EP2080230A1 - Blind-type apparatus using flexible solar cells - Google Patents

Blind-type apparatus using flexible solar cells

Info

Publication number
EP2080230A1
EP2080230A1 EP07833763A EP07833763A EP2080230A1 EP 2080230 A1 EP2080230 A1 EP 2080230A1 EP 07833763 A EP07833763 A EP 07833763A EP 07833763 A EP07833763 A EP 07833763A EP 2080230 A1 EP2080230 A1 EP 2080230A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electrode
blind
flexible solar
solar cell
blind plates
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07833763A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2080230A4 (en
Inventor
Soo-Young Oh
Mangu Kang
Min-Sheo Choi
Jong-Dae Kim
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI
Original Assignee
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI filed Critical Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI
Publication of EP2080230A1 publication Critical patent/EP2080230A1/en
Publication of EP2080230A4 publication Critical patent/EP2080230A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
    • E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
    • E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
    • E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
    • E06B9/303—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable with ladder-tape
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
    • E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
    • E06B9/38—Other details
    • E06B9/386—Details of lamellae
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
    • H01L31/05—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells
    • H01L31/0504—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S30/00—Structural details of PV modules other than those related to light conversion
    • H02S30/20—Collapsible or foldable PV modules
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
    • E06B2009/2476—Solar cells
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a blind-type apparatus including solar cells. Mo re particularly, the present invention relates to a blind-type apparatus including a pluralit v of blind plates, each of which comprises at least one solar cell.
  • Another difficulty relates to the low output voltage of solar cells.
  • a vo ltage boosting process is required in order to use electric energy generated from solar c ells as a power source in various fields requiring DC energy. Accordingly, an efficient and concrete solution for the boosting process is demanded.
  • the present invention provides a commercially practical blind-type apparatus by resolving use and manufacturing difficulties of blinds using flexible solar cells.
  • the blind-type apparatus of the present invention has serial connectio ns, which enable a voltage boosting process without additional costs.
  • the bl ind-type apparatus of the present invention has increased power efficiency due to solar cell structures that have decreased resistance and are included in a blind plate.
  • the blind-type apparatus of the present invention has high applicability in general applications where conventional blinds are used because of the use of blind plates incl uding flexible solar cells.
  • the blind-type apparatus of the present invention has enhanced powe r efficiency due to the use of a metal wire which reduces the surface resistance of an electrode opposite to a flexible solar cell.
  • voltage boosting cost are reduced by serially electrically connecting an electrode of one blind plate to a semiconductor electrode of a next blind plate .
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the structure of a blind-type apparatus inclu ding a plurality of blind plates, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2A is a front cross-sectional view of one of the blind plates of the blind-type apparatus of FIG. 1 , including a flexible solar cell, according to an embodiment of the pr esent invention.
  • FIG. 2B is a rear cross-sectional view of the blind plate including the flexible solar cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2C is a side cross-sectional view of the blind plate including the flexible sola r cell, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2D is a top plan view of the blind plate including the flexible solar cell, accor ding to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3B is a detailed rear cross-sectional view of the blind plate including the flexi ble solar cell 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3B is a detailed side cross-sectional view of the blind plate including the flexi ble solar cell, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4A illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates, in which th e blind plates are disposed parallel to the ground, according to an embodiment of the pr esent invention.
  • FIG. 4B illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates, in which th e blind plates are disposed perpendicular to the ground, according to another embodim ent of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5A illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates, in which th e blind plates are disposed parallel to the ground, according to another embodiment of t he present invention.
  • FIG. 5B illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates, in which th e blind plates are disposed perpendicular to the ground, according to another embodim ent of the present invention.
  • an apparatus c omprising flexible solar cells comprising: a plurality of blind plates, each of which comprises at least one flexible solar cell; a plurality of electric wires electrically connecting the flexible solar cells included in the blind plates; and a plurality of output w ires outputting electricity through the electric wires.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the structure of a blind-type apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • the blind-type apparatus 100 includes a plurality of blind plat es 150 each of which includes a flexible solar cell according to an embodiment of the pr esent invention.
  • the blind apparatus 100 includes wires 110, 111 , 120, 121 , 130, 131 as a means to pull the blind plates 150 up and down.
  • the wires 110 and 130 may be electric wires to provide electricity generated from the solar cells to an external device.
  • a combination of the wi res 110 and 131 , a combination of the wires 111 and 130 or a combination of the wires 111 and 131 may be electric wires to provide electricity generated from the solar cells to an external device.
