Quiet, treadle-driven generator (for laptops)   (Read 3658 times)

There are old sewing machines that were powered by foot.  Why can't this concept be brought over to powering laptops so that we don't have to worry about finding electrical outlets or having the battery go dead?  Perhaps though, this wouldn't work with typical laptops because they consume too much energy (but even then, what about solid state laptops? I'm not pretending to be an electrical engineer!)

This would be great, because you would be able to take your laptop anywhere, work for a really long time, and never have to worry about it dying.  It would also be much better than the typical hand cranks that people sometimes sell... human legs have evolved to carry relatively large amounts of weight relatively long distances.  I would think that a person could comfortably power their laptop.

EDIT: I just googled it and people have been using treadles to generate electricity for a while, apparently.  Here is a link to an interesting article: http://www.designthatmatters.org/k2/archives/000311.html

It's such a simple and elegant solution for so many problems -- this idea could have so many uses.

I think it would be good to use a treadle to recharge batteries it could also be a great way to exercise. Imagine if everyone who owned a treadmill used it to charge up batteries to replace some of the household power consumption.

I think this has potential, exercise bikes, treadles (stairmasters?), tradmills could all power rechargable batteries that could run some of the lights and appliances in the home?

Also, smaller portable treadles for laptops would be fantastic -- being able to take the laptop on any adventure without ever requiring a power outlet -- not to mention the other things you could take that could accept treadle generated power.

Yeah, that was what I was thinking.  I mean, being able to bring a laptop with you when you go camping would be awesome.

Also, I was thinking about it more and I would think that people would be able to turn it into a backpack.  I'm sure that there would be a way to design it so that you could slide the laptop into it (between the footpedal and the base), and it would double as a protective shell.  Then it would be a protecting carrying case/generator and it would be REALLY useful.  The only thing then would be to try and get it ergonomic, and making sure that it was quiet. :3