GB2608884A

GB2608884A - Power supply unit

Info

Publication number: GB2608884A
Application number: GB2206817.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simmons Philip; Holloway Michael
Original assignee: Salop Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Salop Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-10
Filing date: 2022-05-10
Publication date: 2023-01-18

Abstract

A solar panel comprises a solar module and a non-planar rear cover 13. The rear cover comprises: an outer peripheral region 14, which supports the solar module; an attachment zone 24, inwards of the peripheral region for attaching to a support; a buffer region 23, inwards of the peripheral region; a deformable part between the buffer region and the peripheral region. Regions of the rear cover inwards of the peripheral region are spaced from the rear face of the solar module. When the solar module is impacted the buffer region is subject to direct compressive loading to provide support to the rear face of the solar module at a position inwards of an outer peripheral region of the solar module. A buffer module may be provided between, and secured to either, the rear face of the solar module and the buffer region. The rear cover may have a corrugated shape.

Description

Power Supply Unit This invention relates to a power supply unit comprising a solar panel for the generation of electricity and to a solar panel.

Typically solar panels of the type for generation of electricity are rigidly secured to a support structure such as a roof or to the top of a tall support post. In installations such as these the relatively remote location of the solar panel ensures that it is not unduly exposed to the risk of inadvertent, accidental damage. Damage to the front panel that protects the solar cells of a solar module can significantly reduce the efficiency of operation of the solar cells.

Having regard to the foregoing it will be realised that for a solar panel that is of a portable type or which is to be installed at a location where it is not remote from the risk of vandalism or accidental damage, there is a particular advantage in ensuring that the solar panel is of enhanced resistance to damage.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved power supply unit and an improved solar panel suitable for use as part of a power supply unit.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a solar panel for use as at least part of a power supply unit comprises a solar module and a rear cover, said rear cover comprising an outer peripheral region which supports the solar module and which comprises an attachment zone spaced inwards from said outer peripheral region for attaching the solar panel to a support, said rear cover being of a non planar shape whereby at least in part regions of the rear cover inwards of said outer peripheral region are spaced from the rear face of the solar module, said rear cover comprising a buffer region at a position inwards of said outer peripheral region and at least a part of the rear cover between the buffer region and said outer peripheral region being deformable whereby when the solar module is impacted the buffer region is subject to direct compressive loading thereby to provide support to the rear face of the solar module at a position inwards of the outer peripheral region of the solar module.

The non-planar rear cover may be of a dished shape, such as a part spherical shape, for example in the case of a solar panel having a solar module of a circular shape. Preferably, but not necessarily, the rear cover extends over the whole of the confronting rear face of the solar module.

The reference herein to the rear face of the solar module is to be understood to embrace the rear face of any support backing layer at the rear of the solar module.

In the case of a solar module of a rectangular shape, the non-planar rear cover may be of a part cylindrical shape.

Alternatively the non-planar rear cover may comprise a region of a substantially planar form and a wall or spacer region that retains the planar region spaced form the solar module.

The rear cover may be adapted to protect the rear of the solar module from adverse weather conditions.

The solar module may comprise a planar and transparent front panel that extends over at least one photovoltaic cell, and a support backing for the solar cell(s).

The buffer region may comprise a surface for contact with the rear face of the solar module. A buffer module, if provided, may be positioned between the rear of the solar module and a part of the rear cover. A buffer module preferably is positioned in alignment with the buffer region of the rear cover.

Although the present invention teaches that the buffer region of the rear cover may be provided at a position, or have an effective line of action, which is closer to one part of the outer peripheral region of the rear cover than another part of the outer peripheral region, for example at an oppositely positioned outer peripheral region of the rear cover, the invention teaches that typically the buffer region shall be provided at a substantially central position of the rear cover. If the buffer region comprises two or more spaced apart sections, preferably said buffer regions are symmetrically located about a substantially central position of the rear cover.

A buffer module, if provided, may comprise an element of substantially nondeformable material but preferably is deformable. For example it may comprise resilient material such as an elastomeric material. A buffer module may be secured in position by means of an adhesive cushioning material. The buffer module may comprise an elastic adhesive material, such as Teroson (RTM) MS 939, that provides a cushioning effect until fully compressed. The elastic adhesive material may act as a damper. As a shock load dissipates the buffer module and solar module will tend to separate. An adhesive material may be provided as part of a buffer module.

