Charging Base Lifting Pad and Elastomeric Probe for Contact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile device charging bases often suffer from loose or damaged contacts due to the device knocking into the charging base during movement, and they are not suitable for high-power rapid charging applications.
Innovation Solution
A charging base with a lifting design and elastomeric probe contacts is used to guide the mobile device to a charging position, reducing the likelihood of contact damage and enabling high-power charging capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional charging base uses a spring as a contact, then the mobile device can be charged during movement, but the contact becomes loose or damaged easily and cannot withstand high power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the contact from spring (metal) to elastomeric probe (elastomer), which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties including elasticity, durability, and power withstand capability. This material substitution resolves the contradiction by providing both operational flexibility and reliability under high power conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging base integrates multiple components with different material properties: the elastomeric probe contact, the lifting pad structure, and the recess positioning mechanism work together as a composite system. This composite approach allows each component to contribute its specific properties (elasticity, lifting capability, positioning precision) to collectively solve the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Speed
If the mobile device moves directly to the charging base, then charging can begin quickly, but the bottom base knocks into the contact causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting pad performs a preliminary action by rising before the mobile device's bottom base reaches the charging contact. This preliminary lifting motion creates a gap that prevents direct impact, allowing the device to approach quickly while protecting the contact from damage. The recess positioning portion then performs a secondary preliminary action by guiding the device into precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric probe contact provides beforehand cushioning by being inherently softer and more compliant than metal springs. Additionally, the lifting pad mechanism provides mechanical cushioning by absorbing impact energy through its lifting and recess motion, protecting the contact from direct knocking before the device fully engages.
3Device complexity
If the charging contact is positioned at standard height, then the structure is simple, but the mobile device bottom base knocks into the contact during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The charging base transitions from a static contact structure to a dynamic one where the lifting pad can rise and fall, and the recess positioning portion can move. This dynamic capability allows the structure to adapt during the device approach: remaining low for simplicity when not in use, then rising to protect the contact and providing recess positioning for alignment, thus protecting reliability without permanently increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess positioning portion is nested within or integrated with the lifting pad structure. This nesting allows the positioning function to be incorporated into the existing lifting mechanism, minimizing additional structural complexity while adding the protective and alignment functions needed for contact reliability.
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 solution effectively prevents contact damage during charging and supports high-power rapid charging by using an elastomeric probe that can withstand higher power levels.
Implementation Method 1
The charging base uses an elastomeric probe as a charging contact to improve a withstand capability for a high power
Data Source
AI summary
A charging base includes a charging cradle, a pad plate, and a recess positioning portion. A mobile device includes a bottom base, a contact portion disposed on the bottom base, and a drive wheel drives the mobile device to move. The charging cradle includes a platform and a charging contact portion, and a height of the charging contact portion is greater than a height of the bottom base, when the drive wheel moves onto the pad plate, the height of the bottom base is greater than the height of the charging contact portion, when the drive wheel reaches the recess positioning portion while moving from the pad plate toward the charging cradle, the height of the bottom base is less than or equal to the height of the charging contact portion, so that the bottom base covers the platform and the contact portion is in contact with the charging contact portion.