WO2021130768A1

WO2021130768A1 - A multitudinous charging apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2021130768A1
Application number: PCT/IN2020/051040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amit RAMBHIA; Nikit w RAMBHIA
Original assignee: Rambhia Ipr Services Llp
Priority date: 2019-12-23
Filing date: 2020-12-23
Publication date: 2021-07-01

Abstract

A multitudinous charging apparatus configured to charge a plurality of portable electronic devices, without support of USB charging, said apparatus comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB1) configured to host a plurality of contact pins (10) on its operative dorsal surface, to charge an electronic device; a power circuit (PC) to receive power supply, through a power input pin, and to supply said power supply, through a power output pin, to each of said contact pins (10); and said printed circuit board (PCB1) configured to host a plurality of pre-designed circuits on its operative ventral side, each pre-designed circuit configured to be connected to a corresponding contact pin (10), by means of voltage regulator integrated circuit (VIC), which suppresses overcharging.

Description

A MULTITUDINOUS CHARGING APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

This invention relates to the field of electrical and electronics engineering. Particularly, this invention relates to a multitudinous charging apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Charging of portable electronic items is an imminent function. Moreover, with per capita portable device count increasing, need to charge multiple items, in one go, also increases.

Additionally, in a business environment, this need grows even larger. Typically, in institutes, organisations, businesses, and the like which provide a plurality of devices to their members or employees, the need to simultaneously charge a plurality of devices increases dramatically.

There is, therefore, a need to manage such charging.

Prior art provides two options, as discussed below:

1) Adapter based charging - where in case of multiple tablets (thousands or hundreds) at one location needs to be charged using adapter and USB cables. Managing the adapters and cables is one task and managing the overall inventory is another. The tablets at times need to be even charged while being used. 2) Gang Charger based charging - in this case, the charging of devices is done in a gang charger. But the need for USB cables to be connected to individual devices to charge them still remains.

Cable failures / damages could lead to loss in usage time.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which charges a plurality of electronic components, simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which charges a plurality of electronic components, simultaneously, without the need of connecting charging cables.

Yet another object of the invention is to reduce hassles of charging portable electronic devices using cable and adapter based method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

According to this invention, there is provided a multitudinous charging apparatus configured to charge a plurality of portable electronic devices, without support of USB charging, said apparatus comprises: a printed circuit board configured to host a plurality of contact pins on its operative dorsal surface, each contact pin being spaced apart from an adjacent contact pin, each contact pin being a male side charging port configured to charge an electronic device when coupled with it through its complementary female side charging port; a power circuit to receive power supply, through a power input pin, and to supply said power supply, through a power output pin, to each of said contact pins; and said printed circuit board configured to host a plurality of pre-designed circuits on its operative ventral side, each pre-designed circuit being spaced apart from an adjacent pre-designed circuit, each pre-designed circuit configured to be connected to a corresponding contact pin, by means of voltage regulator integrated circuit, which suppresses overcharging.

In at least an embodiment, said pre-designed circuit is an electrical amplifier integrated circuit.

In at least an embodiment, said pre-designed circuit comprises two diodes electrically connected in series, in that, said pair of diodes supply constant DC voltage for said electrical amplifier integrated circuit.

In at least an embodiment, said pre-designed circuit is electrically connected to a resistor and a resistor-capacitor circuit wherein said resistor-capacitor circuit suppresses high frequency electrical signals, wherein: said resistor-capacitor circuit is electrically connected to two parallel resistors and to a connecting pin of a voltage regulator integrated circuit; and a capacitor is electrically connected in series with said resistors; and a NOT gate comprising of three resistors and a transistor is electrically connected to a power input pin and a power output pin, of said power circuit, via contact traces in order to regulate electric flow In at least an embodiment, each of said contact pins, on said dorsal side, is connected to each of said pre-defined circuits, on said ventral side, in a one-to-one manner, through a corresponding hole provided on the printed circuit board to facilitate such connection.

In at least an embodiment, each of said contact pins, on said dorsal side, is connected to each of said pre-defined circuits, on said ventral side, in a one-to-one manner, through a corresponding hole provided on the printed circuit board to facilitate such connection, in that, said connection being via a single resistor and via a voltage regulator integrated circuit.

In at least an embodiment, said all NOT gates are electrically connected together via dual in-line packages integrated circuits.

In at least an embodiment, said power input pin and said power output pin are electrically connected to all male contact pins via NOT gates which help in flow of electric power to all male contact pins.

In at least an embodiment, said NOT gates, via dual in-line packages integrated circuits, receive electrical signals according to electric power supplied to said male contact pins, which deliver specific electric signals to said power output pin.

