Portable energy production and storage device

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of portable devices for producing and storing renewable energy sources. In particular, the present invention relates to techniques for mobile photovoltaic energy production. At present, some power stations which can be connected with external photovoltaic panels exist, and the photovoltaic panels are generally sold in the form of foldable or resealable kits; when needed, the photovoltaic panels can be connected to a power station for "off-grid" charging, although this is not a "native" solution. However, due to various reasons, the scheme has a plurality of defects, and the problems are solved by the invention.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention falls under the category of portable devices for the production and storage of renewable energy.

[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to a technology for mobile photovoltaic energy production. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, there are various solutions on the market designed to provide users with portable energy supply methods that can power a variety of everyday devices. For example, there are various "power stations" available, differing in type, power, and size; there are also more sophisticated solutions capable of powering critical equipment. All of these solutions contain at least one battery (or battery pack) that can output current at different voltages, whether or not it is connected to at least one inverter. The battery can be charged using a battery charger, typically drawing power from the home grid, and then taken anywhere it is needed.

[0004] The downside is that when the battery is depleted, it must be connected to the grid to recharge. However, these power stations are unusable in remote areas or environments without grid service. To partially address this issue, power stations have been designed to connect external photovoltaic (PV) panels, typically sold as foldable or resealable kits, for "off-grid" charging when needed, although this is not a "native" solution. However, this solution also has several drawbacks: the connected PV panels need to be stored separately for transport (note that this is a portable device, so transportation is a necessary consideration); multiple independent components need to be managed, and they must be reconnected before each use for the system to function properly. Furthermore, a series of support structures must be considered for the correct and functional positioning of the PV panels. These supports are difficult to place accurately due to ground unevenness, undoubtedly increasing the complexity of power station commissioning. The limitation of this positioning method is that once the position of the support structure is fixed, it cannot be dynamically adjusted according to the sun's position. Therefore, without continuous manual adjustment of the PV panel orientation, the performance of the photovoltaic power station cannot be optimized. This adjustment work is not only tedious but also time-consuming, making it a complex and highly restrictive operation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a portable energy production and storage device that is compact in design and can be packed into a container for easy transport.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable energy production and storage device that can autonomously optimize the exposure of the photovoltaic panels contained therein relative to the position of the sun.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable energy production and storage device that is modular and scalable, meaning it can be expanded (or reduced) at will according to the required power demand, and is suitable for a variety of uses, such as home, enterprise, industrial, drone, camping / RV, outdoor, and rescue operations.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable energy production and storage device, which can be remotely controlled and its location status can be visually monitored.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable energy production and storage device that does not require any waterproof protection measures during transportation.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable energy production and storage device that can compensate for the energy produced in the form of digital currency (i.e., reward energy that does not produce carbon dioxide).

[0011] These and other objectives will be achieved through this innovative portable energy production and storage device. The portable energy production and storage device includes at least one container comprising: at least one inverter, at least one solar charge regulator, and at least one battery. The unique feature of the portable energy production and storage device is that it also includes within the container: a photovoltaic panel for charging the battery; and rails and / or brackets and / or retractable and / or detachable support structures to support the photovoltaic panel when removed from the container and exposed to sunlight.

[0012] The portable energy production and storage device further includes: at least one control board disposed inside the container; at least one electric wheel disposed at a low position outside the container; at least one motor, with at least one of the electric wheels having at least one motor; the control board is connected to at least one inverter, at least one solar charge regulator, and at least one battery respectively, for monitoring at least power production parameters; the control board is also connected to at least one motor so as to be able to control the motor to move the container to the position with the highest photovoltaic energy output, or to ensure that the photovoltaic panel always faces the sun.

[0013] The control board is also equipped with a wireless interface, which can connect to terminal devices such as smartphones via technologies such as WIFI, Bluetooth (BLE), LTE, GSM or satellite to monitor relevant power production parameters.

[0014] The container is equipped with at least one camera facing its outer surface; the camera is connected to a control panel to enable visual monitoring of the location of the portable energy production and storage device.

[0015] The control panel is also equipped with a GPS positioning module, which enables the container's location information to be sent to a remote user.

[0016] The container has at least one universal interface on its outer side, which is used to connect other portable energy production and storage devices to increase the capacity for electricity production and storage; and / or the universal interface is used to connect to the cigarette lighter socket of a car to enable parallel or series connection of external batteries.

[0017] The container is equipped with gaskets and sealing plugs suitable for sealing the openings to the outside, thereby preventing water from seeping in during transportation or when used in rainy weather.

[0018] The control panel is equipped with an instrument for measuring the energy generated; the generated energy can be converted into a credit proportional to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) saved. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 (1a and 1b) show the structure of the portable energy production and storage device in the open state, as well as a schematic diagram of the connections between the components.

