Contoured Wireless Charging Dock for Wearable Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless charging devices are unsuitable for wearable electronic devices due to their flat charging surfaces, which do not align with the structural geometry of devices worn on the wrist, forearm, or ankle, making it difficult to charge these devices efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A wireless charging device with a charging station that has a contour matching the inner surface of the electronic device, allowing for concentric alignment and charging, and includes a support base and post for angled positioning, along with sensors and a communication module for alignment detection and operational feature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flat charging surface is used for wireless charging, then the charging pad can be simple in structure, but it cannot align with the structural geometry of wearable devices worn on the wrist, forearm, or ankle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging pad structureVSAvoidalignment with wearable device geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The charging surface is designed with a curved contour that matches the ergonomic shape of wearable devices worn on the wrist, forearm, or ankle. This curvature enables proper alignment between the device's inductive coils and the charging pad's inductive coils, resolving the alignment issue while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard molding techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging pad features a specific geometric configuration at the charging surface that corresponds to the inner surface contour of wearable devices. This localized geometric adaptation allows the charging surface to conform to the device shape, enabling effective wireless charging for wearable applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the charging surface contour matches the inner surface of the electronic device, then alignment and charging efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidcharging station structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging surface is formed with a curved contour matching the wearable device's inner surface geometry. This single geometric feature simultaneously achieves proper coil alignment and efficient power transfer, improving charging efficiency without requiring multiple complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The contoured charging surface automatically guides the wearable device into the correct positioning through its geometric shape. The device self-aligns with the charging surface contour, eliminating the need for complex alignment sensors or adjustment mechanisms, thus maintaining relatively simple device complexity while achieving high charging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If sensors and communication modules are added for alignment detection and control, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment detection and controlVSAvoidcharging station components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors detect the presence and alignment of the wearable device with the charging surface, providing feedback to the control module. The communication module enables bidirectional communication between the charging station and the device, allowing for precise alignment detection and operational control, thereby improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The sensors and communication module serve multiple functions: alignment detection, charging status monitoring, and operational control. This multi-functionality approach consolidates several potential separate systems into integrated components, improving ease of operation while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables efficient wireless charging of wearable devices by ensuring proper alignment and allowing control of device functions without physical contact, providing a user-friendly and versatile charging solution.

Implementation Method 1

a charging station 13 having a docking area or charging surface 13a upon which is supported the electronic device 20 in order to recharge the battery of the electronic device 20

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11804725B2Wireless charging device for electronic device

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods may provide for wireless charging device of an electronic device powered by a rechargeable battery. The wireless charging device may include a charging station having a charging surface with a power transmitter and a contour that concentrically interfaces with a corresponding contour of an inner surface of the electronic device in a manner that facilitates an initiation of a power charging sequence at the charging surface when the charging station detects an operational coupling between the power transmitter and a power receiver of the electronic device.