DE102010023118A1 - Screen, screen arrangement and screen network with solar cells - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a screen, in particular parasol, a screen arrangement with such a screen and a screen network with a plurality of such screen assemblies. The screen comprises a screen covering (4), wherein a plurality of solar cells (6) is arranged on the screen covering (4), wherein a first area of the umbrella covering (4) has a first cell group with a plurality of solar cells (6) connected in series with each other and a second region of the umbrella covering (4) has a second cell group different from the first cell group with a plurality of solar cells (6) connected in series to one another, and one of the solar cells (6) of the first cell group each having an associated solar cell (6). the second cell group is connected in such a way by parallel connection to a cell pair, that each cell pair formed from the solar cells (6) of the first cell group and the solar cells (6) of the second cell group has an at least almost equal irradiable cell surface.

Description

The present invention relates to a screen, in particular a parasol, on the Schirmbespannung solar cells are arranged. Further, the present invention relates to a screen assembly having a umbrella stand and such a screen and to a screen network having a plurality of interconnected such screen assemblies.

In many cases, energy is needed in locations where no electrical grid is available or nearby. In such cases it is advantageous to generate local electrical power.

For this purpose, for example, the use of photovoltaic (PV) systems is known. In a PV system usually solar modules are connected to so-called strings. A solar module (also called photovoltaic module) usually contains a plurality of solar cells provided surfaces that can be irradiated by sunlight. The solar cells (also called cells for short) convert part of the radiation energy that falls on them (directly) into electrical energy.

PV systems are usually stationary in one place and not portable.

It is also known to provide electrical equipment with solar cells, so that the required for the operation of the equipment electrical energy can be obtained directly from the attached solar cells. In addition, it is known to arrange frequently exposed to direct sunlight objects of everyday use, such as umbrellas, solar cells.

For example, the teaches DE 203 14 599 U1 a sunshade device with a stand device, a screen-holding device hinged thereto and an elastic screen connected thereto, in the region of which a surface with solar cells supplying electric current is provided. Inside the stand device, a power line is laid from the solar cells to an outlet arranged in the foot of the stand device.

The DE 199 12 982 A1 discloses a sunshade with solar modules and an energy storage and a device for energy consumption. The parasol covering here has flexible solar cell strips.

In view of the cited prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a screen, in particular a parasol, a screen arrangement with such a screen and a screen network with a plurality of such screen arrangements, by means of which a cost-effective, flexible and efficient generation of electrical Energy is achieved.

This object is achieved by the screen, the screen assembly and the screen network of claims 1, 6 and 10. Advantageous embodiments emerge in each case from the claims dependent on these claims.

The screen, in particular parasol, comprises a screen covering, on which a plurality of solar cells is arranged. A first region of the umbrella covering has a first cell group with a plurality of solar cells connected in series to each other, and a second region of the umbrella covering has a second cell group different from the first cell group with a plurality of solar cells connected in series to one another. In this case, in each case one of the solar cells of the first cell group is connected in each case to an associated solar cell of the second cell group by parallel connection to a cell pair such that each cell pair formed from the solar cells of the first cell group and the solar cells of the second cell group has an irradiation cell surface which is at least approximately the same size.

Preferably, in this case, all of the solar cells of the first cell group are connected in each case to an associated solar cell of the second cell group by parallel connection to such a cell pair. If the first and the second cell group have the same number of solar cells, this results in a number of cell pairs corresponding to the number of solar cells present in the first cell group and the number of solar cells present in the second cell group.

In order to enable a clamping and closing of the screen, in particular of the sunshade, the solar cells formed on the screen covering are preferably designed to be at least partially flexible.

The umbrella covering the (sun) screen is composed for example of several at least almost triangular parts (sectors or partial surfaces). Covering the triangular sectors, for example, with flexible, for example non-crystalline, solar cells, may allow increased (desired) flexibility of the umbrella covering. The sectors of the umbrella covering can be at least nearly the same regardless of their shape.

