Connector-free magnetic charger/winder

Abstract

A method and apparatus for charging an electronic device include rotating a magnetically attractable element, or element, within the electronic device. Rotating a magnet external to the electronic device simultaneously rotates the element. Rotating the element causes an electrically generating device, such as a generator, to create an electric charge in the electronic device. The electric charge may be used to power the electrically generating device, or the electric charge may be transmitted to an internal power supply in order to charge another component or components. In another embodiment, the external magnet may wind a spring inside a device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-contact method of winding a coil element formed of electrically conductive material within an enclosure of a portable electronic device, the non-contact method comprising:
 rotating a magnetic element external to the enclosure to define a rotating magnetic field that passes through a non-magnetic portion of the enclosure; and   magnetically coupling the magnetic element with the coil element to cause the coil element to wind in accordance with the rotating magnetic field, wherein winding of the coil element causes a cross-sectional area of the coil element to change from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-sectional area so that potential energy stored in the coil element is convertible to electrical energy that is transmitted to a charge generator that is included within the enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The non-contact method of  claim 1 , wherein the coil element is substantially free of contact from the magnetic element while winding the coil element. 
     
     
         3 . The non-contact method of  claim 1 , wherein the coil element rotates in a substantially similar direction as the rotating magnetic field. 
     
     
         4 . The non-contact method of  claim 1 , wherein the coil element rotates according to a predetermined regular interval. 
     
     
         5 . The non-contact method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy is stored by the charge generator. 
     
     
         6 . The non-contact method of  claim 1 , wherein the second cross-sectional area corresponds to a greater amount of the potential energy stored in the coil element than the first cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         7 . The non-contact method of  claim 1 , wherein an amount of the electrical energy is proportional to an amount of the potential energy stored in the coil element. 
     
     
         8 . A portable electronic device having an enclosure that defines an internal cavity, the portable electronic device comprising:
 a coil element that is disposed within the internal cavity and is configured to rotate in response to an externally applied rotating magnetic field, wherein rotation of the coil element causes a cross-sectional area of the coil element to change from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-sectional area; and   a charge generator disposed within the internal cavity, wherein the charge generator creates electrical energy based on rotation of the coil element.   
     
     
         9 . The portable electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the charge generator is coupled to an internal drive mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The portable electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the externally applied rotating magnetic field is generated by a rotating magnetic element that is external to the enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . The portable electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the charge generator is comprised of ferrous material that is magnetically attractable to the internal drive mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The portable electronic device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a power supply that is included within the enclosure, wherein the power supply is configured to receive the electrical energy.   
     
     
         13 . The portable electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the second cross-sectional area corresponds to a greater amount of potential energy stored in the coil element than the first cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         14 . An electronic device that includes a contact-free charging mechanism, the electronic device comprising:
 a housing including an interface region that is included between a magnetic element that is external to the housing and a coil element that is disposed within an interior cavity of the housing, wherein the coil element is configured to rotate in a substantially similar direction as an externally applied rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic element; and   a charge generator that is coupled to the coil element and is disposed within the interior cavity, wherein the charge generator creates electrical energy based on rotation of the coil element.   
     
     
         15 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the charge generator is coupled to an internal drive mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein rotation of the coil element causes a cross-sectional area of the coil element to change between a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the coil element is comprised of a ferrous material. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a power supply that is included within the interior cavity, wherein the power supply is configured to receive the electrical energy.   
     
     
         19 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the coil element rotates proportionately relative to the externally applied rotating magnetic field. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the housing is comprised of a magnetically neutral material.