Wearable Charging Bridge Circuit for Orientation-Independent Polarity Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable devices require precise orientation to prevent short-circuiting during charging, which is inconvenient and poses risks of damage from external impacts when not fixed securely.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and charger system that allows connection regardless of polarity, using a bridge circuit and voltage sensing circuits to automatically match terminal polarities for safe and orientation-independent charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wearable device connects to the charger with electrodes of the same polarity to prevent short-circuit, then the safety is improved, but the device requires precise orientation which reduces ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A bridge circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the charger electrodes and the battery. The bridge circuit includes four diodes arranged in a bridge configuration that automatically routes current from either polarity combination to the correct battery terminals, eliminating the need for precise orientation while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the electrical parameter configuration by using voltage sensing circuits to detect the polarity of charger electrodes and dynamically adjusting the connection configuration through the bridge circuit, allowing the device to adapt to any insertion orientation while ensuring correct polarity connection to the battery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate electrodes are added to allow various orientations, then the adaptability is improved, but the risk of short-circuit from external impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidrisk of damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge circuit acts as a protective intermediary that prevents direct connection between charger electrodes and battery. Even if external impact causes improper contact, the diode bridge configuration ensures that current can only flow in the correct direction to the battery, preventing short-circuits while maintaining orientation independence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements prior protective measures by incorporating the bridge circuit and voltage sensing system before connection occurs. The voltage sensing circuit detects polarity in advance, and the bridge circuit is pre-configured to handle any polarity combination, cushioning against potential harmful effects before they can damage the battery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 convenient and secure charging of wearable devices by ensuring proper polarity matching and orientation independence, reducing the risk of damage from short-circuits and external impacts.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage sensing circuit that senses an output according to a polarity of a voltage applied to each of the first and second terminals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

Enables convenient and secure charging of wearable devices by ensuring proper polarity matching and orientation independence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy transformation:

Data Source

PatentEP3454446B1Electronic device for charging battery by using terminal exposed to outside and operation method thereof
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3454446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3454446B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3454446B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wearable device according to an embodiment disclosed herein may include: a housing (205) forming at least a part of an exterior of the wearable device; a battery (189,270) disposed in the housing (205) and including a positive electrode terminal (1156,1166,1256,1266,556,566,756,766,956,966) and a negative electrode terminal (1157,1167,1257,1267,557,567,757,767,957,967); a connection terminal (178,210) part, at least a part of which is exposed through at least a part of the housing (205) and including a first terminal (1411,211) and a second terminal (1412,212); a bridge circuit (551,561,751,761) configured to, based on a polarity of a first voltage applied to the first terminal (1411,1412,211,212), electrically connect the first terminal (1411,1412,211,212) to one of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal having polarity corresponding to the polarity of the first voltage, and based on a polarity of a second voltage applied to the second terminal (1411,1412,211,212), electrically connect the second terminal (1411,1412,211,212) to one of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal having polarity corresponding to the polarity of the second voltage; a sensor module (176,240) configured to obtain bio-information; and a switch circuit (230) configured to selectively connect the connection terminal (210) part with the bridge circuit (551,561,751,761) and the sensor module (176,240).