FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to charging of electronic devices using a portable, renewable energy harvesting carry case or bag which harvests energy from renewable sources for charging purposes. The carry case is specifically suited for charging mobile devices such as mobile phones, tablets, music players and laptops carried about in the case or bag.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The use of mobile electronic devices is widespread and, accordingly, the demand placed on batteries of these devices is ever increasing. Current battery technology provides a user with limited battery life before the battery needs to be recharged. If used extensively, some mobile devices have a battery life of less than 24 hours. Accordingly, in some instances a user may have to recharge their device multiple times a day.

Most charging outlets are fixed to a wall socket which inhibits mobility. People with busy lifestyles are constantly on the move which makes it difficult to find power outlets to charge mobile devices. Power banks have become quite popular as a form of mobile reserve or backup power in the event that a user needs to recharge his/her device whilst on the go. However, these power banks provide only a limited amount of power, and, after a while, need to be recharged themselves. The Inventor has identified a need for a charger that is configured to charge any mobile device, anywhere and at any time.

The present invention aims, at least to some extent, to alleviate the drawbacks discussed above. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a renewable energy harvesting carry case for charging mobile electronic devices, the renewable energy harvesting carry case including:

at least one cavity for receiving at least one mobile electronic device which needs to be recharged; and

electronic circuitry which is configured to harvest ambient energy from renewable sources including ambient radio frequency (RF) waves and solar radiation and to convert it to electrical energy to charge the mobile electronic device accommodated within the cavity.

The electronic circuitry may be removably received within the carry case. The electronic circuitry may include an RF energy harvesting module and a solar energy module. The solar energy module may include one or more solar panels which are mounted to an outer face of the carry case. The solar panels may be integrated into the outer face of the carry case.

The electronic circuitry may further include a rechargeable power source. The electronic circuitry may also be configured to charge the mobile electronic device wirelessly. The electronic circuitry may further include a kinetic energy harvester which is configured to generate electrical energy for charging the mobile electronic device from movement of the carry case. The carry case may include an inductive charging module which is configured wirelessly to recharge the power source of the electronic circuitry. To this end, the inductive charging module may be configured magnetically to couple to the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry may be housed within a polymeric housing which does not block RF waves. The housing may have a removable cover configured to engage a remainder of the housing in snap-fit fashion. The RF energy harvesting module may include an array of multi-band antennae. Each antenna may be configured to harvest RF waves in a frequency band ranging from 433 MHz to 5.8 GHz. More specifically, each antenna may be configured to harvest RF waves in a frequency band ranging from 433 MHz to 2.8 GHz. The RF energy harvesting module may have an efficiency of between 15% and 20%.

Moreover, the carry case may include:

a rigid body defining the cavity for receiving the at least one mobile electronic device; and

an LED light source which is removably secured to the body of the carry case by way of an interference fit, wherein, when in a stowed position in which the LED light source is secured to the body, an operatively illuminating face of the LED light source is hidden from sight.

The LED light source may be removably secured to a base of the body. The LED light source may include an on/off switch. The LED light source may also have a stowable stand which is configured to support the LED light source in an operative position.

The carry case may include a lid which operatively closes the cavity and at least one strap connected to the body for facilitating carrying of the carry case.

The electronic circuitry may include an intelligent power management module which is configured to control distribution of available charging power, control selection of appropriate renewable energy sources for harvesting energy and allocate charging power to the mobile electronic device in accordance with predetermined charging criteria.

The invention extends to a renewable energy harvesting charging apparatus which is associated with a carry case, the carry case having a body which defines a cavity for receiving at least one mobile electronic device, wherein the charging apparatus is configured to harvest ambient energy from renewable sources including ambient radio frequency waves and solar radiation and to convert it to electrical energy to charge the mobile electronic device received within the cavity of the carry case. The charging apparatus may include a kinetic energy harvester which is configured to generate electrical energy for charging of the mobile electronic device from movement of the charging apparatus.

