Abstract:
An electric energy generating apparatus and a mobile electronic device equipped with the electric energy generating apparatus are disclosed. The electric energy generating apparatus includes a kinetic energy generating module, a kinetic energy transmission module, an electric generator and a voltage regulation module. The kinetic energy generating module is provided for generating kinetic energy; the kinetic energy transmission module is provided for transmitting the kinetic energy generated by the kinetic energy generating module to the electric generator; the electric generator is provided for converting the kinetic energy into electric energy; and the voltage regulation module is provided for regulating and outputting a voltage. The invention can convert the kinetic energy into the electric energy anytime and anywhere to overcome the problems of running out of battery power or resulting in a failure of operating the mobile electronic device and provide an easily accessible green power source from man power.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a power source of an electronic device, and more particularly to an apparatus for converting kinetic energy into electric energy and a mobile electronic device using the apparatus. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    As portable or mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and MP3/MP4 players become increasingly popular, the scope of their applications becomes larger and larger, so that the limited battery capacity of the electronic devices cannot meet the actual requirements. After the electric power of a battery is exhausted, it is necessary to charge the battery of the electronic devices before the electronic devices can be used normally. In an environment without a battery charge such as a country side without any power source, an opportunity of seeking help in an emergency situation or a business opportunity may be lost if a mobile phone used for communications runs out battery. 
         [0005]    Present existing technology used for overcome the aforementioned problem usually increases the capacity of the battery to extend the idling time or rescue the power consumption of the electronic device, or carry as many backup batteries as possible, but such measures cannot overcome the problems thoroughly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Therefore, it is a primary objective of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art by providing an apparatus for converting kinetic energy into electric energy, such that kinetic energy can be collected and converted into electric energy anytime and anywhere to supply electric power to a portable or mobile electronic device for its use or for a battery charge. 
         [0007]    The present invention further provides a mobile electronic device using the aforementioned electronic energy generating apparatus. 
         [0008]    To achieve the foregoing objective, the present invention discloses an electric energy generating apparatus, comprising a kinetic energy generating module, a kinetic energy transmission module, an electric generator and a voltage regulation module. The kinetic energy generating module is provided for generating kinetic energy. The kinetic energy transmission module is provided for converting the kinetic energy generated by the kinetic energy generating module to the electric generator. The electric generator is provided for converting the kinetic energy into electric energy. The voltage regulation module is provided for regulating the voltage and outputting the regulated voltage. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the kinetic energy transmission module comprises an active gear, a passive gear and a transmission mechanism for transmitting a motion of the active gear to the passive gear. The active gear and the kinetic energy generating module are coaxially fixed, and the passive gear and a rotor of the electric generator are coaxially fixed. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the kinetic energy generating module is a pendulum with an end coaxially fixed with the active gear of the kinetic energy transmission module, and the other end suspended and swung with respect to the fixed end to generate a kinetic energy. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the transmission mechanism comprises at least one transmission gear, and the passive gear is rotated in a direction determined by the number of the transmission gears, and the rotor of the electric generator is rotated at a speed determined by the size of the active gear, the transmission gear and the passive gear. Thus, when the pendulum swings in a direction, an even number of the transmission gears is used for transmitting the kinetic energy, so that the active gear and the passive gear are rotated in the same direction, and when the pendulum swings in the other direction, an odd number of the transmission gears is used for transmitting the kinetic energy, so that the active gear and the passive gear are rotated in opposite directions. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the electric energy generating apparatus further comprises a power management module for controlling components connected to the output terminal of the voltage regulation module. Thus, when a battery of the electronic device requires a battery charge, the output terminal of the voltage regulation module is connected to an electrode of the battery, and when the electronic device requires a power supply for its operation, the output terminal of the voltage regulation module is connected to the input terminal of the power source of the electronic device. 
