Vehicle exterior structure with solar cell and lighting element

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle exterior structure (12) having a solar panel (1), in which a substrate is formed either from the vehicle exterior structure or from a substrate (2) separate from the vehicle exterior structure, which substrate carries a layer of single-crystal solar cells (4) or a thin-film photovoltaic (4) covered towards the vehicle exterior surface, a lighting element is mounted in one of the layers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle exterior structure having solar cells and lighting elements. Background Art

[0002] In many electric vehicles, energy management, energy harvesting or energy optimization is becoming increasingly important, especially when considering how many components are to be illuminated. In order to recover part of this energy, solar panels are used.

[0003] EP 2 878 518 B1 shows a solar cell unit having a plurality of solar cells arranged at intervals from each other in a flat shape, a sealing resin for sealing the plurality of solar cells, a transparent top plate for covering the solar cell unit from above, and a reinforcing element arranged below the solar cell unit.

[0004] Film solar panels which can be easily adapted to the contours are advantageous for automobiles.

[0005] DE 10 2012 200 864 A1 relates to a method for producing a molded part having at least one organic photovoltaic module. In order to provide a dimensionally stable photovoltaic module for a surface of any desired shape, the method comprises the following method steps: a) producing at least one organic photovoltaic module on a flat substrate; b) shaping the substrate provided with at least one organic photovoltaic module so that at least one curved surface segment is formed, which has at least one organic photovoltaic module; and c) fixing the shape given in method step b). Furthermore, a molded part is proposed, wherein at least one curved surface segment has at least one organic photovoltaic module.

[0006] EP 3 802 289 B1 shows a design in which a solar cell film is applied directly to the fiber composite plastic of an outer part. This photovoltaically active solar cell film is an extremely thin film with solar cells formed thereon accordingly. This flexible solar cell film is composed of a thin carrier film, for example of polyimide, a photovoltaic active layer, for example of cadmium telluride, applied to the carrier film, the photovoltaic active layer being surrounded on the rear side by another extremely thin carrier film, for example of polyimide, if necessary. The entire film structure or layer structure is extremely thin and thus extremely flexible. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it can be proposed that the solar cell section is covered with a transparent lacquer layer. Here, the lacquer of the lacquer layer can be, for example, epoxy resin lacquer and / or polyimide lacquer. This design achieves, on the one hand, the omission of a corresponding protective layer / covering layer in the solar cell section or a simpler design of the protective layer / covering layer, but on the other hand, the external surface is ultimately painted completely in the channel.

[0007] Regardless of the type of solar panel, whether rigid or membrane-flexible, there is a need to send information and / or illumination outward.

[0008] WO 2022 / 224 210 A1 discloses a vehicle having a frame structure that is partially equipped with solar panels. The solar panels are installed as individual cells so that free strips or areas are formed between the cells. LED light sources are installed in the strips or areas.

[0009] WO 2021 / 009 719 A1 discloses a solar panel which can be used as a display in cities and rural areas.

[0010] The solar panel has a structure in which the display solar cells are arranged between covering films and the light-sensitive package is mounted on the rear wall. The whole is covered with a glass plate. The display layer with the light source is applied on the actual solar cells.

[0011] The object is achieved by a vehicle exterior structure for an exterior area of ​​a vehicle, which carries a solar panel and is illuminated by LEDs in the solar panel. Summary of the invention

[0012] The object is achieved by a vehicle exterior structure with a solar panel, wherein the substrate is formed either by the vehicle exterior structure or by a substrate separate from the vehicle exterior structure, the substrate carrying a layer of monocrystalline solar cells or thin-film photovoltaics covered toward the vehicle exterior, wherein in the layer structure of the solar panel, a lighting element is installed in one of the layers.

[0013] In this case, the solar cells or the layers of thin-film photovoltaics are surrounded by a plastic film.

[0014] The covering layer is the paint layer.

[0015] Advantageously, the lighting elements are installed in openings between monocrystalline solar cells or in recesses of thin-film photovoltaics.

[0016] The lighting elements are mounted on a substrate or a plastic film or a layer which serves as a covering.

[0017] It is advantageous here that the lighting elements can be individually controlled and used as display elements.

[0018] The energy generated in the solar panels is stored in a battery of the vehicle, wherein a separate battery for at least one solar panel is mounted near one of the solar panels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 Shows the structure of solar panels.

