Wireless Earphone Charging Delay to Prevent Electrode Electrolysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless earphones experience corrosion issues at contact electrodes due to electrolysis phenomena caused by conductive impurities, especially when charging is initiated with a loose electrical connection, affecting charging performance and service life.

Innovation Solution

A wireless earphone system with a control module that delays charging initiation for a predetermined time after establishing a connection and adapts charging current based on the power module's level to minimize electrolysis, using a connection detection module to ensure a stable connection and adjust current values accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If charging is initiated immediately after connection establishment, then charging efficiency is improved, but contact electrode corrosion occurs due to electrolysis from loose connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidcontact electrode durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary waiting period (first time period) after connection establishment before initiating charging. This preliminary action allows the connection to stabilize and ensures proper contact between electrodes, preventing electrolysis and corrosion while still enabling timely charging afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If charging current is increased to reduce charging time, then charging speed is improved, but electrolysis phenomenon is exacerbated causing more severe contact electrode corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidelectrolysis at contact electrode

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts charging current based on connection stability. During the waiting period and initial charging phase, a first charging current is used. When connection stability improves or charging progresses, the system switches to a second charging current, optimizing both charging speed and electrode protection throughout the charging process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the charging current parameter from a first value to a second value based on connection conditions and charging progress. This parameter adjustment reduces electrolysis during critical phases while maintaining acceptable charging speed, resolving the contradiction between charging efficiency and electrode durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a waiting period is introduced before charging to ensure stable connection, then contact electrode corrosion is reduced, but charging time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidcharging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a brief preliminary waiting period (first time period) after connection establishment to ensure stable contact before initiating charging. This short delay prevents electrolysis and corrosion while minimizing impact on overall charging time, achieving a balance between reliability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach reduces electrolysis at contact electrodes, thereby improving charging performance and extending the service life of wireless earphones by ensuring a stable connection and optimizing charging current usage.

Implementation Method 1

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a rechargeable battery, for storing power and providing the operating power to the earphone module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 3

Wireless earphones experience corrosion issues at contact electrodes due to electrolysis phenomena caused by conductive impurities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4687260A1Wireless earphone, wireless earphone system, and charging method

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 HARMAN INT IND INC

Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3

AI summary

A wireless earphone, a wireless earphone system, and a charging method are provided. A wireless earphone may include: a first group of contact electrodes, for contacting with a second group of contact electrodes of a charger to establish an electrical connection between the wireless earphone and the charger; an earphone module, for outputting a sound signal; a power module, for providing operating power to the earphone module, where the power module is charged from the charger via the first group of contact electrodes; and a control module, 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.