Smart Ring Inductive Charging Through Everyday Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart ring wearable devices face challenges such as needing to be removed for charging, poor fit, and limited functionality, particularly due to the difficulty in reliably powering components within their compact form factor.
Innovation Solution
A smart ring charging system with a charging source integrated into objects that users can hold, enabling wireless energy transfer via inductive coupling between a transmitting coil in the object and a receiving coil in the smart ring, allowing for charging without removing the ring, along with a controller to estimate and indicate the charging rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless inductive charging is implemented in smart rings, then charging convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary charging system consisting of transmitting coils integrated into environmental objects and receiving coils in the smart ring, coupled through magnetic flux. This intermediary electromagnetic field enables wireless energy transfer without direct physical contact, resolving the contradiction by providing contactless charging while distributing system complexity between the ring and environmental charging objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging source is integrated into multiple environmental objects (e.g., desks, chairs, vehicles) that users interact with daily. This universal integration allows the smart ring to charge across various contexts and locations, improving charging convenience while amortizing the complexity across multiple environmental devices rather than concentrating it in the ring alone.
2Use of energy by moving object
If continuous charging is enabled while wearing the ring, then power availability is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic charging bursts rather than continuous charging. The controller activates the receiving coil and power source in periodic cycles, allowing heat dissipation between charging bursts. This periodic operation maintains power availability over time while preventing excessive heat accumulation during each charging interval.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous power availability through frequent, short charging bursts that maintain the battery charged without requiring prolonged continuous charging. This approach sustains useful action (power supply) continuously while interrupting the charging action periodically to manage heat generation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If inductive charging components are added to smart ring, then charging functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is segmented into separate components: transmitting coils in environmental objects and receiving coils in the smart ring. This segmentation allows independent manufacturing and testing of each component, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining advanced charging functionality. The ring only requires the receiving coil assembly, which can be produced separately from the more complex transmitting infrastructure.
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 convenient and continuous charging of smart rings, enhancing their functionality and user experience by maintaining power levels within the compact form factor, thus addressing the limitations of traditional charging methods.
Implementation Method 1
The energy transfer between the charging source and the power source may be wireless and may use inductive coupling. To that end, the smart ring may include a receiving induction coil configured to generate a voltage in response to a change in magnetic flux through the coil, the magnetic flux associated with one or more transmitting coils electrically connected to the charging source.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart ring charging system comprises a charging source integrated into an object, the object configured to be held by a user wearing a smart ring. The smart ring may include a ring-shaped housing and a power source disposed within or at the ring-shaped housing and configured to receive energy from the charging source while the user is wearing the smart ring and holding the object. A controller may be disposed within or at the ring-shaped housing, or at the object with the charger and configured to estimate a charging rate at which the power source receives the energy from the charging source. The system may further include one or more indicators configured to indicate the charging rate.