Multi-Level Charging Station for Electric Candles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging stations for electric lights face challenges such as increased surface area requirements and difficulty in accessing lower-level devices for charging, as seen in non-stackable and stackable designs respectively.
Innovation Solution
The development of multi-level charging stations with slideable trays and ferrous material-based charging systems, along with modular designs featuring metal strips and inductive coils, allows for efficient charging of electric lights without requiring the removal of upper levels and provides easy access to all devices, while also enabling dynamic adjustment of capacity and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-stackable charging station design is used, then the charging process is simple and devices are easily accessible, but the surface area required increases significantly when charging multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station transitions from a horizontal layout to a vertical stackable design, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate multiple charging levels. This allows multiple devices to be charged simultaneously while maintaining compact horizontal footprint, as each level can hold one or more devices vertically arranged.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station is divided into multiple independent stackable levels, each capable of charging devices separately. This segmentation allows the system to scale vertically by adding or removing levels as needed, providing flexibility in device capacity while maintaining a compact overall structure.
2Area of stationary object
If a stackable charging station design is used, then the surface area is reduced, but devices on lower levels become difficult to access without removing upper levels
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station incorporates movable and adjustable components, such as slideable trays or removable levels, that allow users to dynamically access devices on lower levels without disassembling the entire structure. This dynamic design maintains the space-saving vertical arrangement while ensuring operational convenience.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed capacity charging stations are used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the ability to adapt to different charging needs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station is designed with modular, stackable levels that can be independently manufactured and then assembled in various configurations. This segmentation allows the system to be manufactured using simple, standardized components while providing great flexibility in capacity adjustment by adding or removing levels based on user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Each module in the charging station is designed to be universal and interchangeable, allowing the same basic unit to serve multiple functions and be configured in different arrangements. This universality maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling the system to adapt to various charging capacities and device types.
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
This solution reduces the surface area required for charging multiple devices, facilitates easy access to all devices without removing upper levels, and allows for dynamic capacity adjustment, enhancing usability and aesthetics in various settings.
Implementation Method 1
a ferrous material that can be electrified to thereby allow for charging of electric lights and other devices that are inserted into the ferrous material
Implementation Method 2
U.S. pat. publ. no. 2010/0124050 to Hau et al. discusses an inductive charging station that allows for additional candles to be charged
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of charging stations are described that are configured to charge a plurality of electric lights or other devices. The charging stations can be multi-level to allow for charging of many candles while limiting the space required by the stations. The charging stations can be modular to allow them to be dynamically adapted to the varying needs of a user.