Water-Powered Battery Charging for Personal Care Handles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal care devices, such as toothbrushes and razors, rely on rechargeable batteries that require frequent recharging, often using conventional electrical outlets, which may be inconvenient and less sustainable.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulically powered battery charging system that utilizes a residential water supply, such as a shower or sink, to charge rechargeable batteries for personal care devices, using a turbine mechanism driven by hydraulic fluid to generate electricity for motorized toothbrushes and other personal care tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical outlets are used to charge batteries, then charging infrastructure is widely available, but sustainability and convenience are reduced due to frequent plugging/unplugging and outlet accessibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service charging by utilizing the existing water flow from showers or sinks to automatically generate electricity. The water-powered turbine converts kinetic energy from everyday water usage into electrical energy, eliminating the need for manual plugging/unplugging of chargers and making the charging process autonomous and convenient.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs hydraulic principles by using flowing water to drive a turbine mechanism. The kinetic energy of water flow is converted into mechanical rotation, which then generates electricity through electromagnetic induction, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional electrical charging.
2Reliability
If conventional electrical outlets are used for charging, then power supply is reliable, but environmental sustainability is compromised due to reliance on grid electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts wasted water flow energy into useful electrical energy. Water that would otherwise simply drain away during showers or sink usage is harnessed to drive the turbine and charge batteries, transforming a previously unused resource into a beneficial power source and reducing reliance on non-renewable grid electricity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic turbine mechanism captures kinetic energy from water flow and converts it into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction, providing a renewable energy source that reduces carbon footprint while maintaining reliable charging capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rechargeable batteries are made detachable for charging, then charging flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional connection interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable battery design with standardized connection interfaces enables multi-functionality and adaptability. The same battery can be used across different personal care devices, and the universal connection protocol simplifies the charging process while maintaining flexibility for various charging scenarios including water-powered charging.
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
Provides a sustainable and convenient charging solution by leveraging existing water infrastructure to power personal care devices, reducing the need for traditional electrical outlets and enhancing device usability.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one turbine may be configured to be motivated into rotation by a flow of the hydraulic fluid across the at least one turbine blade
Implementation Method 2
The motor may be configured to be energized by the rechargeable battery
Data Source
AI summary
A powered personal care (e.g., razor, toothbrush, etc.) system may comprise a battery-powered oral care device. The oral care device may comprise a handle portion that may comprise a rechargeable battery configured to be detachably connected to the handle portion. The handle portion may comprise a motor configured to be energized by the rechargeable battery. The oral care device may comprise a head portion that may comprise a plurality of brush bristles. The personal care system may comprise a hydraulically powered battery charging device. The charging device may comprise a housing, a hydraulic inlet port, a magnetic core, a turbine blade in mechanical communication with the magnetic core. The turbine blade may be motivated into rotation by a flow of hydraulic fluid across the at least one turbine blade. The charging device may comprise a battery port configured to insertably receive the rechargeable battery.