Solar charging apparatus and method for a mobile communication terminal

• US 8,174,232 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2008
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Jee, Dong-Jo
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramadan, Ramy
• Application Number:
  US12/260,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20090128086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 320/108
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A contactless charging apparatus, comprising: a battery having an induction coil; and a charging unit for supplying a current generated by condensing solar light to a built-in magnetic field generating coil for charging the battery by inductive coupling between the magnetic field generating coil and the induction coil.

Claims

1. A contactless charging apparatus comprising:

a solar module configured to generate a current by condensing solar light;

a user input switch configured to direct an output of the generated current;

a charging unit configured to output the generated current according to the user input switch;

a magnetic field generating coil configured to charge an external battery via an inductive arrangement between the magnetic field generating coil and an induction coil connected to the external battery when the user input switch directs the output of the generated current to the magnetic field generating coil; and

a sub-storage unit configured to store energy supplied via the generated current when the user input switch directs the output of the generated current to the sub-storage unit.

2. The contactless charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external battery is connected to a mobile terminal.

3. The contactless charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contactless charging apparatus is a pad shape.

4. The contactless charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generating coil is wound onto the solar module in a first shape.

5. The contactless charging apparatus of claim 4, wherein a shape and a size of the magnetic field generating coil vary according to a type of the solar module.

6. A contactless charging apparatus comprising:

a charging unit configured to generate a current via solar light;

a user input switch configured to selectively conduct the generated current;

a sub-storage unit configured to store energy supplied via the generated current when the user input switch conducts the generated current to the sub-storage unit; and

a magnetic field coil configured to charge an external battery via induction when the user input switch conducts the generated current to the magnetic field coil.

7. The contactless charging apparatus of claim 6, wherein the charging unit comprises a solar module configured to condense the solar light and to generate the current, and

wherein the magnetic field generating coil is wound onto the solar module in a first shape.

8. The contactless charging apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sub-storage unit comprises a capacitor.

9. A contactless charging method, the method comprising:

condensing solar light via a solar module to generate a current;

directing the generated current according to a state of a user input switch;

supplying the generated current to a magnetic field generating coil for charging an external battery in contact with a charging unit by inductive coupling between the magnetic field generating coil and an induction coil attached to the external battery when the generated current is directed to the magnetic field generating coil according to a first state of the user input switch;

storing energy supplied via the generated current when the generated current is directed to a sub-storage unit according to a second state of the user input switch,

wherein the charging unit houses the magnetic field generating coil.

10. The contactless charging method of claim 9, wherein the external battery is connected to a mobile terminal which is distinct from the charging unit.