         [0013]    A mobile electronic device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention is further disclosed, and the electronic device is equipped with an electric energy generating apparatus. The electric energy generating apparatus comprises a kinetic energy generating module, a kinetic energy transmission module, an electric generator and a voltage regulation module. The kinetic energy generating module is provided for generating kinetic energy. The kinetic energy transmission module is provided for transmitting the kinetic energy generated by the kinetic energy generating module to the electric generator. The electric generator is provided for converting the kinetic energy into electric energy. The voltage regulation module is provided for regulating the voltage and outputting the regulated voltage. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the kinetic energy transmission module comprises an active gear, a passive gear and a transmission mechanism for transmitting a motion of the active gear to the passive gear. The active gear and the kinetic energy generating module are coaxially fixed, and the passive gear and a rotor of the electric generator are coaxially fixed. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the kinetic energy generating module is a pendulum with an end coaxially fixed with the active gear of the kinetic energy transmission module, and the other end suspended and swung with respect to the fixed end to generate a kinetic energy. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the transmission mechanism comprises at least one transmission gear. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the passive gear is rotated in a direction determined by the number of the transmission gears, and the rotor of the electric generator is rotated at a speed determined by the size of the active gear, the transmission gear and the passive gear. Thus, when the pendulum swings in a direction, an even number of the transmission gears is used for transmitting the kinetic energy, so that the active gear and the passive gear are rotated in the same direction, and when the pendulum swings in the other direction, an odd number of the transmission gears is used for transmitting the kinetic energy, so that the active gear and the passive gear are rotated in opposite directions. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the transmission mechanism comprises a belt. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the electric energy generating apparatus further comprises a power management module for controlling components connected to the output terminal of the voltage regulation module. Thus, when a battery of the electronic device requires a battery charge, the output terminal of the voltage regulation module is connected to an electrode of the battery, and when the electronic device requires a power supply for its operation, the output terminal of the voltage regulation module is connected to the input terminal of the power source of the electronic device. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the electronic device is a mobile phone, and the voltage regulation module has an output voltage value of 5 volts. 
         [0021]    Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 
         [0022]    The present invention can collect and convert kinetic energy into electric energy anytime and anywhere to thoroughly overcome the problems of the mobile electronic device that cannot be operated normally due to the exhaustion of the battery. 
         [0023]    In addition, the present invention provides a green power source supplied by human power. 
         [0024]    In addition, the present invention can collect energy easily, and the electric energy can be generated without being limited by the environmental factors. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an apparatus for converting kinetic energy into electric energy in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an apparatus for converting kinetic energy into electric energy in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]    FIG.  3 - a  is a schematic structural diagram of gear transmission module for rotation in the same direction in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0028]    FIG.  3 - b  is a schematic structural diagram of gear transmission module for rotation in opposite directions in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0029]    FIG.  4 - a  is a schematic structural diagram of a mobile phone in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0030]    FIG.  4 - b  is a schematic structural diagram of a mobile phone in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    The foregoing and other objectives, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by the detailed description of a preferred embodiment as follows. 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 1  for a block diagram of an apparatus for converting kinetic energy into electric energy in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises the following modules: 
         [0033]    Module  11 : It is a pendulum with a structure including a fixed end, and a suspending end with larger mass. The pendulum is drooped vertically by the gravitation when it is in a still state. The suspending end swings with respect to the fixed end to generate kinetic energy. 
         [0034]    If a user carrying an electronic device equipped with the electric energy generating apparatus is walking or shaking the electronic device, the pendulum will swing sideway by the kinetic energy in different directions as well as the gravitational force, without requiring the user of the electronic device to operate the electric energy generating apparatus in order to generate kinetic energy. 
         [0035]    Module  12 : It is a gear transmission module for transmitting the kinetic energy generated by the pendulum  11  to a micro electric generator  13 . Thus, the kinetic energy can be converted into electric energy by the micro electric generator  13 . 
         [0036]    The gear transmission module  12  is formed by a plurality of gears with different sizes engaged with each other. Preferably, the gear transmission module  12  comprises an active gear  121 , a plurality of transmission gears  122  and a passive gear  123 , wherein the active gear  121  and the fixed end of the pendulum  11  are coaxially fixed, and the passive gear  123  and a rotor of the micro electric generator  13 , which is a micro DC generator, are coaxially fixed. 