In at least an embodiment, a capacitor coupled to said male contact pins act as a secondary power source for a short amount of time.

In at least an embodiment, said apparatus comprising a visual display, coupled to each of said male contact pins, in order to indicate charging / charger status, said visual display being provided on a second printed circuit board in which its operative dorsal side comprises power input pins of LEDs while its operative dorsal side comprises circuits with a diode and a resistor.

In at least an embodiment, said apparatus comprises a cooling fan electrically connected to said power circuit.

In at least an embodiment, said apparatus comprises a GPS module configured to be communicably coupled with said apparatus in order to enable location tracking of said apparatus.

In at least an embodiment, said power circuit is coupled to a solar cell in order to make input electric power to be solar based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a block diagram of the printed circuit boards used in this apparatus;

FIGURE 2a illustrates a first side (an operative dorsal side) of the printed circuit board (PCB1); and

FIGURE 2b illustrates a second side (an operative ventral side) of the printed circuit board (PCB1).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS: According to this invention, there is provided a multitudinous charging apparatus.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a block diagram of the printed circuit boards (PCB1, PCB2) used in this apparatus.

Typically, according to this invention, an apparatus that charges a plurality of portable electronic devices without the support of USB charging cables is presented. Portable electronic devices are charged by connecting to USB Male connectors of charging cables. An adapter based charging demands the use of USB adapters and USB charging cables to charge electronic devices. Gang chargers do not require USB adapters but still demand the use of USB charging cables. Failure of USB charging cables causes loss of usage time and damage to electronic devices. In the present invention, a multitudinous charging apparatus, is designed to charge a plurality of portable electronic devices without the need of USB charging cables.

This product is designed to charge a plurality of portable devices (such as computer tablets, mobile phones, e-readers, and the like), simultaneously, without the need of connecting Charging Cables. This apparatus does not demand requirement of USB charging cables to charge a plurality of portable electronic devices.

In at least an embodiment, charging is done based on contact pins (10). Typically, a printed circuit board (PCB1) is designed to comprise a plurality of charging ports (male side) which are used to charge portable devices, respectively, per charging port, using complementary charging ports (female side) present on the portable devices that are to be charged.

FIGURE 2a illustrates a first side (an operative dorsal side) of the printed circuit board (PCB1).

In at least an embodiment, at least a first side of the printed circuit board (PCB1) is embedded with the plurality of male connectors which receive female connectors, for the purposes of charging, from the plurality of portable devices which need charging. Each of the male connectors is a USB male connector. Each USB male connector is supplied with electric power via an innovative circuit (pre designed circuit) (20) where two diodes are electrically connected in series; diodes in pair supply constant DC voltage for (pre-designed circuit) electrical amplifier integrated circuit (EIC). The circuit is designed to charge a plurality of portable electronic devices in a manner such that the circuit regulates electric flow and suppresses overcharging. This circuit regulates electric flow by filtering electrical signals with a constant voltage in spite of spike(s) in voltage(s). This introduces ‘safe charging’; for which, electric flow must be regulated and a constant voltage supply, to electronic devices, must be provided. Additionally, overcharging must be avoided.

In at least an embodiment, an electric signal amplifier integrated circuit is electrically connected to a resistor (RR1) and a resistor-capacitor (RC) connection; RC circuit suppress high frequency electrical signals. The RC connection is electrically connected to two parallel resistors (RR1) and to a connecting pin of a voltage regulator integrated circuit (VIC). A capacitor (CC) is electrically connected in series with the resistors (RR1). The circuits on the operative top and the operative bottom are electrically connected via a through- hole and a single resistor and voltage regulator integrated circuit (VIC). A NOT gate (NG) consisting of three resistors and a transistor is electrically connected to a power input pin and a power output pin via copper traces; these regulate electric flow. Integrated circuits which are dual in-line packages (DILI 4) installed on operative bottom side of the printed circuit board (PCB1). All NOT gates (NG) are electrically connected together via dual in-line packages (DILI 4) integrated circuits.

In at least an embodiment, at least a second side of the printed circuit board (PCB1) is embedded with the innovative circuit made up of soldered components which also includes a connection from the printed circuit board to a power supply which, eventually, feeds power, simultaneously, to all the male connectors and, consequently, to the portable devices through their corresponding female connectors which are communicably coupled, as and how required, to the male connectors of the printed circuit board.

