NL1031918C2 - Lighting device, includes panel with energy accumulator connected to photovoltaic cell and light source - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (2) comprises at least one photovoltaic cell (10) for converting light into electricity, and a panel (4) which has two faces (6) and includes at least one accumulator for storing electricity and at least one light source (14) powered by electricity from the accumulator. The accumulator and light source are films. The light source is an LED, preferably an OLED (organic light emitting diode) such as a small molecular or polymer OLED.

Description

Title: Lighting device, lighting panel and a system provided with such a lighting device

The invention relates to a lighting device comprising at least one photovoltaic element for converting light into electrical energy and a panel with two main surfaces, which panel generates at least one light source for generating electrical energy stored in an energy supply of light.

The invention also relates to a system provided with such a lighting device.

A similar lighting device is described in US patent application 2004/0040228.

A drawback of such a lighting device is that a separate energy supply is required for storing energy from the photovoltaic element. A poor energy supply can be an accumulator or the electricity network.

If a separate accumulator is used as an energy supply, an additional unit is required, which is inconvenient and space-inefficient when transporting the lighting device.

If the power network is used as a power supply, the lighting device supplies energy to the power network and also draws energy from the power network. The number of locations where the solar panel can be used is then limited because it is not possible to connect to the power network everywhere.

Furthermore, a cable is required for connecting the energy supply to the light source, which further reduces the user-friendliness of the lighting device.

The object of the invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawback.

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This object has been achieved with the aid of the invention, wherein the panel comprises at least one accumulator for storing the electrical energy.

Because the panel comprises the accumulator, no separate energy supply is required in addition to the accumulator 5 of the panel. Also no connection to the network is necessary, due to the presence of the accumulator which already fulfills the function of energy supply. This makes it possible to use the lighting device on more lokatics than a lighting device that does require connection to the power network. Furthermore, a cable for connecting the energy supply to the light source is superfluous, since such a connection is preferably entirely within the panel.

Preferably the accumulator is in the form of a film. If the accumulator is in the form of a film, the accumulator can easily be implemented in the panel. This is in particular the case because the thickness of certain film-shaped accumulators, also known as thin-film accumulators, can be selected such that the accumulator is easy to implement in the panel.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the light source is in the form of a film. In particular, certain forms of light-emitting diodes, such as an organic light-emitting diodes, and in particular small-molecular organic light-emitting diodes or polymeric organic light-emitting diodes are suitable for being implemented in the form of a film.

If the accumulator or the light source is in the form of a film, it is preferable for the film to extend in a plane that is substantially parallel to one of the main surfaces of the panel. Such an orientation contributes to making the panel as thin as possible.

The invention also provides a lighting panel provided with a main surface from which light is emitted, wherein the lighting panel is provided with at least one photovoltaic element, at least one light source, and at least one accumulator for storing electrical energy, wherein the at least one light source and the at least one accumulator are each layered on a support, the or each support comprising a main surface for applying the layers that extends parallel to the main surface of the lighting panel. Such a lighting panel can be flat and thin and is thereby self-supporting, i.e. independent of external electricity sources.

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The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which like reference marks refer to corresponding parts. In the drawing Figure 1 shows a top view of a system with a plurality of lighting devices, in which system a first embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention is included;

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a lighting device of the system of Figure 1 indicated by the line segment LL '; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention;

Figures 4A and 4.B are a sectional view of possible embodiments of OLED modules of a panel of a lighting device according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention; and

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the system according to the invention.

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Figure 1 is a plan view of a system 1 provided with a plurality of lighting devices 2. In this system, the line section LL 'shows the cross-sectional view of Figure 2. Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the lighting device 2. The lighting device 5 comprises a panel 4 with two main surfaces 6, 8. The panel 4 comprises a photovoltaic element 10, a thin-film accumulator 12 and two modules 14, each with an organic light emitting diode 15 (OLED modules 14). The organic light-emitting diode 15 can, for example, be designed as a small molecular organic light-emitting diode (SMOLED) or a polymeric organic light-emitting diode (PLED). The panel 4 further comprises a transparent laminating film 16 and a light-transmitting substrate 18 on a first main surface 6, in this embodiment a glass substrate 1.8. As can be seen in Figure 2, the photovoltaic element 10 is located between the glass substrate 18 and the laminating film 16. The glass substrate 18, the transparent laminating film and the photovoltaic element 1.0 together form a first module 20.

