FIELD

The present invention relates to a solar charging unit for the efficient charging of mobile phones and/or other consumer wireless devices.

BACKGROUND

Mobile phones typically have a battery life of between 12 to 15 hours when used in connection with processes that are not resource intensive. The battery life can be significantly reduced when using a mobile phone to play games, use photo editing software, or capture images and videos. Such activities are commonly undertaken by individuals on holiday, for example when spending time around a hotel swimming pool or at the beach. To maintain mobile phone battery level in such locations, an individual must have access to a wireless or portable charging device. Such a device may be in the form of a battery pack comprising one or more power sockets for connecting a cable between the battery pack and the mobile phone. Of course, the battery pack itself must be charged to provide additional power or charging functionality to a mobile phone. Other available charging options include a conventional plug to which the mobile phone may be connected by a wired connection and wireless charging pads that may conveniently allow for the mobile phone to simply be sat on the wireless charging pad two provides charging functionality. Again, each of these charging options either requires access to a mains power supply or a battery that is charged before use.

It is against this background that aspects and embodiments of the present invention have arisen.

SUMMARY

As used herein, the term “wireless” charging is used interchangeably to refer to modern standards for charging mobile devices through induction as opposed to convention cable charging. As of the date of this application, the only wireless charging standard adopted by major mobile device manufacturers is Qi. However, the claims appended to the end of the description should not be interpreted as being limited to any particular charging standard.

As used herein, the term “mobile device” is used to encompass all manner of wearable and communications devices that a user may use for leisure or business purposes. Aspects and embodiments of the present invention relates to a solar charging unit that may be used to provide charging functionality for mobile phones and other consumer electronic devices. In general, solar charging units according to aspects and embodiments of the present invention comprise a housing having at least one opening for receiving one or more mobile phones or other consumer electronic devices. The housing may provide a charging surface within a chamber. The housing may also provide an external solar collector for receiving sunlight and a battery for providing backup charging capability during periods when light levels are reduced.

In one aspect of the invention, a solar charging unit is provided which comprises: a housing having a base, a perimeter side wall, and a top, the housing defining a chamber therein to which access is provided via an opening in the perimeter side wall; a solar collector forming at least part of the top of the housing; at least one wireless charging pad configured to charge a mobile device positioned within the chamber; and a secondary power source, wherein the charging pad is operable to charge the mobile device from solar energy when the solar collector is determined to be receiving light above a predetermined light level threshold, and the charging pad is operable to charge the mobile device from the secondary power source when the solar collector is determined to be receiving light below the predetermined light level threshold.

The solar charging unit is thus beneficially configured to charge at least one mobile device using multiple power sources with a bias towards a solar power source. The housing of the solar charging unit further provides protection for mobile devices therein from the sun and other variable environmental conditions.

In one embodiment, the solar charging unit further comprises a load balancer configured to manage power distribution from the secondary power source and the solar collector. In one embodiment the secondary power source comprises a battery and/or an external power source.

In one embodiment the load balancer is further configured to enable charging of the battery simultaneously with charging of the mobile device when the solar collector is determined to be receiving light above the predetermined threshold.

In one embodiment at least one illumination source is provided and configured to illuminate the chamber when the mobile device is placed in the chamber.

In one embodiment at least one fan is provided and configured to provide an airflow within the chamber.

In one embodiment, the solar charging unit further comprises a timer circuit configured to activate a countdown when the mobile device is removed from the chamber, wherein power draw from the battery is ceased upon completion of the countdown.

In one embodiment, the solar charging unit further comprises a light sensor configured to measure the light level being received by the solar collector.

In one embodiment, the solar charging unit further comprises a base upon which the housing is rotatably mounted; means for rotating the housing relative to the base; and a processor that receives data from the light sensor, wherein the processor is configured to: i) determine whether the light level received by the sensor is above or below the predetermined threshold; ii) determine whether the light level received by the sensor is increasing or decreasing; and iii) rotate the housing in a first or second direction to position the solar collector in an orientation that maximizes the light level received by the sensor.

In one embodiment, the means for rotating the housing relative to the base comprise at least one electric motor.

In one embodiment, the base of the housing is channeled and the at least one fan is received in a channeled region of the base. In one embodiment, the solar collector comprises a prismatic panel or coating defined by a pattern of ridges and valleys.

In one embodiment, the solar charger further comprises a wireless repeater configured to receive a signal from a wireless router and amplify and retransmit said signal.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. The detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended to be given by way of example only.

