Charging Cradle with Real-Time Battery Display for Portable Radiography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable radiography devices lack the ability to accurately display residual battery capacity and the number of possible radiography sessions, leading to inconvenience and potential interruptions during use due to unpredictable charging states.
Innovation Solution
A portable radiography device with a charging cradle that includes communication units for transmitting and receiving battery charging state information, a display unit to show real-time battery capacity and possible radiography sessions, and a controller to calculate and provide real-time charging information based on power consumption and user settings, allowing for various charging modes and automatic mode selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the charging cradle only displays LED on/off state, then the device structure remains simple, but the user cannot determine the residual battery capacity or available usage time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication unit as an intermediary between the battery and display system. This unit receives battery state information (charge level, temperature, power consumption) and transmits it to the display controller, which then presents the information in user-friendly formats. This mediator approach allows comprehensive information display without requiring direct complex integration between all system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms raw battery parameters (voltage, current, temperature) into meaningful display parameters (remaining capacity percentage, estimated usage time, charge status indicators). The display controller processes multiple physical parameters and converts them into intuitive visual representations, allowing users to understand battery state without dealing with complex technical measurements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device provides no charging control, then the charging process is simple, but the user cannot control charging based on specific needs such as charging time or battery temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic charging control where the charging parameters (current, voltage, temperature thresholds) can be adjusted based on real-time battery conditions and user preferences. The system adapts charging behavior dynamically - for example, reducing charging current when battery temperature rises, or adjusting charge termination based on user-defined time constraints. This dynamic adaptation provides versatility without requiring a completely complex control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging control system is designed to handle multiple charging scenarios through a unified interface. The same control unit manages different charging modes (fast charge, standard charge, temperature-limited charge, time-limited charge) by processing different parameter combinations. This multi-functional approach allows the system to provide versatile charging control without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Loss of information
If the device does not monitor power consumption, then the system remains simple, but the user cannot determine the number of possible radiography sessions or plan usage effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors power consumption during radiography operations and uses this information to calculate and display the number of remaining sessions. The monitoring unit measures actual power draw, feeds this data back to the controller, which then updates the usage prediction. This closed-loop feedback provides accurate usage information without requiring overly complex monitoring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs power consumption monitoring and usage calculation without requiring user intervention. The monitoring unit continuously tracks power usage, and the controller autonomously computes the number of remaining radiography sessions based on battery capacity and consumption rate. This self-service approach provides comprehensive usage information while minimizing the complexity of user interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a charging cradle and a portable radiography device including the same, which is capable of displaying the residual battery capacity when the portable radiography device is being charged and even when not being charged and, more specifically, displaying the possible number of times of radiography in real time by using the residual battery capacity, such that a user can exactly determine when to charge. The portable radiography device includes a radiography device main body having a rechargeable battery, a first communication unit provided in the main body to transmit battery charging state information, a charging cradle configured to receive external power to supply charging power to the battery, a second communication unit provided in the charging cradle to receive the battery charging state information from the first communication unit, and a display unit provided in the charging cradle to display the battery charging state information.