The panel 4 further comprises a transparent back plate 22, on which the accumulator 12 and the OLED modules 14 are arranged. The accumulator 12 and the OLED modules 14 have an at least substantially equal thickness, whereby they have an at least substantially equal height h relative to the rear plate. Because the back plate 22 is transparent, the OLED modules 14 can shine not only through the hot glass substrate 18, but also through the transparent back plate 22.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the OLED modules 1.4 and the accumulator 12 are located between the transparent laminating foil 14 and the back plate 22 and together with the back plate 18 form a second module 24. Furthermore, Figure 2 shows that the accumulator 12, if projected in a direction perpendicular to the panel surface, has substantially overlap with the photovoltaic element 10. However, the OLED modules 14 are free from such an overlap with the photovoltaic element 10, which is favorable, since in this way on the one hand the OLED modules 14 are not blocked from the view of an observer and on the other hand the voltaic elements 10 are accessible to light from the environment. Such a system can be used, for example, as a decoration of a surface, for example a surface of a roof of a house during holidays.

The system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a plurality of such lighting devices 2. As a result, an array 26 of OLED modules 14 and an array 28 of photovoltaic elements 6 are formed which, viewed from the viewpoint of the reader, overlap with each other but whose array elements of OLED modules 14 and photovoltaic elements 6, respectively, are substantially free from overlap with each other.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the lighting device. In this embodiment, the second module 24 is provided with only one OLED module 14. The rear plate 22 can be designed as a glass rear plate 22, but also, for example, as a rear plate 22 of plastic.

Furthermore, a connecting piece 30, for example an aluminum profile 20, is provided, which has a first recess 32 for receiving a portion of the first module 20 and a second recess 34 for receiving a portion of the second module 24. The first recess 32 and second recess 34 are separated from each other by means of an intermediate wall 36 and a seal 38, which seal is placed against the intermediate wall 36. The connecting piece 30 is provided on either side with first recesses 30 and second recesses 32, as a result of which multiple lighting devices 2 can be attached to each other with the aid of such connecting pieces 30. If only sufficient connecting pieces 30 are present, a system can in principle be provided with an arbitrary number of such lighting devices 2.

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Because the life of the thin-film accumulator 12 is often shorter than the life of the photovoltaic elements 10, it is desirable to offer the possibility of the second module 24 of which the thin-film accumulator 12 forms part and which is formed as a sub-panel, interchangeable and / or removable from the connecting piece 30. This is possible with the aid of, for example, a sliding mechanism or a screw connection (not shown in the Figures). However, it is also possible to provide a click system, wherein the second module 24 is snapped into the second recess 34.

The advantage of the second embodiment is that standard solar panels can be assumed in this way, wherein the implementation of the invention requires a minimum of modifications.

Figures 4A and 4.B show a possible elaboration of the OLED modules 14 which can each be used in the first and second embodiments. In Figure 4A, a positioning of the OLED 15 is selected which is suitable for giving light in the direction of the glass substrate 18 (indicated by the arrow P). In Figure 4B, a positioning of the OLE!) Is selected which is suitable for moving in the direction of the transparent back plate 22 (indicated by the arrow F '). In the elaborations of the OLED modules of Figures 4A and 4B, the respective OLEDs are embodied as films.

In this case, the OLED module 14 is applied to an OLED substrate 40 by means of glue 38, which substrate 40 is partially surrounded by a metal cover 42 which has a larger surface area than it is; substrate 40 (0> 0 ') · Use is made of known technology for packaging OLEDs using, as can be seen in Figures 4A and 4B, the glue 38. This technology is known to a person skilled in the art. The durability can also be improved by combining thin-film encapsulation, which is known to a person skilled in the art, with the above-mentioned application of the metal cover 42. Preferably, the OLED module 1.4 is also provided with a connector (not shown in the Figures) for control of the OLED 15.

Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of the lighting device 2. In this embodiment of the lighting device 2, the photovoltaic element 10 is designed as an organic solar cell 10 and the OLED 15 is designed as a polymer organic light emitting diode 15 (PLED). Because organic solar cells and PLEDs are produced in a similar manner, it offers advantages to the solar cell, the PLED 15 and electrically conductive tracks (not shown in the Figures) that can form part of electrical connections from between the PLED 15, the organic solar cells 10 and the accumulator 12 to integrate on the glass substrate 18.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide the lighting devices 2 present in a system 1 according to the invention with a communication module (not shown in the Figures) which is adapted to send and / or receive signals, such as radio frequency signals. Such communication modules use, for example, the so-called Gossip protocol, which uses little energy. With the aid of Gossip software protocol and the radio frequency signals between the communication modules themselves, the communication modules can communicate with each other and / or with a central unit within a radius of 30 meters of the communication modules and receive and transmit information wirelessly. With software developed for this purpose, all lighting devices 2 can be programmed wirelessly. An advantage of such wireless communication is the improved user-friendliness, with which lighting devices 2 can be replaced and / or arranged, since it is not necessary here to adjust wire connections between the lighting devices 2.

