Optical Charging Interface for Waterproof Mobile Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile intelligent terminals with waterproof features can be short-circuited and damaged, and user safety can be endangered when charged with water accumulated in the charging interface.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof mobile intelligent terminal design that eliminates the need for a conventional charging interface by using an optical-to-electrical conversion module and a light transmissive sheet, allowing for charging and data transmission through optical signals even when submerged in water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional charging interface is provided for charging the mobile intelligent terminal, then charging function is achieved, but water accumulates in the charging interface causing short-circuit risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging functionVSAvoidshort-circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical electrical charging interface with an optical charging interface. Light transmissive sheets are disposed on the housing to enable optical signal transmission for charging and data communication, eliminating the need for exposed electrical contacts that accumulate water and cause short-circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses light transmissive sheets (thin films) integrated into the housing structure to create the charging interface. These sheets allow optical signals to pass through while maintaining the waterproof integrity of the housing, preventing water accumulation issues associated with traditional open electrical interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If a charging interface is provided on the mobile intelligent terminal, then charging capability is enabled, but waterproof performance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capabilityVSAvoidwaterproof performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical signal transmission through physical connectors with optical signal transmission through light transmissive sheets. This replacement maintains waterproof performance by eliminating openings in the housing while preserving charging capability through optical communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The light transmissive sheets serve multiple functions: they maintain the waterproof seal of the housing, enable optical charging, and facilitate data communication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate charging ports that would compromise waterproofing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the mobile intelligent terminal uses optical-to-electrical conversion module for charging, then waterproof integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof integrityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical-to-electrical conversion module handles multiple tasks including charging current reception, data communication, and authentication signals all through the same optical interface. This consolidation reduces the need for separate specialized components that would increase overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Ensures safe charging and data transmission for waterproof mobile intelligent terminals without the risk of short-circuiting, enhancing user safety and maintaining the waterproof integrity of the device.

Implementation Method 1

a light transmissive sheet disposed on the housing and configured to transmit an optical signal generated by the charger into the mobile intelligent terminal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

an optical-to-electrical conversion module disposed inside the housing and configured to convert the optical signal into an electric signal to provide electric energy for an electronic device in the mobile intelligent terminal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical-to-electrical conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3846420B1Waterproof mobile intelligent terminal, charger and method for controlling light charging
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3846420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3846420B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3846420B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a waterproof mobile intelligent terminal, a charger, and an optical charging control method. A housing of the mobile intelligent terminal is provided with a waterproof structure, to prevent water from causing damage to an electronic device inside the mobile intelligent terminal when the mobile intelligent terminal falls into water. The waterproof structure includes a waterproof external information interface. The external information interface includes a light transmissive sheet of the housing and an optical-to-electrical conversion module disposed inside the housing. The optical-to-electrical conversion module is configured to convert an optical signal that passes through the light transmissive sheet into an electric signal. When a user needs to charge the mobile intelligent terminal or transmit data to or from the mobile intelligent terminal, energy or the data may be carried on an optical signal, and a device, for example, the charger or an optical fiber, that can generate and output an optical signal, is aligned with the light transmissive sheet of the housing, so that the optical signal enters the housing through the light transmissive sheet and is received by the optical-to-electrical conversion module. Then, the optical-to-electrical conversion module converts the optical signal into an electric signal. The electric signal may be used to provide electric energy for the mobile intelligent terminal, transmit data, and the like. Therefore, in the technical solutions of this application, the mobile intelligent terminal does not need to be provided with a charging interface. Therefore, even after the mobile intelligent terminal is immersed in water, the user can safely charge the mobile intelligent terminal or transmit data to or from the mobile intelligent terminal without worrying about short-circuiting of the mobile intelligent terminal, thereby ensuring personal safety of the user.