  • Each blind plate 150 may produce an output of 1V.
  • a boosted voltage can be o btained through a serial connection of the blind plates 150. This will be described later in detail. A more detailed description of the solar cells is provided with reference to FIGS.
  • FIG. 2A is a front cross-sectional view of one of the blind plates 150 in FIG 1 ace ording to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 2A illustrates a magnif ied view of an edge of the blind plate 150 when seen from the front.
  • the flexible solar cell 200 comprises a semiconductor electr ode 210, an opposite electrode 220, an electrolyte layer 230 disposed between the sem iconductor electrode 210 and the opposite electrode 220, and a metal wire 240 formed on the opposite electrode 220.
  • the semiconductor electrode 210 and the opposite ele ctrode 220 function as two poles and the electrolyte layer 230 is formed therebetween.
  • the resistance of the front surface is greater than th at of the side surface. Such an increase of resistance decreases the electric current a nd as a result, decreases the power efficiency.
  • the m etal wire 240 is used to increase the power efficiency by reducing the surface resistanc e of the opposite electrode 220 of the flexible solar cell 200.
  • the metal wire 240 may i nclude any type of conductive metal such as copper, zinc, aluminum or conductive carb on.
  • FIG. 2B is a rear cross-sectional view of the blind plate 150 in FIG 1 including the flexible solar cell 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the metal wire 240 is formed at the front of the blind plate 1
  • FIG. 2C is a side cross-sectional view of the blind plate 150 including the flexible solar cell 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2D is a top plan view of the blind plate 150 including the flexible solar cell 200, according to an emb odiment of the present invention.
  • the blind plate 150 has two holes 260 for wires 120 and 121 to pass through.
  • T he opposite electrode 220 may constitute a top surface of the flexible solar cell 200 to t hereby face the sun for producing electricity.
  • the metal wire 240 may be seen through the opposite electrode 220, which is transparent.
  • the flexible solar cell 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A a nd 3B.
  • FIG. 3A is a detailed rear cross-sectional view of the blind plate 150 including the flexible solar cell 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the blind plate includes a semiconductor electrode 310, an opposite electrode 320, and an electrolyte layer 330 disposed between the semiconduc tor electrode 310 and the opposite electrode 320.
  • the opposite electrode 320 may be formed of a transparent material.
  • the semiconductor electrode 310 includes a metal p late 3101 and a nano-particle semiconducting oxide layer 3102.
  • the nano-particle semiconducting oxide layer 3102 may includeTiC ⁇ and be form ed to a thickness of 15 - 25 nm on the metal plate 3101. It is desirable for the nano-p article semiconducting oxide layer 3102 to have a thickness of about 10 ⁇ 20 ⁇ m. Ru s eries dye is absorbed into the nano-particle semiconducting oxide layer 3102.
  • the opposite electrode 320 includes a flexible transparent plate 3201 , a conducti ve thin layer 3202, and a platinum layer 3203 .
  • the platinum layer 3203 may be coate d on the ITO or SnO 2 conductive thin layer 3202.
  • the platinum layer 3203 of the oppo site electrode 320 is disposed to face the nano-particle semiconducting oxide layer 310 2 of the semiconductor electrode 310.
  • the electrolyte layer 330 disposed between the semiconductor electrode 310 an d the opposite electrode 320 comprises an iodine-series oxidation/deoxidation electrolyt e.
  • the iodine-series oxidation/deoxidation electrolyte may be, for example , I37I " electrolyte solution which is 3-Methoxypropionitrile where 0.7M 1-vinyl-3-hexyl-imi dazolium iodide, 0.1 M LiI, 40 mM I2(lodine) and 0.2M tert-butyl pyridine are dissolved.
  • FIG. 3B is a detailed side cross-sectional view of the blind plate 150 including the flexible solar cell 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a metal wire 340 is formed on the conductive thin layer 3202 of the opposite elec trode 320 of the flexible solar cell 200.
  • Surface resistance of the flexible transparent el ectrode 3201 on which the conductive thin layer 3202 is formed is several tens ohm per cm 2 . If the metal wire 340 is coated on the conductive thin layer 3202 to reduce such surface resistance, the surface resistance drops to almost 0 ohms and thus the curren t may not be reduced and the power efficiency may increase.