[0020] Figure 2 The structure of the portable energy production and storage device in the open state is shown, with the support bracket for the photovoltaic panel already deployed.

[0021] Figure 3 The portable energy production and storage device is shown in its working state (the photovoltaic panel is now unfolded and in the correct position).

[0022] Figure 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) show the closed state of the portable energy production and storage device, which is easy to transport. Detailed Implementation

[0023] exist Figure 1 a and Figure 1As shown in section b, the portable energy production and storage device 1 includes an openable container 2; in this embodiment, the container resembles a suitcase (but this design is not unique). The container houses photovoltaic panels 3, which can be foldable (or rigid or flexible structures, as long as they meet the usage requirements). The photovoltaic panels are disposed in a compartment 27 at the top of the container, which is also equipped with a foldable bracket 13, a guide rail 12, and a retractable support structure 15; the guide rail accommodates the support structure and provides guidance when the support structure is extended; as further explained below, the support structure and the bracket support the photovoltaic panels when exposed to sunlight. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the bracket and support structure can be pre-placed inside the container and then removed and placed in the appropriate position. Specifically, the support structure 15 can enter and exit the container 2 via the guide rail 12; or, in another embodiment, the support structure can be directly installed inside the container 2 and connected via the outward extension of the guide rail 12, allowing the support structure to extend from there. In this case, a suitable connecting device is required to ensure that the support frame can be securely fixed. The lower compartment 28 of the container 2 houses the following components: one or more batteries (or battery pack units) 4, one or more battery equalizers 5, one or more inverters 6, one or more BMS (Battery Management System) 7 for battery management, one or more solar charge regulators (SCCs) 8 and 8', a control board 9, an SSR (Solid State Relay) 10 for protecting the SCC, a battery charger 11, and one or more cameras 14. On the outside of the bottom of the container 2, more specifically, on the outside of the lower compartment 28 of the container, there are electric wheels 25 equipped with at least one motor 30 for driving the entire device. The layout of the portable energy production and storage device 1 will be described in further detail below.

[0024] The photovoltaic panels 3, which can be connected in series (one or more), can be folded or compressed and stored in the upper compartment 27. The photovoltaic panels 3 are connected to a solar charge regulator (SCC) 8, which in turn is connected to the battery via a battery management system (BMS). A charge equalizer 5 can be connected to the battery, while an SSR 10 can be connected between the BMS and the battery. The function of the SSR is to prevent the photovoltaic panels from injecting current into the SCC 8 when the BMS is off, and to ensure that no current flows through it.

[0025] At least one inverter is connected to the battery to convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC); additionally, a battery charger 11 is provided to charge the battery even when using non-photovoltaic power sources. A key component of the portable energy production and storage device is the control board 9 (typically contained within the device itself, for example, in the lower compartment 28 of the container, or otherwise placed in a suitable location within the device). The control board 9 is also powered by the battery 4 and is connected via control cables to the following components: SSC 8, battery charger, inverter, battery management system (BMS), power equalizer, at least one camera 14, and motor 30 on the electric wheel 25. The motor 30 provides driving torque to the electric wheel 25.

[0026] Essentially, the control board will have multiple functions: managing the electric wheels 25, starting or stopping the motor 30 based on certain parameters; for example, controlling the motor's start or stop based on the instantaneous current value generated by the photovoltaic panel 3 and / or the solar radiation value detected by the photodiode 26 placed on the container. To achieve this function, the control board (which can at least be considered a microcontroller to some extent) reads the instantaneous current value generated by the photovoltaic panel 3 and / or the brightness value detected by the photodiode 26, and then the control board moves the container via the electric wheels 25 and the motor 30. The photovoltaic panel will be mounted on the container in an unfolded state (see subsequent illustrations). The movement of the container will continue until the current generated by the photovoltaic panel or the brightness value recorded by the photodiode reaches its maximum value.

[0027] For example (but this implementation is not limited to this), a solar tracking system can be implemented by following these steps: - The photodiode's read data and / or current value are input to the SSC (Read 1): - (Container) Rotate clockwise by X degrees (applicable to the Northern Hemisphere); - The read data and / or current value of the photodiode are input to the SSC (reading 2); - If reading 2 is greater than reading 1, rotate X degrees again to get reading 3; - If reading 3 is greater than reading 2, continue rotating until reading n is equal to or less than reading n-1. - Return to the previous position and stop rotating.

[0028] -Wait 15 to 30 minutes, then repeat the process.

[0029] This method is entirely advantageous and innovative, maximizing the charging efficiency of solar panels.

[0030] Another simpler way to implement solar tracking is to program a microcontroller to control the motor so that the portable energy production and storage device 1 rotates westward by "y" degrees every "z" time intervals. For example, the microcontroller can be set to rotate the device clockwise by 3° every 15 minutes.

