Solar USB Charger

Abstract

A solar USB charger for providing power to electrical devices from solar energy without the use of an internal battery is described. The charger includes one or more solar cells, an electronic circuit and a means to connect the solar USB charger to the electrical devices that needs to be charged. An auto reset feature within the charger helps to correct for passing clouds or other factors that reduce the charger's output. The charger has a durable and simple low profile folding design that protects the solar cells from impact or scratching when the device is not in use.

1 . A portable foldable solar powered power supply comprising:
 one or more backing boards pivotally connected through a hinged connection;   one or more photovoltaic panels on an internal surface of the backing boards and one or more photovoltaic panels on an external surface of the backing boards, the photovoltaic panels including one or more photovoltaic cell encased in an ultraviolet radiation resistant sheet and electronically connected through a ribbon connector traversing the hinged connection between the backing boards;   the first photovoltaic panel and the second photovoltaic panel connected via an electrical flex circuit to a charging circuit mounted on an external surface of the first backing board, the charging circuit having an auto reset capability to restore an original output of the portable solar powered power supply upon interruptions in solar power; and   a plug and socket configuration connecting the charging circuit to an external device.   
     
     
         2 . The portable solar powered power supply of  claim 1 , wherein the ultraviolet radiation resistant sheet is a form of clear plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The portable solar powered power supply of  claim 1  wherein the plug and socket configuration electronically connecting the charging circuit to an external device is a USB connector. 
     
     
         4 . The portable solar powered power supply of  claim 1  wherein the charging circuit further comprises: a pulse circuit; a regulation circuit; a low voltage cutout switch; a regulation circuit; a visible indicator; an OR gate, and; a voltage divider. 
     
     
         5 . The portable solar powered power supply of  claim 4  wherein the pulse circuit provides a voltage pulse to a device from the charger at a predetermined frequency to maximize the devices charging circuit and to provide an audible alert. 
     
     
         6 . The portable solar powered power supply of  claim 4  wherein pulse circuit frequency is approximately two minutes. 
     
     
         7 . The portable solar powered power supply of  claim 1  further comprising: a visible indicator, the visible indicator electrically connected to the charging circuit. 
     
     
         8 . The portable solar powered power supply of  claim 1 , wherein the backing board is substantially rectangular with opposing faces tapered and spaced to form a hinge point. 
     
     
         9 . The portable solar powered power supply of  claim 1 , wherein the backing board is made of compressed epoxy fiberglass. 
     
     
         10 . The portable solar powered power supply of  claim 1 , wherein ethylene tetrafluoroethylene is used in combination with ethyl vinyl acetate for adhesive purposes. 
     
     
         11 . A portable solar charger comprising:
 at least two solar panels foldably connected along an interstitial gap and electrically interconnected to provide a solar electrical energy output that is dependent on a solar energy input;   a regulation circuit, the regulation circuit having the solar electrical energy input and a portable electronic power output, the solar electrical energy input electrically connected to the solar energy output;   the regulation circuit having an auto reset capability to restore an original output of the portable solar powered power supply upon interruptions in solar power; and   an output port, the output port mechanically adaptable to electrically connect to a portable electronic device and the output port mechanically and electrically connected to the solar panel.   
     
     
         12 . The portable solar charger as described in  claim 11 , wherein a voltage ranging between 4.9-5.1 volts is output in a charging active zone. 
     
     
         13 . The portable solar charger as described in  claim 11 , wherein a voltage ranging between 4.3-4.6 volts is output in a charging shutoff zone. 
     
     
         14 . The portable solar charger as described in  claim 11 , wherein a voltage ranging between 0.0-4.3 volts is output in a charging disabled zone.