GB2471168A

GB2471168A - Mobility scooter having solar panel for charging batteries

Info

Publication number: GB2471168A
Application number: GB1009399A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Howard Clark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-05
Filing date: 2010-06-04
Publication date: 2010-12-22
Also published as: GB201009399D0

Abstract

A battery powered electric vehicle, such as a mobility scooter, has a solar panel for supplying at least part of the charge and/or power to one or more of the vehicle's batteries. A frame 18 may be attached to the rear of the scooter to support two photovoltaic cell solar panels 20a, 20b. The frame may include an upright portion 22 and a panel support portion 24. The panels and/or the frame may be removable. The upright portion may be adjustable to vary the height of the panel. A charge regulator may be provided. The panel may be retrofitted to an existing scooter.

Description

Vehicle The present invention relates to battery powered vehicles and improvements thereto.

Although the following description refers to battery powered vehicles such as mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the apparatus and method of the current invention can be applied to other battery powered vehicles such as golf carts and/or the like.

Battery powered vehicles, such as electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as a means of transport for people with disabilities and/or impairments, are known. A mobility scooter is a wheeled vehicle for generally outdoor transportation of a person with impaired mobility. Often mobility scooters are used by individuals who can stand and often walk short distances but experience a degree of difficulty walking over longer distances.

Mobility scooters are different to electric wheelchairs in a number or respects, particularly in that mobility scooters are not generally suitable for use indoors, except for large indoor spaces such as shopping malls and the like, and often include equipment for outdoor use, such as indicators and lights.

Typically, mobility scooters are intended to cover longer distances than wheelchairs and frequently are capable of higher speeds. Generally, wheelchairs are intended for use by inc1ivic1uas who have a greater degree of disability than mobility scooter users.

Battery powered vehicles such as mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs have a number of problems. For example; the batteries which provide the power to the motor to drive the vehicles have a finite capacity and thus have to be recharged regularly or when discharged. This means that the range, or distance, the vehicle can travel is limited. In addition, it can take a considerable amount of time, typically around 8 hours, to recharge such a battery.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to at least reduce some of the abovementioned problems by increasing the range of a battery powered vehicle.

It is a further aim of the present invention to reduce the time taken to recharge the batteries and/or increase the amount of time between recharges of a battery powered vehicle.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide an environmentally friendly way of reducing the abovementioned problems.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle for transporting at least one person, said vehicle powered by one or more batteries wherein the vehicle is a mobility scooter and at least a portion of the power and/or charge of the one or more batteries is provided by at least one solar panel means in electrical communication with said one or more batteries.

Typically a mobility scooter includes two batteries on a 24v electrical circuit. The batteries power an electric motor which drives one or more wheels. Further typically, when running the motor draws approximately 5 amps of power from the batteries.

In one embodiment the solar panel means are photovoltaic cell solar panels. Typically the solar panels convert light energy into electrical energy and are in electrical communication with the batteries via an electrical circuit. Further typically the brighter or more intense the light received by the solar panel the greater the charge it is able to provide.

In one embodiment the solar panel means includes two solar panels. Typically the one or more solar panels are connected directly to the one or more batteries.

In one embodiment the vehicle includes at least two solar panels. Typically at least two of the solar panels are pivotally connected together by one or more hinge means.

In one embodiment the solar panel means is a single 24 volt solar panel.

In one embodiment the solar panel means are connected to the one or more battery means by at least one plug. Typically the plug is a 3-pin plug.

In one embodiment the electrical communication between the one or more batteries and the one or more solar panel means includes at least one charge regulator. Typically the charge regulator prevents the one or more batteries from overcharging.

Overcharging can damage and/or impair the performance of batteries.

Typically the one or more solar panel means supply around 0.5- 1.5 amps of power to the one or more batteries. This typically increases the range, or distance the vehicle can travel, by approximately 20 % In one embodiment the solar panel means prevent the batteries from being substantially fully discharged. Typically the solar panel means are substantially always connected to the batteries to prevent the same becoming fully discharged. Further typically it is only when the solar panel means are disconnected from the circuit that the same are not capable of supplying power and/or charge to the one or more batteries.

