Watch Crown Charging Interface for Sealed Wearable Battery Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices face challenges in efficient charging mechanisms that compromise mechanical and electronic architecture, space utilization, sealing, and aesthetic appeal, often involving magnets or unstable connections.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device design with a rechargeable battery system where the crown is electrically connected to a pole, eliminating the need for charging pins and magnets, and utilizing a flexible printed circuit for connectivity, enhancing sealing and reducing magnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connecting pins are arranged on the case back with magnets for positioning, then good mechanical and electrical contact is achieved, but the magnets disturb the electronics inside the watch and take up space in the internal volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes magnets and connecting pins from the case back entirely. Instead, the crown serves as the electrical contact point for charging, extracting the charging function from the case back structure and relocating it to the crown, thereby eliminating magnetic components and their associated space and interference issues
Solution Approach 2:
The crown is given multiple functions: it serves as both the traditional time-setting interface and as the electrical contact point for charging the battery. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate charging pins and magnets on the case back, simplifying the internal structure while maintaining reliable electrical contact
2Reliability
If connecting pins are arranged on the side wall requiring rotation for pressure contact, then electrical contact is established, but the balance of the watch becomes unstable and electrical contact may be easily lost
Solution Approach 1:
The crown, being a fixed and stable component already integrated into the watch structure, serves the dual purpose of time setting and charging contact. It automatically maintains stable electrical contact through its fixed position and integrated spring mechanism, eliminating the need for user rotation actions that compromise watch balance
3Ease of operation
If an inductive charger is used for wireless charging, then charging convenience is improved, but unstable connection and electromagnetic interference or heat generation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless electromagnetic induction charging with a mechanical contact charging system using the crown. The crown makes direct physical contact with the charging device's electrode, providing stable and reliable electrical connection without the electromagnetic interference and heat generation issues associated with inductive charging
Solution Approach 2:
The charging interface uses simple, durable materials for the crown and charging contacts, avoiding complex electromagnetic components. The mechanical contact system is simpler, more reliable, and generates less heat compared to wireless charging technology
4Reliability
If charging pins are present on the case back, then electrical connection is enabled, but sealing is compromised due to additional openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging function from the case back openings and relocates it to the crown. By removing the charging pins from the case back, the sealing integrity of the case back is restored, eliminating pathways for water and dust infiltration while maintaining charging capability through the crown
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
This design simplifies manufacturing, saves space, improves sealing, and reduces magnetic disturbances, providing a better aesthetic while ensuring efficient charging.
Implementation Method 1
The battery is configured to convert the stored chemical energy into electricity
Implementation Method 2
By providing energy to the rechargeable battery, the electrochemical reaction is reversed to recharge the chemical energy stored in the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device configured to be positioned on a user's wrist, includes a rechargeable battery configured to provide energy for the wearable device, the rechargeable battery including a first pole and a second pole, an enclosure, a crown protruding through the enclosure, the crown being a hardware input for the user, and a case back configured to be at least partially in contact with the skin of the wrist, wherein the crown is configured to be electrically connected to the first pole and wherein the enclosure is configured to be electrically connected to the second pole.