Roof structure with solar cells

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof structure (10) for a vehicle (12), in particular a motor vehicle, comprising at least one wind deflector (14) and / or roof spoiler (114) which has at least one solar cell (16) on its surface, whereby the wind deflector (14) and / or roof spoiler (114) enables, in addition to its primary function, the generation of electricity for the vehicle (12). Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle (12), in particular a motor vehicle, with such a roof structure (10). It is intended that the wind deflector (14) and / or roof spoiler (114) is rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to the vehicle (12) or the ground.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a roof structure for vehicles comprising one or more solar cells. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, having such a roof structure.

[0002] With growing interest in renewable energy, several promising approaches to photoelectric conversion devices, such as solar cells in vehicles, have been developed. Therefore, various approaches to installing solar cells on motor vehicles for power generation are already known in the state of the art. For example, there are already solutions that incorporate solar cells on the roof of a semi-trailer or trailer. Another option is to install the solar cells on the driver's cab.

[0003] It is known to equip roof structures for motor vehicles with solar modules for supplying power to an electrical consumer and / or accumulator. For example, WO 2019 / 007506 A1 describes that the solar cells can be arranged on a roof and / or a wind deflector of the vehicle. DE 10 2009 058 891 A1 describes a solar system for vehicles and a solar module device that can be mounted, for example, on the roof of a truck tractor. DE 10 2011 086 536 A1, for example, describes a solar cell device with sunbeam tracking for a vehicle. Sunbeams are collected by adjusting the inclination of a vehicle body part on which a solar cell is mounted. Furthermore, DE 38 30 484 A1, for example, discloses the possibility of integrating a solar module into a sunroof of a roof structure.The sliding roof cover is equipped with the solar module on its side facing the outside.

[0004] In most conventional systems, the solar modules are fixed in position on the roof of the vehicle. They are primarily located on the surface and therefore cannot be directed toward the sun. However, when the solar cell is permanently mounted on a vehicle, the solar radiation collection rate varies significantly depending on the current location and position of the vehicle. Consequently, since the solar radiation collection rate cannot always be optimized, the actual potential power generation efficiency is not achieved.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a roof structure, such as a wind deflector and / or roof spoiler, which, in addition to its actual function, can also enable efficient power generation for the vehicle. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a vehicle with such a roof structure.

[0006] The above object is achieved by a roof construction for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising at least one wind deflector and / or at least one roof spoiler, which has one or more solar cells on its surface and the at least one wind deflector and / or roof spoiler is rotatable about a vertical axis (z-axis) with respect to the vehicle or the ground.

[0007] The above object is further achieved by a method for supplying power to a vehicle, wherein the roof construction according to the invention is connected to an electrical consumer and / or accumulator of the vehicle via a solar cable and enables a power supply.

[0008] In addition, the above task is solved by a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a roof construction as previously defined.

[0009] A roof structure that includes wind deflectors and / or roof spoilers with solar cells allows for optimal use of the vehicle's space and allows for the integration of solar modules in a compact and user-friendly design. Furthermore, the use of wind deflectors and / or roof spoilers allows for dual use. While driving, the wind deflector / roof spoiler can be used to optimize airflow around the vehicle and the rear body structure, while at lower speeds or when parked, the focus is on power generation or storage.

[0010] The rotatability of the wind deflector and / or roof spoiler allows for optimal alignment of the solar cell(s) to the current position and path of the sun. For example, the angle of rotation can be adjusted to the current position of the sun, especially after the vehicle is parked. The solar module on the surface of the wind deflector and / or roof spoiler can thus collect the sun's rays with high efficiency, maximizing the solar ray collection rate and thus maximizing power generation efficiency regardless of the vehicle's orientation and position.

[0011] The angle of rotation can be adjusted manually or automatically, for example, using a light sensor or geoinformation. According to a preferred embodiment, the angle of rotation is automatically adjusted to the sun's path after the vehicle is parked, i.e., the solar cell tracks the sun's path.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment, the adjustable angle of rotation is at least 180° (+ / - 90° relative to the base angle of 0° to the y-axis), preferably at least 270° (+ / - 135° relative to the base angle), and particularly preferably 360° (+ / - 180° relative to the base angle). The larger the adjustable angle range, the more independent the light collection is of the vehicle orientation, in particular the parking position and orientation of the vehicle.

