Wearable Charging Enclosure With UV Sterilization Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices require maintenance and cleaning to prevent exposure to elements and ensure hygiene, particularly in environments like hospitals, where there is a need for automatic sterilization and charging solutions.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization and charging system that includes a sterilization and charging apparatus with one or more light sources, a wireless charging device, and a controller. The system detects the presence of a wearable device within an enclosure, sterilizes it using UV light or other signals, and wirelessly charges it, with adjustable power levels and profiles for different types of wearable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning and charging of wearable devices is performed, then hygiene maintenance is achieved, but time consumption and labor are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs sterilization and charging operations in advance before the wearable device is needed for use. The automated sterilization chamber pre-treats devices between uses, ensuring they are ready for immediate use without requiring manual intervention at the point of need.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device is automatically sterilized and charged without human intervention. The system self-manages the cleaning and charging processes through automated detection, UV sterilization, and wireless charging mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual labor.
2Reliability
If wearable devices are frequently cleaned and sterilized, then hygiene is improved, but device damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical cleaning with automated UV light sterilization. The UV-C lights eliminate the need for physical contact during sterilization, using electromagnetic radiation instead of mechanical scrubbing or wiping that could damage the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the intensity and duration of UV exposure parameters to achieve effective sterilization while preventing damage to the wearable device components. The controller adjusts lighting parameters based on device type and material sensitivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple wearable devices are sterilized and charged separately, then individual device care is ensured, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization chamber is designed to accommodate multiple different types of wearable devices simultaneously. The system provides universal sterilization and charging capabilities for various device categories (headphones, smartwatches, fitness trackers) through standardized UV exposure and wireless power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines sterilization and charging functions into a single integrated process. Multiple devices undergo sterilization and charging simultaneously in the same chamber, merging what would otherwise be separate sequential operations into one concurrent process.
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
The system effectively sterilizes and charges wearable devices automatically, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and ensuring devices are ready for use, while also allowing for data communication and initialization of wearable devices.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more light sources may include an ultraviolet (UV) light source that is configured to emit UV rays to sterilize the wearable device
Implementation Method 2
The wireless charging device may be a wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits a wireless charging signal
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for sterilizing and charging a wearable device. The sterilizing and charging apparatus includes one or more light sources. The one or more light sources are configured to detect or sterilize the wearable device. The sterilizing and charging apparatus includes a wireless charging device. The wireless charging device is configured to charge the wearable device. The sterilization and charging apparatus includes a controller coupled to the one or more light sources and the wireless charging device. The controller is configured to determine, using the one or more light sources, that the wearable device is within an enclosure. The controller is configured to sterilize the wearable device using the one or more light sources and/or wirelessly charge the wearable device using the wireless charging device.