Wearable Accessory Inductive Charging Without Physical Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices face challenges in incorporating additional functionalities due to space constraints, as adding electronic components increases size and weight, and electrical connections can compromise water-proofing.
Innovation Solution
A wireless charging and communication system between the wearable device body and accessory, using inductive coils and power management circuitry to enable bi-directional data and power transfer, eliminating the need for physical connections and allowing modular accessories to be wirelessly charged and customized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are added to accessories to provide additional functionalities, then the functionality of the wearable device is improved, but the size and weight of the accessory increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery and electronic components from the accessory and places them in the main device body. The accessory becomes a passive component that can be wirelessly charged through the main device, eliminating the need for batteries in accessories while maintaining their functional capabilities through wireless power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The main device body serves multiple functions: it acts as both the primary device and a wireless charging station for accessories. The wireless charging capability allows the main device to power multiple different accessories without requiring each accessory to have its own battery, making the system more universal and adaptable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are added to accessories to provide additional functionalities, then the functionality of the wearable device is improved, but the size of the accessory increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery and electronic components from the accessory and places them in the main device body. The accessory becomes a passive component that can be wirelessly charged through the main device, eliminating the need for batteries in accessories while maintaining their functional capabilities through wireless power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The main device body serves multiple functions: it acts as both the primary device and a wireless charging station for accessories. The wireless charging capability allows the main device to power multiple different accessories without requiring each accessory to have its own battery, making the system more universal and adaptable.
3Ease of operation
If electrical connections are provided between watch body and watch band, then power and data transfer are enabled, but the water-proof capabilities are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical electrical connections with a wireless electromagnetic field-based power and data transfer system. The watch body and watch band communicate and transfer power through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for physical contact points that would compromise water-proofing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary medium to transfer power and data between the watch body and watch band. This intermediary allows energy and information transfer without direct physical contact, maintaining the integrity of the water-proof seal while enabling full functionality.
4Use of energy by moving object
If batteries are added to accessories, then power supply capability is improved, but the weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery and electronic components from the accessory and places them in the main device body. The accessory becomes a passive component that can be wirelessly charged through the main device, eliminating the need for batteries in accessories while maintaining their functional capabilities through wireless power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory serves itself by being wirelessly charged from the main device when attached. The main device automatically detects the attached accessory and provides power through wireless induction, eliminating the need for manual charging operations or built-in batteries in the accessory.
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 incorporation of additional features without increasing size or weight, improves water-proofing, and allows for smart charging and over-the-air updates, while providing easy customization and security through wireless communication.
Implementation Method 1
a first coil configured to inductively transmit and/or receive power, and the accessory of the wearable device may include a second coil also configured to inductively transmit and/or receive power
Implementation Method 2
The power management circuitry may further be configured to modulate the transmitted power to wirelessly transmit data
Data Source
AI summary
The technology provides for a wearable device including a body and an accessory adapted to be attached to the body. The body includes a first coil configured to inductively transmit power. The body may further include first power management circuitry configured to control the first coil to transmit power according to a wireless charging standard, and to modulate the power transmitted through the first coil to transmit data according to a wireless communication standard. The accessory may include a second coil configured to inductively receive power. The accessory may further include second power management circuitry configured to control the second coil to receive the power transmitted through the first coil according to the wireless charging standard, and to control the second coil to receive the data transmitted through the first coil according to the wireless communication standard.