In particular, the first region having the first cell group may be in a first half one of the sectors of the umbrella fabric can be formed and the second region having the second cell group can be formed in a second half of the sector. Preferably, the umbrella cover is formed such that each sector is occupied by two mutually complementary cell groups. Thus, in a first sector, the first cell group and the second cell group connected to the first cell group (as cell group complementary to the first cell group) may be arranged, and in a second sector a third cell group corresponding to the first cell group and one (corresponding to the second cell group) The fourth cell group (as a cell group complementary to the third cell group) may be formed in the third cell group. This covering of the umbrella covering can be continued until all sectors are each occupied by two groups of cells. Here, the first and second cell groups form a first complementary cell group pair on the first sector, and the third and fourth cell groups form a second complementary cell group pair on the second sector.

The solar cells arranged on the umbrella fabric can be strip-shaped or rectangular and extend radially from the outer edge of the umbrella fabric to the interior of the umbrella fabric. Depending on the position of the solar cells in the circumferential direction of the umbrella covering, due to the triangular sector shape, different lengths of the strip-shaped solar cells of each cell group may result in an at least almost triangular shape of the sectors.

By way of example, the solar cells of the first cell group can each have irradiation cell surfaces of different sizes, and the solar cells of the second cell group each have irradiation cell surfaces of different sizes. Thus, the solar cells may be arranged in the sectors such that the irradiable cell surfaces of the solar cells of the first cell group increase from the solar cell connected to a higher potential to the solar cell connected to a lower potential and the irradiable cell surfaces of the solar cells of the second cell group starting from the decrease the solar cell connected to a higher potential to the solar cell connected to a lower potential.

For example, if (flexible) strip-shaped cells (eg thin-film cells) cover the at least nearly triangular parts (sectors) of the skin, the unequal cell geometry (cell length or cell surface) of the solar cells of each cell group can cause each solar cell of a cell group to have a different height Electricity generated. A series connection (series connection) of the strip-shaped solar cells can then be associated with large losses due to the electrical mismatching of the cells.

The differently sized strip-shaped cells, for example, are connected electrically serially (in series) within a cell group. Each complementary cell groups are preferably constructed so complementary to each other that in one cell group, the length (and thus the producible current) of the strip-shaped cells from cell voltage positive end of the cell group to the negative end increases cell by cell, while in the other cell group, the length (and thus the producible current) of the stripe-shaped cells decreases from the voltage-positive end of the cell group cell by cell.

If now these two complementary cell groups are electrically connected in such a way that each cell of one group is connected in parallel with the (complementary) cell of the other group, both strip-shaped cells can together form a cell pair which, taken together, has at least almost the same strip length (strip surface). has like the other cell pairs. In other words, both cell groups connected together can form a series connection of a plurality of cell strips connected in pairs, each in parallel, in total almost equal. Almost the same size of cell strip pairs have almost the same (upper) surfaces which can be irradiated by solar radiation and can therefore supply currents of almost the same size.

The folding of the screen without damaging the cells can be facilitated or made possible by providing in each, for example, triangular sector, a region of the umbrella covering which is not occupied by cells and in which the umbrella covering can be easily bent. This bend region can be a narrow, long, outgoing from the center of the clothing and extending radially outwardly region dividing the example, triangular sector (partial surface) of the fabric into two equal symmetrical surfaces to each other. By providing further such kink areas, the folding of the umbrella can be further facilitated. This is particularly advantageous when the cells are less elastic, and therefore can not be easily bent. The arranged in a sector complementary cell groups are preferably axially symmetrical to each other with respect to the associated bending region.

The above object is also achieved by a screen arrangement with the screen described herein, in particular parasol. The screen assembly comprises in addition to the screen an umbrella stand in which the screen in a Stand position can be maintained. The shield arrangement also has an energy store, in particular one or more accumulators, which is connected to the umbrella stand such that the stability of the standing position is increased.

To increase the stability of the stance position, the energy store, such as the one or more accumulators, may be mounted as low as possible on the umbrella stand to the weight usually present in an umbrella stand, which is responsible for a stable state of the stand and thus the screen assembly to be replaced in whole or in part or supplemented for even greater stability.

According to a further development, the shield arrangement can also have one or more connections for connecting energy consumers (DC consumers or AC consumers). The one or more connections can be arranged on the umbrella stand itself or on an umbrella pole which can be introduced into the umbrella stand and is connected to the umbrella covering. The energy store (eg, the accumulator or accumulators) can also serve to store the energy that is not consumed directly (for example, by an energy consumer connected to the one or more terminals) and later to make it available to a consumer again.