  • More specific operation of the flexible solar cell 200 may be as follows. Sunlight penetrates (1) the opposite electrode 320 which comprises the flexible tr ansparent plate 3201 , the conductive thin layer 3202, and the platinum layer 3203, and (2) the electrolyte layer 330, and finally reaches the semiconductor electrode 310. Sunli ght which has reached the semiconductor electrode 310 may excite dye absorbed in th e nano-particle oxide semiconducting layer 3102 from the base state to the excited stat e, to thereby inject electrons into the nano-particle oxide semiconducting layer 3102. The electrons injected into the nano-particle oxide semiconducting layer 3102 are emitt ed to the external circuit(not shown) through the metal plate 3101.
  • the electrons which have finished electric operation may be transmitted to the co nductive thin layer 3202 and the platinum layer 3203 through the metal wire 340 of the opposite electrode 320 which is electrically connected to the external circuit(not shown).
  • FIG. 4A illustrates a serial connection of the flexible solar cells in FIG 2A (but 200 not shown in FIG. 4A) included in the blind plates 150 in FIG 1 , in which the blind plate s 150 are disposed parallel to the ground, according to an embodiment of the present in vention.
  • opposite electrodes 421 , 422, 423, and 424 of the flexible s olar cells are serially connected to semiconductor electrodes 411 , 412, 413, and 414 vi a electric wires 471 , 472 and 473.
  • the opposite electrode 421 is conn ected to the semiconductor electrode 412 of the next blind plate by the metal wire 441 f ormed on the opposite electrode 421 and the electric wire 471.
  • the semiconductor ele ctrode 412 becomes a part of another flexible solar cell with an opposite electrode 422 which is again serially connected to the semiconductor electrode 413 of the next blind p late by the metal wire 442 formed on the opposite electrode 422 and the electric wire 47 2.
  • a voltage boost can be obtained by serial connection of each flexible solar cell 200.
  • the arrangement of the blind plates 150 illustrated in FIG. 4A allows a maximum exposure to sunlight.
  • An appropriate control of control lines 110 and 130 can be used to obtain the arrangement of the blind plates 150 illustrated in FlG. 4B.
  • FIG. 4B illustrates a serial connection of the blind plates 150 comprising the flexi ble solar cells 200, in which the blind plates 150 are disposed perpendicular to the grou no, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the arrangement of the blind plates 150 illustrated in Fl G. 4B allows a minimum exposure to sunlight.
  • blind plates 150 instead of arranging the blind plates 150 as shown in FIGS. 4A, it is obvious to ar range the blind plates in different directions. That is, if necessary, the blind plates may be arranged in a vertically long direction to the ground.
  • FIG. 5A illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates 150, in whi ch the blind plates 150 are disposed parallel to the ground, according to another embod iment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5A illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates 150, in whi ch the blind plates 150 are disposed perpendicular to the ground, according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5B illustrates blinds of FIG. 5A being arranged perpendicularly. While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with refer ence to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without depar ting from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claim s.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Provided is a commercially practical blind-type apparatus including flexible solar c ells by resolving use and manufacturing difficulties of blinds using flexible solar cells. The apparatus comprises a plurality of blind plates, each of which includes at least one flexible solar cell; electric wires electrically connecting the flexible solar cells included in the blind plates; and output wires outputting electricity through the electric wires. Sine e each plate includes a flexible solar cell, the blind-type apparatus can be economically manufactured using serial connections by connecting the anode of one plate to the cath ode of a neighboring plate. Each flexible solar cell comprises a first electrode; a secon d electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode; and an electrolyte layer disposed b etween the first electrode and the second electrode.

Description

BLIND-TYPE APPARATUS USING FLEXIBLE SOLAR CELLS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a blind-type apparatus including solar cells. Mo re particularly, the present invention relates to a blind-type apparatus including a pluralit v of blind plates, each of which comprises at least one solar cell.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventional blinds including solar cells have not been widely commercialized fo r domestic or office use because of difficulties in manufacturing the blinds and inconven ience in usage. Another difficulty relates to the low output voltage of solar cells. In g eneral, the output voltage of solar cells generated by absorbing sunlight is around 1.0 V , and thus, a voltage boosting process is required in order to use the electric energy gen erated from solar cells as a power source in various fields requiring DC energy. Howe ver, an efficient and concrete solution for the boosting process has not yet been provide d or suggested.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL PROBLEM As described above, conventional blinds including solar cells have not been wide
Iy commercialized because of difficulties in manufacturing the blinds and inconvenience in usage.
Another difficulty relates to the low output voltage of solar cells. In general, a vo ltage boosting process is required in order to use electric energy generated from solar c ells as a power source in various fields requiring DC energy. Accordingly, an efficient and concrete solution for the boosting process is demanded.