The solar panel may comprise a deformable buffer module, for example a buffer module comprising resilient material, and which may be in constant contact with each of the rear cover and the rear face of the solar module.

Although the buffer region of the rear cover may comprise a surface for contact with the rear face of the solar module, a buffer module may be formed integral with the rear cover, for example at the buffer region, or may be secured thereto and or to the rear face of the solar module. The buffer module may be secured to at least one of the solar module and the rear cover.

A buffer module may be secured relative to one only of the rear of the solar module and rear cover. Especially if the buffer module is resilient it may be in constant contact with the other of the support backing and rear cover. Alternatively a buffer module may comprise an abutment face which normally resides spaced from one of the solar module and rear cover in the absence of an external force applied to the solar module but which contacts the solar module or rear cover when the front of the solar module is subject to a load that might otherwise cause damage to the solar module, for example when impacted at a position inwards of the outer peripheral region of the front of the solar module. Accordingly when the front of the solar module is impacted the solar module and the recess region will tend to move towards one another until the buffer module is in contact with the other of the rear cover and solar module, thereby providing support to the solar module at a position inwards of the outer periphery of the solar panel.

If a buffer module has an abutment face that is normally spaced from one of the rear cover and solar module, said spacing, and also positioning of the buffer module in order to ensure protective support for the solar module, typically will be determined having regard to the size and shape of the solar module and the resiliency, if any, of the buffer module. That spacing preferably is less than 10 mm, more preferably 6 mm or less. A 4 mm spacing is found to be effective. That spacing preferably is provided also in constructions in which the buffer region of the rear cover has a buffer face for direct contact with the rear of the solar panel.

The rear cover may define a recess region for accommodating means for supporting the rear cover.

A recess region defined by the rear cover preferably is provided at a substantially central position of the rear cover. The recess region may be of a substantially rectangular shape, or other elongate shape, as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the front of the solar module or may be of an alternative shape, such as a circular shape.

The rear cover may comprise a locally reinforced region to serve as an attachment zone or attaching the solar panel to a support. Said locally reinforced region may be provided at the recess region of the rear cover and may provide support of that means, such as a tripod, by which the solar panel may be located relative to a ground or other support.

If at least in part the rear cover is of a part spherical, the radius of curvature of the part spherical part of the rear cover preferably is greater than the diameter of the front panel.

The rear cover may be formed from a material that, under impact, provides a resilient, flexible connection between the solar module and the recess region. Suitable materials for the rear cover are polymeric materials such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, acrylonitrile acrylate and polycarbonate as well as combinations of bioplastics having similar properties.

The preferred thickness of the rear cover is a function of the size of the solar module. The thickness of the rear cover is intended to be sufficient to provide support for the solar module relative to the recess region of the rear cover without rendering the rear cover rigid. Accordingly shock waves arising when the solar panel is impacted are at least in part dissipated by the rear cover thereby substantially decreasing the likelihood of the solar panel being damaged or shattered when subjected to an impact or other forces.

In addition or as an alternative to the rear cover being formed of a material that facilitates said resilient connection, the rear cover may comprise one or more regions shaped to provide or enhance resiliency, especially in the case of larger solar panels. Thus the rear cover may comprise at least one rib or other such corrugated formation formation, such as a circumferentially extending rib in the case of a solar panel of circular shape, that facilitates deformation of the rear cover material between the recess region and the front panel.

A buffer module or the buffer region of the rear cover may serve as a buffer means and may be aligned with the recess region as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the front panel.

The buffer means may be aligned or have an effective line of action aligned with the attachment zone of the rear cover. Accordingly in the event of an impact on the solar module, the buffer means is able directly to transmit force to an attachment, such as a tripod, secured to the attachment zone and there will be less tendency for tilting of the solar module relative to the attachment means than would be the case if the buffer means or effective line of action were off-set from alignment with the attachment zone.

In the case of buffer means comprising two spaced apart sections, preferably their effective line of action is aligned in the aforedescribed manner with the attachment zone.