In one embodiment the circuit connecting the solar panel means to the one or more batteries contains a switch to selectively disconnect solar panel means from the batteries.

Typically, supplying at least a portion of the power and/or charge to the one or more batteries reduces the time taken to recharge the vehicle using conventional means, such as via a domestic electricity supply and/or the like. This is an advantage because conventionally, for example, mobility scooters take approximately 8 hours to substantially fully recharge. In addition, supplying at least a portion of the power and/or charge to the one or more batteries can reduce the frequency by which the batteries have to be recharged.

In one embodiment the vehicle includes a chassis.

In one embodiment the at least one solar panel means are supported on the vehicle chassis. Typically the solar panel means is substantially attached to the front tiller portion and/or handles bars of a vehicle in use.

In one embodiment the solar panel means are substantially supported on a frame attached to the vehicle. Typically the frame includes at least one upright portion and at least one panel support portion.

In one embodiment the at least one upright portion is substantially linear in shape. Typically a first end of the upright portion is attached to the vehicle and a second end is attached to the panel support portion.

In one embodiment the first end of the upright portion is attached to an accessory bracket and/or a clamp attached to a seat post of the vehicle. Typically a seat post supports the user's seat and is attached to the vehicle. Further typically accessory brackets are located substantially at the rear of the vehicles and provide a means by which to attach accessories, such as baskets, bags, stick carriers and/or the like.

In one embodiment the upright portion is attached to a stability bracket and/or an attachment on a rear bumper of the vehicle.

Typically stability brackets are located towards the rear of a mobility scooter thereby providing stability to the same.

In one embodiment the at least one upright portions are situated to lie substantially along a vertical axis with respect to the vehicle.

In one embodiment the panel support portion is substantially planar and/or is defined by a substantially planar frame.

Typically solar panel means are also planar and therefore the solar panels and the panel support portion are located substantially in the same plane when fitted together. Further typically the panels support portion supports the solar panels by being in contact with at least the edges of the same when fitted together.

In one embodiment the solar panel means and/or the panel support portion lie in substantially a horizontal plane with respect to the vehicle. Typically the solar panel means and/or the panel support portion are situated above the vehicle. In this arrangement the solar panel means and/or the panel support portion can provide shade for the user of the vehicle and/or shelter when it is raining and/or the like.

In one embodiment the panel support portion can be selectively rotated about one or more axis so that the orientation of the same is adjustable with respect to the vehicle. Typically the selective rotation is achieved by a universal joint or the like connecting the panel support portion to the one or more upright portions.

In one embodiment the distance between the solar panel means and/or the panel support portion above the vehicle is dependent on the length of the at least one upright portions.

In one embodiment the height of the at least one upright portions can be selectively adjusted and thus the height of the solar panel means and panel support portion above the vehicle can be adjusted.

In one embodiment the at least one upright portions are telescopic and thus the at least one upright portions can be lengthened or shorted to adjusted the height of the solar panel means above the vehicle.

In one embodiment the at least one upright portions and/or the panel support portions and/or the solar panel means are detachably attached. This arrangement has the advantage that the solar panels and/or the at least one upright portions and/or the panel support can be detached as required to reduce the size of the vehicle. This arrangement has the advantage that some or all of the frame and/or the solar panel means can be detached so that the vehicle can be more easily transported. Typically the vehicle is loaded into a second vehicle such as a car or a van or the like for long range transportation and/or shipping. The frame and/or the solar panel means can be easily be attached or reassembled at the destination.

In one embodiment the at least one upright portion is provided in at least two sections. Typically, in use, the sections are detachably attached so that when not in use the upright can be disassembled. Further typically when disassembled the upright sections are of a size to fit in a bag, such as a laptop bag and/or the like.

In one embodiment the frame and/or the solar panel means can be retrofitted to an existing vehicle.

In one embodiment at least the solar panel means are attached to an existing canopy and/or cabin of a vehicle. Typically if the vehicle had a cabin and/or roof or the like the solar panel means are attached to the same using one or more attaching means such screw, rivets, adhesives and/or the like.

