Watch Accumulator Charging Guidance From Wearer Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional watches rely on batteries that require frequent charging or replacement, often necessitating wearer intervention when the watch stops functioning, indicating a need for an alternative energy management solution that optimizes mechanical energy conversion for charging.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing electrical consumption in watches that includes identifying the need to charge the accumulator, providing guided actuation of an electrical energy generation mechanism through visual and audio cues, with periodic charge level determination and consumption evaluation to prompt the wearer to charge, using a connected mechanical watch with a processing unit, energy generation mechanism, and communication module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional batteries are used as energy sources, then the watch can operate continuously, but the battery life is limited and requires frequent charging or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The watch enables self-charging through the wearer's natural movements. The kinetic energy generated by the wearer's motion is automatically converted to electrical energy by the energy generation mechanism, eliminating the need for external charging devices or frequent battery replacement. The system serves itself by converting the wearer's movement into charging power.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical energy conversion is used to charge the accumulator, then external charging devices are eliminated, but the wearer must manually actuate the energy generation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically converts the wearer's natural movements into charging power through the energy generation mechanism. The wearer does not need to manually operate any components - their normal wrist movements during daily activities are sufficient to generate electrical energy and charge the accumulator.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit continuously monitors the accumulator charge level and provides feedback to the wearer through visual or audible signals when charging is needed. This feedback mechanism guides the wearer's actions without requiring complex manual operation, simply indicating when natural movement is needed to recharge.
3Reliability
If the wearer is prompted to charge the accumulator, then continuous functionality is maintained, but the wearer must be aware and responsive to charging needs
Solution Approach 1:
The processing unit continuously monitors the accumulator charge level and provides timely feedback to the wearer through visual displays or audible alerts. This feedback system ensures the wearer is informed when charging is needed, allowing them to maintain continuous functionality by simply responding to the prompts through natural movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively notifies the wearer before the accumulator is completely depleted, allowing preventive charging action. The processing unit evaluates electrical consumption and predicts when charging will be needed, prompting the wearer in advance to avoid interruption of watch 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
Enables the wearer to efficiently manage and optimize mechanical energy for charging, ensuring continuous watch functionality by providing timely and informed charging prompts, thereby reducing the frequency of external charging needs.
Implementation Method 1
watches known in the state of the art that comprise charging devices which are capable of transforming the mechanical energy produced into electrical energy that can be used to power the watch
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing the electrical consumption of a watch including a step of identifying a need to charge an accumulator of the watch, and a step of charging the accumulator through guided actuation of a control member of an electrical energy generation mechanism of the watch, if a need to charge is identified.