The attachment zone of the rear cover may have secured thereto a tripod for use in supporting the solar panel in a selected orientation. Preferably but not necessarily the attachment zone for a tripod is located at a surface region of the rear cover that defines the recess.

A tripod may be substantially permanently secured to the rear cover. The tripod may be secured to the rear cover in a manner whereby, when not in use to support the solar panel, the legs of the tripod may be accommodated within the recess. The recess may be shaped to house the three legs of a tripod, with the legs, for example, lying parallel with one another.

Preferably but not necessarily the tripod is secured to the rear cover at a position which is at an end region of a recess of an elongate shape; for example a rectangular shape.

The tripod may comprise one leg which is pivotally mounted on the rear cover for rotation about an axis which is parallel with the plane of the front cover and two legs which are pivotally mounted for rotation about respective axes which are inclined relative to the plane of the front cover. The two legs mounted on the inclined axes preferably are positioned either side of the third leg when the three legs are housed in the recess, for example during storage or transportation.

Optionally at least one of the tripod legs may be telescopic. One of the legs, for example that pivotally mounted for rotation about an axis which is parallel with the plane of the front cover, may be of a non-telescopic type and/or may be shorter than the other two legs. Said other two legs may be telescopic or be of fixed length.

At least one and preferably each leg may have, at the end thereof distal from the pivotally mounted end, a retention means for use in securing the leg to a support structure, for example a base on which the solar panel may be mounted. The base may be adapted for securing the solar panel to the ground or to a fixed structure such as, for example, garden decking or the roof of a vehicle or boat.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a power supply unit that comprises a solar panel of the invention.

The solar panel of the power supply unit may comprise a tripod secured to attachment means of the rear cover and said solar panel may be provided in combination with a base member for location of the tripod legs. The base member may comprise recesses each for location of an end of a respective one of the tripod legs, or at least one upstanding formation similarly to locate an end of a tripod leg.

The base member may be releasably securable relative to the solar panel. The base member may be pivotally secured to the solar panel, for example to a peripheral region of the rear cover. The base member may be adapted for positioning over the front of the solar module thereby to provide protection of the solar module during storage or transport. Retention means may be provided for releasably securing the base member to the solar panel, for example to be held in position over the front of the solar module.

The base member may comprise a recess or other form of location for locating a battery or other part of a portable power station. Alternatively or additionally the battery or part of a power station may be positioned on the base member in a manner such that it acts as a ballast weight to retain the solar panel in position in various adverse environmental conditions such a high wind forces. The rear cover, preferably the recess region thereof, may be provided with means such as an aperture or electrical connector for electrically connecting the solar cells to a battery or part of a portable power station.

The portable power supply unit may comprise a control panel that is either fixed in position or is movable. In the case of a control panel fixed relative to the solar panel and/or battery it is difficult to provide protection against dust and water damage. The present invention teaches that advantageously use may be made of a control panel that is remote from the solar panel and or battery, for example connected thereto by an umbilical cable.

Although the attachment zone of the rear cover may have or be adapted to have a tripod secured thereto, alternatively or additionally the rear cover may comprise an attachment zone located at a surface that defines a recess in the rear cover and adapted for attachment of the solar panel to a support structure such as a support post. The recess may comprise screw threaded apertures for attaching the solar panel to a support structure. The recess may be provided with VESA type mounting positions.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a view of a solar panel in accordance with the present invention, as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the front panel; Figure 2 is a view of the rear of the solar panel of Figure 1; Figure 3 is view of the rear of the solar panel in a direction different to that of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a view of the rear of the panel of Figures 1 to 3 with support legs in a stored position; Figure 5 is a perspective view in a first direction of a portable power supply unit of the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the power supply unit of Figure 5 in a second direction; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the internal surface of a rear cover of a solar panel in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 is a plan view of the rear cover of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a section on the line G-G of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a portable power supply unit in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 11 is a perspective view of a rectangular solar panel in accordance with the present invention.

A portable solar panel 10 (see Figure 1 to 4) comprises a solar module 9 having a circular transparent front panel 11 that extends over and protects an array of solar cells 12. The solar cells are supported by a support backing (not shown) that in conventional manner is co-planar with the array of cells and the protective front panel.

