwatch can be expanded by replacing different functional modules 4.

[0022] Functional module 4 is a device with a built-in battery and / or various wired / wireless electronic devices, which can interact with the smartwatch via wired / wireless means to achieve one or more functions such as charging the smartwatch, video capture, remote control, human health monitoring, satellite calling, and screen.

[0023] The ribbon cable 2 encases the conductor 13 within an insulating layer and a highly wear-resistant composite material, exposing only the two ends of the connector. It features insulation, wear resistance, and high flexibility, ensuring it will not break or be damaged during long-term use. The expansion compartment 3 is fixedly connected to the adapter box 1 via the ribbon cable 2. The ribbon cable 2 has good lateral flexibility along the watchband and simultaneously serves to conduct electrical signals and constrain the expansion compartment 3.

[0024] The present invention can also be implemented in another way. As a second specific embodiment, the bottom shell of the original wearable electronic device is integrated into the adapter box 1, directly replacing the bottom shell of the original wearable electronic device. In this case, the structural shape, internal circuit, detection / sensing window, and fixing method of the adapter box 1 are consistent with the bottom shell of the original wearable electronic device, but the interface for introducing the ribbon cable 2 into the wearable electronic device and transmitting power / electrical signals with the internal electronic device is retained. The adapter contact point 12 is no longer provided. The adapter contact point 12 is structurally and functionally integrated with the terminal of the bottom shell. The wire 13 is directly connected to the terminal of the bottom shell and / or the internal circuit. Other components and functions are the same as in the first specific embodiment.

[0025] The beneficial technical effects achieved by this specific embodiment include: Without altering the existing smartwatch hardware, external wearable electronic device function expansion devices can be used to add new functions that the original smartwatch does not have. Users can then add additional functions such as charging, remote control, health monitoring, satellite communication, video capture, and authentication recognition to their existing smartwatches according to their own preferences. This approach maintains the compact and aesthetically pleasing appearance of the smartwatch while providing both the smartwatch and the user with a wider range of functional expansion options, giving old smartwatches a new lease on life.

[0026] When designing a new smartwatch, the watch face can be designed to only implement the basic functions needed for daily use. Other functions can be purchased separately by users with specific needs. This approach takes into account both common and individual functional requirements, and can also significantly improve the smartwatch's aesthetics, economy, and practicality. It avoids the problem of smartwatches becoming bulky and expensive due to overly comprehensive functionality.

[0027] The expansion compartment is relatively large and can provide functional modules that are not easily integrated into traditional smartwatches according to users' personalized needs. In addition, it fully respects and meets users' different choices of smartwatch functions in different environments and at different times, and can flexibly replace different functional modules to adapt to different needs. This drives the research and development and sales of functional expansion modules, greatly promotes the prosperity of the consumer electronics market, and has significant application and economic value.

[0028] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A functional expansion device for wearable electronic devices, characterized in that, Includes adapter box (1), ribbon cable (2), expansion compartment (3), and functional module (4); The adapter box (1) is fixedly connected to the expansion compartment (3) via a ribbon cable (2); the expansion compartment (3) includes a compartment body (31) and a collar (33). A cavity is provided inside the compartment body (31), and a terminal block (32) is provided on the side of the cavity near the adapter box (1); the collar (33) is used to pass through the watch strap and assist in restraining the expansion compartment (3); The adapter box (1) includes an integrally molded skirt and base for fixing and connecting; the head of the wearable electronic device is embedded in the adapter box (1); Transfer The bottom of the box (1) has an opening in the middle, and the detection and sensing window on the back cover of the wearable electronic device comes into contact with the human body through the opening. The adapter box (1) has four symmetrical lugs (11) on the outer side of its skirt, which correspond to the lugs on the wearable electronic device and are located between the lugs and the strap. The lugs, lugs (11), and strap are coaxially hinged by pins. The adapter box (1) also has a transfer contact point (12) installed on its base. The adapter box (1) has a groove inside, in which a wire (13) is embedded. The ribbon cable (2) is wrapped with an insulating layer and a highly wear-resistant composite material. The transfer contact point (12) is made of metal and runs through the adapter box (1). One end of the contact point corresponds to the metal contact point on the back cover of the wearable electronic device and makes full contact. The shape of the functional module (4) matches the body (31) and is installed inside the body (31) in a detachable manner. The functional module (4) is provided with a connector pin socket (41), the model and position of which correspond to the connector pin socket (32). The contact point (12) and the connector pin socket (32) are connected by a wire (13). When the functional module (4) is installed inside the body (31), the connector pin socket (41) is inserted into the connector pin socket (32) at the same time. The connector pin socket (32) and the connector pin socket (41) are interface-matched terminals that support hot-swapping and plug-and-play.

2. The functional expansion device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two expansion compartments (3), which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the adapter box (1).

3. The functional expansion device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both sides of the expansion compartment (3) are provided with collars (33).

4. The functional expansion device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The functional module (4) is a device with a built-in battery and / or various wired / wireless electronic devices, which can interact with wearable electronic devices via wired / wireless means to perform one or more functions such as charging wearable electronic devices, video capture, remote control, human health monitoring, satellite communication, and screen display.

5. A functional expansion device for wearable electronic devices, characterized in that, Includes adapter box (1), ribbon cable (2), expansion compartment (3), and functional module (4); The adapter box (1) is fixedly connected to the expansion compartment (3) via a ribbon cable (2); the expansion compartment (3) includes a compartment body (31) and a collar (33). A cavity is provided inside the compartment body (31), and a terminal block (32) is provided on the side of the cavity near the adapter box (1); the collar (33) is used to pass through the watch strap and assist in restraining the expansion compartment (3); The adapter box (1) includes an integrally formed skirt and base. Its structural shape, internal circuit, detection / sensing window, and fixing method are completely consistent with the bottom shell of the wearable electronic device. It is used to replace the bottom shell of the original wearable electronic device and to transmit power / electrical signals with the internal electronic devices of the wearable electronic device. The adapter box (1) has a groove, in which a wire (13) is embedded. One end of the wire (13) is connected to the terminal block (32) via a ribbon cable (2), and the other end is directly connected to the terminal block and / or internal circuit of the wearable electronic device's bottom shell. The adapter box (1) has four symmetrical lugs (11) on the outer side of its skirt, which correspond to the lugs on the wearable electronic device and are located between the lugs and the strap. The lugs, lugs (11) and strap are coaxially hinged by pins. The shape of the functional module (4) matches the container body (31), and it is installed inside the container body (31) in a detachable manner; the functional module (4) is provided with a wiring pin socket (41), the model and position of which correspond to the wiring strip (32); when the functional module (4) is installed inside the container body (31), the wiring pin socket (41) is inserted into the wiring strip (32) at the same time, and the wiring strip (32) and the wiring pin socket (41) are interface-matched terminals that support hot-swapping and plug-and-play.

6. The functional expansion device according to claim 5, characterized in that, There are two expansion compartments (3), which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the adapter box (1).

7. The functional expansion device according to claim 5, characterized in that, Both sides of the expansion compartment (3) are provided with collars (33).

8. The functional expansion device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The functional module (4) is a device with a built-in battery and / or various wired / wireless electronic devices, which can interact with wearable electronic devices via wired / wireless means to perform one or more functions such as charging wearable electronic devices, video capture, remote control, human health monitoring, satellite communication, and screen display.

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