An example of an application thereof is shown in Figure 6.

Here a system 1 is shown, which is provided with a number of 8 lighting devices 2. The lighting devices 2 are positioned such that the OLED modules 14 together form a screen 44, on which two random numbers from zero to nine can be formed. Here, each OLED module 14 can be controlled by a communication module 5. However, this is not the only application option. For example, running lights, logos, text such as 'happy new year', and images can be formed. It is also possible to improve the durability of the OLED modules 14 by means of efficient control of the OLEDs 15. For example, adjacent OLED modules may blink in opposite phases, greatly reducing the total time the individual OLEDs are on.

The lighting device according to the invention can be used for so-called outdoor signage applications for accentuating the contours of buildings or objects, displaying advertising messages, texts or symbols, logos and running lights.

Furthermore, the lighting device can be used for both outdoor and indoor lighting of buildings, for example in a hall or an open space, or of objects, for example bus stops, wherein the module combines roof and ceiling functionality, or traffic signs, lights and other road markings.

In addition to the possibility of providing a system according to the invention in which the lighting devices are removable from the system, it is also possible to provide a system in which the lighting devices are integrally attached to each other. Such embodiments fall within the scope of the invention, as described in the appended claims.

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The inventor also provided the following information that is part of the present application:

Problem 5 The lighting and advertising messages (Lighting & Signage) of buildings, street objects, billboards and the like are currently being supplied via the fixed power network.

Most solar panels are connected to the electricity network (grid 10 connected) and deliver the generated energy directly to the electricity network. The grid connected systems are therefore separate from the lighting and advertising light boxes. A grid connected system consists of the solar panel, the inverter, which controls the voltage between the panel and the power network and the infrastructure to mount the solar panels and connect them to the power network (cables, etc.). Off grid solar applications are systems that are not connected to the power network but where the solar panels are connected with batteries. These are based on individual components such as the solar panel, the inverter and the battery. These off grid applications are mainly used in areas that are difficult to access where no power network is available.

Sharp recently introduced a solar panel where LED lighting is integrated into the solar panel itself. This panel is still connected to the power network and is intended for illuminating buildings and objects.

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The invention

The invention consists of the combination of a number of new technologies that make it possible to integrate all functionality into the solar panel itself.

30 These panels integrate the lighting & signage functionality with the 10 power supply via the solar cells with the organic LED technology (OLED) and are able to communicate with external RF modules via wireless RF technology. This allows the various light sources in the panel to be controlled individually. This makes it possible to program figures, text and 5 logos wirelessly.

The invention consists of a number of aspects: 1) Off grid combination of solar cells (PV) with OLED light source, combined with thin film batteries in a panel.

10 2) Integrated solar panel, which consists of 2 parts, the first part is the current standard solar panel where the solar cells are laminated on a glass plate (front panel). The second part consists of an interchangeable panel where the thin film batteries, the OLED lighting source and the electronics, RF technology are integrated into a panel (back panel) 3) Interchangeable design OLED module 4) Combination of PV, OLED and RF communication with using gossip protocol, each panel is owned by RF module and is part of a software network (node). With the help of gossip software 20 protocol and RF communication, all modules can communicate with each other within a radius of 30 meters and receive and transmit information wirelessly. This makes it possible to wirelessly program all panels and to create running lights, logos, text and images with multiple panels.

5) The integration of the OLED, solar cell and battery in a substrate

Ad 1: Off grid PV OLED module 30 The solar cells charge the thin film batteries during the day, whereby the batteries control the OLED modules during the night. The OLED modules are placed in such a way that the space that is not utilized by the solar cells 11 for the OLEDs 14 (see fig. 1). In addition, we can make certain patterns with the OLED 14, for example. create text or numbers (see fig. 6).

However, the OLED modules 14 can also be positioned in such a way that they can not only shine through the front panel but also through the back panel (see Fig. 2)

The thin film battery 12 is located below the surface of the solar cells, so that as large a surface area as possible can be used that it can thereby generate sufficient current for driving the OLED. The Battery 12 remains thin and will have a similar thickness as the OLED module 14.

15 Ad 2. Modular PV OLED design

The aim is to use standard solar panels and production technologies as much as possible and only to adjust the layout of the solar cells in the front panel and the profiles. The module is suitable for both the 20 Small Molecule (SMOLED) and Polymer (PLED) OLEDs

The service life of the thin film battery 12 and the OLEDs 15 are still limited and considerably less than the service life of the PV cells 10. The design of the modular panel is then such that the OLED 15 and thin film module 25 (back panel) are exchanged must be able to. The profiles are made in such a way that the back panel can be exchanged and the different modules can be connected to each other (click system).

