Abstract:
A mobile charging apparatus is disclosed. The mobile charging apparatus includes a direct current electrical motor coupled to at least one wheel of a mobile equipment, the direct current electrical motor configured to generate an electrical power when the wheel is in motion and a battery contained in a compartment of the mobile equipment connected to a circuit connected to the direct current electrical motor and configured to receive the electrical power. The mobile charging apparatus further includes a charging port connected to the battery in a recessed area of the compartment, the charging port configured to receive power from the battery, the recessed area configured to receive an electronic device and the charging port includes a connector for charging the electronic device.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present Application for Patent claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/111,019 entitled “A Mobile Charging Apparatus For Charging Electronic Devices,” filed Feb. 2, 2015 and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present embodiments relate to electronic devices. Specifically, the present embodiments relate to mobile charging systems for electronic devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Consumers carry multiple portable devices. The batteries in these devices cannot withstand the daily use without requiring some type of charge at least once per day. This results in the need for a wall outlet or a portable charging device. 
         [0004]    Worldwide, 94% of travelers carry some kind of battery operated device. While 97% of people bring at least one device on business trips. 16% of global travelers keep a power cord with them at all times, to recharge their mobile device the moment it loses power. 
         [0005]    Many different types of portable electronic devices are currently available including: smart phones, handheld computers, music players and cellular telephones, for example. These portable electronic devices are typically powered by rechargeable power packs, which may include rechargeable batteries, such as rechargeable lithium-ion or nickel cadmium batteries, for example. Rechargeable power packs may be re-charged from a low charge state using a charger that plugs into an electrical wall outlet and the portable electronic device. 
         [0006]    It is not always easy or convenient for a user to find an available outlet to charge a device. Devices these days do not possess very efficient batteries, resulting in the need to be charged multiple times per day. Traveling internationally results in having to carry multiple power converters in order to safely charge/power-up a device. In particular, it is difficult to find a convenient source to power a device when traveling. Outlets are difficult to find when in an airport, bus stations or other travel destinations. Portable battery charges eventually have to be recharged. However, when traveling a suitcase with wheels have become ubiquitous. Thus, a charger devices that supplies a charge using the power produced by the wheels of a suitcase or other wheeled mobile equipment would be more convenient for users. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A mobile charging apparatus is disclosed. The mobile charging apparatus includes a direct current electrical motor coupled to at least one wheel of a mobile equipment, the direct current electrical motor configured to generate an electrical power when the wheel is in motion and a battery contained in a compartment of the mobile equipment connected to a circuit connected to the direct current electrical motor and configured to receive the electrical power. The mobile charging apparatus further includes a charging port connected to the battery in a recessed area of the compartment, the charging port configured to receive power from the battery, the recessed area configured to receive an electronic device and the charging port includes a connector for charging the electronic device. 
         [0008]    Also disclosed is a method of charging a device. The method includes generating by at least one wheel a torque, the torque applied to a direct current electrical motor through a transfer means and receiving an electrical current into a battery from the direct current electrical motor mechanically coupled to the at least one wheel of a mobile equipment through the transfer means, the electrical current generated from the direct current electrical motor when the at least one wheel is in motion. The method further includes charging the battery contained in a compartment of the mobile equipment connected to a circuit connected to the direct current electrical motor and supplying to a charging port connected to the battery in a recessed area of the compartment, the charging port configured to receive power from the battery, the recessed area configured to receive an electronic device and the charging port includes a connector for charging the electronic device. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The following figures set forth embodiments of the invention in which like reference numerals denote like parts. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a plain view diagram of an example of a conventional suit case with wheels; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary charger system contained in the body of a suitcase according to present embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a back of an exemplary charger system integrated in a conventional suitcase with wheels; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary worm gear system for transferring the rotational torque of a wheel to the rotation of a motor to generate an electric current. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary mesh gear system for transferring the rotational torque of the free wheel to the rotation of a motor to generate an electric current. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary belt drive system for transferring the rotational torque of the wheels to the rotation of a motor to generate an electric current. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary belt drive system shown as implemented in the exemplary suitcase; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary free wheel system of the present subject matter; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8 a    is an exemplary mesh gear system for the free wheel system of  FIG. 8   
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary schematic view of a charging system according to present embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary suitcase that includes the charging system according to the present embodiments; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an exemplary flow chart of a method for charging an electronic device through the movement of a mobile system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts and features described herein may be practiced. The following description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known circuits, structures, techniques and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the described concepts and features. 
