Rechargeable Equipment Charger Capsule for Humidity Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable electronic devices, especially in high humidity environments, suffer from corrosion due to water infiltration and oxidation, leading to irreversible malfunctions, with existing solutions like desiccant pouches being impractical and unreliable, and storing them in controlled environments being impractical for mobile devices.

Innovation Solution

A dehumidifier device that uses a charger connected to a medium voltage electrical network to produce heat, which creates a confined environment with ventilation holes for thermal convection, allowing hot air to circulate and evaporate humidity from the electronic equipment during charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If desiccant pouches are used to absorb humidity, then oxidation of circuits is reduced, but the pouches require frequent replacement and become unreliable when saturated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against oxidationVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The charger automatically dehumidifies the containment capsule using heat from its own operation, creating a self-sustaining system that eliminates the need for external desiccant replacement. The system serves itself by using the charger's inherent heat generation to continuously remove moisture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the temperature parameter within the containment capsule by utilizing heat from the charger coil, transforming the static desiccant environment into a dynamic thermal dehumidification system that actively removes moisture through evaporation and ventilation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If electronic equipment is stored in a controlled humidity environment, then corrosion is prevented, but mobile devices cannot be permanently stored in such environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against corrosionVSAvoidmobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The charger serves multiple functions: it recharges the electronic device battery and simultaneously acts as a dehumidifier by heating the containment capsule. This multi-functionality allows the device to be protected during regular charging without requiring separate storage infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The containment capsule acts as an intermediary between the external humid environment and the electronic device, creating a controlled micro-environment that protects the device while maintaining mobility and portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the charger coil is heated to dehumidify the containment capsule, then water molecules are evaporated, but energy is consumed for heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehumidity removalVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the potentially harmful heat generation from the charger coil into a beneficial dehumidification mechanism. The heat that would otherwise be wasted is utilized to evaporate moisture and protect the electronic device, turning a byproduct into a functional advantage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If vent holes are provided for air circulation, then humidity is evacuated from the containment capsule, but the confinement is no longer hermetic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehumidity evacuationVSAvoidconfinement integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The containment capsule has different properties in different locations: the body maintains hermetic sealing while specific localized areas (vent holes in the base) provide controlled ventilation. This spatial differentiation allows simultaneous protection and moisture removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively extends the operational life of electronic devices by regularly eliminating water molecules and preventing oxidation, maintaining equipment availability and autonomy without the need for frequent desiccant changes.

Implementation Method 1

The charger generally supplied with said equipment is a medium to low voltage converter which produces, in an induced manner during its operation, a calorific energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The heat produced by the heating of the charger coil during voltage conversion is used directly as a dehumidifying element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

an upper and lower ventilation system allows air circulation by thermal convection, thus facilitating the evacuation out of the confinement zone of the humidity contained in the equipment thanks to the current of hot air thus produced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP1898610B1Dehumidifier device for rechargeable electronic equipment
Publication Date: 2008.12.10 SOC FR DU RADIOTELEPHONE SFR
  • EP1898610B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A dehumidifying device for a rechargeable electronic equipment comprises a charger (104) for accommodating the rechargeable electronic equipment. An enclosing capsule (103) is fixed to the charger. An opening system for the capsule enables the installation of the rechargeable electronic equipment connected to the charger by a connection device. Vent holes (114) on the upper part of the capsule enable the warm air to leave the capsule. Vent holes (109, 110) on the lower part of the capsule or charger enable the air from outside to enter and circulate in the capsule.