The solar panel additionally comprises a resiliently deformable rear cover 13 that in part is of a substantially part-spherical shape.

The outer peripheral region 14 of the rear cover serves as a frame to which the solar module 9 is secured. The rear cover extends over the whole of the solar module and provides protection from various adverse environmental conditions The rear cover has secured thereto a tripod 15 comprising three independently movable legs 16,17,18 which are adjustable in position to support the front of the solar module, with the solar module inclined within a range of angles of inclination or to face upwards, lying in a substantially horizontal plane.

Although the rear cover 13 is of a generally dished shape, it is formed with a centrally located recess region 20 of an elongate, substantially rectangular shape.

The recess has a floor section 21 which comprises an apertured central region 22 which lies between two end regions 23 that are closer to the support backing of the solar module than the central region 22.

The central region 22 is backed by a reinforcing plate (not shown) that comprises screw threaded bores aligned with four apertures 24 of the central region thereby to serve as an optional VESA mounting position.

However, especially for use of the solar panel in a portable manner, one of the recess end regions 23 has secured thereto the tripod 15 (optionally with a reinforced backing plate). The legs of the tripod can be stored parallel with one another within the recess as see in Figure 4. However for supporting the front of the solar module the three legs may be deployed to the positions shown in Figures 1 to 3, the central leg 17 being pivotable about an axis parallel with the plane of the front panel and the other legs 16,18 being pivotable about respective axes inclined relative to the plane of the front panel of the solar module. By varying the positions of the distal ends 19 of the legs the angle of inclination of the front of the solar module may readily be varied.

In this and following embodiments of the invention the rear cover is made by moulding of a thermoplastics material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The rear cover may comprise thickened regions at the periphery where it supports the solar module. It is also thicker in the recess region, especially where is provides an attachment position for the tripod.

In this embodiment the front panel has a diameter of 1000 mm. and the part spherical part of the rear cover has a radius of curvature of 1150 mm. The recess is shaped such that the surfaces of the two recess end regions that face the support backing of the solar module lie spaced between 4 mm and 6 mm from the solar module.

Accordingly the end regions 23are able to act as buffers to engage with and support the solar module at a region inwards of the periphery of the front panel in the event of an impact which results in deformation of the rear cover and movement of the end region buffers 23 towards the rear of the solar module. The end regions are symmetrically located about a substantially central position of the rear cover.

In a second embodiment of the present invention a solar panel substantially as described in respect of the first embodiment is provided in combination with a base 30 and a battery or part of a power station 31 thereby to form a portable power supply unit as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The base 30 is of a circular shape and formed with three radially extending grooves 31 for locating ends of the respective tripod legs. The base of each groove is serrated and thereby provides means for adjusting the position of a leg and securing it in any of a plurality of positions whereby the angle of inclination of the front panel of the solar module may be selectively varied.

In a modification (not shown) means may be provided for securely locating the tripod legs in a manner that inhibits their unwanted separation from the base. That advantageously results in the weight of the battery, or micro power station, providing stability to the solar panel and an enhanced resistance to unwanted movement by wind forces.

In this embodiment the rear cover 13' is provided with a pair of indented regions 33 each side of the recess. These indented regions may be employed to provide location for a retention strap that may be positioned to extend around the solar panel 10' to secure the tripod legs in the recess and also retain the base as a protective cover positioned over the front of the solar module.

The rear cover 13' of the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 is shown in more detail in Figures 7, 8, and 9. These show the inner face 34 of the rear cover, being that face which is not normally visible. From Figure 9 it will be seen that buffer faces 35 as defined by the end regions 23' of the recess 20' lie close to the rear of the support backing. In this embodiment that spacing is 6mm. Thus, in the event of impact on the front panel, the rear cover will tend initially to deform slightly to absorb impact energy and the faces 35 of the buffer will advantageously provide support to radially inward regions of the solar module thereby to reduce the risk of impact or shock forces causing damage to the front panel of the solar module.