         [0023]    The present subject matter relates to generating an electrical current from a direct current motor attached in various configurations to a wheel of mobile equipment for charging a battery in which the battery is intended for further charging an electrical device such as a phone, tablet, music player, etc. The mobile equipment may include a suitcase, backpack, portable dolly or other mobile equipment that includes wheels. The descriptions presented herein generally refer to a suitcase as the mobile equipment. The embodiments described below with respect to a suitcase are intended as examples only to simplify the description of the apparatus and methods presented herein. For example, in the embodiment of a suitcase as is presented herein, as a user walks with a wheeled suitcase in trail, the rotation of the wheels may be coupled to a motor to generate electrical power which may be used to charge a battery which is then used to charge an electronic device. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary plain view of a conventional travel suitcase  100  including a body of the suitcase  102  with two wheels  104  on each side and handle  106  across the top of the body of suitcase  102 .  FIG. 1  is meant as an example only to illustrate embodiments of the invention but is not intended as a limitation of the present subject matter or its implementation. The suitcase  100  could alternatively include four wheels, a roller instead of wheels or any similar suitcase that includes wheels or rollers for ease of transport by a user. 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a schematic diagram of an exemplary charger system contained in the body of a suitcase  100  according to present embodiments. The charger system  206  receives electrical power from an electric motor (not shown) attached through the use of an axle means to wheels  104 . The electrical power is transferred from the motor to the charger system  206  through supply lines  204 . Supply lines  204  are configured to supply power to battery  206  through relay  202 . Battery  206  is configured to supply power to a charging access means such as USB power output sockets  208 . USB power output sockets  208  may output 5V/1.5A, for example. The batter  206  and the USB power output sockets  208  may be included within a compartment  201  along with other circuitry as needed. The charging access means is not limited to a USB output but may be any configuration required by an external electronic device. 
         [0026]    Relay  202  may be configured as a diode bridge, for example, allowing current to flow in a positive direction into the battery  206  regardless of the direction the wheels  104  rotate. Thus, the suitcase  100  may be pushed or pulled and a charging current will still be applied to battery  206 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a plain view of a back of an exemplary charger system  300  integrated in a conventional suitcase  100  with wheels or rollers. In this exemplary view, two direct current (DC) electrical motors  302  are mechanically coupled to the axle of each wheel  104 . Embodiments of the present subject matter may also include just one motor  302  or multiple motors  302  for each wheel. Supply lines  204  carry an electrical current produced by the DC motors  302  to the battery  206 . Additional circuitry (not shown) carries the power from the battery  206  to USB ports  208 . USB ports  208  are configured to supply charging power to various electronic devices such as cell phones, music players, tablet devices, cameras and other electronic devices capable of being charge by a USB power supply. Although three USB ports are shown, more or fewer USB ports may be included depending on the battery used. Alternate embodiments may include more than one battery  206  to be charged by electrical current from the DC motors  302 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary worm gear system  400  for transferring the rotational torque of the wheels  104  to the rotation of a motor  302  to generate an electric current to the supply lines  204 . A worm gear  410  is coupled to a shaft  412  of motor  302 . A spur gear  414  is mounted parallel to the wheel  104  (not shown). The spur gear  414  includes an outer gear ring  416 . Gear teeth  418  on the outer gear ring  416  are on the external circumference of the gear  414 . Spur gear  414  is configured to mate in a mesh fashion with the worm gear  410 . Spur gear  414  is centered on an axle  420  of wheel  104 . As wheel  104  rotates, spur gear  414  coupled to the axle of wheel  104  causes worm gear  410  to rotate turning the shaft  412  of motor  302  and causes motor  302  to consequently generate an electrical current output to supply lines  204 . In this manner, the rotational torque of wheel  104  is transferred to motor  302  to produce a current through supply lines  204  for the mobile charging system  206  (not shown) presented herein. 
         [0029]    The shaft  412  is shown as a straight shaft but may alternatively include an elbow or may include an angled shaft. Alternatively, shaft  412  may be made of a flexible material allowing the kinetic energy of the rotating wheel  104  to be transferred to the motor  302  for any desired positioning of the motor  302  in relation to the wheels  104 . 
         [0030]    The worm gear system  400  may be mounted within the suitcase  100  as shown in  FIG. 3 , for example or may alternatively be located external to the suitcase  100 . The worm gear system  400  may comprise, in various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, for example, a stainless steel part with various gear ratios. 
         [0031]    Each worm gear  410  and mating spur gear  414  in the worm gear system  400  may be of different size and of various diameters. Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand, however, that the ring gear may have various configurations (e.g., sizes, numbers of teeth, and/or pitches) and be formed from various materials including, for example, a metal such as steel, and that the configuration and material used for the worm gear system  400  may be chosen as desired based on strength, efficiency, cost, the speed and load desired to be supported and other such design factors. Furthermore, more than two gears may operate in the worm gear system  400  to allow greater speed or torque to the motor  302 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary miter gear system  500  for transferring the rotational torque of the wheels  104  to the rotation of a motor  302  to generate an electric current to supply lines  204  similar to the discussion above with respect to  FIG. 4 . A miter wheel gear  510  is coupled to an axle  420  of the wheel  104  in which the wheel gear  510  is parallel to the wheel  104 . Miter wheel gear  510  includes an outer gear ring with teeth  516  on the external circumference of the wheel gear  510 . A mating miter motor gear  514  is coupled to the shaft  412  of motor  302  and is configured to mate in a mesh fashion with the miter gear  510 . The teeth  518  of mating miter gear  514  mesh with the miter gear teeth  516  on the miter wheel gear  510 . Mating miter gear  514  is centered on an axle  420  of wheel  104 . As wheel  104  rotates, mating miter gear  514  attached to the axle of wheel  104  causes miter wheel gear  510  to rotate turning the shaft  412  of motor  302  and causes motor  302  to consequently generate an electrical current through the supply lines  204 . In this manner, the rotational torque of wheel  104  is transferred to motor  302  to produce an output current to supply lines  204  for the mobile charging system presented herein. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary belt drive system  600  for transferring the torque of the wheels  104  (not shown) to the rotation of a motor  302  to generate an electric current. A belt  630  is located on a first end  632  of a pulley wheel  640  coupled to the axle means  420  of wheel  104 , and on a second end  636  of a smaller pulley wheel  642  coupled to motor  302  in a belt-pulley type system. Thus, as wheel  104  rotates, belt  630  causes the kinetic energy of the rotating wheel  104  to be transferred to motor  302 . Belt  630  is mounted under tension to reduce slippage on belt drive system  600  and capable of being set in rotation around the X axis of motor  302 . In this manner, the belt drive system  600  transfers the rotational torque of wheel  104  to motor  302  to produce a current output to supply lines  204  for the mobile charging system presented herein. 
