Symmetrical Wearable Charging Interface for Reversible Power and Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices such as glasses and watches face challenges due to limited space and power resources, requiring specialized charge and control systems that differ from those used in other environments, and existing solutions like USB form factors are often too complex for these devices.
Innovation Solution
A symmetrical interface with contact pads and field effect transistors that allow for reversible charging and communication, using a custom cable with magnetic fastening to ensure proper alignment and manage charging and communication states efficiently, thereby simplifying the charging and control process while preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard USB charging interface is used, then charging functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging interface is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a charging port and a wired control/communication port. The same physical interface and contact pads are used for both power transmission and data communication, eliminating the need for separate USB connectors and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable charging functionality
2Ease of operation
If a symmetrical reversible interface is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the physical connector interface is made symmetrical for ease of insertion, the underlying circuit implementation uses asymmetrical field effect transistor configurations with specific polarity assignments. This allows the simple symmetrical external interface to mask the complex asymmetrical circuit requirements, achieving both ease of operation and functional reliability
3Volume of moving object
If wired control and charging are combined in one interface, then device space is reduced, but signal interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The combined interface is segmented into separate contact pads for power, ground, and data signals. By physically separating these signal paths on the connector and using dedicated FETs for each function, the design reduces signal interference while maintaining a compact single-interface form factor. The segmentation allows independent optimization of each signal path
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
This solution enables efficient charging and control of wearable devices with limited circuitry, ensuring damage-resistant connections and effective communication, even with complex form factors, by using a reversible and symmetrical interface that adapts to different orientations and states.
Implementation Method 1
using a custom cable with magnetic fastening to ensure proper alignment
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and devices for wired charging and communication with a wearable device are described. In one embodiment, a symmetrical contact interface comprises a first contact pad and a second contact pad, and particular wired circuitry is coupled to the first and second contact pad to enable charging as well as receive and transmit communications via the contact pads as part of various device states.