In a modification of the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 the buffer faces 35 may each have adhered thereto a buffer element, such as an element of elastic adhesive, for example Teroson (RTM) MS 939. The buffer element, such as of an elastic adhesive, may be secured to one only or to each of the solar module and rear cover. If the buffer element is secured to only one of the solar module and rear cover it may be spaced from the other of the rear cover and solar module in the absence of an impact on the solar module or be in contact therewith.

In a third embodiment of the present invention (see Figure 10) a portable power supply unit 40 is constructed substantially as described in respect of the second embodiment except that it comprises a portable power station 41 having a control panel 42 which is remote from the battery 43 and connected thereto by an umbilical cable 44. Thus the control panel may advantageously be located remote from the battery and at a position protected from an adverse environment such as that to which the solar panel 45 may be exposed.

Although the foregoing embodiments relate to a solar panel of a circular shape, aspects of the invention may be applied also to a solar panel of a rectangular shape. As shown in Figure 11 a rectangular solar panel 50 may comprise a rear cover 51 of part cylindrical shape in combination with curved end faces 52. An elongate recess 53 is provided in the rear cover and extends in a direction parallel with the axis of curvature of the rear cover.

SimSigl4DE3

Claims

Claims.1. A solar panel for use as at least part of a power supply unit comprises a solar module and a rear cover, said rear cover comprising an outer peripheral region which supports the solar module and which comprises an attachment zone spaced inwards from said outer peripheral region for attaching the solar panel to a support, said rear cover being of a non planar shape whereby at least in part regions of the rear cover inwards of said outer peripheral region are spaced from the rear face of the solar module, said rear cover comprising a buffer region at a position inwards of said outer peripheral region and at least a part of the rear cover between the buffer region and said outer peripheral region being deformable whereby when the solar module is impacted the buffer region is subject to direct compressive loading thereby to provide support to the rear face of the solar module at a position inwards of the outer peripheral region of the solar module.
2. A solar panel according to claim 1 wherein the buffer region is spaced from the rear face of the solar module in the absence of an applied load.
3. A solar panel according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the buffer region comprises a buffer face which is spaced from the rear face of the solar module by less than 10mm, preferably by less than 6mm.
4. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein deformation of the rear cover under the action of an applied load moves the buffer region of the rear cover towards contact with the rear face of the solar module.
5. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a buffer module is provided between the rear face of the solar module and the buffer region of the rear cover.
6. A solar panel according to claim 5 wherein the buffer module is secured to the rear face of the solar module.
7. A solar panel according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the buffer module is secured to the buffer region of the rear cover.
8. A solar panel according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the buffer module is in permanent contact with each of the rear cover and the rear face of the solar module.
9. A solar panel according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the buffer module comprises an abutment face which is spaced from one of the rear face of the solar panel and the buffer region of the rear cover in the absence of an external force applied to the solar module.
10. A solar panel according to claim 5 or claim 9 wherein the buffer module comprises an elastic adhesive material.
11. A solar panel according to any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein the buffer module comprises resilient material.
12. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the buffer region of the rear cover is positioned substantially centrally relative to outer periphery of the rear cover.
13. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the buffer region comprises at least two buffer sections spaced from one another and wherein said buffer sections are substantially symmetrically disposed relative to a central region of the rear cover.
14. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the buffer region or line of action of a plurality of buffer regions is aligned with the attachment zone of the rear cover as considered in a direction perpendicular to the rear of the solar module.
15. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the attachment zone of the rear cover comprises a locally reinforced region.
16. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rear cover defines a recess region.
17. A solar panel according to claim 16 wherein the recess region accommodates means for supporting the solar module.
18. A solar panel according claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the attachment zone is located at said recess region.
19. A solar panel according to any one of claims 16 to18 wherein the buffer region or line of action of a plurality of buffer regions is aligned with the recess region of the rear cover as considered in a direction perpendicular to the rear of the solar module.
20. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rear cover is formed from resilient material thereby to facilitate deformation when the solar module is subjected to an impact load
21. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rear cover is of a corrugated shape which facilitates deformation when the solar module is subjected to an impact load.
22. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the solar module is of a circular shape.
23. A solar panel according to claim 22 wherein the rear cover comprises a region of part-spherical shape.SimSigl4CL2