         [0037]    When the pendulum  11  swings sideway, it drives the active gear  121  to rotate, and the engaged transmission gear  122  drives the passive gear  123  coaxially fixed with the rotor of the micro electric generator  13  to rotate. 
         [0038]    In addition, the rotor of the micro electric generator  13  is rotated at a speed controlled by the size of the active gear  121 , the transmission gear  122  and the passive gear  123 . 
         [0039]    Since the active gear  121  is rotated in the opposite direction when the pendulum  11  swings sideway, a direction changing mechanism is installed to assure the rotor of the micro electric generator  13  is rotated in a direction. The gear direction changing method is described as follows. 
         [0040]    When an odd number of the transmission gears is added between the active gear and the passive gear, then the active gear and the passive gear are rotated in the same direction. When an even number of transmission gears is added, then the active gear and the passive gear are rotated in opposite directions. Therefore, a slide slot (not shown) is additional formed on a fixed axle of the transmission gear directly engaged with the active gear. Thus, when the pendulum swings sideway, the transmission gear is driven to move in the slide slot to engage different gears. 
         [0041]    With reference to FIG.  3 - a , a transmission gear  3221  is added between the active gear  321  and the passive gear  323 , so that the active gear  321  and the passive gear  323  are rotated in one direction (which is clockwise as shown in the figure). 
         [0042]    With reference to FIG.  3 - b , two transmission gear  3221 ,  3222  are added between the active gear  321  and the passive gear  323 , so that the active gear  321  and the passive gear  323  are rotated in opposite directions (wherein the active gear  321  is rotated counterclockwise and the passive gear  323  is still rotated clockwise). 
         [0043]    If the pendulum rotates clockwise (or swings to the left side), the active gear  321  is driven to rotate clockwise. Now, the transmission gear  3221  engaged with the active gear  321  is directly engaged with the passive gear  323  to drive the passive gear  323  to rotate clockwise. 
         [0044]    If the pendulum rotates counterclockwise (or swings to the right side), the active gear  321  is driven to rotate counterclockwise. Now, the transmission gear  3221  engaged with the active gear  321  slides in the slide slot to release the engagement with the passive gear  323 , and the transmission gear  3221  is engaged with the second transmission gear  3222  and then engaged with the passive gear  323  to drive the passive gear  323  to rotate clockwise. 
         [0045]    It is noteworthy to point out that the change of directions can be achieved by using a belt, a clutch or a screw, in addition to the aforementioned method of changing a direction by the gear. 
         [0046]    Module  13 : It is a micro electric generator for converting the kinetic energy generated by the pendulum  11  into electric energy. An output terminal of the micro electric generator is coupled to an input terminal of the voltage regulation module  14  by a conductive wire. 
         [0047]    Since the passive gear  123  of the gear transmission module  12  and the rotor of the micro electric generator  13  are coaxially fixed, therefore an axle of the micro electric generator  13  is driven to rotate when the gear transmission module  12  is rotated. In other words, the gear transmission module  12  can transmit the kinetic energy to the micro electric generator  13 , and the rotor of the micro electric generator  13  is rotated to generate electric energy, and the electric energy is outputted to the voltage regulation module  14 . 
         [0048]    Module  14 : It is a voltage regulation module comprised of corresponding basic electronic components such as inductors, capacitors, diodes and triodes and provided for receiving and storing electric energy generated by the micro electric generator  13 . 
         [0049]    In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voltage regulation module  14  generates a constant voltage such as 5V and supplies the voltage to an electronic device such as the mobile phone for a battery charge. 
         [0050]    Module  15 : It is a power management module for controlling the battery charge of an electric energy generating apparatus of an electronic device or directly supplying electric power to the electronic device for its operation. When the battery level is low and insufficient to support the required power supply of the electronic device, the output terminal of the voltage regulation module  14  is connected to a power input terminal of the electronic device. 
