Multipurpose radio

A multipurpose radio is disclosed to include a power control unit, which uses a rechargeable battery to provide the necessary working voltage to a LED lamp for illumination, a hand-driven dynamo to generate electricity for recharging the rechargeable battery, a power adapter for charging the rechargeable battery with city power supply, a radio circuit unit for receiving AM and FM radio broadcasting signals, TV audio signals and NOAA signals, and a function mode display unit, which uses a speaker for voice output, a screen for data display, and a selector key for frequency selection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a radio and more particularly, to such a multipurpose radio having a hand-driven power generator means.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional mobile radios commonly use a battery to provide the necessary working voltage. When the power of the battery of a radio is low, the battery must be immediately replaced. In case no new battery is available, the radio becomes not operable. Therefore, a person must carry a certain number of battery cells when using a radio in a high mountain. Further, conventional radios are simply used for broadcasting, not usable for illumination or other purposes

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. According to one aspect of the present invention, the multipurpose radio is equipped with a LED lamp and a rechargeable battery for illumination. According to another aspect of the present invention, the multipurpose radio comprises a power control unit, which uses a hand-driven dynamo to provide power for charging the rechargeable battery when battery power is low and when city power supply is not available. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the multipurpose radio comprises a power adapter for charging the rechargeable battery with city power supply. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the multipurpose radio comprises a radio circuit unit for receiving AM and FM radio broadcasting signals, TV audio signals and NOAA signals, and a function mode display unit, which uses a speaker for voice output, a screen for data display, and a selector key for frequency selection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIGS. 1˜4, a radio in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a housing10. The housing10houses a power control unit100, a radio circuit unit15, and a function mode display unit17.

The power control unit100comprises a dynamo11, a rectifier1, a hand-driven charging circuit2, a city power supply charging circuit3, a power failure auto-lighting circuit4, and a LED lamp5. A crank handle13is coupled to the dynamo11through a transmission gear set12. The rectifier1is comprised of diodes D11˜D16and adapted to rectify AC into DC. The hand-driven charging circuit2is comprised of a transistor Q16and a zener diode ZD2. The hand-driven charging circuit2is off when the dynamo11is off. When the dynamo11is working, the hand-driven charging circuit2is driven to charge the battery14with the output DC power supply o the dynamo11. The city power supply charging circuit3is comprised of a transistor Q11and an electric plug140, and electrically connectable to the socket21of a power adapter200, which is connectable to city power supply for enabling the city power supply charging circuit3to charge the battery14with city power supply. The power failure auto-lighting circuit4is comprised of a transistor Q12, which is turned on when city power supply is off, or turns off when city power supply is on. The LED lamp5is comprised of multiple LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). Further, the LED lamp5and the power failure auto-lighting circuit4are electrically connected in series to a selector switch S1, which can be switched between a first mode where the LED lamp5is automatically turned on when city power supply failed, and a second mode where the LED lamp5is turned on constantly so that the multipurpose radio is used as a hand light. The radio circuit unit15is adapted to receive AM and FM radio broadcasting signals, TV audio signals, NOAA signals, etc. The function mode display unit17has a speaker16for voice output, a screen18for data display, and a selector key19for frequency selection. The aforesaid power adapter200comprises an overcurrent protection circuit22and an overvoltage protection circuit23. The overcurrent protection circuit22and an overvoltage protection circuit23are respectively comprised of a transistor Q1or Q2that is on when the electric current or voltage passing through is normal, or off when the electric current or voltage passing through is abnormal, thereby protecting the power control unit100against abnormal electric current and voltage during charging

The multipurpose radio of the invention provides following functions:

When the user operates the crank handle13to rotate the transmission gear set12, the dynamo11is driven to generate electricity that is then rectified by the rectify1into DC to turn on the transistor Q16and zener diode ZD2of the hand-driven charging circuit2for charging the battery14. Therefore, the multipurpose radio is still operable when no battery is available for a replacement.

2. City Power Supply Charging:

The user can use the power adapter200to connect the city power supply charging circuit3to city power supply outlet for charging the battery14with city power supply.

By means of the radio circuit unit15and the function mode display unit17, the multipurpose radio is used to receive AM and FM radio broadcasting signals, TV audio signals, NOAA signals, etc. Therefore, the multipurpose radio can be used as a rescue means in a mountain or catastrophe place.

When city power supply failed after connection of the power failure auto-lighting circuit4to city power supply through the power adapter200and switching of the selector switch S1to the first mode, the transistor Q12of the power failure auto-lighting circuit4is turned on to drive the LED lamp5to emit light for illumination.

When the selector switch S1is switched to the second mode, battery power supply is connected from the battery14to the LED lamp5, thereby driving the LED lamp5to emit light for illumination.

A prototype of multipurpose radio has been constructed with the features ofFIGS. 1˜4. The multipurpose radio functions smoothly to provide all the features discussed earlier.