Apparatus for charging a battery of a portable electronic device
View Patent ↗A power source ( 212 ) is disclosed for charging a battery ( 330 ) within a portable electronic device ( 310 ). An apparatus ( 422 ), such as a photovoltaic or thermoelectric cell, for charging the battery ( 330 ) is disposed contiguous to and within a transparent housing ( 412 ) of the portable electronic device ( 310 ). A fluorescent species ( 416 ), such as quantum dots or a fluorescent dye, is disposed on a side of the housing ( 412 ) opposed to the apparatus ( 422 ). Light ( 430 ) striking the fluorescent species ( 416 ) is converted into photons ( 432, 434 ) having a narrower spectrum that passes through the housing ( 412 ) to the apparatus ( 422 ). An optional layer ( 418 ) may be disposed on the fluorescent species ( 416 ) that reflects light from the fluorescent species ( 416 ) to the apparatus ( 422 ). Photonic crystals ( 415 ) may be combined with the fluorescent species ( 416 ) to increase reflectivity.
1. A power source for charging a battery within a portable electronic device having a housing, the power source comprising:
a photovoltaic apparatus for charging the battery, the photovoltaic apparatus disposed within the housing, wherein the housing supports the photovoltaic apparatus and comprises a transparent material to pass light to the apparatus;
a fluorescent species embedded on the transparent material providing a combined layer, the fluorescent species collecting a broad spectrum of light and down converting the broad spectrum of light into light having a narrow range of wavelengths, and the combined layer obscuring the photovoltaic apparatus such that the presence of the photovoltaic apparatus does not affect the overall appearance of the electronic device, the combined layer disposed in the housing to pass the narrow range of wavelengths to the photovoltaic apparatus; and
a refractive index layer disposed between the photovoltaic apparatus and the combined layer that improves light transmission to the photovoltaic apparatus, wherein a refractive index of the refractive index layer matches a refractive index of the housing.
2. The power source of claim 1 wherein the photovoltaic apparatus comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells.
3. The power source of claim 1 wherein the photovoltaic apparatus comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: a plurality of thermoelectric cells and a plurality of mechanical harvesters.
4. The power source of claim 1 wherein the fluorescent species comprises a plurality of quantum dots.
5. The power source of claim 1 wherein the fluorescent species comprises a plurality of fluorescent dye molecules.
6. The power source of claim 1 further comprising:
a reflective layer disposed on the fluorescent species that reflects emitted light.
7. The power source of claim 6 wherein the reflective layer comprises an anti-mechanical damage layer.
8. The power source of claim 1 further comprising:
a layer of a plurality of photonic crystals disposed adjacent to the fluorescent species.