FIGURES

Aspects and embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of reference to the following figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a first view of a solar charging unit of aspects and embodiments of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a second view of a solar charging unit of aspects and embodiments of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a base of a solar charging unit of aspects and embodiments of the invention.

Figure 4 is an architecture diagram of a solar charging unit of aspects and embodiments of the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a countdown protocol for powering components of a solar charging unit of aspects and embodiments of the invention.

Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of optimizing the light level received by a solar charging unit of aspects and embodiments of the invention. Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating load balancing functionality of a solar charging unit of aspects and embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a solar charging unit 10 according to aspects and embodiments of the invention is illustrated. The solar charging unit 10 comprises a base 12 and a housing 14. The housing 14 is made up of a perimeter side wall 16, a top surface 18 and a bottom surface 20. The perimeter side wall 18 has an opening therein to define a chamber 22 in the housing 14. The bottom surface 20 of the housing 14 incorporates at least one wireless charging pad 24 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, two wireless charging pads 24a, 24b are shown. A mobile device 100 may be placed on a wireless charging pad 24 for charging. As shown in Figure 2, the top surface 18 of the housing may be angled and covered with a solar panel (referred to herein as a solar collector) 26. The housing 14 may comprise one or more vented regions 27 for allowing an airflow to pass through the housing 14 and into the chamber 22. The vented regions also permit warm air from within the chamber 22 to be expelled through said vented regions 27. Furthermore, a void (not shown) may be defined between the top surface 18 of the housing and a ceiling (also not shown) of the chamber. Vented regions are provided in the perimeter side wall 18 of the housing 14 to allow air to flow in/out of the void. In some embodiments, one or more fans may be positioned within the void.

The solar collector 26 may cover some or substantially all of the top surface 18 of the housing 14. The solar collector 26 may comprise a photovoltaic panel or coating that is profiled to provide a perturbed surface finish comprising a pattern of ridges and valleys in a prismatic form.

As better shown in Figure 3, the bottom surface 20 of the housing 14 adjacent to each wireless charging pad 24a, 24b is channeled to receive at least one fan 28 and provide distributed airflow within the chamber 22 to cool the mobile device 100 during charging. The bottom surface 20 of the housing 14 may be covered with a mesh type structure to cover the at least one fan 28 but still provide airflow from the at least one fan 28 to the chamber and mobile device 100.

Solar charging units 10 according to aspects and embodiments of the invention provide wireless charging capability for mobile devices having wireless charging capability. As shown in Figure 4, the solar charging unit 10 further comprises a processor 30, a light sensor 32, a battery 34, a mains power port 36, a timing circuit 38, at least one illumination source 40, and non-volatile memory 42. The interaction and relevance of each of these features will be discussed in detail below. The solar charging unit 10 may receive power via the solar collector 26, battery 34 or mains power port 36. This provides great flexibility in the positioning and functionality of the solar charging unit. The processor 30 (which also functions as a load balancer) is configured to control the rate of charge of a mobile device 100 positioned in the chamber 22 and the rate of charge and discharge of the battery 34 depending on whether the solar charging unit is connected to an external power source by way of the mains power port 36 or if it is effectively self-powered by collection and transformation of solar energy via the solar collector 36.

In a first mode of operation, the solar charging unit 10 may be connected to an external power source by way of the mains power port 36. In this mode of operation, the processor 30 is configured to divert all power to the battery 34 when it is determined that no mobile device 100 is positioned within the chamber 22. When it is determined that a mobile device 100 is positioned within the chamber 22, the processor splits the power received from the external power source between the battery 34 and wireless charging pad(s) 24a, 24b.

In a second mode of operation, the solar charging unit 10 receives solar energy via the solar collector 26 and uses this energy to charge the battery 34 and/or mobile device. In this mode of operation, the processor is configured to divert all power to the battery 34 when it is determined that no mobile device 100 is positioned within the chamber 22. When it is determined that a mobile device 100 is positioned within the chamber 22, the processor prioritizes power distribution to the mobile device 100 with any surplus energy being used to charge the battery as it simultaneously charges the mobile device 100. Where a fast charge of the mobile device 100 is required, both the battery 34 and the solar collector may be used to charge the mobile device 100. This may also be the case where it is determined that the light level measured by a light sensor 44 is decreasing or below a pre-determined threshold.