The shield assembly may further include an electronic circuit configured to operate the plurality of solar cells at an optimum operating point. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic circuit may be configured to control the flow of energy generated by the plurality of solar cells such that energy not currently required by energy consumers connected to the one or more terminals is latched into the energy storage.

It is conceivable that if the energy store is completely charged with energy and not enough energy consumers are connected to the one or more terminals to accommodate the energy generated by the plurality of solar cells, the electronic circuit is adapted to the solar cells in one operating point operate in which the solar cells only generate the energy required by the connected energy consumers, or turn on an additional energy consumer to consume excess energy.

In order to extract a maximum of electrical energy from the solar cells, the electronic circuit according to one embodiment can be configured as a so-called maximum power point (MPP) circuit which adjusts the operating point of the solar cells so that as much energy as possible is generated by the solar cells. Unless the energy generated thereby is currently completely removed from an energy consumer, the energy can be used to charge the accumulator. The electronic circuit may also include a charge controller adapted to the type of accumulator. The electronic circuit can adjust the voltage level (and, in the case of alternating current, the frequency) of the electrical energy to the level required by the one or more connected consumers. As typical electrical consumers are z. As lights, radios, televisions, computers, laptops, phones, radios or chargers for the batteries of small devices (eg, batteries of cell phones, batteries of flashlights) conceivable, but the present invention is not limited to these consumers. Also, a refrigerator can be connected to the parasol or combined with it.

Should the accumulator already be fully charged and not all the energy find a taker, the electronic circuit can place the operating point of the cells in an area where less or no energy is generated. Alternatively, a "dummy consumer" can be switched on, which consumes the excess energy as an additional, for example, always attached to the screen assembly or arranged in this consumer.

It is also advantageous if the umbrella mast (central support) of the screen can be plugged into the stand, so that at the same time the necessary electrical connections are made, which are necessary to connect the energy storage, the electronics and the cells on the fabric.

In order to be able to use the electrical energy in the desired form (direct current, alternating current) and at the desired voltage level, additional voltage converters and / or inverters can be installed. There may also be provided other electronic circuits which, in times when more energy is generated, make the conversion of the energy to be stored into the desired shape and the desired voltage level for charging the energy store.

The shield arrangement is particularly suitable for areas in which there is no electrical network connection to generate electricity there autonomously for small consumers and make available. To generate larger amounts of energy, a plurality of screen arrangement can be interconnected to form a screen network.

Accordingly, the above object is also achieved by a shield network comprising a plurality of cross-linked screen assemblies described herein. The shield network can additionally be connected to a data network.

As a result, each screen assembly of the screen network becomes a node of a power grid with distributed power generators and distributed power consumers and energy stores. For this purpose, the screen arrangement can be equipped with interfaces for the connection to a nearby power node. In addition, the power grid can still be combined with a data network, whereby these power nodes simultaneously become the information connection nodes for data networks, such as the Internet. Through this network function, it may also be possible to establish a cost accounting for the extracted energy, with any services provided by one of the participating energy nodes (power generation, energy storage) or a link between two nodes, depending on time, supply and demand Energy, state of charge of the accumulators, monetary can be assessed.

In the following the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

1 a schematic side view of a shield assembly of an embodiment of the present invention with umbrella stand, umbrella mast and umbrella cover;

2 a schematic plan view of the umbrella covering of the screen assembly 1 ;

3 a schematic plan view of the umbrella covering of the screen assembly 1 in which a sector of the umbrella covering is highlighted;

4 a schematic representation of a first exemplary grouping and interconnection of arranged within a sector of the umbrella fabric solar cells; and

5 a schematic representation of a second exemplary grouping and interconnection of arranged within a sector of the umbrella fabric solar cells.

1 schematically shows a side view of a shield assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The screen assembly is formed according to the preferred embodiment as a parasol, but is not limited to this embodiment.

The umbrella assembly comprises an umbrella stand consisting of a base plate standing on a ground 1 and a weight 2 is formed. Next, the screen assembly has a screen mast (central support) 3 and a stringing 4 on that over the screen mast 3 can be plugged into the umbrella stand. The umbrella covering can be stretched over a support structure (not shown) customary in a parasol and folded back together.

