Controller Charging Base With Movable Dongle Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video game controller charging solutions require separate charging devices for each model due to varying form factors and charge port locations, leading to clutter and increased costs for users.

Innovation Solution

A versatile charging base system with a controller dongle that allows movement along multiple axes while maintaining an electrical connection, accommodating different shapes and sizes of video game controllers, and a charging base with adjustable electrical connections to accommodate various models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a charging device is designed for a specific video game controller model, then the charging connection is reliable and stable, but the device complexity increases and adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging connection reliabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with different controller models
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The charging base is designed with a universal charging surface that can accommodate multiple controller models simultaneously. The base includes multiple charging connections arranged in different orientations and positions, allowing it to charge various controller types (e.g., Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch) with a single device, eliminating the need for model-specific chargers.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The charging base incorporates movable or adjustable charging connections that can adapt their position and orientation based on the controller placed on the base. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the charging connections to maintain reliable contact with different controller models while preserving a single universal charging device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple charging devices are purchased for different controller models, then each controller can be charged reliably, but the quantity of devices increases leading to clutter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging reliability for each controllerVSAvoidnumber of charging devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple charging connections into a single charging base unit. The base integrates several charging ports and connections that can simultaneously charge multiple controllers of different models, reducing the total number of charging devices from multiple separate chargers to one unified base station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging base serves multiple functions by accommodating various controller models on a single platform. It acts as a universal charging station that replaces the need for multiple dedicated chargers, thereby reducing device quantity and clutter while maintaining reliable charging for each controller type.

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

3Device complexity

If conventional cable charging is used, then the charging connection is simple, but cable tangling occurs particularly with multiple controllers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging connection simplicityVSAvoidcable tangling
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cable from the charging system by implementing wireless charging technology. The charging base uses wireless power transmission to charge controllers without physical cable connections, thereby eliminating cable tangling issues while maintaining simple and clean charging operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical cable connection system is replaced with a wireless electromagnetic field-based charging system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cable manipulation and connection, removing the source of tangling problems while keeping the charging process simple and user-friendly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the charge port location varies among controller models, then each model has its own design requirements, but this increases the device complexity and reduces ease of manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different charge port locationsVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The charging base is segmented into multiple independent charging connections, each capable of accommodating different charge port locations and orientations. This segmentation allows each connection to be optimized for specific controller types while maintaining a standardized base design, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to creating entirely different chargers for each model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The charging base is designed as a universal platform that incorporates multiple charging connections to handle various charge port locations. This universal design approach simplifies manufacturing by using a single base model that can charge different controller types, rather than producing multiple specialized charger variants.

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

Data Source

PatentUS20240079889A1Charging base system
Publication Date: 2024.03.07 ACCO BRANDS CORP
  • US20240079889A1 patent drawing
  • US20240079889A1 patent drawing
  • US20240079889A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A video game controller charging base assembly includes an electrical connector configured to connect to a power source, a charging stand that includes a charging connection in communication with the electrical connector to receive electrical power therefrom, and a controller dongle with a first connection configured to electrically attach to a video game controller and a second connection configured to electrically connect to the charging connection. At least one of the charging connection or the second connection can be configured to allow movement of the second connection relative to the charging connection along at least one axis while maintaining electrical connection between the charging connection and the second connection of the controller dongle.