Summary:

Recently I was fortunate enough to get a smartwatch as a gift. However, there was an issue I encountered with it. The simple magnetic puck type charger that the watch came with was very finicky. It was a challenge to connect the watch with the charger consistently. I looked online for a solution and saw several magnetic wireless charging stands for watches, however, they were priced 50$ and upward. I decided to make my charger stand instead. 

 

Design Process: 

I opened up Fusion 360, my 3d modelling software of choice, and designed a charging stand I found appealing. I went with an angular design, to contrast the curved design of the watch. I measured the magnetic puck charger and created a hole for the charger to fit within the stand. I carved out channels for the charger cable so that it could be guided out in an orderly fashion. 

 

I printed out the charger in 3 different parts, all in a light blue. I used a bit of super glue to fuse the parts. I placed the puck charger within the slot, and it friction fit, without any issues. The magnet on the charger was relatively strong, so I decided to add a tilt on the platform where the watch rests. The tilt makes the design more visually apeling and makes the screen easier to read when it’s charging. 

 

Learning Outcomes: 

 

The first primary outcome was “demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process”. It was a challenge to design a functional yet visually appealing charger. Since the chargers I saw on the internet were not the aesthetic I was going for I did not have much reference material to make my charger. 

 

The second primary learning outcome was “Identify your strengths and develop areas for personal growth”. I had already had experience with the 3D design however I rarely make designs that have to function with preexisting electronics, so it was a new challenge for me. 

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