GB2457255A

GB2457255A - Canopy or blind with solar panel

Info

Publication number: GB2457255A
Application number: GB0802239A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ray Herbert
Original assignee: AMPEROR
Current assignee: AMPEROR
Priority date: 2008-02-07
Filing date: 2008-02-07
Publication date: 2009-08-12
Also published as: GB0802239D0

Abstract

A canopy or blind 10, preferably a flexible or roller type, comprising a solar panel 14, which is also preferably flexible. The solar panel may be a thin film silicon amorphous panel, and the blind may optionally include a base layer 16 on or in which the solar panel may be formed, or to which the solar panel may be bonded. The solar panel may include multiple or triple junction solar cells or may include multiple junction cells of different numbers of layers. The panel may have a reflective back layer for reflecting the incident light back through the solar cells. The canopy or blind may be connected to an electric circuit 26 and battery 28 using two thin flexible electrical conductors 48a 48b. The electrical conductors may extend through bores 50 in a roller 40 and be electrically coupled to first and second parts, the first and second insulated from each other and situated at opposite ends of an inner member of the roller. There may be brush connectors 24 for connecting the roller to the electrical circuit.

Description

1 2457255 "Canopy or blind" The present invention relates to a canopy or blind which comprises a solar panel. All references to a canopy in this specification are also references to a blind, and vice versa.

It is known to mount a solar panel on the roof of a home. Such solar panels are quite expensive and can be difficult to install.

According to the present invention, there is provided a canopy or blind comprising a solar panel.

The incorporation of a solar panel into a canopy or blind can provide an inexpensive solar panel, which is simple to install. Furthermore, the use of such a solar panel is not limited to the use on homes/buildings.

The blind is typically a window or door blind, typically for internal use.

The canopy (or awning) may be used on a caravan, camper van, shop front, porch, summer house, swing seat, restaurant front, a balcony door/window, boat, or other vehicle. This is not an exhaustive list; the canopy can be used on any structure.

Preferably, the canopy or blind is flexible.

Typically, the canopy or blind also includes a base layer.

The solar panel may be attached to the base layer in any suitable way.

The solar panel may be integrated with, woven into, or stuck onto, the base layer.

For example, the solar panel may be bonded/adhered to the base layer.

Alternatively, the solar panel could be integrally located in the base layer.

Optionally, the solar panel is attached to the base layer by being formed on the base layer, e.g. by electrolysis.

The base layer may comprise many different materials. For example, the base layer may be fabric, e.g. canvas or cloth. In such examples, the solar panel could be integrally woven into the canvas or cloth.

Alternatively, the base layer could be metallic, e.g. aluminium foil/film, tin foil, or a non-flexible metallic structure.

Preferably, the solar panel is flexible.

Preferably, the solar panel comprises a thin film amorphous solar panel.

Typically, the solar panel comprises a thin film silicon amorphous solar panel.

Optionally, the solar panel includes multiple junction solar cells. A multiple junction solar cell is one in which individual cells with different bandgaps are stacked on top of one another. The stacking may be mechanical (one cell being put on top of another cell), or monolithic (a second cell being grown or deposited directly onto a first cell). The individual cells are stacked such that sunlight falls first on the material having the largest bandgap. Photons not absorbed in the first cell are transmitted to the second cell, which then absorbs the higher-energy portion of the remaining solar radiation, whilst remaining transparent to the lower-energy photons. These selective absorption processes continue through to the final cell, which has the smallest bandgap.

The multiple junction solar cells used may include multiple junction solar cells of two, three or even more layers of cells.

Preferably, the multiple junction solar cells comprise triple junction solar cells. Triple junction solar cells have three layers that absorb light of different frequencies (e.g. an upper layer which absorbs blue photons, a middle layer which absorbs green photons and a lower layer which absorbs red and infrared photons).

Preferably, the solar panel includes a reflective lower layer. The reflective layer may be silver/zinc oxide. The reflective layer reflects any photons not absorbed by the multiple junction solar cells, such that these reflected photons have further chances to be absorbed.