[0020] Figure 2 A solar panel with LEDs is shown,

[0021] Figure 3 The construction on the vehicle shell is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] exist Figure 1 1 shows a known layer construction for a solar panel. The solar panel 1 is constructed on a substrate 2, which can be a glass plate or a plastic film. This is followed by a plastic layer 3. As the next layer, solar cells 4, which have been previously electrically connected, are installed. The solar cells are covered by another plastic layer 5, which together with the plastic layer 3 provides insulation and sealing for the solar cells 4. A front glass or front film 6 is installed on the front side, which is held by a frame 7.

[0023] In the prior art shown, monocrystalline solar cells 4 connected in series are shown. For the solution according to the invention, solar panels with thin-film technology can also be used.

[0024] exist Figure 2 4 shows a crystalline solar cell 4. The solar cells 4 are arranged in series and are electrically contacted via contacts 8a and 8b. In this example, five solar cells stacked one on top of the other are connected in series. The solar cells 4 of adjacent rows are also connected in series.

[0025] In the exemplary embodiment described, the single-crystalline solar cells 4 have flattened corners in a square base area. This results in openings 11 during assembly, which are located in the contact region of the four solar cells.

[0026] At least one LED 9 is respectively inserted into the opening 11. The LEDs 9 are likewise connected in series with one another and are located on the conductor track 10. However, the LEDs can also be driven and supplied with power via the conductor track 10 separately from one another.

[0027] If one wishes to have a different arrangement of the LEDs 9 , the solar cells 4 must have a different shape and size.

[0028] When thin-film technology is used for applying the light-sensitive layer, it is also possible to install the LED 9. For this purpose, when applying the light-sensitive material, cutouts must be provided so that the LED 9 can be installed in the cutouts.

[0029] In another embodiment, the LEDs 9 are not mounted in the layer of solar cells 4 , but in one of the plastic layers 3 , 5 , or even in the front glass or film 6 .

[0030] When using transparent solar cells, it is also possible to mount LEDs in the substrate 2 .

[0031] The electrical connection of the LED 9 is effected via conductor tracks, which can run parallel to the contacts of the solar cell. The actual electrical connection of the solar cell located in the frame 7 can also be used to drive the LED.

[0032] If, in addition to the pure lighting function of the LEDs, a notification display is desired, the LEDs must be arranged much more densely. Thin-film technology is particularly suitable for this, since the cutouts can be easily produced here. Then, LEDs 9 are installed in the cutouts, which can be individually controlled and thus function as a screen.

[0033] exist Figure 3 , how the construction can be carried out on a vehicle. Components of the vehicle's outer structure 12 are covered by a flexible solar panel 1. LEDs 9 are installed in the solar panel 1, wherein it is not important in which layer of the construction the LEDs 9 are installed. The solar panel 1 is covered on the vehicle by a transparent lacquer layer 13.

[0034] The energy collected by the solar panels is fed into the battery 14 of the vehicle.

[0035] It is not important here whether it is a vehicle battery or a separate battery installed near the corresponding solar panel. Here, the structural proximity is defined such that the separate battery 14 has a shorter cable connection between the solar panel 1 and the battery 14 than the cable connection between the solar panel 1 and the vehicle battery.

[0036] If the battery is directly mounted on the solar panel, the solar module can be designed to be mounted on the vehicle as a module.

Claims

1. A vehicle exterior structure (12) with a solar panel (1), wherein the substrate is formed either by the vehicle exterior structure or by a substrate (2) separate from the vehicle exterior structure, the substrate carrying a layer of monocrystalline solar cells (4) or thin-film photovoltaics (4) covered with a covering layer facing the vehicle exterior, characterized in that In the layer structure of the solar panel (1), a lighting element is installed in one of the layers, the monocrystalline solar cells (4) or the thin-film photovoltaic layer is surrounded by a layer of plastic film (3, 5), and the covering layer is a lacquer layer (13).

2. The vehicle exterior structure (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting element is installed in an opening (11) between monocrystalline solar cells (4) or in a recess of the thin-film photovoltaic.

3. The vehicle exterior structure (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting element is installed in the substrate (2) or the plastic film (3, 5) or the covering lacquer layer (13).

4. The vehicle exterior structure (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting element is an LED (9).

5. The vehicle exterior structure (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting elements can be individually controlled and used as display elements.

6. The vehicle exterior structure (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy generated in the solar panels is stored in a battery of the vehicle, wherein a separate battery (14) for at least one solar panel (1) is mounted adjacent to one of the solar panels.

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