Wearable Power Interface Switching to Minimize Rusting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rusting occurs at the power interface between the band and housing of wearable computing devices due to liquid exposure, such as sweat or water, leading to inefficiencies in power delivery and potential component damage.

Innovation Solution

A wearable computing device with a processor that initiates a detection window to control the coupling of an energy storage device to the power interface at intermittent intervals based on the device's state and motion, minimizing power delivery during these intervals to reduce rusting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power source continuously provides power to the IC in the band, then the IC can always be ready for communication, but power is wasted and rusting occurs at the power interface due to liquid exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness of IC for communicationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The power source provides power to the IC in periodic intervals rather than continuously. A controller activates the power source only during detected motion events or when communication is needed, creating periodic power delivery that reduces energy waste while maintaining operational readiness when required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects motion events in advance and proactively activates power delivery before communication is actually needed. This preliminary action ensures the IC is ready for communication while minimizing the duration of power delivery, thus reducing energy consumption and rusting risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the power source continuously provides power to the IC in the band, then the IC can always be ready for communication, but rusting occurs at the power interface due to liquid exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness of IC for communicationVSAvoidrusting at power interface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By delivering power periodically rather than continuously, the exposure time of the power interface to liquid (sweat or water) is significantly reduced. The power source is activated only during motion events or communication needs, minimizing the window for rusting to occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system skips periods of unnecessary power delivery entirely, activating power only during relevant motion events or communication windows. This rushing through inactive periods without power delivery reduces both energy waste and rusting exposure time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Loss of energy

If the power source waits for user attachment before providing power, then power consumption is reduced, but communication readiness is delayed and power delivery efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpower delivery efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses motion detection (analogous to detecting vibration/movement) to trigger power delivery. When motion is detected, the system assumes the band is being worn or adjusted and proactively activates power delivery, improving readiness without continuous power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from motion detection sensors to dynamically control power delivery. Motion events trigger power activation, and the system monitors communication needs to adjust power delivery timing, optimizing both energy efficiency and power delivery efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12535874B2Method of minimizing rusting at a power interface of a wearable computing device

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A wearable computing device includes a housing, a band having a circuit, an energy storage device, a power interface configured to deliver electrical power from the energy storage device to the circuit, a switching device configured to selectively couple the energy storage device to the power interface, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a state of the wearable computing device and initiate a detection window of a certain duration when the state corresponds to a predetermined state and motion of the wearable computing device is detected. More specifically, initiating the detection window includes controlling operation of the switching device to couple the energy storage device to the power interface to deliver the electrical power to the circuit only at intermittent intervals to reduce an amount of the electrical power delivered to the circuit during the certain duration, thereby minimizing rusting at the power interface.