Foldable Battery Sharing Control for Wireless Device Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery sharing technologies in electronic devices require manual user intervention for enabling and disabling battery sharing, and power supply can be disrupted if the external device is not accurately detected within the charging area or if the device is tilted, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a foldable display and multiple housings, equipped with wireless power transmission/reception circuits, automatically controls battery sharing based on the folding state and device detection, allowing seamless power supply and information management through integrated display areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual user intervention is required to enable and disable battery sharing, then user control over battery sharing is achieved, but operation convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the external device and activates battery sharing without requiring manual user intervention. The electronic device monitors the charging area, identifies when an external device is placed, and autonomously initiates power transmission, thereby improving operation convenience while eliminating complex manual control steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the charging area for external devices and provides real-time feedback detection. When an external device is detected in the charging area, the system automatically responds by enabling battery sharing. This feedback mechanism allows the system to self-adjust based on device presence, eliminating the need for manual enable/disable operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If automatic device detection is implemented, then power supply reliability is improved, but detection precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoiddetection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The charging area is divided into multiple detection zones with different sensitivity levels. The system segments the detection space to identify whether an external device is present in the optimal charging position, reducing the complexity of precise detection while maintaining reliable power supply activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a broader detection range and multiple detection methods beyond the minimum required precision. By implementing excessive detection coverage with various sensors and detection algorithms, the system ensures reliable device detection without requiring extremely precise single-point detection, thereby improving reliability while managing detection complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the electronic device supplies power while tilted or upside down, then power transmission functionality is maintained, but harmful effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission functionalityVSAvoidharmful effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the power transmission parameters based on the detected orientation of the electronic device. When the device is in an optimal orientation, full power transmission is enabled. When tilted or upside down, the system automatically reduces or stops power transmission to prevent harmful effects, while maintaining the ability to resume normal operation when properly oriented

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of device orientation before initiating full power transmission. By detecting the orientation state in advance and preventing power transmission when the device is tilted or upside down, the system avoids harmful effects before they can occur, while still maintaining productivity when properly oriented

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-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

Facilitates easy and controlled power supply to external devices, reduces physical movement, and manages information display while ensuring smooth power transmission without interference, even with external accessories mounted.

Implementation Method 1

The wireless charging technology uses wireless electric power transmission and reception and may be a technology by which electric power is wirelessly transferred from a power transmission device to a power reception device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless electric power transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4124005B1Electronic device and method for sharing battery in electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4124005B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4124005B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4124005B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An electronic device according to various embodiments may comprise: a first housing; a second housing; a first hinge for connecting one side of the first housing to one side of the second housing to be foldable; a third housing; a second hinge for connecting another side of the second housing to one side of the third housing to be foldable; a display including a first display area arranged on the first housing, a second display area arranged on the second housing, and a third display area arranged on the third housing; and a processor which is configured to, in a state in which the first hinge and the second hinge are unfolded, detect folding of at least one of the first hinge and the second hinge and supply electric power to an external device while displaying information on the first display area when a first signal corresponding to detection of the external device is identified from at least one of the second housing and the third housing each including a wireless power transmission/reception circuit. Various other embodiments can be provided.