The charging apparatus may include an intelligent power management module which is configured to control distribution of available charging power, control selection of appropriate renewable energy sources for harvesting energy and allocate charging power to the mobile electronic device in accordance with predetermined charging criteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a renewable energy harvesting carry case in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the carry case of Figure 1 in an open condition;

Figure 3 shows a functional block diagram of the renewable energy harvesting carry case;

Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional view of an electronic circuitry or charging apparatus forming part of the carry case;

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the electronic circuitry of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a plan view of an antenna;

Figure 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the renewable energy harvesting carry case in the form of a rucksack or backpack;

Figure 8 shows an inductive charger which can be coupled to the electronic circuitry to recharge a power bank inductively;

Figure 9 shows a face-on view of the electronic circuitry including an inductive charging module; Figure 10 shows a three-dimensional view of another embodiment of the renewable energy harvesting carry case in accordance with the invention, in a closed condition;

Figure 1 1 shows the carry case of Figure 10 in an open condition;

Figure 12 shows an exploded three-dimensional view of the carry case of Figure 10;

Figure 13 shows a three-dimensional rear view of an LED light source which forms part of the carry case of Figure 10, in an operative position; and Figure 14 shows the LED light source of Figure 13 from the side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognise that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilising other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognise that modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not a limitation thereof. In the figures, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a renewable energy harvesting carry case or bag in accordance with the invention for charging one or more mobile electronic devices whilst on the go. As can be seen in figure 2, an exemplary embodiment of the carry case or bag 10 includes two pockets or compartments separated by a longitudinal partition 9. Electronic circuitry 12 is housed within one of the compartments. The electronic circuitry or charging apparatus 12 is configured to charge a range of mobile electronic devices like a mobile phone 13 (see figures 3 and 4) or numerous mobile phones simultaneously, music players, smart watches, tablets, laptops or Personal Digital Assistants etcetera. Referring specifically to figure 3, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic circuitry 12 includes an RF energy harvesting module 14, a solar energy module which includes one or more solar panels 15 which are mounted to an outer face of the carry case 10 (see figure 1 ), a kinetic energy harvester 16 and an inductive charging module 17, all of which are connected and configured to deliver power to a rechargeable power source in the form of a power bank 18 or suitable battery. The RF energy harvesting module 14 is configured to harvest ambient radio frequency (RF) waves using a plurality of multi-band antennae 20. RF signals received by the antennae 20 are rectified by way of a rectification circuit 21 to a DC voltage signal. The DC voltage signal is fed to the power bank 18 for the purpose of recharging the power bank 18. The shape and configuration of each multi-band antenna 20 is shown in figure 6. The antenna 20 is fed by a 50 Ohm microstrip and covers the standard GSM frequency band, DCS/PCS, UMTS, WLAN (IEEE 802.1 1 b/g/n) and ISM 2450 frequency bands. The antenna is very compact, easy to manufacture and receptive across multiple frequency bands which makes it very attractive for use in cellular phone applications. The solar panel 15 is used to convert solar radiation incident upon the case 10 into electrical energy to charge the power bank 18. The electrical energy could also be used directly to power the mobile electronic devices accommodated within the case 10. The solar panel 15 is coupled to the electronic circuitry 12 and specifically to the power bank 18 by way of suitable wiring 22.

The kinetic energy harvester 16 is configured to generate electrical energy from movement of the carry case 10 and hence through displacement of the electronic circuitry 12. The electrical energy generated by the kinetic energy harvester is once again fed to the power bank 18 for charging the power bank 18. The kinetic energy harvester 16 can take the form of an electromagnetic generator which is configured to induce electrical current in a coil by reciprocal motion of a magnet in close proximity to, or through the coil. The magnet may be attached to a pendulum for pivotal, back-and-forth motion or may be linearly displaceable within a sleeve or tube. Piezoelectric material may also be used to convert motion into electrical energy, as is well known in the state of the art. The electronic circuitry 12 further includes an intelligent power management module 32 which is connected to or integrated into the power bank 18. The intelligent power management module 32 is configured to control distribution of available charging power by prioritising charging of a number of different devices connected to the electronic circuitry 12 based on predetermined charging criteria. The intelligent power management module 32 may also control selection of appropriate renewable energy sources for harvesting energy, at a particular point in time.

The electronic circuitry 12 is removably received within the carry case 10 and comprises a polymeric or plastic housing or casing 23 for housing the electronic components therein. The housing 23 is preferably made from acrylic which does not inhibit the passage of RF waves. As the antennae 20 are housed within the housing 23, it is important that the housing 23 does not act as a barrier or attenuator of electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency spectrum. The housing 23 is parallelepiped and has rounded corners. The housing 23 comprises a substantially planar base 25 and cover 24 which are removably attached to a middle 26 by way of complementary mating formations. The mating formations are configured to engage in snap-fit fashion. Castellated peripheries 27 of the base 25 and cover 24 make up its mating formations which are configured to mate with complementary castellations 29 formed along upper and lower peripheries of the middle 26. The electronic circuitry 12 is switched on/off by way of a switch 28.

