Solar Powered Smartphone Case With Flip-Out Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar powered smartphone cases are limited by physical size, lack of integrated multiple solar panels, and high costs, with limited operational flexibility and inability to directly charge smartphone batteries or integrate with multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A solar powered smartphone case featuring an enclosure with three solar panels (an underlying, an overlying, and a flip-out panel) and an internal battery, along with inductive charging capabilities, optional auxiliary ports for connecting additional solar panels or charging piggy-back smartphones, and current clamps for safe current management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional solar powered smartphone cases use a single onboard solar panel, then the device size remains compact, but the solar charging capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The solar charging system is divided into three separate solar panels: an overlying solar panel on the case back, an underlying solar panel on the enclosure, and a flip-out solar panel that can be deployed independently. This segmentation allows each panel to contribute to total charging capacity without requiring a single large panel, thus maintaining case compactness while increasing overall solar area.
Solution Approach 2:
The flip-out solar panel is mounted on a hinge mechanism that allows it to dynamically extend and retract. When extended, it provides additional solar charging area; when retracted, it maintains a compact profile. This dynamic configuration enables the device to adapt its solar panel area based on charging needs without permanently increasing case complexity.
2Power
If multiple solar panels are integrated into the smartphone case, then solar charging capacity is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The three solar panels are electrically connected in parallel to the inductive charger, with each panel independently contributing to the total charging power. This segmentation allows the system to accumulate power from multiple sources without requiring complex power management circuitry, as each panel operates independently but connects to the same charging system.
Solution Approach 2:
The case structure serves multiple functions: it houses the smartphone, contains the inductive charging system, and supports three different solar panel configurations. The flip-out door mechanism simultaneously provides structural support for two solar panels while enabling their deployment. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining several roles into unified components.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional solar cases are designed to fit smartphone dimensions, then portability is maintained, but charging capacity is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The flip-out solar panel extends beyond the normal case boundaries when deployed, temporarily increasing the effective charging area. This dynamic extension allows the system to access additional solar power during charging operations while maintaining a compact form factor when the panel is retracted, effectively decoupling portability from charging capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flip-out solar panel adds a third dimension to the case structure by extending outward from the plane of the smartphone. This dimensional change allows the system to increase charging area without proportionally increasing the case's footprint when closed, as the additional panel folds out only when needed for charging.
4Power
If external batteries are used instead of integrated solar charging, then charging capacity is increased, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The solar powered case generates its own charging power through three solar panels that convert sunlight directly into electrical energy for the inductive charger. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external battery packs or power sources, allowing the case to autonomously charge smartphones whenever exposed to sunlight, thereby maintaining operational flexibility while providing sustained charging power.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances solar charging capacity, allows simultaneous charging of internal and smartphone batteries, and supports charging of multiple devices, offering improved flexibility and cost-effectiveness compared to conventional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
an overlying solar panel exposed, and an underlying solar panel concealed, when the flip-out door is in the folded position. In addition, the underlying solar panel and the flip-out solar panel are both exposed when the flip-out door is in the extended position
Implementation Method 2
An inductive battery charger is operative for charging a smartphone battery and may also charge the internal battery with electric power generated by the solar panels
Data Source
AI summary
A solar powered smartphone case includes an enclosure for housing a smartphone, an internal battery, an overlying solar panel, an underlying solar panel, and a flip-out solar panel. The overlying solar panel and the flip out solar panel are carried back-to-back by a flip-out door, which articulates between a folded position and an extended position. A hinge pivotably attaches the flip-out door to the enclosure. An inductive battery charger is operative for charging the internal battery with electric power generated by the overlying solar panel, the underlying solar panel, and the flip-out solar panel. The case may also include an input port for receiving a first auxiliary power cord connecting one or more auxiliary solar panels to the inductive charger, and an output port for connecting a second auxiliary power cord connecting one or more piggy-back smartphones to be charged by the internal battery of the solar powered smartphone case.