TECHNICAL SOLUTION
The present invention provides a commercially practical blind-type apparatus by resolving use and manufacturing difficulties of blinds using flexible solar cells.
In addition, the blind-type apparatus of the present invention has serial connectio ns, which enable a voltage boosting process without additional costs. Moreover, the bl ind-type apparatus of the present invention has increased power efficiency due to solar cell structures that have decreased resistance and are included in a blind plate. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
The blind-type apparatus of the present invention has high applicability in general applications where conventional blinds are used because of the use of blind plates incl uding flexible solar cells.
In addition, the blind-type apparatus of the present invention has enhanced powe r efficiency due to the use of a metal wire which reduces the surface resistance of an electrode opposite to a flexible solar cell.
According to the blind-type apparatus of the present invention, voltage boosting cost are reduced by serially electrically connecting an electrode of one blind plate to a semiconductor electrode of a next blind plate .
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the structure of a blind-type apparatus inclu ding a plurality of blind plates, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a front cross-sectional view of one of the blind plates of the blind-type apparatus of FIG. 1 , including a flexible solar cell, according to an embodiment of the pr esent invention.
FIG. 2B is a rear cross-sectional view of the blind plate including the flexible solar cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2C is a side cross-sectional view of the blind plate including the flexible sola r cell, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2D is a top plan view of the blind plate including the flexible solar cell, accor ding to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a detailed rear cross-sectional view of the blind plate including the flexi ble solar cell 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a detailed side cross-sectional view of the blind plate including the flexi ble solar cell, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4A illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates, in which th e blind plates are disposed parallel to the ground, according to an embodiment of the pr esent invention.
FIG. 4B illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates, in which th e blind plates are disposed perpendicular to the ground, according to another embodim ent of the present invention. FIG. 5A illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates, in which th e blind plates are disposed parallel to the ground, according to another embodiment of t he present invention.
FIG. 5B illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates, in which th e blind plates are disposed perpendicular to the ground, according to another embodim ent of the present invention.
BEST MODE
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus c omprising flexible solar cells, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of blind plates, each of which comprises at least one flexible solar cell; a plurality of electric wires electrically connecting the flexible solar cells included in the blind plates; and a plurality of output w ires outputting electricity through the electric wires.
MODE OF THE INVENTION
A blind apparatus including solar cells according to the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which ex emplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, when publicly known tec hniques or structures related to the present invention may unnecessarily complicate the present invention, a detailed description thereof will not be provided. The terms used in the specification are defined in consideration of functions used in the present inventi on, and can be changed according to the intent or conventional methods of clients, ope rators, and users. Accordingly, definitions of the terms should be understood on the b asis of the entire description of the present specification. In the drawings, like referenc e designators denote like structural elements.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the structure of a blind-type apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Referring to FIG. 1 , the blind-type apparatus 100 includes a plurality of blind plat es 150 each of which includes a flexible solar cell according to an embodiment of the pr esent invention. The blind apparatus 100 includes wires 110, 111 , 120, 121 , 130, 131 as a means to pull the blind plates 150 up and down. According to an embodiment of t he present invention, the wires 110 and 130 may be electric wires to provide electricity generated from the solar cells to an external device.
However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a combination of the wi res 110 and 131 , a combination of the wires 111 and 130 or a combination of the wires 111 and 131 may be electric wires to provide electricity generated from the solar cells to an external device.
Only one pair of electric wires is sufficient to provide electricity to an external dev ice, and thus, other wires may not necessarily be electric wires and may be general wire s used in conventional blinds.
Each blind plate 150 may produce an output of 1V. A boosted voltage can be o btained through a serial connection of the blind plates 150. This will be described later in detail. A more detailed description of the solar cells is provided with reference to FIGS.
2A to 2D
FIG. 2A is a front cross-sectional view of one of the blind plates 150 in FIG 1 ace ording to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 2A illustrates a magnif ied view of an edge of the blind plate 150 when seen from the front. Referring to FIG. 2A, the flexible solar cell 200 comprises a semiconductor electr ode 210, an opposite electrode 220, an electrolyte layer 230 disposed between the sem iconductor electrode 210 and the opposite electrode 220, and a metal wire 240 formed on the opposite electrode 220. The semiconductor electrode 210 and the opposite ele ctrode 220 function as two poles and the electrolyte layer 230 is formed therebetween. Since the front surface of the flexible solar cell 200 is much longer than the side s urface of the flexible solar cell 200, the resistance of the front surface is greater than th at of the side surface. Such an increase of resistance decreases the electric current a nd as a result, decreases the power efficiency. In order to address this problem, the m etal wire 240 is used to increase the power efficiency by reducing the surface resistanc e of the opposite electrode 220 of the flexible solar cell 200. The metal wire 240 may i nclude any type of conductive metal such as copper, zinc, aluminum or conductive carb on.