[0013] One embodiment of the invention provides that the rotatability of the wind deflector and / or roof spoiler is realized by means of a rotating device that enables rotation about the vertical z-axis by means of a manual or electric drive. The rotating device can, for example, comprise a platform rotatable in the horizontal x,y plane with an electric motor drive, on which the wind deflector and / or roof spoiler is arranged.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the term "vertical axis" refers to an axis that runs essentially vertically with respect to a horizontal ground surface. In a vehicle-related three-dimensional coordinate system, in which the x-axis corresponds to the (horizontal) vehicle direction and the y-axis corresponds to the (horizontal) vehicle transverse direction, the vertical axis corresponds to the axis orthogonal to the x- and y-axes, respectively.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wind deflector and / or roof spoiler has an inclination angle of between 0° and 90° relative to the roadway. The inclination angle describes the angle spanned between the wind deflector and / or roof spoiler and the ground (e.g., the roadway). The inclination angle relative to solar radiation plays a major role in the efficiency of the solar system.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination is adjustable between a maximum angle of inclination (e.g. 90° or less) and a minimum angle of inclination (e.g. 0° or more). This allows adaptation to a driving situation, for example to the speed, and / or to the height of the sun, on the one hand. The angle of inclination can be set either only at the maximum angle of inclination or at the minimum angle of inclination. Preferably, however, the angle of inclination can also be variably adjusted in intermediate steps between the maximum and minimum angle of inclination or even continuously across the entire inclination angle range of, for example, 0° to 90°. The ability to variably adjust the angle of inclination allows the solar cell to be aligned according to the position of the sun, in particular the height of the sun, so that the overall light output is further optimized.This allows the solar cell to be aligned toward the sun not only by rotating it around the vertical z-axis, but also by pivoting it relative to the x-y plane. This allows the solar cells to be aligned to the current position of the sun while maintaining optimal light output, especially after the vehicle has been parked.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the roof construction comprises a setting mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination of the wind deflector and / or roof spoiler.

[0018] Similar to adjusting the angle of rotation, the angle of inclination can also be adjusted manually or automatically, for example, using a light sensor or geoinformation. According to a preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination is automatically adjusted to the position of the sun after the vehicle is parked.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the solar cell forms a unit of a solar module. This allows the individual solar cells to be interconnected to achieve the desired electrical output.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the solar module is provided with a light sensor. This allows the wind deflector and / or roof spoiler to automatically align itself to the optimal position and angle relative to the sun. The alignment can be achieved in the plane by rotation and, if necessary, also by tilting.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the solar module comprises several solar modules that are connected in series and / or parallel. This connection allows electronic components to be added, for example, to adapt the different power levels or voltages of the solar modules of a device.

[0022] Further preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the remaining features mentioned in the subclaims.

[0023] The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless otherwise stated in the individual case.

[0024] The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1a a schematic representation of the roof construction of a motor vehicle in side view in the rest position; Fig. 1b a schematic representation of the roof construction of a motor vehicle in side view in a working position; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the rotated and height-adjusted roof construction in a working position of a motor vehicle in a side view; Fig. 3a a schematic representation of the roof construction of a motor vehicle in plan view in the rest position; Fig. 3b a schematic representation of the roof construction of a motor vehicle in plan view in a working position; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the roof construction of a motor vehicle with accessories.

