Wall-Mounted Charging Station for Confinement Institutions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Confinement institutions face challenges in safely and efficiently charging electronic devices due to space limitations, security concerns, and safety risks associated with cord-based charging systems, which require significant officer time and supervision.

Innovation Solution

A wall-mounted charging station with a slim profile that can charge multiple devices simultaneously, featuring angled slots with magnetic alignment, contactless charging, and locking mechanisms, along with integrated tracking and monitoring systems to manage device usage and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cord-based charging systems are used, then devices can be charged, but safety risks and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging reliabilityVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes cords and cables from the charging system, extracting the harmful element that caused safety risks. The charging station uses wireless power transmission to charge devices without physical connections, eliminating tripping hazards, entanglement risks, and electrical shock dangers associated with cords in confinement institutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cord-based power transmission system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based charging system. The charging station uses electromagnetic induction or radio frequency energy transfer to power devices without physical contact, substituting the mechanical connection with a field-based energy transfer mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If cart-based charging systems are used, then multiple devices can be charged, but space requirements and mobility restrictions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of devices chargedVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a horizontal space-consuming cart-based system to a vertical wall-mounted charging station. By utilizing the vertical dimension and mounting the charging station on walls, the system charges multiple devices simultaneously while occupying minimal floor space, effectively transforming the spatial footprint from two-dimensional to three-dimensional utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If officers manually manage device dispersion and collection, then device security is maintained, but officer time and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice securityVSAvoidofficer productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service charging system where devices are automatically charged when placed in the charging station. The system includes automatic device recognition, power allocation, and charging status monitoring without requiring officer intervention. This eliminates the need for manual device collection and distribution, allowing officers to focus on other security responsibilities while the system manages device charging autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Use of energy by moving object

If accessories and cords are used for charging, then devices can be powered, but device complexity and management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice power supplyVSAvoidcharging system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal charging station that can charge multiple types of electronic devices simultaneously through wireless power transmission. The system accommodates various device forms factors and power requirements without requiring different cords, adapters, or connectors for each device type, simplifying the overall charging ecosystem to a single multi-functional platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces space requirements, minimizes safety hazards, and allows for efficient device management, enabling controlled distribution and collection without extensive officer supervision, thereby conserving resources and improving safety and security within confinement institutions.

Implementation Method 1

angled slots with magnetic alignment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic alignment: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11658496B1Methods and systems for charging and monitoring electronic devices in confinement institutions

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 CONFINEMENT TELEPHONY TECH LLC

AI summary

Implementations disclosed herein provide a charging station configured to attach to or be positioned adjacent to a wall in a confinement institution and to simultaneously charge multiple tablets, mobile phones, laptops, or other portable electronic devices. In some implementations, the charging station is configured with protective sides that may help protect inserted electronic devices from damage. The charging and use of the electronic devices within the confinement institution may be automatically managed based connections at the charging stations, communications with the electronic devices, audio, images, or video of the electronic devices or users captured cameras on the charging station or the electronic devices, and/or information provided by the users.