1. Alternative Power Source Charging System
Team6: Benji Drewry
Dan Harris
Loren Koch
Sheevangi Pathak

2. What is the Problem and What is Needed
Harris Company is known for their transportable communicative devices. The problem at hand is the device’s battery life. Harris Company is concerned with finding alternative ways of charging their products because their consumers range from the police force, firemen, and doctors and they need the products to be reliable. There has been research on alternative sources of energy over the years and charging is a form of energy.

3. Requirements Solutions Weight: light-weight, easy to transport
Size: can be made in various sizes, sizes should be user friendly
Cost: affordable to purchasing-companies budget for electronics
Ease of Use
Ruggedness
Users of the Product
Suitability to different environments
Easy to manufacture
Aesthetically pleasing
User friendly
Ergonomics
Alternative Power Source:
Solar power
Wall Charger
Car Charger
Hydra-power
Safety
Warnings if placed in inappropriate setting
Environmental effects of producing and disposing
Economic Viability
Increase output of product using least amount of resources and using resources efficiently
Environmental Impact
Minimal to no impact on environment
Solutions
MagSafe charging concept
Solar power pads
Kinetic energy
Power matts

4. Solutions

6. nPower PEG $199.95 2.5 watts Product Weight: 14 ounces
Can charge up to 3,000 handle devices from tablets to phones
Hybrid charger
Can stay charged for 100 day after being charged
In case of emergency, shake vigorously for 10 minutes and will have enough energy to allow a person to make a short phone call from a dead phone
Charges one item at a time
It’s water resistant and keeps out all contaminants (but keep USB clean)
Operates under -30 to 60 degrees Celsius and -22 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit
Comes with USB to mini USB, USB to iGo, & interchangable iGo adapter tips
Product made by Tremont Electric company which strives to achieve sustainability through reduction of material usage by stripping away unnecessary materials that did not assist final product and materials are found locally, reducing carbon emissions in material transportation.

7. Transportable Solar Panels
$199.99
13.5 watts
Product Weight: 1.6 lbs
Pack charges within 5-10 hours
Charges cellphones and MP3 players, cannot charge any other devices
Portable Solar Panels with USB Connector (ex. Brunton Explorer Portable Solar Panel Foldable)
Case
Cars with Solar Panel Roofs (EMTs and Cop Cars)

8. Powermat (Charge Pad) $49.99-$99.99 18 watts Product Weight: 0.4 lbs
Can charge up to two devices at a time (product made in different sizes to charge different number of devices)
Charging apparatus – does not actually come up with power, simply distributes it.
Stops charging once the devices are full of power
Universal Power Supply ( VAC) lbs.
Charging indicators that “bleep” when it starts and ends charging
Aluminum base construction and high polish surfaces
Wireless charging surface
Using power matts but having it attached to solar panels or other devices

9. MagSafe $79 60-85 Watts DC connector
Cable will disconnect if it experiences due strain to prevent wear and tear
Magnetic L-shaped design
Mac Laptops use this technique of charging where the charge connector magnetically attaches to the laptop (introduced by Apple Inc.).
It is also known as the programmable magnetic connectors
The magnet can be used to replace cords that will connect the device to the charger , the magnet will also used to keep the device located on the charger when there is not a flat surface to place it on.

10. Research Analysis and Final Solution

11. Process Flow Chart for Final Solution

12. Sources http://www.dowcorning.com/content/publishedlit/06-10028-01.pdf