Multiple junction solar cells have the advantage of being able to absorb a large part of the spectrum of sunlight. Such solar cells provide a high-energy electrical output, even in less than ideal levels of sunlight, such as in mornings, evenings and cloudy weather.

Optionally, the solar panel includes multiple junction solar cells of different numbers of layers. For example, the solar panel may include some multiple junction solar cells having two layers, and others having three layers (triple junction solar cells).

Typically, the canopy or blind is part of a canopy or blind assembly.

Typically, the canopy or blind assembly comprises first and second electrical conductors, which form part of an electric circuit that carries electrical current created by the solar panel. The electrical conductors may be strips or wires (or any other kind of conductor), and are preferably thin and flexible.

The electrical conductors are typically located at, near, and/or on opposite edges of the solar panel.

Preferably, the canopy or blind assembly includes a roller, from which the canopy or blind can be unrolled.

The electrical conductors typically run parallel to the opposite edges of the solar panel, and parallel to the direction of unrolling of the canopy or blind.

This enables electricity to be harvested from the electrical conductors even when the canopy or blind is not fully unrolled/extended.

Optionally, the first and second electrical conductors are electrically coupled to respective first and second parts of the roller, the first and second parts of the roller being electrically insulated from each other.

Optionally, the first and second parts of the roller comprise an inner member of the roller. Optionally, the first and second parts comprise opposite ends of the inner member. The mutual insulation of the first and second parts of the roller may be provided by an insulating member.

Alternatively, the mutual insulation may be provided by the first and second parts of the roller not being in any direct contact with each other, and by not being in any indirect contact via any electrical conductors.

In such embodiments, the first and second electrical conductors may be connected to the inner member of the roller via bores made in the roller from the exterior of the roller to the inner member. Alternatively, if the inner member of the roller protrudes from the rest of the roller at both ends, the electrical conductors could instead connect directly to these protruding ends of the inner member.

Alternatively, the first and second parts of the roller may comprise radially outer and inner members of the roller, these parts being insulated from each other, e.g. by an intermediate, insulating member. For example, the outer member may be connected to the positive electrical conductor, and the inner member may be connected to the negative electrical conductor, and vice versa.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings, in which:-Fig I shows a perspective view of a canopy or blind of the invention; Fig 2 shows a side view of a camper van having a canopy of the invention, the canopy being in a storage position; Fig 3 shows an end view of the camper van of Fig 2, with the canopy in use; Fig 4 shows a plan view of Fig 3; Fig 5 shows a side view of a caravan having a canopy of the invention; Fig 6 shows a perspective view of a canopy of the invention attached to a house; Fig 7 shows a perspective view of a canopy of the invention in use on a boat; Fig 8 shows a perspective view of the Fig I canopy or blind, showing details of an electrical connection; and Fig 9 shows a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a canopy or blind of the invention, this embodiment having a different form of electrical connection.

Fig I shows a canopy assembly 10 comprising a canopy 12. However, what is shown as canopy 12 could equally be used as a blind, e.g. fora window or door, with any suitable modification to its length and width.

Hence, all references below to canopy 12 apply equally to a blind.

The canopy 12 comprises a solar panel 14 and a base layer 16.

The base layer 16 comprises fabric, e.g. canvas or cloth.

Both of the solar panel 14 and the base layer 16 are flexible, such that the canopy 12 as a whole is flexible. This enables the canopy 12 to be rolled up for storage.

The solar panel 14 is a thin film amorphous solar panel.

The solar panel 14 includes multiple junction solar cells.

The solar panel 14 may be attached to the base layer 16 in any suitable way. The solar panel 14 may be integrated with, woven into, or stuck onto the base layer 16.

In this example, the solar panel 14 has been formed on the base layer 16.

The solar panel 14 comprises multiple (triple) junction solar cells, which are formed from a stacked layer of three individual solar cells. Each solar cell includes both n-type and p-type semiconductor material. The n-type and p-type semiconductor materials are formed sequentially on the base layer 16, to build up the solar panel 14 on the base layer 16.

