LED Drinking Glass Wireless Power via Electromagnetic Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LED drinking glasses require internal batteries for power, limiting their ability to receive energy wirelessly from an electromagnetic surface and restricting activation to a specific area, leading to wear and tear on switches and inconvenience in battery management.
Innovation Solution
A drinking glass with internal LEDs powered by an electromagnetic field created between a non-conductive surface and metallic plates, utilizing a circuit with an NPN transistor, induction coils, and resistors to enable 360-degree energy reception and touchless activation through varying inductive plate sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If internal batteries are used to power LED lights in drinking glasses, then the LEDs can be powered, but the device complexity increases and battery management becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from inside the drinking glass by using wireless electromagnetic energy transfer. The base unit generates electromagnetic fields that transmit power through the table surface to the drinking glass, eliminating the need for internal batteries and their associated management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electromagnetic field as the energy transfer medium between the base unit and the drinking glass. This field acts as a mediator that transmits power wirelessly through the table surface, avoiding direct electrical connections and internal battery compartments.
2Ease of operation
If a touch sensing switch is used for activation, then the LEDs can be controlled, but the switch experiences wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical touch sensing switch with a capacitive sensing system that detects changes in the electromagnetic field caused by human proximity. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and wear while maintaining ease of activation control.
3Measurement precision
If the drinking glass is restricted to a specific activation area, then the control is precise, but the versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the activation capability from a limited contact area to a 360-degree circumferential area around the base of the drinking glass. The electromagnetic field propagates radially outward, allowing activation from any direction rather than requiring precise placement on a specific spot.
4Use of energy by moving object
If internal batteries are required, then the LEDs can function, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to battery installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery component entirely from the manufacturing process. The drinking glass is manufactured without internal battery compartments, and power is provided externally through the wireless electromagnetic transmission system, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly.
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
Eliminates the need for internal batteries, allows for wireless power reception and activation across 360 degrees, reducing switch wear and simplifying battery management by using an electromagnetic field to power LEDs and a touch sensing switch for activation.
Implementation Method 1
The LED lights internal to the drinking glass are able to emit photons while placed on a non-conductive surface and receive energy from a metallic material beneath the non-conductive material via an electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 2
The activation of the LEDs internal to the drinking glass happens by an aluminum touch sensing switch on the glass
Data Source
AI summary
The Porter Air Touch is a wireless powered LED drinking glass with internal LED lights that emits light but does not require internal batteries. The drinking glass internal LED lights receive energy via a large flat surface that emits an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field emitted from the two inductive plates permeates through a non-conductive barrier that reaches the bottom of the LED drinking glass. Two metallic drinking glass aluminum contact plates along the bottom of the LED drinking glasses absorb the electromagnetic energy from the inductive plates and powers the LED lights wirelessly.