Modular Charging Device With Interchangeable Cradles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular charging solutions for hand-held devices are costly, prone to damage, and require specialist maintenance, with no provision for easy part replacement or upgrade, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs when managing multiple devices with different charging requirements.
Innovation Solution
A modular charging device with interchangeable cradle mounts and a power distribution unit that allows for detachable and interchangeable cradles, enabling user-friendly maintenance and upgrade, and supporting multiple device types with a single unit, along with a power distribution system that includes a transformer and optional power-over-Ethernet capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bank-charger combines multiple docking stations into a single unit, then the number of trailing wires is reduced, but the cost increases and the entire unit must be replaced if one dock is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is divided into separate modular components: individual docking stations that can be used independently, rather than a single integrated bank-charger unit. This segmentation allows one dock to be replaced or repaired without affecting the others, improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If a bank-charger combines multiple docking stations into a single unit, then charging convenience is improved, but repair cost and inconvenience increase when damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separate, standalone docking stations rather than a single integrated unit. Each dock can be independently repaired or replaced, significantly reducing repair costs and inconvenience compared to replacing an entire bank-charger, while still providing convenient multi-device charging capability.
3Reliability
If docking stations are designed with specific shaped recesses to prevent wrong device docking, then device protection is improved, but the ability to charge different device types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The docking stations are designed with universal compatibility features, allowing a single dock to accommodate multiple different device types through adaptable connection mechanisms, while still providing protection against incorrect docking through guide features and interlocking mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different devices are used simultaneously by different users, then user flexibility is improved, but the risk of docking devices in wrong docks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking stations incorporate asymmetric design features such as shaped recesses, positioning guides, and interlocking mechanisms that ensure devices can only be docked in the correct orientation and on the correct dock, preventing wrong device docking even when multiple different devices are in use simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular charging device includes a chassis, a plurality of cradle mounts and a power distribution unit including a power outlet corresponding to each of the said cradle mounts. Each mount is suitably adapted for detachably affixing a cradle to the chassis, and a charging plug of each cradle is electrically connectable to the power distribution unit via a fly lead providing an electrical connection between the said charging plug and the power outlets. The use of a modular chassis and cradle mount system may conveniently enable each cradle to be attached or detached individually, meaning that the component parts can be removed and replaced upon failure, or for upgrade, with minimal effort. Additionally, the invention suitably permits charging of multiple mobile communication devices or batteries for same.