Pet Water Dispenser Wireless Power Docking and Safe Battery Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pet water dispensers face challenges in power supply management, including inefficient use of external power and risk of electric shock during maintenance, due to unidirectional power transmission and lack of control over auxiliary battery discharge.

Innovation Solution

A pet water dispenser with bi-directional wireless power transmission capabilities, utilizing a docking station, auxiliary battery, and a controller to manage power flow between the water tank and inner assembly, allowing for efficient operation and safety features like power saving modes and restricted discharge during maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If unidirectional power transmission is used from docking station to water dispenser, then power supply is simplified, but power management efficiency deteriorates and electric shock risk increases during maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply structureVSAvoidpower management efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements bidirectional power transmission capability, allowing power to flow both from the docking station to the water dispenser and from the water dispenser back to the docking station. This inversion of the traditional unidirectional power flow enables the auxiliary battery to discharge back to the docking station, improving power management efficiency by recovering energy that would otherwise be wasted, while maintaining simplified power supply structure through the use of existing wireless power transmission infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If auxiliary battery discharge is unrestricted, then continuous operation is ensured, but electric shock risk increases during maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidelectric shock risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller monitors the operational state of the water dispenser and provides feedback control over the auxiliary battery discharge. During maintenance modes, the controller detects the maintenance state and automatically restricts auxiliary battery discharge to prevent electric shock risk, while allowing unrestricted discharge during normal operation to ensure continuous operation. This feedback mechanism dynamically adjusts power management based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If wireless power transmission is implemented, then power connection flexibility is improved, but power transmission control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower connection flexibilityVSAvoidpower transmission control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service power management through automated controller logic that handles wireless power transmission control. The controller automatically manages power reception from the docking station, auxiliary battery charging, and discharge control based on operational conditions, eliminating the need for complex manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation while managing power transmission control complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 efficient and safe power management, ensuring continuous operation even without external power, preventing electric shock during maintenance, and optimizing power usage based on charging rates and user-defined settings.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless power transmission device D to transmit power wirelessly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless power transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3653047B1Liquid dispenser for animals
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3653047B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3653047B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3653047B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pet water dispenser may include a water tank including a bottom plate and at least one wall extending from the bottom plate, at least one electronic device provided in a water tank electronic component or chamber under the bottom plate, and a power supply device or assembly to supply electric power to the water tank electronic component. The power supply assembly may include a docking station provided under the bottom plate and to which external power is applied, an auxiliary battery provided in the inner assembly, a wireless power transfer device, and a reverse wireless power transfer device. The wireless power transfer device and the reverse wireless power transfer device may be connected to the auxiliary battery and the docking station.