In at least an embodiment, a power circuit (PC), connected to all the plurality of male connectors (10), assists to regulate electric flow to the printed circuit board (PCB1), which regulates input voltage (by means of a voltage regulator circuit (VIC)); thus, maintaining the desired current for charging. In at least an embodiment, power input pin and power output pin are electrically connected to all male contact pins (10) via NOT gates (NG) which help in flow of electric power to all male contact pins (10). The NOT gates (NG) via dual in-line packages (DILI 4) integrated circuits receive electrical signals according to the electric power supplied to male contact pins (10) and deliver specific electric signals to the power output pin.

In at least an embodiment, all the male contact pins (10) on the first side of the printed circuit board are electrically connected to the designed circuit on the second side of the printed circuit board via a voltage regulator integrated circuit (VIC) and through-hole and a resistor. Voltage regulated integrated circuit (VIC) and capacitor (CC) regulate sudden spike in voltage during operation. The setting is repeated for all the male contact pins (10).

In at least an embodiment, at the moment of turning ON / OFF of the power supply and during continuous electric power supply, sudden spike in voltage is suppressed by a capacitor (CC) communicably coupled to the male contact pins (10). It can act as a secondary power source for a short amount of time.

In at least an embodiment, an RC circuit connection (RC) suppresses high frequency electric signal of power signals supplied voltage regulator integrated circuit (VIC).

In at least an embodiment, a diode pair (DD1) is electrically connected in series supply constant DC voltage across electric signal amplifier integrated circuit U1 in spite of electric power supplied to the diode combination (DD1); diodes in pair supply constant DC voltage for electrical amplifier (EIC). In at least an embodiment, a visual display is provided to indicate charging / charger status. According to a preferred embodiment, this visual display is an LED indicator display with at least the following 3 modes of indication:

1. Tablet Not Connected - Green

2. Tablet Battery on Charging Mode - Red

3. Tablet Battery Fully Charged - Green

This allows easy monitoring of the battery status without having the need to physically remove the device from the enclosure and check it. The LEDs are mapped to the charging port numbers using numerical from 1 to 10. This allows monitoring the charging of the portable electronic devices.

In order to provide this visual display another printed circuit board (PCB2) is provided in which, its first side (operative top side) comprises power input pins of LEDs (LED-PI) while its second side (operative bottom side) comprises circuits with a diode and a resistor.

In at least an embodiment, a power box connects the printed circuit board and the electric input terminal. A power output pin is electrically connected to a LED based circuit board. Based on the utilization of the USB male connector pin and electric power supplied to it, LEDs installed on LED based circuit board delivers the output through light emission of the diodes (DD2) installed on the upper-side of the circuit. A cooling fan is also electrically connected to the power box.

In at least an embodiment, a case ensconces the printed circuit board making is portable. In at least an embodiment, a cooling fan, placed above the power box, is connected to the power supply to maintain temperature inside the case to prevent over heating.

In terms of power distribution to a plurality of ports / male connectors, each port, preferably, needs 5V / 2 A. To achieve this multitudinous charging the height of the male side charging pins had to be defined accurately to establish accurate contact with the female side charging pin on the portable electronic devices. The distance between two ports became an important factor in order to provide ample spacing between two portable electronic devices and mapping portable electronic devices perfectly to the charging port on the printed circuit side to avoid damage of portable electronic devices during transportation; this spacing apart is important to provide air flow between devices. This height is also important in order to provide accurate contact between male and female contact pins - thereby, avoiding damage to portable electronic devices (which are to be charged).

Additionally, heat generated during charging of a plurality of electronic devices, simultaneously, can cause damage to the electronic devices and the printed circuit board. A cooling fan was placed inside the enclosure for heat dissipation.

Furthermore, LED based circuit boards connected to the printed circuit board tracks successful connection established between USB male connectors on the PCB and USB female connectors of the electronic devices which otherwise would have been tracked only through active charging. In order to avoid damage to portable electronic devices, EPE foam is installed on the plastic base which holds the portable electronic devices so that these electronic devices are held tightly during transportation.

According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the present invention can be applied in education industry for the purposes of studies and examinations carried out digitally. The present invention can also be applied in corporate sector where a plurality of portable electronic devices is required for tasks such as presentations, meetings, etc.

This design has primarily been invented in order to reduce hassles of charging portable electronic devices using cable and adapter based method.

In at least an embodiment, a GPS module is configured in order to be communicably coupled with this system. Location tracking of this charging system is necessary considering safety.

In at least some embodiments, input electric power is solar based. Integrating solar power to charge multiple devices makes it environmentally sustainable. Charging of portable electronic devices via USB -based charging can be considered. Where standard portable devices are considered, providing USB pin instead of contact pins will considered.

In at least an embodiment, the apparatus is configured with a battery health monitoring system via BlueTooth.

In at least an embodiment, the apparatus is configured with a USB based charging port instead of connector pins.