FIG. 2B is a rear cross-sectional view of the blind plate 150 in FIG 1 including the flexible solar cell 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2B, the metal wire 240 is formed at the front of the blind plate 1
50, and thus cannot be seen from the rear.
FIG. 2C is a side cross-sectional view of the blind plate 150 including the flexible solar cell 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2D is a top plan view of the blind plate 150 including the flexible solar cell 200, according to an emb odiment of the present invention.
The blind plate 150 has two holes 260 for wires 120 and 121 to pass through. T he opposite electrode 220 may constitute a top surface of the flexible solar cell 200 to t hereby face the sun for producing electricity. The metal wire 240 may be seen through the opposite electrode 220, which is transparent.
The flexible solar cell 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A a nd 3B.
FIG. 3A is a detailed rear cross-sectional view of the blind plate 150 including the flexible solar cell 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 3A, the blind plate includes a semiconductor electrode 310, an opposite electrode 320, and an electrolyte layer 330 disposed between the semiconduc tor electrode 310 and the opposite electrode 320. The opposite electrode 320 may be formed of a transparent material. The semiconductor electrode 310 includes a metal p late 3101 and a nano-particle semiconducting oxide layer 3102.
The nano-particle semiconducting oxide layer 3102 may includeTiC^ and be form ed to a thickness of 15 - 25 nm on the metal plate 3101. It is desirable for the nano-p article semiconducting oxide layer 3102 to have a thickness of about 10 ~ 20 μm. Ru s eries dye is absorbed into the nano-particle semiconducting oxide layer 3102. The opposite electrode 320 includes a flexible transparent plate 3201 , a conducti ve thin layer 3202, and a platinum layer 3203 . The platinum layer 3203 may be coate d on the ITO or SnO2 conductive thin layer 3202. The platinum layer 3203 of the oppo site electrode 320 is disposed to face the nano-particle semiconducting oxide layer 310 2 of the semiconductor electrode 310. The electrolyte layer 330 disposed between the semiconductor electrode 310 an d the opposite electrode 320 comprises an iodine-series oxidation/deoxidation electrolyt e. In particular, the iodine-series oxidation/deoxidation electrolyte may be, for example , I37I" electrolyte solution which is 3-Methoxypropionitrile where 0.7M 1-vinyl-3-hexyl-imi dazolium iodide, 0.1 M LiI, 40 mM I2(lodine) and 0.2M tert-butyl pyridine are dissolved. FIG. 3B is a detailed side cross-sectional view of the blind plate 150 including the flexible solar cell 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A metal wire 340 is formed on the conductive thin layer 3202 of the opposite elec trode 320 of the flexible solar cell 200. Surface resistance of the flexible transparent el ectrode 3201 on which the conductive thin layer 3202 is formed is several tens ohm per cm2. If the metal wire 340 is coated on the conductive thin layer 3202 to reduce such surface resistance, the surface resistance drops to almost 0 ohms and thus the curren t may not be reduced and the power efficiency may increase.
More specific operation of the flexible solar cell 200 may be as follows. Sunlight penetrates (1) the opposite electrode 320 which comprises the flexible tr ansparent plate 3201 , the conductive thin layer 3202, and the platinum layer 3203, and (2) the electrolyte layer 330, and finally reaches the semiconductor electrode 310. Sunli ght which has reached the semiconductor electrode 310 may excite dye absorbed in th e nano-particle oxide semiconducting layer 3102 from the base state to the excited stat e, to thereby inject electrons into the nano-particle oxide semiconducting layer 3102. The electrons injected into the nano-particle oxide semiconducting layer 3102 are emitt ed to the external circuit(not shown) through the metal plate 3101.
The electrons which have finished electric operation may be transmitted to the co nductive thin layer 3202 and the platinum layer 3203 through the metal wire 340 of the opposite electrode 320 which is electrically connected to the external circuit(not shown).
