Wireless Charging Power Supply for Appliance Data Transmission

Solution Overview

Problem

Personal care appliances often lack the necessary wireless communication circuitry to transmit appliance-related data, limiting their ability to communicate effectively with external systems and requiring additional components for data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A switched mode power supply charging device with a wireless interface circuit that can obtain and transmit appliance-related data over a desired wireless communication standard, such as IEEE 802.11, without requiring the appliance to have the specific communication circuitry, acting as a data hub for personal care appliances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the appliance is equipped with wireless communication circuitry to transmit appliance-related data, then data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidcommunication circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply charging device serves as an intermediary between the appliance and the wireless network. The appliance connects to the power supply device via a power cable that also carries data signals, and the power supply device handles all wireless communication functions. This mediator approach allows data transmission without requiring the appliance itself to have wireless communication circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply charging device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a power supply unit and as a wireless communication hub. By integrating the wireless interface circuit into the power supply device rather than the appliance, the same power supply infrastructure is used for both power delivery and data communication purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the appliance includes wireless communication interfaces for data transmission, then communication versatility is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply charging device serves as an intermediary between the appliance and the wireless network. The appliance connects to the power supply device via a power cable that also carries data signals, and the power supply device handles all wireless communication functions. This mediator approach allows data transmission without requiring the appliance itself to have wireless communication circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply charging device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a power supply unit and as a wireless communication hub. By integrating the wireless interface circuit into the power supply device rather than the appliance, the same power supply infrastructure is used for both power delivery and data communication purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the appliance has dedicated communication circuitry for wireless data transmission, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication interface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply charging device serves as an intermediary between the appliance and the wireless network. The appliance connects to the power supply device via a power cable that also carries data signals, and the power supply device handles all wireless communication functions. This mediator approach allows data transmission without requiring the appliance itself to have wireless communication circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply charging device autonomously handles the wireless communication functions. It automatically establishes wireless connections, transmits appliance data to the network, and receives commands without requiring the appliance to have its own wireless communication capabilities or to perform complex communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4304193A1Power supply device, kit, and operating method

Publication Date: 2024.01.10 BRAUN GMBH

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AI summary

A switched mode power supply charging device (50) for an appliance (20, 30, 32) comprises a circuit (60) comprising a wireless interface circuit (92) and operative to obtain appliance-related data for at least one personal care appliance (20, 30, 32) and transmit the appliance-related data over the wireless interface circuit (92).