Photons not absorbed in the uppermost cell are transmitted to the second cell, which then absorbs the higher-energy portion of the remaining solar radiation, whilst remaining transparent to the lower-energy photons.

These selective absorption processes continue through to the third cell.

Optionally, the solar panel 14 also includes other types of solar cells, e.g. multiple junction solar cells formed from a stacked layer of two individual solar cells.

The solar panel 14 includes a reflective lower layer of silver/zinc oxide.

The reflective layer reflects any photons not absorbed by the triple junction solar cells, such that these reflected photons have further chances to be absorbed.

The canopy assembly 10 includes a roller, around which the canopy 12 is wrapped in a storage position. In use, the canopy 12 can be fully unrolled from the roller, or partially unrolled, as required. The roller is part of a roller mechanism which includes a roller housing 18. In Fig 1, the roller itself is not visible, as it is contained within the roller housing 18.

The roller housing 18 has a slot 20, through which the canopy 12 extends.

The leading edge of the canopy 12 is provided with a rigid pull bar 22.

The pull bar 22 helps keeps the flexible canopy 12 fairly taut, and is also too large to get pulled through the slot 20 into the roller housing 18. The roller mechanism may include any features of any known canopy/blind roller mechanisms, for example, a spring bias system which acts to rotate the roller to roll up the canopy/blind, and/or a latching mechanism to hold the canopy in a selected unrolled/partially unrolled position.

In use, light falls on the solar panel 14, which converts this solar energy into electrical energy, which is transferred to a part of the roller mechanism. The electrical connection between the solar panel 14 and the roller mechanism will be described in more detail below, with reference to Fig 8 An electrical connector 24 is located at at least one end of the roller mechanism and is connected to electrical wires 26 which lead to a battery 28. Optionally, the electrical connector 24 comprises pins. Hence, the electrical connector 24 and the electrical wires 26 connect the roller mechanism to the battery 28.

Hence, the solar panel 14 converts solar energy to electrical energy, which can then be used to charge the battery 28. Alternatively, the electrical energy could be used directly in an electrical appliance, instead of being first stored in the battery 28.

Figs 2 to 4 show a camper van 30, which includes the canopy assembly 10. The canopy assembly 10 is mounted on a side of the camper van 30, approximately at the level of the roof. Fig 2 shows the canopy 12 in a storage position, with the canopy 12 being substantially fully enclosed within the roller housing 18, wrapped around the roller.

Figs 3 and 4 show the camper van 30 with the canopy 12 in use. The canopy 12 has been unrolled from the roller, by pulling on the pull bar 22.

The canopy 12 extends to the side of the camper van 30, the pull bar 22 being supported by two additional support members 32 (one shown), such that the solar panel 14 is substantially horizontal. The canopy 12 therefore provides shade! a porch area of the camper van 30, and also a means of generating electricity for the camper van 30. The electrical wires 26 carry electricity generated by the solar panel 14 to charge the camper van's battery 28. The canopy 12 being horizontal maximizes the amount of light the canopy 12 can collect.

Fig 5 shows a caravan 34, including the canopy assembly 10. The canopy assembly 10 is mounted to the caravan 34 in the same way as with the camper van embodiment of Figs 2 to 4. The canopy 12 is supported with the aid of two support members 32. This caravan embodiment functions in the same way as the camper van embodiment, with the electrical energy being used to charge the caravan's battery 28.

Fig 6 shows a house 36, with the canopy 10 mounted over a patio window of the ground floor. This embodiment also functions in the same way as the previous embodiments, with the electrical energy being used to either charge a battery inside the house, or to directly power electrical equipment.

Fig 7 shows the canopy assembly 10 mounted on a roof of a boat 38, and being used to charge the boat's battery 28. The canopy assembly 10 may be mounted on a solid part of the roof, or over an aperture in the roof.

Alternatively, the canopy assembly 10 could extend from a side of the roof (not shown), like the camper van embodiment. This embodiment also functions in the same way as the previous embodiments.

Fig 8 shows the Fig 1 canopy assembly 10, with details of the electrical connection between the solar panel 14 and the roller mechanism.

The canopy 12 is shown attached to a roller 40, in an unrolled position.