         [0034]    Table 1 below presents various gear ratios associated with the belt drive system  600  that may be used in the exemplary suitcase  100 . Table 1 lists various diameters of wheel  104  and gear ratios to result in the exemplary rotational speeds in RPMs generated. Table 1 is presented as an aid in understanding the embodiments of the present subject matter and not intended as limiting the embodiments presented herein. 

 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary belt drive system  600  shown as implemented in the exemplary suitcase  100  described herein.  FIG. 7  shows one example of how the belt drive system  600  may be embedded inside suitcase  100 . Belt  630  is attached to axle means  420  at first end  632  to rotate drive shaft means  412  (not shown) to enable motor  302  to generate an output current for the charging system  300  (not shown). The configuration and location of the belt drive system  600  within a mobile equipment and the location of each pulley  640  and  642  may vary to accommodate the type of equipment, availability of space and other factors and is not intended to be limited to the configuration and locations shown. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary free wheel system  800  for transferring the torque of the free rotating wheels  104  to the rotation of a motor  302  to generate an electric current output to supply lines  204 . In a free wheel system  800 , the wheels  104  are allowed to independently rotate to allow easier maneuverability of a suitcase  100  or other mobile equipment. A miter gear system  500  such as that described above with respect to  FIG. 5  may be employed. The miter gear system  500  is coupled to each wheel  104  with the mating miter gears as shown in  FIG. 8 a    enabled to rotate a shaft  812 . The shaft  812  is attached to motor  302  through shaft  412 , for example, thus the meshed gears of the miter gear system  500  transfers the rotational torque of wheels  104  to motor  302 . The shaft  812  is shown as a straight shaft but may alternatively include an elbow; may include an angled shaft; or be made of a flexible material allowing the kinetic energy of the rotating wheel  104  to be transferred to the motor  302   
         [0037]    Alternatively, a worm gear system  400  may be used in a free wheel system  800  in a similar manner. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary schematic view of a charging system  300  according to present embodiments. The DC motors  302  are mechanically coupled to the axles of wheels  104 . As in the normal operation of an electric motor, the interaction between the magnetic field of electric motor  302  generated within the DC motor  302  by the movement of wheels  104  to produce a current in the windings (not shown) of the motors  302  to generate a current that flows to battery  206  through supply lines  204 . In this manner, battery  206  receives a charging current from the motors  302  to enable battery  206  to be charged to a rated capacity of the battery  206 . Battery  206  is configured to supply power to a output sockets to charge external electronic devices such as USB ports  208  to charge any compatible electronic device plugged into the USB ports  208 . Battery  206  does not have to be fully charged to capacity to enable power to the USB ports  208  for charging. 
         [0039]    Also included in the schematic view of  FIG. 9  is a power input socket  902  which can alternatively be used to charge battery  206  from an alternate power source. Such power source may include a solar panel, power from an electrical outlet, and the like. 
         [0040]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary suitcase that includes the charging system according to the present embodiments. Suitcase body  102  may include a compartment  1002  that contains charger system  300  and adequate space to house various electronic devices to store for charging and easy retrieval. A display  1004  may also be included inside compartment  1002  or alternatively outside indicating battery and charge levels. 
         [0041]      FIG. 11  is an exemplary flow chart of a method for charging an electronic device through the movement of a mobile system. The method starts at step  1101  when a rotating wheel  104  produces a torque. The energy of the wheel torque is received at step  1102  at a motor  302  through an torque transfer means such as gear mesh or belt system (See  FIG. 4-8 ). The motor  302  produces an electrical output at step  1103 . A battery  206  receives the electrical output at step  1104  which charges battery  206 . An output of battery  206  is then supplied to an electrical output means connected to the battery which may, for example, reside in a recessed area of a compartment  1002  in suitcase body  102  at step  1105 . The electrical output means may be a USB interface  208 , for example. An electronic device may then be plugged into the electrical output means in order to charge the electronic device. 
         [0042]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.