In at least an embodiment, the apparatus is configured with a QR based locking mechanism which can be read by an authorized user using an electronic scanning mechanism coupled with authorization protocol for unlocking the locking mechanism upon authentication via the electronic scanning mechanism.

To monitor charging of devices and locking mechanism of compact case, a digital QR based system is considered.

The TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT of this invention lies in providing a multitudinous contact-based multiple charging system that can provide safe charging. Additionally, the TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT of this invention lies in providing a device with an indigenously designed circuit, used for charging a plurality if portable devices, without the need for power cables and power adapters. Therefore, inventory management becomes easier and results in ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE. It also reduces the usage of a plurality of plugs and power points.

The current invention which is a multitudinous charging apparatus, is able to charge a plurality of portable electronic devices. A multitudinous charging apparatus, according to this invention, does not demand requirement of USB charging cables to charge a plurality of portable electronic devices. The USB Female connectors of the portable electronic devices are electrically connected to the equivalent Male connectors which are embedded on the printed circuit board (PCB1). Circuit board embedded with LEDs connected to the PCB indicates when the portable electronic devices are charging or completely charged, and the cooling fan keeps the power box from overheating. Two level locking mechanisms is installed which keeps the portable electronic devices secure during transportation and while ongoing charging.

While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS,

1. A multitudinous charging apparatus configured to charge a plurality of portable electronic devices, without support of USB charging, said apparatus comprising:

- a printed circuit board (PCB1) configured to host a plurality of contact pins (10) on its operative dorsal surface, each contact pin (10) being spaced apart from an adjacent contact pin (10), each contact pin (10) being a male side charging port configured to charge an electronic device when coupled with it through its complementary female side charging port;

- a power circuit (PC) to receive power supply, through a power input pin, and to supply said power supply, through a power output pin, to each of said contact pins (10); and

- said printed circuit board (PCB1) configured to host a plurality of pre designed circuits on its operative ventral side, each pre-designed circuit (20) being spaced apart from an adjacent pre-designed circuit, each pre designed circuit configured to be connected to a corresponding contact pin (10), by means of voltage regulator integrated circuit (VIC), which suppresses overcharging.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said pre-designed circuit (20) is an electrical amplifier integrated circuit (EIC).

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein, said pre-designed circuit (20) comprises two diodes (DD1) electrically connected in series, in that, said pair of diodes supply constant DC voltage for said electrical amplifier integrated circuit (EIC).

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said pre-designed circuit is electrically connected to a resistor (RR1) and a resistor-capacitor circuit (RC) wherein said resistor-capacitor circuit (RC) suppress high frequency electrical signals, wherein:

- said resistor-capacitor circuit (RC) is electrically connected to two parallel resistors (RR1) and to a connecting pin (10) of a voltage regulator integrated circuit (VIC); and

- a capacitor (CC) is electrically connected in series with said resistors (RR1); and

- a NOT gate (NG) comprising of three resistors (RRl) and a transistor is electrically connected to a power input pin and a power output pin, of said power circuit (PC), via contact traces in order to regulate electric flow

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, each of said contact pins (10), on said dorsal side, is connected to each of said pre-defined circuits, on said ventral side, in a one-to-one manner, through a corresponding hole provided on the printed circuit board to facilitate such connection.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, each of said contact pins (10), on said dorsal side, is connected to each of said pre-defined circuits, on said ventral side, in a one-to-one manner, through a corresponding hole provided on the printed circuit board to facilitate such connection, in that, said connection being via a single resistor and via a voltage regulator integrated circuit (VIC).

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein, said all NOT gates (NG) are electrically connected together via dual in-line packages (DIL14) integrated circuits.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said power input pin and said power output pin are electrically connected to all male contact pins via NOT gates which help in flow of electric power to all male contact pins.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein, said NOT gates (NG), via dual in-line packages (DIL14) integrated circuits, receive electrical signals according to electric power supplied to said male contact pins (10), which deliver specific electric signals to said power output pin.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a capacitor (CC) coupled to said male contact pins (10) act as a secondary power source for a short amount of time.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said apparatus comprising a visual display, coupled to each of said male contact pins, in order to indicate charging / charger status, said visual display being provided on a second printed circuit board (PCB2) in which its operative dorsal side comprises power input pins of LEDs (LED-PI) while its operative dorsal side comprises circuits with a diode and a resistor.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said apparatus comprising a cooling fan electrically connected to said power circuit (PC).

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said apparatus comprising a GPS module configured to be communicably coupled with said apparatus in order to enable location tracking of said apparatus.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said power circuit (PC) being coupled to a solar cell in order to make input electric power to be solar based.