[0031] In addition to managing the "solar tracking" function, the control board 9 is equipped with a wireless communication module (such as WIFI, Bluetooth, GSM, LTE interfaces) and a GPS positioning device 41, enabling remote network connection and transmission of all collected data to users (e.g., users using smartphones and related applications). This data includes: the container's location determined by the GPS positioning device, the device's orientation relative to the sun, the photovoltaic energy generated, the battery's charging status, the connected load status, and the operational status of each component. Furthermore, a camera 14 is connected to the control board, allowing users to remotely view the environment surrounding the portable energy production and storage device 1.

[0032] Figure 2 The portable energy production and storage device is illustrated. In one exemplary embodiment, its retractable support structures 15 are interconnected via brackets 13 after being removed from the container 2. The brackets 13 themselves are also foldable. Removing these support structures 15 is very simple; they can be pulled out from guide rails 12 located within the upper compartment 27 of the container 2. The brackets 13 are secured between the support structures 15 and between the guide rails 12 using connectors, hooks, or other suitable fastening methods. The combination of support structures, brackets, and guide rails provides a support surface for photovoltaic panels, which can be mounted on this surface using suitable fastening methods (such as connectors, Velcro, threaded connections, etc.).

[0033] Figure 3 The configuration of the portable energy production and storage device 1 is shown, in which the foldable photovoltaic panel 3 has been correctly mounted on the support structure, bracket, and rail. In fact, once the connection between the pull-out and / or detachable support structure 15, bracket 13, and rail 12 is established, the photovoltaic panel can be unfolded and placed on the support surface, thus being in a planar position that can be exposed to sunlight. Figure 3 Also shown is a photodiode 26, which is suitable for measuring the intensity of solar radiation illuminating a photovoltaic panel exposed to sunlight, or for determining the optimal position of the photovoltaic panel relative to the sun. The photodiode can be placed in any suitable location that enables these purposes.

[0034] exist Figure 4In images a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, more details of the portable energy production and storage device 1 can be seen: A display screen 29 is provided on the outer surface of the container 2 to display certain operating parameters of the portable energy production and storage device 1; there is also a socket 19 for AC charging, a USB interface 19', and an inverter power button; a charging interface 20 is also provided for charging the battery from a non-photovoltaic power source; and a universal interface 21 can connect one or more portable energy production and storage devices 1 or different types of charging / power cables, and can also be connected to a car's cigarette lighter socket to achieve parallel or series connection of external batteries. In fact, through the universal interface 21, the electrical capacity of a single portable energy production and storage device can be easily expanded, thereby increasing its range of use; or other portable energy production and storage devices can be connected to enhance their power output capability, and it can also be connected to a car's cigarette lighter socket to achieve parallel or series connection of external batteries.

[0035] In addition, the portable energy production and storage device 1 is also provided with a vent 18 and a fan 17 to ensure proper cooling of the components contained in the container 2.

[0036] In another variant embodiment not shown here, container 2 may be equipped with a gasket and a sealing plug to achieve a waterproof seal when closed, thus making it suitable for transport in humid or wet environments.

[0037] Furthermore, the energy generation and consumption from renewable energy sources (i.e., the input energy from the solar charge controller (SCC) and the output energy from the inverter) can be recorded via a control board and an external application that can be connected to the control board. This energy generated in an environmentally friendly manner can be converted into digital tokens, which represent the amount of carbon dioxide saved, i.e., the amount of carbon dioxide not released into the atmosphere; these digital tokens can be traded on the blockchain to obtain rewards corresponding to the amount of renewable energy generated.

[0038] In another, more preferred embodiment, the portable energy production and storage device will use a printed circuit board (PCB) that integrates all the aforementioned components, as well as other components, and arranges them in series on the same board. This design offers significant advantages in terms of weight and size, greatly reducing the space required for installation, the number of wiring connections, and the difficulty of device installation.

[0039] One more point to add: one of the reasons why it is difficult to obtain waterproof certification is the presence of interfaces or surfaces that are connected to the outside world.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, to achieve waterproof certification, the portable energy production and storage device is equipped with an aluminum heat sink located at the bottom (or possibly top) of the device, allowing for heat exchange with the outside environment. Electronic components requiring heat dissipation are housed inside the device. Thus, in addition to the existing structure at the bottom of the device casing, an aluminum heat dissipation channel is provided at the bottom. By performing appropriate processing (such as drilling), fans that require air exchange with the external environment can be eliminated. Simultaneously, a circulating fan is installed inside the device to regulate the internal temperature. Considering that for generators, if the fan used for cooling the equipment also needs to exchange air with the external environment, there is a risk of moisture entering the device, this design effectively eliminates this potential hazard.

