Contoured Wireless Charger for Wearable Coil Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless charging devices are unsuitable for wearable electronic devices due to their flat charging surfaces, which do not align with the structural geometry of devices worn on the wrist, forearm, or ankle, limiting their charging efficiency and usability.

Innovation Solution

A wireless charging device with a charging station that has a contour matching the inner surface of the electronic device, allowing for concentric alignment and charging, along with a support base and post configuration that enables angled positioning and non-physical control features like proximity detection and motion control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flat charging surface is used, then the wireless charging device can be manufactured simply, but it cannot align with the structural geometry of wearable devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging surface manufacturingVSAvoidalignment with wearable device geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The charging surface is designed with a curved contour that matches the cylindrical or curved geometry of wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers. This curvature enables proper alignment between the transmitting coil in the charging device and the receiving coil in the wearable device, resolving the alignment problem while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through mold-based fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging surface features a localized curved region specifically designed to accommodate the wearable device's geometry, while other portions of the charging pad may remain flat. This selective application of curvature allows the charging surface to adapt to the device shape where needed without requiring the entire surface to be complex, balancing manufacturing ease with geometric compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the charging surface contours the device shape, then alignment and charging efficiency improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidcharging station structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging surface incorporates a curved contour that matches the cylindrical or curved geometry of wearable devices. This curvature enables proper alignment between the transmitting coil in the charging device and the receiving coil in the wearable device, resolving the alignment problem while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through mold-based fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging station is designed with a universal curved surface that can accommodate multiple types of wearable devices with different diameters and shapes. The contoured surface serves both as a structural support and as an alignment mechanism, eliminating the need for separate alignment features and reducing overall device complexity despite the curved geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If cable charging is used, then charging connection is reliable, but it requires specific connector geometry and reduces ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging connectionVSAvoidcharging convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable and connector system with a wireless electromagnetic induction system. The charging pad uses a transmitting coil that generates an electromagnetic field, which induces current in the receiving coil of the wearable device, eliminating the need for physical connectors and cable plugging/unplugging operations while maintaining reliable power transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless charging system enables automatic connection when the wearable device is placed on the charging pad. The proximity detection and alignment features allow the system to self-align the coils and initiate charging without user intervention, eliminating the manual connector insertion required by cable-based systems and significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 efficient charging of wearable devices by aligning with their unique shapes and allowing for operational control without physical contact, enhancing usability and charging convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a power transmitter and a power receiver. The charging station detects an operational coupling between the power transmitter and the power receiver of the electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12166368B2Wireless charging device for electronic device

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods may provide for wireless charging device of an electronic device powered by a rechargeable battery. The wireless charging device may include a charging station having a charging surface with a power transmitter and a contour that concentrically interfaces with a corresponding contour of an inner surface of the electronic device in a manner that facilitates an initiation of a power charging sequence at the charging surface when the charging station detects an operational coupling between the power transmitter and a power receiver of the electronic device.