GB2612568A

GB2612568A - Portable power supply unit

Info

Publication number: GB2612568A
Application number: GB2106621.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simmons Philip; Holloway Michael
Original assignee: Salop Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Salop Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-10
Filing date: 2021-05-10
Publication date: 2023-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2041-05-10
Also published as: GB2612568B

Abstract

A solar panel for use as at least part of a portable power supply unit comprises a solar module and a rear cover 13. The rear cover comprises: an outer peripheral region 14, which supports the solar module; a recess 20 for accommodating means for supporting the rear cover; and, attachment means 22, 24 for use in support of the solar panel. The rear cover is in part spaced from the solar module and may have a non-planar, such as dished, shape. The solar module may be of rectangular shape. The rear cover may have a part-cylindrically shaped region. The attachment means and recess may be centrally located. A tripod may be attached to the rear cover, with the legs 16,17,18 of the tripod being storable in the recess. A base member may connect to the tripod and may protect the solar module during storage or transport.

Description

Portable Power Supply Unit This invention relates to a portable 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 a support post. In installations such as these the solar panel is adapted for being permanently secured to the support structure and is not well suited for use in a stand alone and portable manner.

The currently available portable solar units are, by their nature very easily moved and are relatively fragile. They are also vulnerable to theft and damage.

The present invention seeks to provide a portable power supply unit and a solar panel suitable for use as part of a portable, for example semi-portable, power supply unit.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a solar panel for use as at least part of a portable power supply unit comprises a solar module and a rear cover which at least in part is spaced from the solar module, wherein the rear cover comprises an outer peripheral region which supports the solar module, wherein the rear cover defines a recess region for accommodating means for supporting the rear cover and wherein said rear cover comprises attachment means for use in support of the solar panel.

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

Preferably at least in part the rear cover is spaced from said support backing.

The rear cover may, for example, be non-planar and may be of a dished shape, such as a part spherical shape, in the case of a solar panel having a solar module front cover of a circular shape.

In the case of a front cover of a rectangular shape, the rear cover may at least in part be non-planar and may, for example, be of a part cylindrical shape.

Alternatively the 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 comprise a locally reinforced region. 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 is located relative to a ground or other support.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the rear cover extends over the whole of the confronting face of the solar module, for example the confronting surface of a solar cell support backing. The rear cover may be adapted to protect the solar cell from adverse weather conditions.

The 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 attachment means of the rear cover may have secured thereto a tripod for use in supporting the solar panel in a selected orientation. The attachment means for a tripod preferably but not necessarily 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 portable power supply unit which comprises a solar panel of the invention in combination with a base member for location of the tripod legs. The base member may comprise recesses or apertures 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 for the front panel 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 panel.

The base member may comprise a recess or other form of location for locating a battery or other part of portable power station. Alternatively or additionally the battery or portable 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 adverse environmental conditions such a high wind force. 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 portable power station that 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.

It is not essential that the attachment means of the rear cover has or is adapted to have a tripod secured thereto. Alternatively or additionally the rear cover may comprise attachment means located at for example a surface that defines the recess in the back cover and adapted for attachment of the solar panel to a permanent 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 holes.

The rear cover may comprise at least one locally reinforced region for use in attaching a tripod or for securing the panel to a support structure.

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 need not rigidly interconnect the recess region and the solar module. The rear cover may be formed from a material that, under impact, provides a resilient, flexible connection between the solar module front panel 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 panel. 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 but preferably does not render 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 shattering 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 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.

Although the invention requires that at least a part of the rear cover is spaced from the support backing of the solar module, the present invention teaches that optionally the rear cover may comprise at least one buffer that enables the recess region to provide support to the solar module, at a position inwards of the periphery of the front panel, when the latter is impacted. The buffer may be aligned with the recess region as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the front panel.

