PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE CHARGER AND A METHOD FOR USING THE SAME

• US 20030137274A1
• Filed: 01/18/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Janaki Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Janaki Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Sastry, Chintalapati
• Granted Patent: US 6,737,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A portable electronic device charger and a method for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, the charger includes a pendulum mounted to a housing and oscillating in response to movement of the housing. The pendulum includes a first trigger piece and a second trigger piece. The first trigger piece causes the rotation of a first gear element in a gear unit in one direction while the second trigger piece causes the rotation of a second gear element in an opposite direction. The charger also includes an electric generator that has an electric generator shaft rotated by the gear unit. The electric generator generates an electrical output. A circuit communicatively connected to the electric generator receives the electrical output and converts it to an output to be routed via an output coupling in the housing to deliver charge to a rechargeable battery in a portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device charger comprising:

a pendulum mounted to a housing and oscillating in response to movement of the housing, the pendulum including a first trigger piece and a second trigger piece;

a gear unit mounted to the housing including a first gear element and a second gear element, oscillation of the pendulum causing the first trigger piece to rotate the first gear element in one direction and the second trigger piece to rotate the second gear element in an opposite direction;

an electric generator including an electric generator shaft, the electric generator shaft connected to the gear unit and driven by the gear unit to rotate, the electric generator driven by the rotation of the electric generator shaft and generating electrical output; and

a circuit communicatively connected to the electric generator to receive the electric output and convert it to an output to be routed via an output coupling in the housing to deliver charge to a rechargeable battery in a portable electronic device.

2. The portable electronic device charger of claim 1 wherein an amount of electrical output generated by the portable electronic device charger corresponds to the amount of physical movement of a user carrying the portable electronic device charger.

3. The portable electronic device charger of claim 1 further comprising a photocell array communicatively connected to the circuit within the housing to provide electrical output from converted sunlight energy.

4. The portable electronic device charger of claim 1 further comprising an activation mechanism to be manipulated by a user.

5. The portable electronic device charger of claim 4 wherein the activation mechanism comprises:

a key to be inserted into a key alignment bushing attached to the housing; and

a mechanical spring storage unit including a spring to be wound by the key, energy stored by the wound spring released to activate the gear unit.

6. The portable electronic device charger of claim 5 wherein the activation mechanism includes a stop trigger to stop the pendulum from oscillating when the key is inserted into the key alignment bushing.

7. The portable electronic device charger of claim 5 wherein an amount of electrical output generated by the portable electronic device charger corresponds to the amount of turning of the key by a user.

8. The portable electronic device charger of claim 1 wherein the portable electronic device charged by the portable electronic device charger is a mobile phone.

9. The portable electronic device charger of claim 1 wherein the portable electronic device charged by the portable electronic device charger is a mobile music player.

10. The portable electronic device charger of claim 1 wherein the output coupling includes a cable extending from the portable electronic device charger to the portable electronic device.

11. A portable electronic device charger comprising:

an activation mechanism mounted to a housing, the activation mechanism to be manipulated by a user;

a gear unit mounted to the housing including a first gear element and a second gear element, manipulation of the activation mechanism causing rotation of the first gear element in one direction and rotation of the second gear element in an opposite direction;

an electric generator including an electric generator shaft, the electric generator shaft connected to the gear unit and driven by the gear unit to rotate, the electric generator driven by the rotation of the electric generator shaft and generating electrical output; and

a circuit communicatively connected to the electric generator to receive the electric output and convert it to an output to be routed via an output coupling in the housing to deliver charge to a rechargeable battery in a portable electronic device.

12. The portable electronic device charger of claim 11 wherein the activation mechanism comprises:

a key to be inserted into a key alignment bushing attached to the housing; and

a mechanical spring storage unit including a spring to be wound by the key, energy stored by the wound spring released to activate the gear unit.

13. The portable electronic device charger of claim 11 wherein an amount of electrical output generated by the portable electronic device charger corresponds to the amount of turning of the key by a user.