         [0051]    With reference to  FIG. 2  for a block diagram of an apparatus for converting kinetic energy into electric energy in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises the following modules: 
         [0052]    Module  21 : It is a kinetic energy generating module for generating kinetic energy and comprises a hand-pressing handle  211  and an arc rack  212 , wherein an end of the hand-pressing handle  211  is fixed to an end of the arc rack  212 , and the arc rack  212  is engaged with the active gear  221  of the gear transmission module  22 . 
         [0053]    The hand-pressing handle  211  can be moved up and down to drive the arc rack  212  to move up and down to generate kinetic energy. 
         [0054]    Module  22 : It is a kinetic energy transmitting module for transmitting the kinetic energy generated by the kinetic energy generating module  21  to a micro electric generator  23  and then converting the kinetic energy into electric energy. 
         [0055]    When the hand-pressing handle  211  drives the arc rack  212  to move up and down, the engaged active gear  221  will be rotated accordingly. The belt  222  connected to the active gear  221  and the passive gear  223  drives the rotor of the micro electric generator  23  coaxially fixed with the passive gear  223  to rotate. 
         [0056]    Module  23 : It is a micro electric generator, which is micro DC generator, for converting the kinetic energy generated by the kinetic energy generating module  21  into electric energy, and an output terminal of the micro electric generator is connected to an input terminal of the voltage regulation module  24  by a conductive wire. 
         [0057]    Since the passive gear  223  of the kinetic energy transmitting module  22  is coaxially fixed with the rotor of the micro electric generator  23 , therefore when the active gear  221  of the kinetic energy transmitting module  22  is rotated, an axle of the micro electric generator  23  is rotated accordingly. In other words, the kinetic energy transmitting module  22  transmits the kinetic energy to the micro electric generator  23 , and the rotor of the electric generator  23  is rotate to generate electric energy and the electric energy is outputted to the voltage regulation module  24 . 
         [0058]    Module  24 : It is a voltage regulation module comprised of corresponding basic electronic components such as inductors, capacitors, diodes and triodes and provided for receiving and storing electric energy generated by the micro electric generator  23 . 
         [0059]    In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voltage regulation module  24  generates a constant voltage such as 5V and supplies the voltage to an electronic device such as the mobile phone for a battery charge. 
         [0060]    Module  25 : It is a power management module for controlling the battery charge of an electric energy generating apparatus of an electronic device or directly supplying electric power to the electronic device for its operation. When the battery level is low and insufficient to support the required power supply of the electronic device, the output terminal of the voltage regulation module  24  is connected to a power input terminal of the electronic device. 
         [0061]    A mobile phone is used as an example for illustrating the practical application of the electric energy generating apparatus in a portable or mobile electronic device as follows. 
         [0062]    With reference to FIG.  4 - a  for a schematic structural diagram of a mobile phone in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile phone comprises an electric energy generating apparatus, and the apparatus comprises the following modules: 
         [0063]    Module  41 : It is a pendulum with a structure including a fixed end, and a suspending end with larger mass. The pendulum is drooped vertically by the gravitation when it is in a still state. The suspending end swings with respect to the fixed end to generate kinetic energy. 
         [0064]    If a user carrying an electronic device equipped with the electric energy generating apparatus is walking or shaking the electronic device, the pendulum will swing sideway by the kinetic energy in different directions as well as the gravitational force. 
         [0065]    Module  42 : It is a gear transmission module for transmitting the kinetic energy generated by the pendulum  41  to the micro electric generator  43 . Thus, the kinetic energy can be converted into electric energy by the micro electric generator  43 . 
         [0066]    Module  43 : It is a micro electric generator for converting the kinetic energy generated by the pendulum  41  into electric energy. An output terminal of the micro electric generator is connected to an input terminal of the voltage regulation module  44  by a conductive wire. 
