CA2794931A1 - Portable electronic device charger - Google Patents

Portable electronic device charger Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2794931A1
CA2794931A1 CA2794931A CA2794931A CA2794931A1 CA 2794931 A1 CA2794931 A1 CA 2794931A1 CA 2794931 A CA2794931 A CA 2794931A CA 2794931 A CA2794931 A CA 2794931A CA 2794931 A1 CA2794931 A1 CA 2794931A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
charger
battery
charge
electronic device
portable electronic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA2794931A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Tom Phillips
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BIOHARMONICS TECHNOLOGIES Corp
Original Assignee
BIOHARMONICS TECHNOLOGIES Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BIOHARMONICS TECHNOLOGIES Corp filed Critical BIOHARMONICS TECHNOLOGIES Corp
Priority to CA2794931A priority Critical patent/CA2794931A1/en
Publication of CA2794931A1 publication Critical patent/CA2794931A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01LSEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/042PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0047Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
    • H02J7/0048Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/34Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering
    • H02J7/35Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering with light sensitive cells
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02SGENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S10/00PV power plants; Combinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power
    • H02S10/40Mobile PV generator systems
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • Y02E10/56Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a charger for a portable electronic device. The device is mounted into a device compartment and connected to electronics coupled to a photovoltaic cell for charging the device. The device functions remain fully operational while mounted in the charger.