On the umbrella cover 4 Solar cells are arranged to generate electrical energy from sunlight impinging on the screen (and thus on the solar cells).

The weight 2 is formed entirely by one or more accumulators in the exemplary embodiment, but may also be only partially formed by one or more accumulators. In this or these accumulators, the energy generated by the solar cells in the present embodiment, permanently or temporarily stored (intermediate) before it can be operated with the screen assembly connectable consumers. The consumers can be connected via at least one connection (not shown) attached to the screen arrangement. In addition to the weight 2 also contribute electronics that control a flow of energy between the energy producing cells and the one or more accumulators and the connected consumers (not shown).

2 shows the parasol arrangement 1 from above in a plan view of the umbrella covering 4 and thus the electricity generating surfaces of the solar cells. An example is the umbrella covering 4 formed of several equal triangular sectors. However, other embodiments of the sectors are conceivable.

In 3 is the example of clothing 2 shown, being a triangular sector 5 the fabric is highlighted.

In 4 and 5 is in each case an exemplary assignment of a triangular sector 5 the clothing 4 shown. Two cell groups are in the sector 5 out 4 and 5 arranged. Each cell group has several strip-shaped solar cells 6 on. The solar cells 6 a cell group are in each case connected in series with each other.

A positive connection 9 and a negative connection 7 of the two cell groups serve that of the solar cells 6 out of the sunlight dissipate generated electrical energy (for example, to the accumulator or to a connected consumer). The collapse of the screen is facilitated or made possible if between the cell groups a kink area along a crease line 10 is provided.

As in 4 and 5 Each cell group has its own positive connection (plus pole) and a group negative connection (negative pole).

Referring to 4 , is with the sector 5 a positive connection 9 and a negative connection 7 connected to dissipate the generated energy. The positive connection 9 serves for the first cell group of the sector also as a group-own positive connection. In addition, the first cell group is still connected to a group negative terminal. Accordingly, the second cell group is connected to an additional group positive terminal and the negative terminal 7 also serves as a group's own negative connection.

How out 4 As can be seen, the irradiable surfaces of the solar cells of a cell group have different sizes, such that each series-connected solar cell 6 a cell group different sized currents are generated. In the exemplary grouping out 4 takes the cell surface of the solar cells 6 the first cell group from the positive terminal 9 towards the group negative terminal, ie the solar cell farthest from the negative terminal has the smallest surface area (and thus produces the smallest current), while the farthest from the positive terminal 9 removed solar cell 6 has the largest surface area (and thus generates the largest current). To compensate for this unequal surface distribution in the first cell group, the second cell group is complementary to the first cell group. The second cell group is as out 4 to detect a reflection of the first cell group at the bend line (fold line) 10 , by means of which the umbrella fabric can be stretched or folded. This means that the two cell groups are related to each other with respect to the crease line 10 axisymmetric in the sector 5 arranged. Accordingly, the cell surface of the solar cells decreases 6 the second cell group from the negative terminal (negative pole) 7 to the group's own positive connection too.

In this sense, the sector points 5 in the first group of cells, a surface area largest solar cell 6 and an associated (complementary) areal smallest solar cell 6 in the second cell group. Accordingly, the sector 5 in the second cell group, an area-largest solar cell 6 and an associated (complementary) areal smallest solar cell 6 in the first cell group. This can be continued accordingly for the other solar cells, ie the second smallest solar cell in terms of area 6 The first cell group has as a complementary solar cell in the second cell group that solar cell with the second largest irradiable cell surface.

All mutually complementary solar cells 6 The first and second cell groups are now connected in parallel to one another in such a way that the cell pairs formed from two complementary solar cells each have at least nearly the same size (in terms of the size of the surface which can be irradiated). The parallel connection of the complementary solar cells leads to the same voltage being dropped at each solar cell of the cell pair, but the currents formed by the complementary solar cells of the cell pair are added together. This can increase the power generated.