Under deoxidation operation of oxidized dye in the electrolyte layer 330, the elect rons which have reached the platinum layer 3203 are emitted and, as a result, one sola r cell operation cycle is completed. FIG. 4A illustrates a serial connection of the flexible solar cells in FIG 2A (but 200 not shown in FIG. 4A) included in the blind plates 150 in FIG 1 , in which the blind plate s 150 are disposed parallel to the ground, according to an embodiment of the present in vention.
Referring to FIG. 4A, opposite electrodes 421 , 422, 423, and 424 of the flexible s olar cells are serially connected to semiconductor electrodes 411 , 412, 413, and 414 vi a electric wires 471 , 472 and 473.
For example, in one of the serial connections, the opposite electrode 421 is conn ected to the semiconductor electrode 412 of the next blind plate by the metal wire 441 f ormed on the opposite electrode 421 and the electric wire 471. The semiconductor ele ctrode 412 becomes a part of another flexible solar cell with an opposite electrode 422 which is again serially connected to the semiconductor electrode 413 of the next blind p late by the metal wire 442 formed on the opposite electrode 422 and the electric wire 47 2. As such, a voltage boost can be obtained by serial connection of each flexible solar cell 200. In particular, the arrangement of the blind plates 150 illustrated in FIG. 4A allows a maximum exposure to sunlight. An appropriate control of control lines 110 and 130 can be used to obtain the arrangement of the blind plates 150 illustrated in FlG. 4B.
FIG. 4B illustrates a serial connection of the blind plates 150 comprising the flexi ble solar cells 200, in which the blind plates 150 are disposed perpendicular to the grou no, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In contrast with FIG. 4A, the arrangement of the blind plates 150 illustrated in Fl G. 4B allows a minimum exposure to sunlight. As clearly illustrated in FIG. 4B, the con trol lines 110 and 130 may be used as power output wires through being connected to t he electric wires 450 and 460 respectively. If the arrangement of the blind plates 150 il lustrated in FIG. 4B is adopted and 1V is obtained from each flexible solar cell disposed on each blind plate 150, the total voltage between the control lines 110 and 130 may b e 1 V x the total number of blinds (4EA) = 4 V.
As described above, it is easy to serially connect the blind plates 150 and it is ec onomic in view of the voltage boosting process. In addition, energy conversion efficien cy is significantly increased through reduction of the opposite resistance by adopting m etal wires on the flexible solar cells 200.
Instead of arranging the blind plates 150 as shown in FIGS. 4A, it is obvious to ar range the blind plates in different directions. That is, if necessary, the blind plates may be arranged in a vertically long direction to the ground.
FIG. 5A illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates 150, in whi ch the blind plates 150 are disposed parallel to the ground, according to another embod iment of the present invention.
FIG. 5A illustrates a serial connection arrangement of the blind plates 150, in whi ch the blind plates 150 are disposed perpendicular to the ground, according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5B illustrates blinds of FIG. 5A being arranged perpendicularly. While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with refer ence to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without depar ting from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claim s.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising flexible solar cells, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of blind plates, each of which comprises at least one flexible solar cell;
a plurality of electric wires electrically connecting the flexible solar cells included i n the blind plates; and a plurality of output wires outputting electricity through the electric wires.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible solar cell comprises: a first electrode; a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode; and an electrolyte layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrod e.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first electrode is a semiconductor elect rode and the second electrode is a transparent electrode.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode of the flexible solar cell c omprises a metal plate attached to the outer surface of the first electrode.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a metal layer is formed on the second elec trode.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible solar cell comprises a metal-ty pe thin layer parallel to the blind plate, connected to one of the first and second electrod es in order to be linked to one of the electric wires.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the metal-type thin layer comprises one of copper, zinc, aluminum and conductive carbon.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electric wires serially connect the blind plates electrically.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the output wires function as control wires t o control the blind plates.
10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the blind plates are arran ged parallel to the ground.
11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the blind plates are arran ged perpendicular to the ground.
EP07833763.1A 2006-11-03 2007-10-31 Blind-type apparatus using flexible solar cells Withdrawn EP2080230A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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KR20060108591 2006-11-03
KR1020070031086A KR100880891B1 (en) 2006-11-03 2007-03-29 Blind using flexible solar cells
PCT/KR2007/005455 WO2008054145A1 (en) 2006-11-03 2007-10-31 Blind-type apparatus using flexible solar cells

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EP2080230A1 true EP2080230A1 (en) 2009-07-22
EP2080230A4 EP2080230A4 (en) 2016-03-30

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KR20080040541A (en) 2008-05-08
WO2008054145A1 (en) 2008-05-08
KR100880891B1 (en) 2009-01-30

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