14. The portable electronic device charger of claim 11 further comprising a photocell array communicatively connected to the circuit within the housing to provide electrical output from converted sunlight energy.

15. The portable electronic device charger of claim 12 further comprising a pendulum mounted to a housing and oscillating in response to movement of the housing, the pendulum including a first trigger piece and a second trigger piece, oscillation of the pendulum causing the first trigger piece to rotate the first gear element in one direction and the second trigger piece to rotate the second gear element in an opposite direction.

16. The portable electronic device charger of claim 15 wherein the activation mechanism includes a stop trigger to stop the pendulum from oscillating when the key is inserted into the key alignment bushing.

17. The portable electronic device charger of claim 15 wherein an amount of electrical output generated by the portable electronic device charger corresponds to the amount of physical movement of a user carrying the portable electronic device charger.

18. The portable electronic device charger of claim 11 wherein the portable electronic device charged by the portable electronic device charger is a mobile phone.

19. The portable electronic device charger of claim 11 wherein the portable electronic device charged by the portable electronic device charger is a mobile music player.

20. The portable electronic device charger of claim 11 wherein the output coupling includes a cable extending from the portable electronic device charger to the portable electronic device.

21. A rechargeable battery charger comprising:

a housing to be worn by a person;

a weight mounted to the housing, movement of the person moving the housing relative to the weight;

a generator mounted to the housing, the generator having an input connected to the weight and an electric output, the generator converting mechanical power due to said relative movement to electric power provided to the electric output; and

a power outlet mounted to the housing and connected to the electric output, to which the rechargeable battery is connectable to recharge the rechargeable battery.

22. The rechargeable battery charger of claim 21 wherein the weight is a pendulum.

23. The rechargeable battery charger of claim 21 further comprising a photocell array mounted to the housing to provide electrical power from converted sunlight energy.

24. The rechargeable battery charger of claim 22 further comprising an activation mechanism to be manipulated by a user.

25. The rechargeable battery charger of claim 24 wherein the activation mechanism comprises:

a key to be inserted into a key alignment bushing attached to the housing; and

a mechanical spring storage unit including a spring to be wound by the key, energy stored by the wound spring released as input to the generator.

26. The rechargeable battery charger of claim 25 wherein the activation mechanism includes a stop trigger to stop the pendulum from moving when the key is inserted into the key alignment bushing.

27. The rechargeable battery charger of claim 25 wherein an amount of electrical power generated by the portable electronic device charger corresponds to the amount of turning of the key by a user.

28. The rechargeable battery charger of claim 21 wherein the rechargeable battery is in a portable electronic device.

29. The rechargeable battery charger of claim 28 wherein the portable electronic device is a mobile phone.

30. The rechargeable battery charger of claim 28 wherein the portable electronic device is a mobile music player.

31. A method of charging a portable electronic device comprising:

physical movement of a housing of a portable electronic device charger causing a weight to oscillate and trigger a first gear element of a gear unit to rotate one direction while a second gear element of the gear unit rotates in an opposite direction;

the gear unit causing a gear shaft to rotate;

the gear shaft driving an electrical generator to generate an electric output;

converting the electrical output; and

transferring the converted electrical output to the portable electronic device to charge a rechargeable battery in the portable electronic device.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

turning a key inserted into a key alignment bushing mounted to the housing; and

causing a spring to be wound by the turning of the key, mechanical energy from the spring triggering a first gear element of a gear unit to rotate one direction while a second gear element of the gear unit to rotate an opposite direction.

33. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

converting sunlight energy using a photocell array; and

transferring the converted sunlight to the portable electronic device to charge the rechargeable battery in the portable electronic device.

34. The method of claim 31 wherein an amount of electrical output generated by the portable electronic device charger corresponds to an amount of physical movement of a user carrying the portable electronic device charger.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein an amount of electrical output generated by the portable electronic device charger corresponds to the amount of turning of the key by a user.

36. The method of claim 31 wherein the portable electronic device is a mobile phone.

37. The method of claim 31 wherein the portable electronic device is a mobile music player.