Solar energy collection system for outdoor umbrella

Abstract

An outdoor umbrella includes an awning, an umbrella frame, an illumination system, and a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes a supporting adjustor and a solar energy collector. The supporting adjustor has an upper pivot portion, and a lower retention portion detachably mounted on the top portion of the supporting post. The solar energy collector, which is electrically connected with the illumination system, is pivotally mounted on the pivot portion of the supporting adjustor at a position above the awning, wherein the solar energy collector is adapted to selectively adjust a tilt angle with respect to the supporting post for directly facing towards sunlight to maximize solar energy collection so as to supply electrical power to the illumination system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an outdoor umbrella, and more particularly to a detachable solar energy collection system for an outdoor umbrella, wherein the solar energy collection system is adjustable for collecting solar energy at an optimal tilt angle. [0003] 2. Description of Related Arts [0004] A conventional outdoor umbrella usually comprises an awning, a main supporting frame comprising an awning frame and a central post frame, and an illumination system supported on the main supporting frame for providing illumination towards an underneath of the awning. In order to provide electricity to the illumination system, the outdoor umbrella further comprises a power system mounted on the main supporting frame to electrically connect with the illumination system. The power system may be embodied as one of the followings: first, the power system may comprise a battery unit (which is usually rechargeable) mount...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] A main object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrella comprising a solar energy collection system which allows a solar energy collection panel to be adjusted at an optimal tilt angle for collecting a maximum amount of solar energy.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrella comprising a solar energy collection system which is detachable from a main frame of the outdoor umbrella in order to accommodate easy and convenient maintenance of the solar energy collection system.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrella comprising a solar energy collection system, which does not involve complicated mechanical or electrical components so as to minimize the manufacturing cost and the ultimate selling price of the present invention.

Problems solved by technology

For the first power system, the main problem is that the battery unit needed to be recharged or even replaced regularly in order to provide continuous supply of adequate electricity for the illumination system.

If the user forgets to recharge or replace the battery unit, the illumination system will not function properly and the activity with the outdoor umbrella may be forced to cancel.

The problem in association with this type of solar energy collection system is that the solar energy collection panel is usually permanently mounted on the main supporting frame in such a manner that the solar energy collection panel is both not adjustable and not detachable.

As a result, the solar energy collection system may not be capable of adsorbing or collecting solar energy in an efficient manner so that it may not collect adequate solar energy for operating the illumination system for a desirable period of time.

Moreover, since virtually all of the solar energy collection panels mounted on the outdoor umbrella, there is nothing a user can do in repairing or cleaning the solar energy collection panel when it becomes dirty or out of order.

Since the solar energy collection panel is usually mounted on an upper housing, which is usually mounted on the central post frame of the outdoor umbrella in a non-detachable manner, therefore, in order to replace or repair the solar energy collection system, there will emerge a great deal of trouble as to how to detach the solar energy collection system from the main supporting frame.

Ultimately, the user may simply choose not to fix or clean the solar energy collection system and this directly affect the operation of the illumination system.

Obviously, the user may purchase a new outdoor umbrella, but this inevitably induces the user unnecessary expenditure.

Apart from maintenance problem, conventional solar energy collection system is not adjustable.

As a result, the solar energy collection panel may not be set up in such an efficient manner to absorb the maximum amount of solar energy.

As a result, associated problems arise.

For example, the solar energy collection system may not be capable of absorbing an adequate amount of solar energy so that the illumination system may not work properly.

Images