Charging Stand Support Structure for Moisture Evaporation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric apparatus units, such as those for electric toothbrushes, face issues with moisture evaporation, leading to potential corrosion and adverse sanitary conditions due to water residue when the devices are charged.

Innovation Solution

The electric apparatus unit incorporates a charging stand with a support structure that allows the electric apparatus to be positioned in a way that moisture can easily evaporate, featuring a power transmission coil and magnetism collection coil configuration that maintains non-contact power transmission while facilitating air circulation beneath the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electric toothbrush is set on the installation base through a space surrounded by an arm of a charging stand, then non-contact power transmission is achieved, but moisture between the bottom surface of the electric toothbrush and the installation base hardly evaporates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission reliabilityVSAvoidmoisture accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is designed with a through-hole structure that allows moisture to escape from the bottom surface of the electric toothbrush. By creating a vertical dimension for moisture evacuation through the through-hole, the patent resolves the contradiction between maintaining stable power transmission contact and enabling moisture evaporation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm incorporates a through-hole that functions as a porous structure, allowing moisture to pass through. This porous design enables moisture to be discharged from the contact area between the electric toothbrush and installation base, preventing moisture accumulation while maintaining structural integrity for power transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the electric toothbrush is supported on the installation base, then stable positioning is achieved, but moisture evaporation is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice positioning stabilityVSAvoidmoisture retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is segmented into multiple functional zones: a contact portion for stable positioning, a through-hole portion for moisture evaporation, and a connection portion for structural support. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, achieving both stable positioning and effective moisture removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The through-hole in the support arm acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates moisture evaporation without interfering with the stable contact between the electric toothbrush and installation base. It provides a dedicated pathway for moisture to escape while the surrounding structure maintains positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration effectively evaporates moisture from both the electric apparatus and the charging stand, preventing corrosion and maintaining hygiene, while ensuring efficient and reliable non-contact power transmission.

Implementation Method 1

The charging stand transmits electric power to the electric toothbrush by way of non-contact power transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-contact power transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

moisture between a bottom surface of the electric toothbrush and the installation base hardly evaporates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3282540B1Electric apparatus unit
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3282540B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3282540B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3282540B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electric apparatus unit comprises electric apparatus (10) and charging stand (80). Electric apparatus (10) includes rechargeable battery (41), a driver that drives through electric power supplied from rechargeable battery (41) and power receiver (61) that supplies the electric power to rechargeable battery (41). Charging stand (80) includes power transmission coil (111) that supplies electric power to power receiver (61) and support (84) that supports electric apparatus (10).