Elastically Deformable Inductive Charging Device for Wearables

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charging devices for electronic devices, such as smartphones, often require a fixed interface and do not adapt well to devices of different dimensions, limiting their versatility and comfort in wearable applications like clothing.

Innovation Solution

A charging device with elastically deformable layers, incorporating inductive charging technology and a removable battery, allowing adaptation to various device sizes and providing electromagnetic shielding with a silver fabric layer, while maintaining comfort and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed interface charging device is used, then the charging connection is stable, but the device cannot adapt to electronic devices of different dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different device sizesVSAvoidcharging connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs elastically deformable layers that can dynamically adjust their shape and size to accommodate different electronic device dimensions. The elastic deformation capability allows the charging device to maintain reliable contact and alignment with various device sizes while preserving connection stability through the restoring force of the elastic material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The charging device utilizes changes in physical parameters of the elastic layers, specifically their deformation state, to adapt to different device dimensions. By allowing the layers to elastically deform, the device can change its geometric parameters (shape, size, curvature) to match the electronic device being charged, thereby achieving both adaptability and reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If rigid charging device structure is used, then the structural stability is high, but the comfort and adaptability in wearable applications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible layers including elastically deformable layers and fabric layers that can conform to the body and different device shapes. These flexible structures maintain structural integrity through their material properties while providing comfort and adaptability for wearable applications, allowing the charging device to be integrated into clothing and accessories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If integrated battery design is used, then the device is compact, but the waste management and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in usageVSAvoidbattery waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the battery from the main charging device structure, allowing the battery to be a removable component. This segmentation enables users to replace only the battery when depleted or obsolete, rather than discarding the entire charging device, thereby reducing waste while maintaining compact and flexible design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable battery design allows for easy removal and replacement of the battery component. When a battery is depleted or obsolete, it can be discarded and replaced with a new one, while the main charging device structure is retained and reused, thereby reducing overall waste and extending the product lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 flexible and safe charging of electronic devices of different sizes within clothing items, reduces waste through removable batteries, and enhances user comfort with adaptable and washable designs.

Implementation Method 1

charging device for inductive charging of an electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive charging: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a silver fabric layer, wherein the silver fabric layer is arranged at a side of the charging element opposite to the back layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3718189B1Charging device and wearable article
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 KC TEXTIL GMBH
  • EP3718189B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3718189B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3718189B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention refers to a charging device(1) for inductive charging of an electronic device, for example a mobile phone, like a smartphone, a tablet computer or the like. Further, the invention refers to a wearable article including a charging device, in particular a clothing article, a bag, preferably a hand bag, backpack, suitcase, briefcase or the like. The charging device comprises a back layer and a front layer (20), at least one of which is elastically deformable.