The solar panel 15 may be integrated into the outer face of the carry case 10 or may be accommodated within a sleeve provided specifically for the panel. The housing 23 defines a plurality of electrical inlet and outlet sockets 30, which may be in the form of female USB connectors for connecting the electronic circuitry 12 to the solar panel 15, the mobile phone 13 or other electronic devices and to a mains power outlet or other suitable charging apparatus. Accordingly, the carry case 10 includes a suitable USB connector cable 31 for connecting the electronic circuitry 12 to the mobile phone 13 for charging purposes. The electronic circuitry 12 may also be configured to charge the mobile phone 13 wirelessly.

Furthermore, as mentioned, the carry case 10 and specifically the electronic circuitry 12 includes an inductive charging module 17. Referring to figures 5 and 9, the module 17 includes an inductive charging receiving coil 33. The carry case 10 also includes the inductive charger 35 illustrated in Figure 8 which is configured wirelessly to recharge the power bank 18 of the electronic circuitry 12 when positioned over the receiving coil 33. To this end, the inductive charger 35 includes a platform to which a transmitter coil 36 is centrally mounted. The transmitter coil 36 is flanked on either side by a rectangular magnet 37 or ferromagnetic material. A cable is used to connect the transmitter coil 36 to an electrical power outlet. The charger 35 includes a handle 38 connected to the platform for facilitating handling or positioning of the charger 35 over the receiving coil 33 of the electronic circuitry 12. The inductive charger 35 magnetically couples to complementary magnets 39 of the electronic circuitry 12 such that the transmitter and receiving coils 36, 33 are in abutment when charging. Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment of a carry case 100 in the form of a rucksack or backpack having a pair of shoulder straps for convenient carrying.

As can best be seen in Figure 5, the RF energy harvesting module 14 includes an array of six antennae 20. Each antenna 20 is configured to harvest RF waves in a frequency band ranging from 433 MHz to 5.8 GHz. More specifically, each antenna may be configured to harvest RF waves in the frequency band ranging from 433 MHz to 2.8 GHz. Accordingly, the RF energy harvesting module 14 may have an efficiency of between 15% and 20%.

Yet another embodiment of the renewable energy harvesting carry case in accordance with the invention is shown in Figures 10 to 12 and designated by reference numeral 120. This carry case 120 includes a rigid, oval cylindrical body 122 which defines a cavity 127 for receiving one or more mobile electronic devices for charging, amongst other things. The body 122 has one or more solar panels 123 mounted to or integrated into an outer face of the body 122. The carry case 120 further includes a convexly rounded lid 124 which is hingedly connected to a top of the body 122 in order to close the cavity 127. The carry case 120 further includes a pair of shoulder straps 125 connected to the body 122 to facilitate easy carrying of the carry case 120. An LED light source 126 is removably secured to a base of the body 122 by way of an interference or snap fit. The LED light source 126 is elongate, convexly rounded and includes an on/off switch 128 (see Figure 12) to switch it on/off. In its stowed away position, shown in Figure 10, an operatively illuminating face 129 of the LED light source 126 is hidden from sight. In order to use the LED light source 126 for illuminating or lighting up an area, the light source 126 is disconnected from the base of the body 122 by withdrawing the LED light source 126 from the body 122. The LED light source 126 and base of the body 122 have complementary, snap-fit or tongue-in-groove type mating formations 130 which ensure that the LED light source 126 is removably secured to the body 122. Once removed, the LED light source 126 is made to stand in an operative position (see Figures 13 and 14) by pivotally displacing a stowable stand 131 mounted to a rear face of the LED light source, relative to the light source, such that the stand 131 is substantially orthogonal to the rear face of the LED light source and provides support thereto whilst light is radiated from the illuminating face 129.

The Applicant believes that by incorporating the electronic circuitry or charging apparatus 12 into a carry case or briefcase 10, 100, 120 charging of electronic devices whilst on the move is made easy. People will therefore be more mobile even when their electronic devices are in need of recharging. Whilst the power bank 18 is recharging the mobile phone 13 carried in the bag, the power bank 18 itself is being recharged by energy being harvested from numerous renewable sources such as solar, RF and kinetic energy. The user has the further option of either connecting the electronic circuitry 12 to a mains power outlet or alternatively recharging the power bank 18 using the inductive charger 35 by simply placing the charger on the bag. There is no need to remove the electronic circuitry from the bag. Charging time of the power bank 18 is therefore reduced due to the multiple sources of energy being harvested by the respective modules of the electronic circuitry 12. Many electronic devices already have bags or carry cases such as laptop bags and by incorporating the charging apparatus or electronic circuitry 12 into these existing bags, charging of mobile devices is made so much easier without limiting mobility.