Cradle Detection Mechanism for Wearable Device Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices with small sizes pose a challenge in accommodating additional connector ports for charging and data transmission, requiring a compact and efficient solution for electrical connection.
Innovation Solution
A cradle design featuring protruding pogo pins for physical contact with exposed terminals of the device, along with a detection mechanism to establish electrical connection only when the device is properly mounted, preventing self-discharge and erroneous operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a connector port is added to the wearable electronic device for charging and data transmission, then charging and data transmission functionality is improved, but the device size increases and design complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The connector port is extracted from the wearable electronic device and relocated to the cradle. The device only retains exposed terminals on its back surface, while the full connector functionality is provided by the cradle's connector that receives the device. This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for a large connector port in the small wearable device.
2Ease of operation
If the cradle is always electrically connected to the power source, then charging availability is improved, but self-discharge and erroneous operations occur
Solution Approach 1:
A detection button is provided that is pressed when the wearable device is mounted on the cradle. This preliminary detection action determines whether to establish electrical connection between the cradle's connector and the power source. Only when the detection button is pressed (indicating device presence) does the electrical connection occur, preventing self-discharge when the device is absent.
3Measurement precision
If manual switching operation is required for electrical connection, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The detection button automatically detects when the wearable device is mounted on the cradle and triggers the electrical connection between the connector and power source without requiring manual switching operation. The system serves itself by using the physical act of mounting the device to initiate the connection, eliminating the need for separate manual control while maintaining precise connection control.
Data Source
AI summary
A cradle for an electronic device includes a mounting portion to detachably/attachably accommodate at least a part of the electronic device, a connector disposed in the mounting portion, and a detection member disposed in the mounting portion to detect whether the electronic device is mounted on the mounting portion. Only when the electronic device is attached to the cradle, the cradle may charge a battery or establish an electrical connection automatically with an external device to transmit/receive data. Therefore, a Product Liability (PL) accident can be prevented, and reliability of the cradle can be improved.