         [0067]    Since the passive gear  423  of the gear transmission module  42  is coaxially fixed with the rotor of the micro electric generator  43 , therefore when the gear transmission module  42  is rotated, an axle of the micro electric generator  43  is driven to rotate. In other words, the gear transmission module  42  will transmit the kinetic energy to the micro electric generator  43 , and the rotor of the micro electric generator  43  will be rotated to generate electric energy, and the electric energy will be outputted to the voltage regulation module  44 . 
         [0068]    Module  44 : It is a voltage regulation module for generating a constant voltage such as 5V for controlling an electric energy generating apparatus such as charging a battery of a mobile phone, or if the battery is low, a base band of the mobile phone is driven directly to operate. 
         [0069]    The gear transmission module  42  further comprises the function of switching a direction and controlling a speed of the rotor of the micro electric generator  43 , and a slide slot (not shown) is formed on the fixed axle of the transmission gear directly engaged with the active gear. Thus, when the pendulum swings sideway, the transmission gear is driven to move in the slide slot to engage different gears. If the pendulum  41  is rotated clockwise, the active gear  421  is driven to rotate clockwise. Now, the transmission gear  422  engaged with the active gear  421  is engaged directly with the passive gear  423  to drive the passive gear  423  to rotate clockwise. If the pendulum swings counterclockwise, the active gear  421  is driven to rotate counterclockwise. Now, the transmission gear  422  engaged with the active gear  421  slides in the slide slot to release the engagement with the passive gear  423 , such that the transmission gear  422  is engaged with another transmission gear, and then engaged with the passive gear  423  again to drive the passive gear  423  to rotate clockwise. 
         [0070]    If a user carries a mobile phone or shakes the a mobile phone during walking, the motion of the pendulum generates kinetic energy, and the kinetic energy going through two mechanical direction changing mechanisms to change the direction twice is changed to one direction, and the gear transmission module  42  can use different numbers of transmission gears to switch the direction according to the required moving direction. 
         [0071]    The faster the rotating speed, the closer is the speed to the normal rated rotating speed of the electric generator, and the higher is the output voltage of the electric generator. In the process of transmitting kinetic energy by the gear transmission module  42 , gears of different sizes can be adopted, and the number of the gears can be increased to speed up the rotation of the rotor. The rotating speed is preferably equal to the normal rated rotating speed of the rotor to assure the micro electric generator to have a normal output of electric energy. 
         [0072]    With reference to FIG.  4 - b  for a schematic structural diagram of a mobile phone in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone comprises an electric energy generating apparatus, and the apparatus comprises the following modules: 
         [0073]    Module  41 : It is a kinetic energy generating module for generating kinetic energy, and comprises a hand-pressing handle  411  and an arc rack  412 , wherein an end of the hand-pressing handle  411  is fixed to an end of the arc rack  412 , and the arc rack  412  is engaged with the active gear of the gear transmission module  42 . 
         [0074]    The hand-pressing handle  411  can be moved up and down to drive the arc rack  412  to move up and down in order to generate kinetic energy. 
         [0075]    Module  42 : It is a gear transmission module for transmitting the kinetic energy generated by the kinetic energy generating module  41  to the micro electric generator  43 . 
         [0076]    Thus, the kinetic energy can be converted into electric energy by the micro electric generator  43 . 
         [0077]    When the hand-pressing handle  411  drives the arc rack  412  to move up and down, the active gear engaged with the arc rack  412  is rotated accordingly, and the engaged transmission gear drives the rotor of the micro electric generator  43  coaxially fixed with the passive gear to rotate. 
         [0078]    Module  43 : It is a micro electric generator for converting the kinetic energy generated by the kinetic energy generating module  41  into electric energy, and an output terminal of the micro electric generator is coupled to an input terminal of the voltage regulation module  44  by a conductive wire. 
         [0079]    Module  44 : It is a voltage regulation module for receiving and storing electric energy generated by the micro electric generator  43 , and generating a constant voltage such as 5V to charge a battery of a mobile phone or supply electric power for the operation of the mobile phone. 
         [0080]    The apparatus for converting kinetic energy into electric energy and the mobile electronic device in accordance with the present invention are described in details as above. While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.