External Watch Battery Bezel for Smartwatch Power Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited battery life of modern smartwatches hinders their widespread adoption due to the small form factor, which restricts their practical usage despite having robust features like GPS and multimedia functionality.
Innovation Solution
An external battery device that detachably engages with a smartwatch, forming a bezel that aesthetically fits around the watch face and locks in place using a male-female connection mechanism, allowing seamless battery replacement and replenishment without removing the smartwatch from the wrist, along with a charging device that includes wireless charging surfaces and multiple charging contacts for simultaneous charging of multiple batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the smartwatch uses a small form factor to maintain aesthetic appearance and comfort, then the watch size and weight are reduced, but the battery capacity is limited and battery life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into two independent parts: a small internal battery integrated into the watch body for base operation, and a separate external battery device that can be attached when extended battery life is needed. This segmentation allows the watch to maintain its small form factor while providing the option for extended battery life through the external battery accessory.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the smartwatch includes resource-intensive features like GPS and multimedia functionality, then the feature set and capability are improved, but the power consumption increases and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The external battery device allows users to prepare and attach additional power capacity before engaging in activities that require resource-intensive features. Users can attach the external battery in advance of GPS tracking, multimedia playback, or other high-power operations, ensuring sufficient energy is available before consumption begins.
3Ease of operation
If the battery is made replaceable and detachable, then the ease of battery replacement and charging is improved, but the device complexity and connection mechanism are increased
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized connection mechanism acts as an intermediary between the watch and external battery device. This mechanism includes alignment features, contact points for electrical connection, and a secure attachment system that simplifies the user interaction while managing the complexity of the connection process through designed interfaces.
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 extended battery life for smartwatches by allowing easy and periodic battery swaps, supporting resource-intensive applications and providing a stylish, customizable solution that meets the demands of advanced smartwatch functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The external battery device includes a casing that functions as the bezel for the watch. The casing includes a channel inside which a rechargeable battery is positioned.
Implementation Method 2
The base and platform may each be configured with wireless charging surfaces to enable wireless charging of a computing device upon contact.
Data Source
AI summary
An external battery device is implemented which can detachably engage with a smartwatch to thereby enable seamless battery replacement and smartwatch battery replenishment without having to remove the smartwatch from a user's wrist. The external battery device can be a bezel that aesthetically fits in a cut-out around a perimeter of the smartwatch's face and locks in place using, for example, a male-female connection mechanism. The external battery device includes a casing that functions as the bezel for the watch. The casing includes a channel inside which a rechargeable battery is positioned. The male connectors of the external battery device extend downward from a hole in the casing to engage with corresponding female receptacles on the smartwatch. In typical implementations, two different shapes of the male and female connection mechanisms may be used to provide a consistent manner in which the user connects the external battery device to the smartwatch.