In one embodiment the frame includes two upright portions.

In one embodiment the frame is constructed substantially from a metal or a metallic alloy. Typically the frame is substantially comprises hollow tubes to reduce the weight of the same.

Further typically the frame is substantially constructed from aluminium.

In one embodiment the frame is constructed substantially from plastics material. Typically the plastic frame is injection and/or extrusion moulded.

In an alternative embodiment the vehicle is not intended to carry one or more persons but intended to carry one or more articles. Typically the vehicle functions as an electric or electrically assisted cart and/or the like.

In one embodiment the vehicle is an electric golf cart, electric golf caddy and/or the like. Typically the electric golf cart includes a frame to which the at least one solar panel means is attached.

In one embodiment the at least one solar panel means are attached to the bag of the electric golf cart.

In one embodiment the at least one solar panel means attached to the handle or handle bars of the electric golf cart.

In one embodiment the vehicle is a battery powered wheelchair.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of attaching at least one solar panel means to a battery powered vehicle, said vehicle including one or more batteries and at least part of the power and/or charge for the one or more batteries is provided by the at least one solar panel means in electrical communication with the same, wherein the vehicle is a mobility scooter and the method includes the steps of: -attaching a frame to the vehicle, said frame including a support member to support the solar panel means, and -mounting said solar panel means on the support member.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for supplying at least part of the charge and/or power to one or more batteries for a battery powered vehicle, wherein said method includes the steps of; -connecting in electrical communication one or more solar panels means to the one or more batteries.

-attaching one or more solar panel means to said vehicle.

In one embodiment the vehicle is an electric wheelchair.

In a forth aspect of the invention there is provided an electric wheelchair vehicle for transporting at least one person, said electric wheelchair powered by one or more batteries wherein at least a portion of the power and/or charge of the one or more batteries is provided by at least one solar panel means in electrical communication with said one or more batteries.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the following figures wherein: Figure 1 shows an illustrated perspective view of a mobility scooter; Figure 2 shows an illustrated perspective view of a mobility scooter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows an illustration of the frame in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows an illustrated rear perspective view mobility scooter in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and The following figures describe a battery powered vehicle, in these examples a mobility scooter, where at least a portion of the power and/or charge for the one or more batteries is provided by one or more solar panels.

Turning now to figure 1, where there is shown a mobility scooter 2 of a relatively common design. Mobility scooters are intended predominantly for outdoor use or use in indoor complexes such as shopping malls and the like. The scooter shown here has four wheels and a seat 4 in which the user sits in use. In this example it is the rear wheels that are driven by an electric motor, which typically is powered by a pair of 12 volt batteries. The electric motor and the batteries are not shown because they are enclosed in a housing 6. The mobility scooter 2 is manoeuvred by the user steering or pointing the front pair of wheels in the desired direction of travel. The steering is controlled by handle bars 8. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a number of different configurations of features exist for mobility scooters. For example there are three wheeled varieties of mobility scooter, front wheel driven scooters and also scooters with controlled with steering wheels rather than handle bars.

The mobility scooter 2 also has a number of other accessories and features such as a shopping basket 10 and headlight 12 both attached to the steering column 14. Directional indicator lights 16 as well an adjustable seat 4 are also included.

Turning now to figure 2 where there is show a scooter which has been modified to that shown in figure 1. Specifically a frame 18 has been attached to the rear of the scooter which supports two solar panels 20a, 20b. The frame includes an upright portion 22 and a panel support portion 24 which holds the solar panels 20a, 20b in the hori7ontal plane above the scooter. The length of the upright portion 22 and thus the height of the panels above the scooter can be adjusted to the user's preference.

The solar panels 20a, 20b are connected in electrical communication to the batteries (not shown) and provide at least some of the power and/or charge to the same. This additional power typically increases the range, i.e. the distance that the scooter can travel before it has to be recharged, by about 20%.

