Barcode Scanner Cradle Alignment for Reliable Inductive Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional charging methods for handheld barcode reader assemblies, such as direct electrical contact and inductive charging, face issues like inefficient charging, water, dust, and electrostatic discharge vulnerabilities, and repetitive cycling failures, leading to potential device malfunction due to improper placement or inefficient coupling.
Innovation Solution
A barcode scanner assembly with alignment features, including wedges and a cradle design, that utilizes gravity and torque to ensure efficient alignment of inductive coils for charging, along with a motor and sensor system to confirm adequate charging and prevent movement, ensuring efficient inductive charging and alerting the user of low battery levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inductive charging is implemented to eliminate direct electrical contact, then reliability is improved by preventing contact failure and contamination, but charging efficiency deteriorates due to poor coil coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a motorized adjustment mechanism that dynamically positions the inductive charging coil to optimize coupling with the base coil. The motor adjusts the coil position in real-time based on coupling efficiency detection, transforming a static poor-coupling design into a dynamic optimization system that maintains both reliability and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism that detects charging efficiency and uses this information to control motor adjustment of the coil position. When coupling is detected as poor, the system automatically adjusts the coil position to improve coupling, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures efficient charging while maintaining contactless reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the reader is always looking for object presence in presentation cradles, then adaptability is improved for continuous scanning, but power consumption increases leading to faster battery depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of object presence before initiating continuous scanning. When no object is detected, the reader remains in a low-power state. Only when an object is preliminarily detected does the system activate continuous scanning, preventing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining the ability to quickly scan when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous scanning, the system uses periodic scanning intervals to detect object presence. This reduces power consumption by keeping the scanner inactive most of the time, while still maintaining adaptability to detect and scan objects when they are placed in the cradle.
3Productivity
If inductive coils are positioned closer for efficient coupling, then charging efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-aligning features where the reader and base have complementary geometric shapes that automatically guide proper coil alignment when the reader is placed on the base. This eliminates the need for complex external alignment mechanisms, achieving efficient coupling through simple self-aligning structural features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with a motorized adjustment mechanism that uses simple linear motion to optimize coil positioning. The motor-driven system substitutes for elaborate mechanical guides and alignment features, reducing overall device complexity while achieving efficient coupling.
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 ensures reliable and efficient charging by minimizing gaps between inductive coils, preventing device malfunction, and providing user confirmation of adequate charge, thus maintaining the barcode reader's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
inductive charging systems for handheld barcode reader assemblies
Implementation Method 2
In the charging position, gravity and the cradle urge alignment of the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil
Data Source
AI summary
A variety of barcode scanner assemblies for inductive charging include a reader, a stand, a first inductive coil having a first coil axis, and a second inductive coil having a second coil axis. For some assemblies, in the charging position, gravity and a cradle of the stand urge alignment of the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil along the first coil axis and the second coil axis and minimize a gap between the first coil axis and the second coil axis. For some assemblies, in the charging position, a torque is exerted upon the reader by gravity, the torque urging proximity between the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil and alignment features of the stand urge alignment of the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil along the first and second coil axes.