Retractable Charging Apparatus with Roller Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging apparatuses for mobile devices in public settings lack convenience, safety, and user experience due to cumbersome designs, potential electrical damage, and inefficient charging processes.
Innovation Solution
A retractable charging apparatus featuring a retraction roller mechanism driven by a motor, a charging mechanism with a PCB, and an inlet/outlet door mechanism, allowing for easy and safe insertion and ejection of power packs without manual alignment, using rollers with rubber coatings and thru-beam sensors for precise control and dust-proofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If long or short charging lines are connected for the charging apparatus in public occasions, then the charging function is provided, but the apparatus gives a cumbersome and disorderly appearance and electric wires tend to be damaged leading to leakage of electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging function from the external power source and integrates it into the power pack itself. The power pack contains an embedded battery and charging circuit, allowing it to charge mobile devices without needing external charging lines or wires. This eliminates the cumbersome appearance and safety hazards of exposed wires while maintaining the charging function.
2Ease of operation
If a special platform is needed to accommodate the electric wires and the charged mobile power packs, then the charging apparatus can function, but the apparatus becomes more cumbersome and disorderly giving user's a poor experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the charging platform function with the power pack itself. The power pack serves dual purposes: it is both the charging source (containing battery and circuit) and the charged object (being recharged when placed in the apparatus). This integration eliminates the need for separate platforms to accommodate wires and multiple power packs, simplifying the overall structure and improving user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The power pack is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a portable power source for charging mobile devices and a rechargeable unit when placed in the charging apparatus. This universal design eliminates the need for separate charging platforms and wires, as the same power pack unit performs both charging and being charged functions.
3Device complexity
If manual alignment is required for charging, then the charging apparatus can be simple, but the operation becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The charging apparatus employs self-service through automatic detection and alignment mechanisms. When a power pack is placed in the apparatus, sensors automatically detect its presence and position, and the system autonomously aligns the charging contacts without requiring manual intervention. This eliminates laborious manual alignment operations while maintaining simple structural design.
4Productivity
If the charging apparatus accommodates multiple mobile power packs simultaneously, then more devices can be charged, but the scenario becomes crowded and chaotic causing users to wait at the site
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a circulating charging model where power packs are continuously reused. When one power pack is being used to charge a mobile device, another fully charged power pack is available to replace it. After a power pack completes its charging cycle, it is automatically recovered and recharged by the apparatus, creating a continuous circulation of charging units. This maintains high productivity without requiring multiple simultaneous charging positions, avoiding crowded and chaotic scenarios.
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
The solution provides a simple, efficient, and safe charging process that improves user experience by eliminating messy cables, reducing power consumption, and ensuring accurate charging contacts, while enhancing safety and durability.
Implementation Method 1
the rollers with rubber coatings... ensuring accurate charging contacts
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable charging apparatus includes a retraction roller mechanism, a charging mechanism and a main PCB. The retraction roller mechanism includes a first driving apparatus, a transmission component having a power connection to the first driving apparatus, and at least one level of roller components connected to the transmission component. Each level of roller components includes two rollers disposed opposite each other. The first driving apparatus is electrically connected to the main PCB. The charging mechanism includes a charging PCB connected to the main PCB. The main PCB controls the first driving apparatus to drive the retraction roller mechanism. In use, a user places a power supply between the two rollers. The rollers retract the power supply into the charging apparatus, and convey the power supply to a charging mechanism for charging. After charging is completed, a retraction roller mechanism conveys the power supply out.