Wireless Earbud Charging Delay to Reduce Electrode Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless earphones experience corrosion at contact electrodes due to electrolysis phenomena caused by conductive impurities, leading to reduced charging performance and service life.
Innovation Solution
A wireless earphone system with a control module that delays charging initiation for a predetermined time after connection establishment and adapts charging current based on power module levels to minimize electrolysis, using a connection detection module to ensure a stable connection and adjust charging current accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If charging is initiated immediately after connection establishment, then charging speed is improved, but electrolysis-induced corrosion at contact electrodes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a delay period (first time period) after connection establishment before initiating charging. During this delay, the system performs preliminary detection to ensure stable connection, preventing immediate charging that would cause electrolysis. This preliminary waiting action eliminates harmful electrolysis effects while enabling subsequent efficient charging.
2Productivity
If charging current is increased to improve charging efficiency, then charging speed is improved, but electrolysis phenomenon is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection during the delay period to verify stable connection before applying high charging current. By detecting connection stability in advance, the system ensures that increased charging current is only applied when safe, preventing electrolysis while maintaining high charging efficiency when conditions are favorable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic charging current adjustment based on detected connection stability. The charging current is adaptively modified according to the stable connection state, allowing high current when connection is stable and reducing or suspending current when connection is unstable, thereby optimizing charging efficiency while preventing electrolysis.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a delay period is introduced before charging to prevent electrolysis, then contact electrode durability is improved, but charging time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The delay period serves as a preliminary detection phase rather than pure waiting time. During this period, the system actively detects connection stability, so the delay is minimized to only what is necessary for reliable detection. This reduces unnecessary time loss while still preventing electrolysis by ensuring stable connection before charging begins.
Solution Approach 2:
Once stable connection is detected during the delay period, the system rushes through the charging process with optimized high current to minimize overall charging time. The brief delay is quickly followed by efficient charging, skipping unnecessary waiting and reducing total time loss while maintaining electrode durability.
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
Reduces electrolysis-induced corrosion at contact electrodes, enhancing charging performance and extending the service life of wireless earphones by ensuring a stable connection and optimizing charging current.
Implementation Method 1
Wireless earphones experience corrosion at contact electrodes due to electrolysis phenomena caused by conductive impurities
Implementation Method 2
a charging circuit, connected to the first group of contact electrodes to receive the charging power from the charger, and configured to, in response to control of the control module, convert the charging power from the charger into a charging current for charging the rechargeable battery
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless earphone may include a first group of contact electrodes, an earphone module, a power module, and a control module. The contact electrodes contact a second group of contact electrodes of a charger to establish an electrical connection between the wireless earphone and the charger. The earphone module outputs a sound signal. The power module provides operating power to the earphone module. The power module is charged from the charger via the first group of contact electrodes. The control module is configured to: in response to establishment of the electrical connection between the wireless earphone and the charger, perform control to prohibit charging the power module using charging power from the charger within a first time period; and after expiration of the first time period, perform control to allow charging the power module using the charging power from the charger.