Wireless Probe Battery Access With Waterproof Housing Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless ultrasound probes require battery replacement or charging, which can be inconvenient and may compromise waterproofing.

Innovation Solution

A wireless probe design allowing a battery to be inserted and separated along a longitudinal direction, with a housing configuration that includes a battery accommodating unit and flexible circuit units to facilitate easy battery replacement while maintaining waterproof performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a battery is installed inside a wireless probe housing, then the probe can operate wirelessly without external power connection, but the battery cannot be easily replaced or charged without compromising waterproofing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery replacement easeVSAvoidwaterproof performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a first housing and a second housing that can be separated from each other. The battery is installed in the first housing, and the second housing can be detached to access the battery for replacement or charging. This segmentation allows easy battery maintenance while maintaining waterproof sealing when the housing is assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A waterproof seal (such as a gasket or O-ring) is introduced as an intermediary element between the first housing and the second housing. This seal prevents water ingress at the interface when the housing is assembled, enabling easy battery access through housing separation while maintaining waterproof performance during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate wiring is used to receive power from outside, then the probe can be recharged externally, but the probe requires spatial constraints and cannot operate wirelessly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless operation capabilityVSAvoidbattery maintenance convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into separable first and second housings, allowing the battery to be accessed for replacement or charging without requiring external wiring connections. This maintains wireless operation capability while enabling convenient battery maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows for battery replacement by removing an exhausted battery and installing a new or recharged battery through the separable housing design. This enables recovery of the probe's operational capability without requiring external power connections during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If the housing is made completely sealed for waterproofing, then water ingress is prevented, but the battery cannot be accessed for replacement or charging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidbattery accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The sealed housing is segmented into a first housing containing the battery and a second housing that can be detached. This allows the battery to be accessed for replacement or charging by separating the housings, while the interface between housings incorporates waterproof sealing to maintain overall waterproof performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A waterproof seal serves as an intermediary at the interface between the first and second housings. This seal enables the housing to be separated for battery access while preventing water ingress when assembled, thus maintaining both battery accessibility and waterproof performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4434469B1Wireless probe
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SAMSUNG MEDISON CO LTD
  • EP4434469B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4434469B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4434469B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless probe includes a housing having a length in a first direction, a first transducer located at one end of the housing in the first direction, a circuit board located inside the housing and electrically connected to the first transducer, and a battery located between the first transducer and the circuit board inside the housing and having a length in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the housing is configured to allow the battery to be inserted and separated along the second direction.