Light-powered mobile phone charging sleeve
Client: Powcell
Project type: Design to manufacture
Product features
The Powcell sleeve slides onto the back of a mobile phone handset and uses light to charge the unit. Using light-power makes Powcell an environment-friendly product. Also the Powcell sleeve is continuously keeping the phone charged - reducing the chance of a low battery preventing that important call.
The Challenge
The initial versions of the Powcell sleeve were to be designed for premium mobile brands - the Apple iPhone series and Blackberry devices. Therefore a key challenge for MotionTouch was to create a product with superb quality and a sleek appearance central to its design.
The Process
In order to design a sleeve that was completely in keeping with the iPhone, MotionTouch had to do a 3D scan of the phone to ensure that the contours of the sleeve matched the handset perfectly. Concurrent with the design stage and CAD drawings, the design of a high quality solar panel was essential to ensure the sleeve charged effectively. Also, crucial to the success of the device, the team had to design a super-efficient power management and distribution system to pass the power from the sleeve to the phone. The next stage was prototyping and design refinements, before the project moved to the manufacturing stage with production sample approval.
The Outcome
The Powcell sleeve features premium-quality styling and it looks like an integral part of the phone. Its contours and colours are exactly in keeping the device it fits. Powcell works in complete harmony with the handset, allowing all the features of the phone to function perfectly.
The large solar panel provides the greatest surface area for light-capture and maximises the sleeve's efficiency, including working in some ambient light conditions. And Powcell continues to charge its internal battery even when removed from the phone - so when reconnected it provides talk-time even if the device battery is exhausted.
Ahead of full production the sleeve has attracted considerable interest from major phone manufacturers, which have even approached Powcell about sleeves for future, yet-to-launch models of their phones.
Henry Powell, Client Director of MotionTouch says "Dispensing with the need for plug-in chargers makes Powcell a ground-breaking eco-product. And the ability to provide power for that crucial call, even when your phone is flat, makes it an essential accessory. We are very excited to have been so involved in this unique product that could change the future of mobile technology."
Chris Simmons, Sales Director of Powcell added, "We've designed the Powcell sleeve to integrate seamlessly with the iPhone 3G and the new 3GS. The unique design shines a light on the future of eco-friendly portable charging solutions. This exciting technology is completely transferable and can be adapted to suit almost all battery operated devices, which has attracted the attention of some of the world's largest consumer electronic manufacturers. We are already planning to integrate this technology into future mobile devices, which will be seen in the very near future."