The roller housing 18 and the pull bar 22 are not shown. The roller 40 comprises a radially outer member 42 and a radially inner member 44, both of which are cylindrical. The outer member 42 is the part around which the canopy 12 can be wrapped in a rolled/partially unrolled position.

An end of the canopy 12 is attached in any suitable way to the outer member 42. The inner member 44 extends beyond the ends of the outer member 42 and is coupled to respective electrical connectors 24 at both ends. In this embodiment, the electrical connectors 24 comprise brush connectors.

The inner member 44 is made from an electrically conducting material. An insulating member 46 is located part way along the inner member 44, and serves to electrically insulate the two ends of the inner member 44 from each other. Hence, the two ends of the inner member 44 constitute first and second parts of the roller that are electrically insulated from each other. Optionally, the insulating member 46 is formed integrally with the inner member 44.

Two electrical conductors (comprising first and second electrical conducting strips 48a, 48b) are attached to the upper surface of the solar panel 14. The electrical conducting strips 48a, 48b are attached near the respective opposite edges of the solar panel 14 that are aligned parallel to the direction of unrolling of the canopy 12. The electrical conducting strips 48a, 48b run parallel to the edges of the solar panel 14, and parallel to the direction of unrolling of the canopy 12. The electrical conducting strips 48a, 48b may be attached to the solar panel 14 in any suitable way, e.g. by bonding.

The first and second electrical conducting strips 48a, 48b are electrically coupled to respective ends of the inner member 44, as will now be explained.

The outer member 42 of the roller 40 includes two bores 50 therethrough, one at or near each end thereof. The bores 50 extend from the exterior surface of the outer member 42 (around which the canopy 12 is wrapped) to the inner member 44. One end of each electrical conducting strip 48a, 48b extends down through the bores 50, and is fixed in contact with the inner member 44.

In use, solar radiation hits the solar panel 14. The solar cells transform this solar radiation into an electric current, which flows between the electrical conducting strips 48a, 48b. This electric current flows along the electrical conducting strips 48a, 48b, via the (mutually insulated) ends of the inner member 44, the brush connectors 24, and the electrical wires 26 and into the battery 28, to charge the battery 28.

The solar panel 14 also charges the battery 28 even when the canopy 12 is not fully unrolled, because the wrapping of one or more rotations of the canopy 12 around the roller 40 does not affect the connection of the ends of the electrical conducting strips 48a, 48b to the inner member 44 of the roller 40. The only difference would be that less electricity would be generated, because a smaller area of the solar panel 14 would be exposed to the sun's rays.

Fig 9 shows an alternative way to electrically connect the solar panel 14 and the roller mechanism.

In this embodiment, a roller 40' comprises a radially outer member 42' and a radially inner member 44', both of which are electrically conducting, and both of which are insulated from each other. The inner member 44' is located within the outer member 42' and extends from at least one end of the outer member 42'.

In this embodiment, one of the electrical conducting strips 48a, 48b is attached directly to the outer member 42'. The other electrical conducting strip 48a, 48b is attached to the inner member 44', for example, by means of a bore through the outer member, as shown with reference to Fig 8. A first electrical connector (a brush connector 24') is in contact with the protruding part of the inner member 44'. A second electrical connector (a brush connector 24") is in contact with the outer member 42'.

Hence, in this embodiment, electric current generated by the solar panel 14 flows through the (mutually insulated) outer and inner members 42', 44' of the roller 40, through the brush connectors 24', 24", and the electrical wires 26 to charge the battery 28.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, in some cases, it is not necessary for the/a roller to be part of the electrical conducting circuit.

Alternatively, respective spring contacts may be located in contact with the first and second electrical conducting strips. These spring contacts may be located within the roller, or external to it.

In an alternative to the Fig 8 embodiment, the insulating member 46 is not required. Instead, the inner member 44 could be formed as two separate inner members (one for each end), which do not touch each other.

It is not necessary for the entire inner member and/or the entire outer member to be electrically conducting. For example, the inner/outer member may provide a conducting path, whilst being mostly formed of an insulating material. Alternatively, the inner/outer member may be fully insulating, but have a conducting path coupled thereto.