The buffer may be supported by or be integral with one of the rear cover and the solar module and may be spaced by a small distance from the other of the rear cover and solar module. When the front panel is impacted the support backing of the solar module and the recess region will tend to move towards one another until the buffer is in contact with the other of the rear cover and support backing, thereby providing support to the front panel at a position inwards of the outer periphery of the solar panel.

The buffer may be a buffer element that is substantially non-deformable or may be deformable, for example it may comprise resilient material. A buffer element may be secured in position by means of an adhesive cushioning material. The buffer may comprise an adhesive material, such as Teroson (RTM) MS939 which provides a cushioning effect until fully compressed. The adhesive material may act as a damper. As a shock load dissipates the buffer and solar panel subsequently tend to separate. An adhesive material may be provided as part of a buffer element.

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

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 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 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 6 mm from the solar module. The end regions are symmetrically located about a substantially central position of the rear cover.

Accordingly the end regions are able to act as buffers to support the solar module at a region inwards of the periphery of the front panel in the event of an impact.

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 portable 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 portable 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 modules 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.

Claims

Claims.1. A solar panel for use as at least part of a portable power supply unit comprises a solar module and a rear cover which at least in part is spaced from the solar module, wherein the rear cover comprises an outer peripheral region which supports the solar module, wherein the rear cover defines a recess region for accommodating means for supporting the rear cover and wherein said rear cover comprises attachment means for use in support of the solar panel.
2. A solar panel according to claim 1 wherein at least in part the rear cover is spaced from the solar module.
3. A solar panel according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rear cover comprises a region which is non-planar.
4. A solar panel according to claim 3 wherein the non-planar region is of a dished shape.
5. A solar panel according to claim 4 wherein the rear cover comprises a region of part-spherical shape.
6. A solar panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the solar module is of a rectangular shape.
7. A solar panel according to claim 6 wherein the rear cover comprises a region of part-cylindrical shape.
8. A solar panel according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rear cover comprises a region of substantially planar form and a wall or spacer region that retains the planar region spaced from the solar module.
9. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rear cover comprises a locally reinforced region
10. A solar panel according to claim 9 wherein the locally reinforced region is provided at the recess region of the rear cover.
11. A solar panel according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the locally reinforced region provides support for means by which the solar panel may be located relative to a ground or other support.
12. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the solar module comprises a planar transparent front panel which extends over a photovoltaic cell, and a support backing for the solar cells.
13. A solar panel according to claim 12 wherein the rear cover extends over the whole of the confronting face of said support backing.
14. A solar panel according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the rear cover is adapted to protect the support backing from adverse weather conditions.
15. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the attachment means and the recess region defined by the rear cover is provided at a substantially central position of the rear cover.
16. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rear cover has secured thereto or is adapted to have secured thereto a tripod for use in supporting the solar panel in a selected orientation.
17. A solar panel according to claim 16 wherein attachment means for a tripod is located at a surface region of the rear cover that defines the recess.
18. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with a tripod secured to said attachment means and wherein the recess provides location for three legs of the tripod when said legs are positioned to lie parallel with one another.
19. A portable power supply unit comprising a solar panel in accordance with any one of the preceding claims in combination with a base member, wherein the solar panel comprises a tripod and wherein the base member provides location for the tripod legs.
20. A power supply unit according to claim 19 wherein the base member is releasably securable relative to the solar panel.
21. A power supply unit according to claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the base member is pivotally secured to the solar panel.
22. A power supply unit according to any one of claim 19 to 21 wherein the base member is adapted for positioning over the front cover of the solar module thereby to provide protection of the solar module during storage or transport.
23. A power supply unit according to any one of claim 19 to 22 wherein the base member comprises a location means for locating a battery or component part of a power station.
24. A power supply unit according to any one of claim 19 to 23 wherein the portable power supply unit comprises a battery located relative to the base member and a control panel for control of the power supply unit and/or connection to an electrically powered device, and wherein a cable extends between the battery and control panel whereby the control panel may be located remote from the battery.