[0041] Therefore, it is evident that the present invention can improve upon the existing technology and bring significant innovation to the field. It should be noted that the types of materials used, the number of panels, the size of the container, the number and type of external sockets, the number and type of electric wheels, and the positions of various components contained within the container are all variations of the present invention; these variations are all protected by the present invention, and their specific scope of protection is clearly defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A portable energy production and storage device (1), comprising at least one container (2), said container including the following components: at least one inverter (6), at least one solar charge regulator (SSC) (8), and at least one battery (4), characterized in that, The container (2) also includes: a photovoltaic panel (3) for charging the battery (4); and a guide rail (12) and / or a bracket (13) and / or a retractable and / or detachable support structure for supporting the photovoltaic panel (3) when it is removed from the container (2) and exposed to sunlight.

2. The portable energy production and storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes: at least one control panel (9) disposed inside the container; at least one electric wheel (25) disposed at a low position outside the container (2); at least one motor (30) provided on at least one of the electric wheels.

3. The portable energy production and storage device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control board (9) is connected to at least one inverter, at least one solar charge regulator (8) and at least one battery (4) respectively, for monitoring at least the power production parameters; the control board is also connected to at least one motor (30) so as to control the motor to move the container to the position with the highest photovoltaic energy output, or to ensure that the photovoltaic panel always faces the sun.

4. The portable energy production and storage device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control board (9) is provided with a wireless interface (40), which can be connected to a terminal device via WIFI, Bluetooth (BLE), LTE, GSM or satellite technology to monitor the power production parameters; the terminal device includes a smartphone.

5. The portable energy production and storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container (2) is provided with at least one camera (14) facing the outer surface of the container; the camera (14) is connected to the control panel (9) so as to be able to visually monitor the location of the portable energy production and storage device (1).

6. The portable energy production and storage device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control board (9) is also equipped with a GPS positioning module (41) so that the location information of the container (2) can be sent to a remote user.

7. The portable energy production and storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container (2) is provided with at least one universal interface (21) on its outer side, which is used to connect other portable energy production and storage devices to increase the capacity for the production and storage of electrical energy. And / or the general interface is used to connect to the car's cigarette lighter socket to enable parallel or series connection of external batteries.

8. The portable energy production and storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container (2) is provided with a gasket and a sealing plug suitable for sealing the opening to the outside, so that the container can prevent water from seeping in during transportation or when used in rainy weather.

9. The portable energy production and storage device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control panel (9) is equipped with an instrument for measuring the energy generated; the generated energy can be converted into an integral proportional to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) saved.

10. The portable energy production and storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: At least one display screen (29) is disposed on the outer surface of the container (2) for displaying certain operating parameters of the portable energy production and storage device (1); AC plug (19) for supplying power to AC loads. USB interface (19'); Inverter power button; The charging port 20 can be used to charge the battery using a non-photovoltaic power source; Multiple vents (18) and fans (17) are provided to ensure that the components inside the container (2) are properly cooled; At least one photodiode (26) is used to measure the intensity of solar radiation irradiating the photovoltaic panel, thereby determining the optimal position of the photovoltaic panel relative to the sun.

11. The portable energy production and storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an aluminum heat sink located at the bottom or top of the portable energy production and storage device for heat exchange with the outside; electronic components requiring heat dissipation are installed inside the same device; In addition to the existing bottom structure, the bottom of the device is also equipped with an aluminum heat dissipation channel. By properly processing the bottom structure, such as removing certain parts or drilling holes, the fan that communicates with the outside can be eliminated (17). At the same time, a circulating fan is installed inside the device to even out the temperature.

12. A solar tracking system, comprising the portable energy production and storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The solar tracking system implements the solar tracking function through a control board (9): the control board (9), which can at least be partially regarded as a microcontroller, reads the instantaneous current value generated by the photovoltaic panel (3) and / or the brightness value detected by the photodiode (26), and then moves the container (2) by activating the electric wheel (25) and the motor (30); the photovoltaic panel (3) is fixed on the container; the movement of the container (2) will continue until the current generated by the photovoltaic panel or the brightness value recorded by the photodiode reaches its maximum value; the entire process is controlled by the control board (9): - The photodiode's read data and / or current value are input to the SSC (Read 1): - Rotate clockwise by X degrees, applicable to the Northern Hemisphere; - The read data and / or current value of the photodiode are input to the SSC (reading 2); - If reading 2 is greater than reading 1, rotate X degrees again to get reading 3; - If reading 3 is greater than reading 2, continue rotating until reading n is equal to or less than reading n-1. - Return to the previous position and stop rotating; -Wait 15 to 30 minutes, then repeat this cycle; This method maximizes the charging efficiency of solar panels in the most efficient way.

13. A solar tracking system, comprising the portable energy production and storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The solar tracking system achieves solar tracking functionality in a second manner through a control board (9): by programming a microcontroller to control the motor to run at intervals (z), thereby causing the portable energy production and storage device (1) to rotate (y) degrees to the west.

Images