It can be advantageous for the roller mechanism to be part of the electrical conducting circuit, because this enables the roller mechanism to be fixed (to a caravan, etc.) whilst the lighter, "pull bar" end is extended. In alternative embodiments, the "pull bar" can be fixed (to the caravan, etc), whilst the roller mechanism itself is pulled out from the structure. This can enable a simpler conduction path from the electrical conductors 48a, 48b to the electrical wires 26, because the electrical path need not then include the roller.

When used on a blind, the blind may be any kind of blind. The blind may be a roller blind, or alternatively may be a slatted blind, and may be made of fabric, foil, metal, or any suitable material known for use with blinds.

Therefore, the blind or canopy is not necessarily flexible.

Optionally, optimising circuitry (not shown) may be included in the electric circuit, which helps to maximize the amount of power/energy transferred to the battery, e.g. in dependence on the amount of energy being created by the solar panel 14 at any given time.

Alternative embodiments might use a solar panel 14 which is not a thin film solar panel. The invention covers any kind of solar panel and any kind of blind/canopy.

Claims

Claims 1. A canopy or blind comprising a solar panel.
2. A canopy or blind as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solar panel is flexible.
3. A canopy or blind as claimed in claim 2, wherein the solar panel comprises a thin film amorphous solar panel.
4. A canopy or blind as claimed in claim 3, wherein the solar panel comprises a thin film silicon amorphous solar panel.
5. A canopy or blind as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the canopy or blind is flexible.
6. A canopy or blind as claimed in any preceding claim, also including a base layer to which the solar panel is attached.
7. A canopy or blind as claimed in claim 6, wherein the solar panel is bonded to the base layer.
8. A canopy or blind as claimed in claim 6, wherein the solar panel is integrally located in the base layer.
9. A canopy or blind as claimed in claim 6, wherein the solar panel is formed on the base layer.
10. A canopy or blind as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the base layer comprises a fabric layer.
11. A canopy or blind as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the base layer comprises a metallic layer.
12. A canopy or blind as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the solar panel includes multiple junction solar cells.
13. A canopy or blind as claimed in claim 12, wherein the multiple junction solar cells comprise triple junction solar cells.
14. A canopy or blind as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the solar panel includes multiple junction solar cells of difterent numbers of layers.
15. A canopy or blind as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the solar panel includes a reflective lower layer.
16. A canopy or blind as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a window or door blind.
17. A canopy or blind as claimed in any of claims ito 15, comprising a canopy for use on a caravan, camper van, shop front, porch, summer house, swing seat, restaurant front, a balcony door, a balcony window, boat, or other vehicle.
18. A canopy or blind assembly comprising: a canopy or blind as claimed in any preceding claim; and an electric circuit comprising first and second electrical conductors, the electric circuit being adapted to carry electrical current created by the solar panel.
19. A canopy or blind assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the electrical conductors are thin and flexible.
20. A canopy or blind assembly as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, also including a roller, from which the canopy or blind can be unrolled.
21. A canopy or blind assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the electrical conductors run parallel to opposite edges of the solar panel, and parallel to the direction of unrolling of the canopy or blind.
22. A canopy or blind assembly as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the first and second electrical conductors are electrically coupled to respective first and second parts of the roller, the first and second parts of the roller being electrically insulated from each other.
23. A canopy or blind assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein the first and second parts of the roller comprise an inner member of the roller.
24. A canopy or blind assembly as claimed in claim 23, wherein the first and second parts comprise opposite ends of the inner member.
25. A canopy or blind assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein the first and second parts of the roller comprise radially outer and inner members of the roller, these parts being insulated from each other.
26. A canopy or blind assembly as claimed in any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the mutual insulation of the first and second parts of the roller is provided by an insulating member.
27. A canopy or blind assembly as claimed in any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the mutual insulation is provided by the first and second parts of the roller not being in contact with each other.
28. A canopy or blind as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
29. A canopy or blind assembly as herein before described with reference to the drawings.