The cell pairs themselves are due to the series connection of the solar cells 6 connected in series with one another. The voltage generated by each pair of cells can thus be along the series connection of the cell pairs to a total voltage of the sector 5 add. That means the solar cells 6 are arranged and electrically via a multiple connection line 8th connected so that the two each connected in parallel strip-shaped solar cells 6 in sum, can deliver about the same current as the serially connected adjacent strip-shaped cell pairs.

The principally regarding 4 The described operation also applies accordingly to the interconnection and arrangement of the solar cells 6 out 5 , In relation to 4 , are the solar cells 6 in the sector 5 to 5 arranged in reverse. That means the cell surface of the solar cells 6 in the first cell group decreases according to the arrangement and interconnection of the solar cells 5 from the positive pole 9 to the negative pole of the first cell group. Accordingly, in the second cell group, the cell surface of the solar cells increases 6 from the negative pole 7 to the group's own positive pole. As with grouping and interconnection 4 , after the grouping and interconnection 5 Cell pairs in such a way from complementary solar cells 6 formed so that the irradiable surface of the cell pairs is at least almost equal.

It makes sense, both when using the grouping and interconnection 4 as well as when using the grouping and interconnection 5 the individual sectors 5 the clothing 4 electrically connected in parallel. If necessary, to avoid backflow in The cells, which are relatively weakly irradiated, additional diodes are installed.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 20314599 U1 [0006]
• DE 19912982 A1 [0007]

Claims (10)

Umbrella, in particular parasol, with a parasol covering ( 4 ), wherein on the umbrella cover ( 4 ) a plurality of solar cells ( 6 ), wherein a first region of the umbrella covering ( 4 ) a first cell group having a plurality of solar cells connected in series with each other ( 6 ) and a second area of the umbrella covering ( 4 ) a second cell group which is different from the first cell group and has a plurality of solar cells connected in series with one another ( 6 ), and wherein in each case one of the solar cells ( 6 ) of the first cell group, each with an associated solar cell ( 6 ) of the second cell group is connected in such a way by parallel connection to a cell pair that each of the solar cells ( 6 ) of the first cell group and the solar cells ( 6 ) cell pair formed of the second cell group has an at least almost equal irradiable cell surface. Umbrella, in particular parasol, according to claim 1, wherein the solar cells ( 6 ) are formed strip-shaped or rectangular. Umbrella, in particular parasol, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the umbrella covering ( 4 ) several at least almost triangular and at least almost equal sectors ( 5 ) and the first region in a first half and the second region in a second half of one of the sectors ( 5 ) is trained. Umbrella, in particular parasol, according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the solar cells ( 6 ) of the first cell group each have differently sized irradiable cell surfaces and the solar cells ( 6 ) of the second cell group each have differently sized irradiable cell surfaces. Umbrella, in particular parasol, according to claim 4, wherein the irradiable cell surfaces of the solar cells ( 6 ) of the first cell group increase from the solar cell connected to a higher potential to the solar cell connected to a lower potential, and the irradiable cell surfaces of the solar cells ( 6 ) of the second cell group, starting from the solar cell connected to a higher potential, to the solar cell connected to a lower potential. Umbrella arrangement with the screen, in particular sunshade, according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the screen assembly comprises an umbrella stand, in which the screen can be held in a standing position, and wherein the screen assembly an energy storage, in particular one or more accumulators ( 2 ), which is connected to the umbrella stand such that the stability of the standing position is increased. The screen assembly of claim 6, wherein the shield assembly further comprises one or more ports for connecting power consumers. The screen assembly of claim 7, wherein the shield assembly further comprises an electronic circuit configured to receive the plurality of solar cells ( 6 ) operate at an optimal operating point, and the flow of the through the plurality of solar cells ( 6 ) to control energy so that energy currently not connected by the one or more terminals energy consumers is cached in the energy storage. The screen assembly of claim 8, wherein when the energy store is fully charged with energy and for receiving the plurality of solar cells ( 6 ) energy are not sufficiently connected to the one or more terminals, the electronic circuit is adapted to the solar cells ( 6 ) in an operating point in which the solar cells ( 6 ) generate only the energy required by the connected energy consumers, or turn on an additional energy consumer to consume excess energy. Umbrella network, comprising a plurality of interconnected screen assemblies according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the screen network is in particular connected to a data network.

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