[0025] For the purposes of this description, the usual direction of travel (longitudinal direction) of a vehicle is denoted by "+x" ("plus x"), the direction opposite to its usual direction of travel is denoted by "-x" ("minus x"), the horizontal direction orthogonal to the x-direction to the right, viewed from the usual direction of travel (+x), is denoted by "+y", the horizontal direction orthogonal to the x-direction to the left, viewed from the usual direction of travel (+x), is denoted by "-y", the vertical direction orthogonal to the x-direction and upwards, viewed from the y-direction is denoted by "+z", and the vertical direction orthogonal to the x-direction and downwards, viewed from the y-direction is denoted by "-z". This notation of spatial directions in Cartesian coordinates corresponds to the coordinate system generally used in the automotive industry.Furthermore, terms such as “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom” and terms with similar meanings, including the terms “right” and “left”, are used in the way in which they are normally used to indicate direction on a motor vehicle.

[0026] Fig. 1a shows the side view of a roof construction, designated overall by 10, of a vehicle 12, preferably a truck tractor, in the rest position and Fig. 1b shows the roof structure 10 of the vehicle 12 in the (more upright) working position. The roof structure 10 comprises a wind deflector 14 and / or roof spoiler 114, the lower and upper edges of which are arranged along the y-direction in the rest position. A solar module 116 comprising one or more solar cells 16 is mounted on the surface of the wind deflector 14 or roof spoiler 114. The roof structure 10 is configured such that, in the working position, it is designed for stationary operation or for low-speed operation (i.e., speeds below a predetermined limit speed) of the vehicle. The rest position is intended for travel of the vehicle 12 (i.e., for speeds above the predetermined limit speed).

[0027] The wind deflector 14 serves to influence the airflow in the area of ​​the roof structure 10 when the vehicle is moving in such a way that otherwise disturbing wind noises (rumbling or hissing) are at least reduced. The wind deflector 14 can, for example, be formed by a substantially two-dimensional surface element. The wind deflector 14 can be oriented at an angle to the rear, starting from the vehicle roof. Advantageously, the roof structure 10 according to the invention in the form of a wind deflector 14 can, in the rest position, highly effectively direct the incoming air over the vehicle roof while simultaneously avoiding disturbing noises and vibrations.

[0028] Alternatively, the roof structure 10 can also include a roof spoiler 114 with a two-dimensional surface element instead of the wind deflector 14. Roof spoilers can be aerodynamically designed to reduce air resistance for the vehicle 12. The roof spoiler serves to influence the aerodynamics of the vehicle 12, particularly at high speeds, in order to, among other things, improve the traction of the vehicle's wheels.

[0029] The Fig. 1a and Fig. The wind deflector 14 or roof spoiler 114 shown as an example in Figure 1b has a setting mechanism 18, by means of which an angle of inclination of the wind deflector 14 or roof spoiler 114 together with the solar module 116 to the roadway can be changed. In particular, the angle of inclination can be set between a minimum angle of 0° or close to 0° (rest position, as in Fig. 1a) and a maximum angle of 90° or less (working position, as shown in Fig. 1b). The deployment mechanism 18 may be actuated, for example, by an electric motor (not shown). The operation of the deployment mechanism 18 is preferably controlled by a controller 32. That is, the extension and contraction, or retraction and extension, of the deployment mechanism 18 is determined by the controller 32, which controls the angle of inclination using information provided by at least one sensor 24 disposed in the vehicle 12.

[0030] In the operating position, the wind deflector 14 and / or roof spoiler 114 has, for example, an angle of inclination in the range greater than 0° to 90°, in particular in the range of 5° to 85°, preferably in the range of 10° to 80°. The specified angle of inclination ranges also cover the angles between the solar radiation of a sun at its zenith and a sun at a low altitude with respect to the normal to the surface of a solar module 116. Preferably, the angle of inclination is adjustable within the specified ranges, particularly preferably continuously adjustable.

[0031] The sensor 24 can be a speed sensor, a light sensor, a wind sensor, a start / stop sensor, an outside temperature sensor, a global positioning system (GPS), a magnetic field sensor, an inclination sensor, and the like, or combinations of several such sensors. Preferably, at least one sensor 24 is a light sensor or an outside temperature sensor, which detects the amount of light currently incident on the solar module or the outside temperature, respectively. The integrated controller 32 can be configured to optimize the inclination of the solar modules 116 mounted on the wind deflector 14 and / or roof spoiler 114 according to the angle of incidence of the sun's rays and the position and location of the vehicle 12 by integrally utilizing the information obtained from the at least one sensor 24. Information from several of the above-mentioned sensors and information can also be used.