Description

PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE CHARGER
Field of the Invention This invention relates to portable electronic device chargers.
Background of the Invention Portable electronic devices, such as a "portable digital assistant" (PDA), cellular telephone and other types of portable electronic devices, are in widespread use. Such devices, by virtue of their portability, utilize a rechargeable battery as a power source.
After a certain interval of use, the battery must be recharged or the device will shut down automatically, to avoid excessive battery drainage and potential loss of data.
Such devices are particularly handy for use by businesspeople and consumers alike when commuting, travelling, or just generally away from a stationary computing device such as a desktop computer. In order to maximize portability the battery used in such devices is often designed to be small, and therefore capable of maintaining a limited charge.
However, PDAs are so useful and versatile that they are often subject to frequent or even continuous use, which means that the battery drains fairly quickly. This can be an inconvenience at best, and in more extreme cases can interrupt important business activities or disrupt the ability to deal with an emergency.
Various types of battery chargers are known for use in association with such devices.
However, a power source such a mains power supply is not always available for charging the device. It would accordingly be advantageous to provide an alternative power supply which does not rely upon a mains power supply for recharging of the portable device.
Brief Description of the Drawings In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a front view of a portable electronic device charger according to the invention.
Figure 2 is a side cross-section of the device taken along the line 2-2 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the device of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a rear view of the device of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a side view of the device taken from the left of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is an end view taken opposite Figure 3.
Figure 7 is a front view of the device showing a cellular telephone in position for charging.
Detailed Description of the Invention A charger 10 according to the invention comprises a preferably flexible casing 12, preferably composed of an elastomeric material such as rubber, silicone or the like. The casing 12 provides a generally open front face 14 for insertion of an electronic device 2, in the embodiment shown a cellular telephone, flexible sides 16 each preferably having a small retaining flanges 16a for wrapping around the front surface of the electronic device 2 (as shown in Figure 7), and a rear face 18 with a window 20. A pocket 22 disposed at one end of the case contains the electronics module 4 for connecting to and charging the electronic device 2, separated from the device compartment 6 by a web of casing material forming a divider 24. A panel 26 of casing material preferably separates the device compartment from the window 20, as best seen in Figure 2.
Frame edges 28 overlapping the panel 26 accommodate a thin-film photovoltaic cell 30, which may for example be a commercially available thin-film photovoltaic cell.
The photovoltaic cell 30 preferably comprises a multi-junction, multi-layer, high performance amorphous-based silicon cell material of four blended infrared range spectral bands. This blended, multi-layered silicon based liquid material provides the ability of the vapour deposited plasma fused cells to convert the different infrared and visible wavelengths to combine with optimal efficiency to the multi-layered thin film semiconductor material.
During this process this material is laminated to a stainless mesh backing that provides long life structural durability to the primary cell. The final surface laminate is flexible and UV stable, thus allowing the final product to be unbreakable and totally flexible. The use of bypass diodes on each cell layer further increases the efficiency by allowing the cell to operate in shaded low light level areas.
The photovoltaic cell 30 is formed slightly larger than the window 20, as shown in Figure 4, so that the edges of the photovoltaic cell 30 are tucked in between the frame edges 28 and the panel 26, retaining the photovoltaic cell 30 in position in the casing 12.
Conductors (not shown) from the photovoltaic cell 30 are fed into the electronics pocket 22 through the divider 24, to be attached to the main circuit board (not shown). In the preferred embodiment the photovoltaic cell is excited by infrared wavelengths, near infrared being the most common, however photovoltaic cells excited by multiple infrared wavelengths are available and preferred for optimal efficiency.
The casing 12 is provided with such openings in such positions as are required for access to the functional buttons and switches on the particular electronic device 2 for which the charger 10 is designed. For example, in the cellphone embodiment shown the rear face 18 has an opening 32 exposing a camera lens; the end containing the electronics provides a window 34 (shown in Figure 3) for inserting the electronics module 4 and permitting access to the on-off switch 36 and a series of charge-indicating LEDs 38, which illuminate to indicate the extent of charge of the device 2 battery and, optionally, backup batteries (not shown) contained within the electronics module 4. Preferably the optional backup batteries are lithium ion storage cells provided as a power back-up, so that power first drains from the internal battery in the electronic device before the back-up batteries are activated. In the embodiment shown the charge indicators 38 are activated in sequence as the battery charge reaches increments of 25%, so for example two LEDs will be illuminated when the battery charge is 50% and all four LEDs will be illuminated when the battery is fully charged.
In addition, position indicators 44 may be formed on the surface of the casing 12, for example bumps or projections as shown in Figure 5, providing a visual and tactile indication of the position of pushbuttons on the electronic device 2. The position indicators 44 are aligned with respective pushbuttons when the device 2 is mounted into the device compartment, allowing the user to operate functions of the device 2 through the casing 12. The components on the front of the device 2, typically a keyboard and/or display, are surrounded by the retaining flanges 16a but unobstructed, allowing the full use of the device 2 functions by the user when the device 2 is mounted in the charger 10.
The main circuit board and other electronic components are preferably housed in a plastic-encased module 4, best seen in Figures 1 and 3, providing an opening with a connector 40 suitable for connection to the particular electronic device 2 for which the charger 10 is intended. The connector 40 is coupled to a circuit board (not shown) containing the electronics for the charger 10, and extends from the module 4 into the device compartment in a position such that the connector 40 couples to the device when the device 2 is mounted in the device compartment. As noted above, optionally one or more back-up batteries may be provided in the electronics module 4, which may be charged either simultaneously with the internal battery of the electronic device 2 or in sequence therewith (for example after the internal battery is charged one backup battery starts to charge, and after it reaches full charge, the next backup battery begins to recharge).
An auxiliary port 42, for example a mini-USB port as shown in Figure 5, may be provided for connection to an external power source (not shown) for faster charging when an external power supply, for example a mains power supply, automobile charger etc., is available. This also serves as an adapter, allowing an external charger having a connector that is unsuitable for direct connection to the device 2 to be connected to the device 2, through the charger's built-in electronics.
In use, an electronic device such as a cellular telephone is inserted into the front of the casing 12 with the connector 40 properly connected to the device's primary input port.
The device 2 may then be left in any lit area, sunlight being preferred for its more intense illumination, but artificial light will suffice to activate the photovoltaic cell 30 and charge the device 2. The photovoltaic cell 30 sends a charge to the electronics contained within the electronics module 4, which in turn delivers the charge to the electronic device's internal battery (and to auxiliary batteries, if provided). When the device is charging one or more of the indicator lights illuminates to indicate the extent to which the internal device battery has been charged. The normal functions of the device 2 remain operative, via the various openings through the casing 12, and via the position indicators 44 on the casing 12 which transfer a depressing action to a corresponding pushbutton on the electronic device 2.
Detailed directions for attachment and use 1. Before inserting the device 2 into the infrared solar charger 10, plug a USB cable into to the device charger interface 42 and turn the case power switch 36 to the "on" position and fully charge the battery inside the charger 10 through an AC/DC supply adaptor or the USB port on a computer. The internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery has a 4 volume light power display indicators 38 on the case bottom which will illuminate such that: 1 light = 25% charge; 2 lights = 50% charge; 3 lights = 75% charge; 4 lights =
100%
charge. To fully charge the internal battery from an external power supply, allow up to 3 hours. After the infrared solar charger 10 is fully charged, slide the infrared solar charger 10 power switch 36 to the "off" position to keep the power stored.
2. Insert the fully charged device into the infrared solar charger 10. When the device internal battery becomes "low", turn on the power switch 36 to charge the device 2. After the device 2 is fully charged, turn the power switch 36 off. As the device needs power, turn the infrared solar charger power switch 36 back "on" as required.
3. In order to charge the infrared solar charger 10 through the built-in infrared solar cell 30, place the case 12 so that the infrared solar cell 30 is in sufficient sunshine or artificial light and turn power switch 36 to the "on" position. This will add additional power to the infrared solar charger 10 internal battery as well as the device battery.
4. When the light power display indicators 38 are not illuminated and the power switch 36 is in the "on" position, the power supply of the lithium-ion backup battery in the infrared solar charger 10 has depleted. The backup battery can be charged by placing the charger 10 such that the infrared solar cell 30 is in a light source, and/or by inserting a USB charging cable to from a suitable supply adaptor or a USB computer charge interface port.
Infrared solar charger 10 specifications:
Lithium-ion battery capacity: 3.7v. dc, 1500 mah Output voltage: 5.4v (max)\
Output current: 600ma (max) + infrared solar panel 100ma (max) Charge voltage: infrared solar battery 6v usb/dc 5.0v Charge current: 100ma (max) + 500ma (max) Charging time: 3 hours Peak power supplied by photocell: 0.96w Weight: 100g
CA2794931A 2012-11-13 2012-11-13 Portable electronic device charger Abandoned CA2794931A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2794931A CA2794931A1 (en) 2012-11-13 2012-11-13 Portable electronic device charger

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2794931A CA2794931A1 (en) 2012-11-13 2012-11-13 Portable electronic device charger

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2794931A1 true CA2794931A1 (en) 2014-05-13

Family

ID=50725592

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2794931A Abandoned CA2794931A1 (en) 2012-11-13 2012-11-13 Portable electronic device charger

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2794931A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE1023341B1 (en) * 2015-08-06 2017-02-09 Lifepower B.V.B.A. DEVICE FOR PROVIDING CURRENT OR CHARGING ELECTRIC DEVICES
CN108001264A (en) * 2017-11-23 2018-05-08 东莞市趣电智能科技有限公司 A kind of charging pile with safeguard procedures

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE1023341B1 (en) * 2015-08-06 2017-02-09 Lifepower B.V.B.A. DEVICE FOR PROVIDING CURRENT OR CHARGING ELECTRIC DEVICES
CN108001264A (en) * 2017-11-23 2018-05-08 东莞市趣电智能科技有限公司 A kind of charging pile with safeguard procedures

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 20151113