Portable Power Supply Wireless Charging via Host Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices often face power depletion at inopportune times, rendering them inoperable due to the limited capacity of their power supplies, which requires conventional recharging mechanisms or access to fixed power sources.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus allowing a portable electronic device to recharge its power supply using the stored energy from another portable electronic device, either a host device carried by the user or a borrowed device, through electrical or inductive coupling, without needing a fixed power source, with a controller managing the charging process and displaying status information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable power supply is designed with limited capacity to maintain portability, then the device remains portable and easy to carry, but the power supply becomes depleted at inopportune times when conventional recharging is not accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second portable power supply as an intermediary energy source that can transfer stored energy to the first power supply through wireless communication. This mediator enables energy replenishment without requiring access to fixed power sources, resolving the contradiction between portability and continuous operation availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the energy state parameters by allowing bidirectional energy transfer between two portable power supplies. The controller monitors energy levels and initiates charging when the first supply is depleted, transforming the static limited-capacity constraint into a dynamic energy management system that maintains continuous operation.
2Reliability
If conventional recharging mechanisms are used to replenish the portable power supply, then the power supply can be recharged, but access to fixed power sources is required which may not be available when needed
Solution Approach 1:
A second portable power supply serves as a mobile intermediary charging source that transfers energy wirelessly to the first power supply. This eliminates dependence on fixed power infrastructure, enabling replenishment in any location and significantly improving recharging accessibility while maintaining reliable power supply restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection-based conventional charging system with a wireless energy transfer mechanism. The controller initiates charging sequences through wireless communication, substituting physical plug-and-play charging with contactless energy transmission, thereby achieving universal recharging accessibility independent of fixed power sources.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the portable power supply is designed with larger capacity to extend operation time, then the device can operate longer without recharging, but the weight and size increase reducing portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the total energy storage requirement into two separate portable power supplies instead of one large capacity supply. Each supply maintains manageable weight and size for portability, while together they provide extended operation time through sequential or simultaneous energy transfer, resolving the contradiction between duration and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a nested energy architecture where the second portable power supply acts as an external energy reservoir that can be coupled to the first supply. This nested configuration allows the primary device to maintain minimal battery weight for portability while accessing extended energy capacity through the coupled second supply when needed.
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 continuous operation of portable electronic devices by replenishing their power supplies without access to conventional charging mechanisms or fixed power sources, ensuring the devices remain functional even when a user cannot recharge them promptly.
Implementation Method 1
A coupler is configured to couple the portable power supply of the recipient, portable electronic device to provide the charging energy
Implementation Method 2
through electrical or inductive coupling
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4
AI summary
An apparatus, and an associated method, for providing charging energy to a portable power supply, sourced at the portable power supply of another portable electronic device. The portable electronic devices are arranged in a charging configuration in which the portable electronic device from which energy is to be sourced is coupled to the portable electronic device to which the charging energy is to be applied. A controller controls the charging operations to ensure that energy of a host portable power supply is not depleted beyond a minimum level, and the application of the charging energy is terminated when a recipient portable power supply is charged to a desired level or the host portable power supply is depleted to the minimum level.