In this embodiment the panels are connected to the batteries and constantly provide a charge when it is light enough. To prevent overcharging, which can damage the batteries, the circuit connecting the solar panels to the batteries includes a charge regulator (not shown). As well as increasing the range of the scooter, by incorporating the solar panels the frequency that the scooter has to be recharged is reduced.

Typically the solar panels have substantially the following specifications under standard test conditions (100 W/m2, AM 1.5, 25 °C): Tolerance �5% Max System Voltage 715 V Pmax 20 W Voc 21.61 V Isc 1.28 A Imp 17.2 V FF 76.0 % N 15.5% As well as providing power for the scooter, the solar panels 20a, 20b when fixed in this way can also provide shade and/or shelter for the user below. It is possible to adjust the angle of the panel support portion 24 with respect to the chair to optimise collection of the sun's rays and/or optimise the shade and/or shelter the panels provide.

Furthermore, the frame 18 and the solar panels can be easily disassembled and reassembled if, for example, the scooter has to be transported or shipped elsewhere and the overall size of the same needs to be decreased.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment to that shown in figure 2 whereby the upright portion 22 of the frame 18 is attached to the panel support means 24 substantially towards the centre of the same. The frame in this example also contains a cross piece 18 to give extra strength and stability. The solar panel 20a is supported at the edges by the panel support portion 24 in substantially the same way it is supported in figure 2. By supporting the panels in this way the same can be easily removed if required, although typically the solar panels are constantly connected by way of an electrical circuit to the one or more batteries. In this example it is a cable 36 that connects the solar panel to the battery.

Figure 4 shows a view of the rear of a mobility scooter. It can be seen that the upright portion 22 is fixed by way of hand screw means 38 to the accessory bracket 40 of the scooter. By fixing the bracket in this way it is relatively easy to retrofit the bracket and thus the solar panels to an existing mobility scooter.

If an accessory bracket is not available on a certain model the bracket can be attached to the seat column 28 or the stability bracket 42 and/or a bumper bar attachment. In this example the upright portion 22 is fixed to both the accessory bracket 40 and the stabilising bracket 42 of this mobility scooter.

Claims

Claims 1. A vehicle for transporting at least one person, said vehicle powered by one or more batteries wherein the vehicle is a mobility scooter and at least a portion of the power and/or charge of the one or more batteries is provided by at least one solar panel means in electrical communication with said one or more batteries.
2. A vehicle according to claim I wherein the one are more batteries are two 24v batteries.
3. A vehicle according to claim I wherein the at least one solar panel means includes two photovoltaic cell solar panels.
4. A vehicle according to claims any preceding claim wherein the solar panel means are connected directly to the batteries.
5. A vehicle according to any of claims 1-3 wherein the connection between the solar panel means and the batteries includes a charge regulator.
6. A vehicle according to claims 4 or 5 wherein the connection between the batteries and the solar panel means includes a switch to selectively disconnect the solar panel means.
7. A vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the vehicle includes a chassis on which the solar panel means are supported.
8. A vehicle according to claim 7 wherein the solar panel means are substantially supported on a frame attached to the vehicle chassis.
9. A vehicle according to claim 8 wherein the frame includes at least one upright portion and at least one panel support portion.
10. A vehicle according to claim 9 wherein the panel support portion is located substantially above the vehicle.
11. A vehicle according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the position of the panel support portion is adjustable with respect to the vehicle.
12. A vehicle according to any of claims 7-12 wherein the solar panels and/or the frame and/or frame portions are detachably attached to the vehicle.
13. A method of attaching at least one solar panel means to a battery powered vehicle, said vehicle including one or more batteries and at least part of the power and/or charge for the one or more batteries is provided by the at least one solar panel means in electrical communication with the same, wherein the vehicle is a mobility scooter and the method includes the steps of: -attaching a frame to the vehicle, said frame including a support member to support the solar panel means, and -mounting said solar panel means on the support member.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the solar panel means are retrofitted to an existing mobility scooter.
15. A method of supplying at least part of the charge and/or power to one or more batteries for a mobility scooter, wherein said method includes the steps of; -connecting in electrical communication one or more solar panel means to the one or more batteries -attaching one or more solar panel means to said vehicle.