Universal charger
Inventors
Haverinen, Teemu Juhani • Huttunen, Heikki Juhani • Kanniainen, Kari Kuisma • Flander, Sauli Hannes • Jarvinen, Ari Aukusti • Saikkonen, Antti Pekka
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12100965-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-24
Expiration Date
2041-10-04
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless charger are described. A charging device may include a base configured to receive a ring-shaped wearable device in multiple radial orientations relative to the base. The charging device may also include a magnetic component configured to magnetically attract a magnetic component of the ring-shaped wearable device to orient the wearable device in a single radial orientation relative to the base. The charging device may include an inductive charging component that may wireless charge the wearable device via an inductive charging component of the wearable device based on the inductive charging components being within a threshold distance.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a universal charger for ring-shaped wearable devices that solves the problem of poor charging contact and compatibility across various sizes of wearable devices. The charging device includes a base configured to receive ring-shaped wearable devices in multiple radial orientations relative to the base, and a magnetic component that magnetically attracts a magnetic component of the wearable device to orient it in a single radial orientation to facilitate charging.
The charging device includes an inductive charging component that wirelessly charges the wearable device when the inductive charging components of both devices are within a threshold distance. The base may also include a support component that is adjustable in width, radius, or circumference, and may be conical in shape to accommodate different sizes of wearable devices.
The magnetic interaction between the charging device and the wearable device not only aligns the inductive charging components to optimize charging efficiency but also holds the wearable device in place during charging. The universal charger may have various forms including a support, a sleeve, or a flat surface with magnetic components beneath. The arrangement of magnets may exert tangential forces to rotate and position the wearable device accurately for charging.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims covering the universal charging device and system with features that enable magnetic orientation and wireless inductive charging of ring-shaped wearable devices.
Magnetic alignment and inductive charging
A charging device with a base including a support component configured to receive a ring-shaped wearable device in multiple radial orientations, a magnetic component that magnetically attracts the wearable device's magnetic component to automatically orient it in a single radial orientation, and an inductive charging component that wirelessly charges the wearable device when inductive coupling is established in that orientation.
Support component adjustable to multiple wearable sizes
The base includes a support component that the ring-shaped wearable device at least partially surrounds, with the support being adjustable in width, radius, circumference, or a combination thereof, and may be conical in shape.
Magnetic tangential force to arrange orientation
The magnetic component is configured to exert a tangential force on the ring-shaped wearable device relative to the base's axis to arrange and rotate the ring into a single radial orientation for charging.
Flat surface base with embedded magnets and indent
The base may comprise a flat surface with magnetic components positioned beneath it to magnetically attract the ring-shaped wearable device and hold it in place, including an indent configured to receive the device, to align and maintain the orientation for charging.
Sleeve component base
A base comprising a sleeve component configured to receive and at least partially surround the ring-shaped wearable device, and magnetic and inductive components to orient and wirelessly charge the device in a single radial orientation.
Charging system with ring and base components
A charging system comprising a ring-shaped wearable device having first magnetic and inductive components and a base with a support component, second magnetic and inductive components, wherein the base magnetically attracts and orients the ring to a single radial orientation enabling inductive wireless charging within a threshold distance.
The claims collectively cover a universal charging device and system that employs magnetic components to automatically orient ring-shaped wearable devices into a single radial position on a base, enabling efficient wireless inductive charging across devices of multiple sizes and forms such as supports, sleeves, or flat surfaces.
Stated Advantages
Enables effective charging of wearable devices of varying sizes and shapes using a universal charger.
Uses magnetic components to align charging coils accurately to achieve faster and stronger wireless charging.
Reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for size-specific chargers.
Maintains stable physical connection between the wearable device and charging device ensuring consistent charging.
Documented Applications
Wireless charging of ring-shaped or other wearable devices with variable sizes and shapes.
Use in wearable physiological data collection systems, including rings, watches, bracelets, and other wearables.
Incorporation in environmental sensing devices to correlate ambient conditions with physiological data.
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