Electricity generator
First Claim
1. A manually powered generator for charging a mobile device, comprising:
- a first magnet array, the first magnet array comprising a plurality of magnets arrayed in an annular formation on a first surface;
a second magnet array, the second magnet array comprising a plurality of magnets arrayed in an annular formation on a second surface positioned opposite the first surface;
a torque input member; and
a rotor disposed between the first and second magnet arrays, the rotor comprising a printed circuit board including a plurality of planar layers, each of the plurality of planar layers comprising a serpentine trace of conductive material extending radially inwardly and outwardly in a continuous manner between a respective inner perimeter and a respective outer perimeter in a serpentine shape so as to form a series of interconnected peaks and valleys around a circumference of the respective planar layer, the respective inner perimeters of each serpentine trace being spaced radially outwardly from a central opening defined in the rotor, the serpentine traces of material being interconnected between the planar layers by one or more vias to form a single conductive pathway, the one or more vias being located adjacent the inner perimeters of the respective serpentine traces, the plurality of planar layers including a top layer and a bottom layer, the top and bottom layers including respective terminals surrounding the central opening and electrically connected to the serpentine traces of the top and bottom layers;
wherein the generator is configured to be incorporated into a handheld case that can be coupled to the mobile device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present application concerns handheld electrical generators for charging mobile electronic devices. In one representative embodiment, a manually powered generator for charging a mobile device comprises a first magnet array having a plurality of magnets arrayed in an annular formation on a first surface, a second magnet array having a plurality of magnets arrayed in an annular formation on a second surface positioned opposite the first surface, and a torque input member. The generator further comprises a rotor having a serpentine trace of conductive material disposed between the first and second magnet arrays. The generator is configured to be incorporated into a handheld case or shell for containing the mobile device.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A manually powered generator for charging a mobile device, comprising:
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a first magnet array, the first magnet array comprising a plurality of magnets arrayed in an annular formation on a first surface; a second magnet array, the second magnet array comprising a plurality of magnets arrayed in an annular formation on a second surface positioned opposite the first surface; a torque input member; and a rotor disposed between the first and second magnet arrays, the rotor comprising a printed circuit board including a plurality of planar layers, each of the plurality of planar layers comprising a serpentine trace of conductive material extending radially inwardly and outwardly in a continuous manner between a respective inner perimeter and a respective outer perimeter in a serpentine shape so as to form a series of interconnected peaks and valleys around a circumference of the respective planar layer, the respective inner perimeters of each serpentine trace being spaced radially outwardly from a central opening defined in the rotor, the serpentine traces of material being interconnected between the planar layers by one or more vias to form a single conductive pathway, the one or more vias being located adjacent the inner perimeters of the respective serpentine traces, the plurality of planar layers including a top layer and a bottom layer, the top and bottom layers including respective terminals surrounding the central opening and electrically connected to the serpentine traces of the top and bottom layers; wherein the generator is configured to be incorporated into a handheld case that can be coupled to the mobile device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A case for a handheld mobile electronic device, comprising:
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an electrical generator that is manually powered and configured to transfer electrical power to the mobile electronic device, the electrical generator comprising; a first magnet array, the first magnet array comprising a plurality of magnets arrayed in an annular formation on a first surface; a second magnet array, the second magnet array comprising a plurality of magnets arrayed in an annular formation on a second surface positioned opposite the first surface; a torque input member; and a rotor disposed between the first and second magnet arrays, the rotor comprising a printed circuit board including a plurality of planar layers, each of the plurality of planar layers comprising a serpentine trace of conductive material extending radially inwardly and outwardly in a continuous manner between a respective inner perimeter and a respective outer perimeter in a serpentine shape so as to form a series of interconnected peaks and valleys around a circumference of the respective planar layer, the respective inner perimeters of each serpentine trace being spaced radially outwardly from a central opening defined in the rotor, the serpentine traces of material being interconnected between the planar layers by one or more vias to form a single conductive pathway, the one or more vias being located adjacent the inner perimeters of the respective serpentine traces, the plurality of planar layers including a top layer and a bottom layer, the top and bottom layers including respective terminals surrounding the central opening and electrically connected to the serpentine traces of the top and bottom layers; and wherein the electrical generator is incorporated into the case such that the thickness of the case is substantially less than or equal to the thickness of the mobile electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of charging a mobile device, comprising:
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providing a case for a mobile device comprising an electrical generator in communication with the mobile device, the electrical generator comprising; a first magnet array, the first magnet array comprising a plurality of magnets arrayed in an annular formation on a first surface; a second magnet array, the second magnet array comprising a plurality of magnets arrayed in an annular formation on a second surface positioned opposite the first surface; a torque input member; and a rotor disposed between the first and second magnet arrays, the rotor comprising a printed circuit board including a plurality of planar layers, each of the plurality of planar layers comprising a serpentine trace of conductive material extending radially inwardly and outwardly in a continuous manner between a respective inner perimeter and a respective outer perimeter in a serpentine shape so as to form a series of interconnected peaks and valleys around a circumference of the respective planar layer, the respective inner perimeters of each serpentine trace being spaced radially outwardly from a central opening defined in the rotor, the serpentine traces of material being interconnected between the planar layers by one or more vias to form a single conductive pathway, the one or more vias being located adjacent the inner perimeters of the respective serpentine traces, the plurality of planar layers including a top layer and a bottom layer, the top and bottom layers including respective terminals surrounding the central opening and electrically connected to the serpentine traces of the top and bottom layers; rotating the torque input member; multiplying the rotational frequency of the torque input member with the gear assembly; rotating the rotor adjacent the magnets at the multiplied rotational frequency to generate electrical current; and conducting the electrical current away from the rotor and into the mobile device; wherein the electrical generator has a thickness of less than one centimeter and is configured to generate a continuous electrical output of about five watts.
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Specification