In a third mode of operation, the solar charging unit 10 does not receive any external energy and simply uses stored energy in the battery 34 to charge the mobile device 100. Furthermore, in each mode of operation, the fan(s) 28 and illumination source 40 may be selectively or automatically activated either when the mobile device is positioned in the chamber 22, or at will. In one embodiment, the fan(s) 28 and illumination source 40 may be activated upon breaking of an infrared beam spanning the opening into the chamber 22. In another embodiment, the fan(s) and/or illumination source 40 may be activated and de-activated remotely using an application executed on the mobile device and transmission of instructions from the mobile device 10 to the processor 30 via a Bluetooth ® connection.

When a mobile device 100 is positioned in the chamber 22, an electromagnetic field generated by the wireless charging pad(s) 24a, 24b causes an electrical current to be created in a coil located inside the mobile device 100. This electrical current flows to an internal battery of the mobile device 100 to allow charging of the mobile device 100. The wireless charging pad(s) 24a, 24b are configured to only generate an electromagnetic field when it is determined that a mobile device 100 is positioned within the chamber 22. A pressure sensor, proximity sensor, or other sensor (hereinafter referred to as sensor 42) is associated with the wireless charging pad(s) 24a, 24b to identify whether an object has been placed on the wireless charging pad(s) 24a, 24b. If an electromagnetic field is not created, i.e. , because an object other than a mobile device 100 is placed on the wireless charging pad(s) 24a, 24b, the wireless charging pad(s) 24a, 24b are de-activated.

In some embodiments, a timer circuit is provided and activated upon detecting that a mobile device 100 has been placed on a wireless charging pad 24a, 24b. At this point at Step S502, power is drawn from the battery 34. At Step S504 it is determined if the mobile device 100 has been removed from the chamber 22. When the mobile device 100 is removed from the wireless charging pad 24a, 24b, a countdown, i.e., 30 minutes, is initiated at Step S506. If the countdown completes without a mobile device 100 being put back into the chamber, all electrical power to the wireless charging pad(s) 24a, 24b, fan(s) 28 and illumination source 40 is deactivated at Step S508. If a mobile device 100 is put back into the chamber 22 during the countdown, the countdown period is reset and starts to countdown again once the mobile device 100 is again removed from the chamber 22. This is illustrated in Figure 5. Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method 600 of optimizing the light level received by the solar collector 26. At step S602, a light sensor 32 receives beams of light that strike a photodiode/LDR to cause an electric current to flow. The brighter the beams of light, the stronger the electric current. At step S604 the processor 30 determines a light level of the beams of light. At Step S606 the processor determines whether the light level is above or below a predetermined threshold. At Step S608 the processor 30 causes the electric motor to activate and rotate the housing in a first direction relative to the base from a first position to a second position if it is determined that the light level is below the predetermined threshold. At Step S610 the light sensor 32 again receives beams of light and the processor determines whether the light level of the beams of light was higher at the first or second position. At Step S612 the processor 30 causes the electric motor to activate and rotate the housing in a second direction relative to the base from the second position to a third position if it is determined that the light level was higher at the first position than the second position.

Figure 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 700 load balancing functionality of a solar charging unit. At Step S702 it is determined by the processor whether power is being supplied to the solar charging unit by the mains charging port 36, battery 34, solar collector, or a combination thereof. At Step S704 following determination that power is being supplied to the solar charging unit 10 by the mains charging port 36, 100% of power is supplied to charge the battery 34 if it is determined by the processor 30 that no mobile device has been placed in the chamber 22. Power from the mains charging port 36 is split between the battery 34 and mobile device 100 if it is determined that a mobile device 100 has been placed in the chamber 22. At Step S706, following determination that power is being supplied to the solar charging unit 10 by the solar collector a light level of beams of light hitting the solar collector 26 is determined. At Step S708, if it is determined that the light level is below a predetermined threshold, a mobile device 100 placed in the chamber 22 will be charged solely by the battery 34. At Step S710, if it is determined that the light level is above the predetermined threshold, a mobile device 100 placed in the chamber 22 may be charged by: i) the battery 34; ii) the solar collector 26; or iii) a combination of the battery 34 and solar collector 26 with priority given to the solar collector 26. Aspects and embodiments of the invention may further comprise a wireless signal repeater that is configured to extend the range of a WiFi network. The wireless repeater may amplify a signal received from a wireless router and retransmit the received signal at a higher amplitude to effectively extend the range of the WiFi network. Mobile devices in the vicinity of the wireless repeater may therefore connect to the WiFi network via the wireless repeater functionality of the solar charging unit 10.

The above embodiments are exemplary only, and other possibilities and alternatives within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art.