Wearable Charger Terminal Orientation and Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable electronic device charging apparatuses often require precise directional alignment for charging, leading to inefficiencies and potential charging failures due to incorrect orientation, especially when multiple coupling directions are allowed.
Innovation Solution
A charging apparatus with point-symmetrically arranged power and ground terminals on its surface, allowing the wearable device to be charged through either set of terminals based on its placement direction, utilizing a control unit to selectively connect terminals and improve power efficiency by disconnecting unused terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a charging apparatus uses a single set of terminals with predetermined directional arrangement, then the terminal arrangement is simple, but the device can only be charged when coupled in a predetermined direction, requiring users to confirm coupling direction in advance and causing charging failures due to erroneous orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging the first power terminal and first ground terminal in a first direction, while the second power terminal and second ground terminal are arranged in a second direction opposite to the first direction. This asymmetric arrangement in opposite directions enables the charging apparatus to adapt to different coupling directions while maintaining a relatively simple terminal structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a charging apparatus allows coupling in multiple directions, then charging adaptability improves, but power efficiency deteriorates due to inability to disconnect unused terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the terminal connections dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically connects or disconnects the second power terminal and second ground terminal based on the detected coupling direction. When the wearable electronic device is coupled in the first direction, the control unit disconnects the second terminals to prevent power loss, while enabling charging through the first terminals. This dynamic adjustment maintains charging adaptability while improving power efficiency.
3Reliability
If a charging apparatus uses multiple sets of terminals for different directions, then charging reliability improves by ensuring correct terminal connections, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the charging apparatus with multiple sets of terminals that can serve different functions based on coupling direction. The first power terminal and second power terminal both function as power supply terminals, while the first ground terminal and second ground terminal both function as ground terminals. This multi-functional design enables the apparatus to reliably charge devices in different orientations without requiring entirely separate terminal systems for each direction.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3L
AI summary
An apparatus (102) for charging a wearable electronic device includes a first power terminal (211) and a second power terminal (212) to which predetermined voltage values are applied, respectively and a first ground terminal (221) and a second ground terminal (222). The first power terminal (211) and the first ground terminal (221) are arranged in a first direction (A) with respect to a first axis (I-I'). The second power terminal (212) and the second ground terminal (222) are arranged in a second direction (B) opposite to the first direction (A) with respect to the first axis (I-I'). The wearable electronic device is charged through the first power terminal (211) and the first ground terminal (221) when the wearable electronic device is placed on the apparatus (102) in the first direction (A). The wearable electronic device is charged through the second power terminal (212) and the second ground terminal (222) when the wearable electronic device is placed on the apparatus (102) in the second direction (B).