The design also includes that several PV OLED panels 30 together form a new whole so that continuous lines can be realized.

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Re 3: Removable OLED module

The OLED module 14 is designed such that the OLED module 14 can easily be exchanged. Use is made here of a metal cover of the OLED 15, which is larger than the OLED substrate and can therefore also be used for the attachment of the OLED 15. Here, use is made of known technology for packaging OLEDs by means of special glue connection between OLED 15 and metal cover 42. The performance of the OLED 15 can also be improved by combining thin film encapsulate 42 with the metal cover 42. The OLED module 14 is also provided with a connector for control 15 Ad 4. Integrated RF communication leather panel is in possession of an RF module and is part of a software network (node) using the Gossip protocol. With the help of gossip software protocol and RF communication, all modules can communicate with each other within a radius of 30 meters and receive and transmit information wirelessly. With specially developed software, people are able to wirelessly program all panels and to create running lights, logos, text and images with multiple panels. The wireless RF module is also integrated in the back panel. Functionalities such as battery status and OLED are also included.

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Re 5. fully integrated PV OLED module

The organic solar cell and the PLED 15 are produced in a similar way. The PV cell 10 and the OLED 15 can be integrated on a glass substrate 18 including the electrically conductive tracks so that the design can be further optimized.

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The application

The PV OLED module can be used for outdoor signage applications to accentuate the contours of buildings or objects, display advertising messages, texts (happy new year) or symbols, logos and 5 running lights

The PV OLED module can be used for both outdoor / indoor lighting of buildings (hall, voids) or objects (e.g. bus stops) where the module combines roof and ceiling functionality.

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Claims (25)

A lighting device comprising at least one photovoltaic element for converting light into electrical energy; and a panel with two main surfaces, which panel 5 comprises at least one accumulator for storing the electrical energy and at least one light source for generating light with the aid of energy stored in the accumulator. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the accumulator is in the form of a film. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source is in the form of a film. Lighting device according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the film extends over a surface, which surface is substantially parallel to a main surface of the panel. 5. Lighting device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one photovoltaic element is included in the panel. 6. Lighting device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein both main surfaces are designed to be light-transmitting. 7. Lighting device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one light source, when projected in a direction perpendicular to the panel surface, is substantially free from overlap with the at least one photovoltaic element. 8. Lighting device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one accumulator, when projected in a direction perpendicular to the panel surface, has substantially overlap with the at least one photovoltaic element. 1031918 9. Lighting device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the lighting device is provided with a sub-panel and a residual part of the lighting device and wherein the at least one accumulator and / or the at least one photovoltaic element are included in the sub-panel. The lighting device of claim 9, wherein the sub-panel is removable from the remainder of the lighting device. 11. Lighting device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the light source is embodied as a light-emitting diode, in particular as an organic light-emitting diode, for example a small molecular organic light-emitting diode or a polymer organic light-emitting diode. 12. Lighting device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the lighting device is provided with a substrate on which the photovoltaic element and the light source are integrated. 13. System provided with at least one lighting device according to one of the preceding claims. The system of claim 13, wherein the system comprises a plurality of lighting devices. The system of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of lighting devices forms a screen. A system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the lighting devices comprise communication modules, which communication modules are adapted to communicate with each other. 25 .17. System as claimed in any of the claims 14, 15 or 16, wherein the system is provided with a central control unit, wherein the unit is in communication with at least a part of the lighting devices. 18. System as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the communication 30 is wireless. 19. Lighting panel provided with a main surface from which light is emitted, wherein the lighting panel is provided with at least one photovoltaic element, at least one light source, and at least one accumulator for storing electrical energy, wherein at least one The light source and the at least one accumulator are each layered on a support, the or each support comprising a main surface for applying the layers extending parallel to the main surface of the lighting panel. 20. Lighting panel according to claim 19, wherein the at least one accumulator and the at least one light source are arranged on a single common carrier. The lighting panel of claim 20, wherein the at least one accumulator is mounted on a first carrier and the at least one light source is mounted on a second carrier. The lighting panel according to claim 21, wherein the carriers are connected to each other by means of connecting profiles. 23. Lighting panel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one photovoltaic element is arranged on a support which comprises a main surface area which extends substantially parallel to the main surface of the lighting panel. The lighting panel of claim 23, wherein the support of the photovoltaic element and the or each other support are connected to each other via connection profiles. 25 ll 3 ii ê 18