Smart Ring Charging With a Removable External Power Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart rings face challenges such as needing to be removed for charging, poor fit, limited functionality, and lack of user interactivity due to power constraints in their compact form factor.
Innovation Solution
A smart ring with a removable power source that can be attached to the band-shaped housing for charging the internal power source, allowing flexible configuration and enhanced functionality, and includes energy-harvesting components for ambient energy charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the smart ring uses a compact form factor with limited power source, then it can be worn comfortably on the finger, but it requires removal for charging and has limited functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The power source is divided into two separate components: a small internal power source integrated into the smart ring for continuous operation, and a larger removable external power source that can be detached for charging. This segmentation allows the ring to remain compact and comfortable while enabling convenient charging of the external power source separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The larger power source is extracted from the smart ring and made removable, allowing it to be taken out for charging independently. This extraction resolves the contradiction by separating the charging function from the wearable ring, maintaining comfort while improving charging convenience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the smart ring includes more functional components for enhanced functionality, then it provides more features, but it consumes more power and requires larger power source
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines two power sources (internal and external) into a unified power system where the external power source can recharge the internal power source. This merging allows the smart ring to access the combined capacity of both power sources, enabling enhanced functionality with higher power consumption while maintaining comfortable wearability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power system is made dynamic by allowing the external power source to be attached or detached as needed. When attached, the system can operate in high-power mode for enhanced functionality; when detached, it operates in low-power mode for extended wearability, providing adaptive power management.
3Device complexity
If the smart ring uses a fixed power source integrated into the housing, then it has simple structure, but it cannot be easily recharged or replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The power source system is segmented into replaceable modules (internal and external power sources) that can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation maintains relatively simple structure while dramatically improving ease of repair and replacement compared to a fixed integrated power source.
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 the smart ring on the user's finger while facilitating easy charging and increased functionality, including wireless communication and user interface capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the band-shaped housing or the removable power source may include an energy-harvesting component configured to charge, respectively, the internal power source or the removable power source from ambient energy sources
Implementation Method 2
transferring electrical energy from the removable power source to an internal power source disposed within the band-shaped housing
Data Source
AI summary
A ring includes a housing. The housing can include an inner surface configured to contact a finger of a user when the housing is worn by the user. The housing also can include a first power source configured to be wirelessly charged by a second power source that is removably coupled to the housing. The housing further can include a component configure to draw energy from the first power source. The component can perform one or more of: sensing an activity of the user wearing the housing or sending data to a communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.