Inductive Rechargeable Watch Module With Magnetic Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rechargeable battery solutions for electronic watches require specific architectures and constructions, making them unsuitable for integration into conventional quartz-based movements, particularly in thin or elegant designs, and lack independent testing and control of inductive charging.

Innovation Solution

An inductively rechargeable electrical energy storage module designed to fit within a quartz movement with minimal modifications, featuring an antenna, rechargeable battery, electrodes, and a magnetic shielding element, allowing for independent testing and integration into conventional watch cases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If inductive charging components are integrated into conventional quartz movements, then rechargeable battery functionality is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverechargeable battery functionalityVSAvoidarchitecture and construction requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the inductive charging system into separate functional modules: a magnetic shielding element with integrated antenna, a rechargeable battery, and a control circuit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies integration into conventional quartz movements, as the modules can be assembled in a standardized configuration without redesigning the entire movement architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by placing the antenna within a magnetic shielding element, and positioning both components within the existing movement housing. The rechargeable battery is integrated into the battery compartment of the conventional movement. This nested arrangement allows inductive charging components to coexist with traditional quartz movement components in a compact space, maintaining the original movement's external dimensions and case structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If inductive charging is integrated into thin or elegant watches, then modern functionality is added, but space availability for charging components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductive charging capabilityVSAvoidspace for charging components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin-film technology for the antenna construction, using printed circuit board (PCB) traces or thin conductive layers deposited on flexible substrates. This allows the antenna to achieve the required inductive coupling area while occupying minimal vertical space. The magnetic shielding element is also constructed as a thin component, enabling the entire inductive charging assembly to fit within the limited thickness of elegant watch cases without compromising charging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes component arrangement by utilizing the lateral dimensions of the movement housing rather than increasing thickness. The antenna and magnetic shielding element are positioned in the radial plane of the movement, and the battery is configured to fit within the available circumferential space. This dimensional optimization allows inductive charging components to be integrated into thin watches by efficiently distributing volume requirements across available spatial dimensions without increasing overall watch thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If magnetic shielding element is placed between antenna and battery, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interference protectionVSAvoidcomponent arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the magnetic shielding element and the antenna holder into a single integrated component. The antenna is mounted on one surface of the magnetic shielding element, while the rechargeable battery contacts are positioned on another surface of the same component. This merging eliminates the need for separate shielding and mounting structures, reducing the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining effective electromagnetic shielding between the antenna and battery components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 seamless integration of inductive charging into conventional quartz movements with minimal case modifications, facilitating independent testing and efficient energy transfer.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna arranged to generate an electric charging current under the effect of an external magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a magnetic shielding element disposed between the antenna on one side and the rechargeable battery and the electronic sub-module on the other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4685581A1Rechargeable electrical energy storage module for an electronic clock movement
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 RICHEMONT INTERNATIONAL SA
  • EP4685581A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4685581A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4685581A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Inductively rechargeable electrical energy storage module (10), the module (10) being arranged to be installed in a housing (3) of a quartz electronic movement (1) comprising a stepper motor, the module (10) comprising: - an antenna (11) arranged to generate a charging electric current under the effect of an external magnetic field, - a rechargeable battery (21), - an electronic sub-module comprising a charging circuit (20, 22), - electrodes (12) arranged to electrically connect the module (10) to the movement (1) when the module (10) is disposed in the housing (3) of the movement (1), - a support (30), comprising an electrically insulating material and supporting the electrodes (12) on an external surface of the support (30), - a magnetic shielding element (23, 28) disposed between, on the one hand, the antenna (11) and, on the other hand, the rechargeable battery (21) and the electronic sub-module.