[0032] The roof construction 10 is further designed such that the wind deflector 14 and / or roof spoiler 114 can be rotated about the vertical z-axis, at least in its working position (see Fig. 2). The Fig. Figure 2 shows the roof structure 10 in a side view, with the wind deflector 14 and / or roof spoiler 114 in the upright position (working position) and also rotated by a rotation angle relative to the z-axis. The rotation of the wind deflector 14 and / or roof spoiler 114 is effected via a rotation device 20 and preferably occurs over the entire rotation angle range (360°). Just like the adjustment of the inclination angle, the adjustment of the rotation angle is preferably automated using signals and / or information from the aforementioned sensors.

[0033] The Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b illustrates the position of the roof structure 10 at different rotation angles in plan view. The surface of the wind deflector 14 and / or roof spoiler 114 is covered by one or more solar modules 116. All solar modules 116 are electrically connected to one another. This interconnection of the solar modules 116 can be serial and / or parallel, with electronic components being able to be added, for example, to adapt the different power or voltage levels of the solar modules 116 to a device.

[0034] The Fig.4 shows that the wind deflector 14 and / or roof spoiler 114 comprise a rotating device 20 and a pivot point 22. The roof structure 10 is connected to an electrical load 28 and / or accumulator 30 via a solar cable 26. An electrical load 28 can, for example, be a fan motor of a fan of an air conditioning system of the vehicle 12. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, for example, can be used as the accumulator 30. List of reference symbols 10 Roof construction 12 vehicles 14 wind deflectors 114 roof spoiler 16 solar cells 116 solar modules 18 Setting mechanism 20 Rotating device 22 Pivot point 24 sensors 26 solar cables 28 electrical consumers 30 accumulator 32 integrated controls QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This 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

[0000] WO 2019 / 007506 A1

[0003] DE 10 2009 058 891 A1

[0003] DE 10 2011 086 536 A1

[0003] DE 38 30 484 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Roof construction (10) for a vehicle (12), in particular a motor vehicle, comprising at least one wind deflector (14) and / or at least one roof spoiler (114), wherein the at least one wind deflector (14) and / or roof spoiler (114) has at least one solar cell (16) on its surface and the at least one wind deflector (14) and / or roof spoiler (114) is rotatable about a vertical axis (z-axis) with respect to the vehicle (12). [2] Roof construction (10) for a vehicle (12) according to claim 1, characterized by that the roof construction (10) comprises a rotating device (20) for adjusting a rotation angle of the at least one wind deflector (14) and / or roof spoiler (114) about the vertical axis (z-axis). [3] Roof construction (10) for a vehicle (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that an angle of inclination of the at least one wind deflector (14) and / or roof spoiler (114) to the roadway is adjustable. [4] Roof construction (10) for a vehicle (12) according to claim 3, characterized by that the roof construction (10) comprises a setting mechanism (18) for adjusting the angle of inclination of the at least one wind deflector (14) and / or roof spoiler (114). [5] Roof construction (10) for a vehicle (12) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the angle of rotation and / or the angle of inclination can be adjusted manually and / or automatically. [6] Roof construction (10) for a vehicle (12) according to claim 5, characterized by that the automatic adjustment of the angle of rotation and / or inclination is carried out depending on a sensor signal and / or geoinformation. [7] Roof construction (10) for a vehicle (12) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the solar cell (16) is part of a solar module (116). [8] Roof construction (10) for a vehicle (12) according to claim 7, characterized bythat the solar module (116) comprises several solar modules which are connected in series and / or parallel. [9] Method for supplying power to a vehicle (12), characterized by that the roof construction (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8 is connected via a solar cable (26) to an electrical consumer (28) and / or accumulator (30) of the vehicle (12) and enables a power supply. [10] Vehicle (12), in particular motor vehicle, with a roof construction (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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