Awning arrangement

Abstract

An awning arrangement (1) comprises at least one window element (2) with at least one solar module (6) transparent at least to light in the optical wavelength range for generating electrical power from sunlight, and an awning (7) arranged on the side of the window element (2) facing away from the solar radiation. An awning fabric (9) of the awning (7) is designed to be reflective at least to light in the optical wavelength range on a side facing the window element (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an awning arrangement. Furthermore, the invention relates to a roof structure or a window façade with such an awning arrangement and to a conservatory with such a roof structure and / or such a window façade.

[0002] Awnings, especially conservatory awnings, are known in the art. Transparent solar modules are also known, for example, from DE 10 2020 133 069 A1.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an awning arrangement which not only provides shade to the user, but which can also be used to efficiently generate electrical power.

[0004] This object is achieved by an awning arrangement having the features listed in claim 1. The awning arrangement comprises at least one window element with at least one solar module transparent at least to light in the optical wavelength range for generating electrical power from sunlight, and an awning arranged on the side of the window element facing away from the solar radiation. An awning fabric of the awning is designed to be reflective at least to light in the optical wavelength range on a side facing the window element.

[0005] According to the invention, it was recognized that the efficiency of the solar module can be increased by combining a transparent solar module with an awning with a reflective awning fabric. One advantage of such transparent solar modules is that they can be integrated into window elements. This results in a dimmed window element which allows less heat to penetrate inside, particularly in summer, while simultaneously generating electricity. However, a transparent solar module is inherently less efficient than a non-transparent solar module because the transparent solar module only converts a portion of the incoming electromagnetic radiation into electricity. A not insignificant portion of the incoming radiation penetrates the transparent solar module. In cases where a user wants to shade the incoming sunlight anyway and extends the awning, the disadvantage of low efficiency can be largely eliminated with the invention.Incident radiation that is not converted into electricity by the transparent solar module is largely reflected back by the reflective awning fabric and can interact with the transparent solar module. This can increase the efficiency of the transparent solar module by up to 25%, and in particular up to 50%.

[0006] The awning arrangement can, in particular, have more than one window element. In particular, the awning arrangement can have at least 2, in particular at least 3, in particular at least 4, in particular at least 5 or more window elements. The window elements can, in particular, be attached to a support structure provided for this purpose, in particular by means of a material bond.

[0007] The optical wavelength range refers, in particular, to those wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be perceived by the human eye. In particular, this refers to the wavelength range from approximately 380 nm to approximately 800 nm. The optical wavelength range includes, in particular, visible light.

[0008] The window element can also be transparent to other wavelengths. It is particularly possible for the window element to be transparent to wavelengths in the range from 380 nm to 1,000 nm, in particular 380 nm to 1,200 nm, in particular 380 nm to 1,400 nm, and in particular 380 nm to 2,000 nm. It is also particularly possible for the window element to be transparent to all wavelengths greater than or equal to 380 nm.

[0009] In particular, the transparent solar module can generate electricity not only from light in the optical wavelength range. It is also possible for the solar module to generate electricity from electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range from 300 nm to 1,400 nm.

[0010] The transparent solar module can have a transmittance T, particularly for light in the optical wavelength range, where: T ≥ 0.2, in particular T ≥ 0.3, in particular T ≥ 0.4 and in particular T ≥ 0.5.

[0011] It is also possible for the transparent solar module to have different transmission behavior for different wavelength ranges. For example, the transparent solar module can be designed to be substantially fully transparent to light in the optical wavelength range (T ≈ 1). In such a case, the transparent solar module can use, in particular, infrared and / or ultraviolet radiation to generate electricity, in particular ultraviolet photons with a wavelength of 200 nm to 380 nm and / or infrared photons with a wavelength of 800 nm to 10 µm. For infrared and / or ultraviolet photons, the solar module can have a low transparency, for example a transmittance T', where: T' ≤ 0.1, in particular T' ≤ 0.05 and in particular T' ≤ 0.01.

[0012] The window element can be constructed like a laminated safety glass pane (LSG). A LSG pane can, in particular, comprise two glass panes bonded together with at least one adhesive layer made of an optically transparent adhesive. Polyvinyl butyral (PVB), for example, can be used as the adhesive. The transparent solar module can, for example, be inserted between the glass panes and bonded to them.

[0013] The window element can have one or more, for example at least 2, in particular at least 4, in particular at least 8, in particular at least 15 solar modules.

[0014] The solar modules can be positioned within the adhesive layer, which forms a positive fit between the two glass panes of the laminated safety glass. The solar modules can be arranged in a regular pattern across the surface of the window element, i.e., at a constant distance from each other. Other arrangements of the solar modules are also possible.

[0015] The solar modules cover a total area corresponding to 50%, especially 60%, especially 70%, especially 80% of the transparent area of the window element. The larger this percentage, the more likely incoming light will also reach a solar module and contribute to electricity generation.

[0016] In particular, if the transparent solar module is intended to absorb a large part of the light from the ultraviolet spectrum, the transparent solar module can be arranged on the side of the window element facing the sunlight, so that the ultraviolet radiation is not shielded by the glass pane.

[0017] The awning can in particular be an under-glass awning or a behind-glass awning.

[0018] The awning fabric is designed, in particular, to be extendable and retractable in order to cover and uncover a side of the window element facing away from sunlight. The awning can, in particular, comprise a roller shaft from which the awning fabric can be wound up and unwound. The awning can, in particular, be designed as a cassette awning. The awning can also be designed as a folding awning.

[0019] The awning fabric can be designed identically on both sides, in particular, exhibiting the same reflective properties. Preferably, the awning fabric has a different reflective property on the side facing away from the window. The reflective properties of the side facing the window element do not impair the visual appearance of the side of the awning fabric facing away from the window element.

[0020] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the awning fabric has, on the side facing the at least one window element, a reflectance R, where R ≥ 0.9, in particular R ≥ 0.95, in particular R ≥ 0.97, in particular R ≥ 0.97, in particular R ≥ 0.98 and in particular R ≥ 0.99. It is also possible to use an awning fabric with a lower reflectance R, for example, R ≥ 0.6, in particular R ≥ 0.7 and in particular R ≥ 0.8.

[0021] A high degree of reflection ensures that a large portion of the incoming radiation penetrating the window element, and especially the transparent solar module, is reflected by the awning fabric. This improves the efficiency of power generation and the shading effect of the awning.

[0022] In particular, it is possible for the awning fabric to be made at least partially of optical polytetrafluoroethylene (optical PTFE). Optical PTFE is characterized by its high reflectivity, particularly for light in the optical wavelength range.

[0023] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the awning fabric has a reflective coating on the side facing the at least one window element. A reflective coating is also referred to as a reflection coating. Such an awning fabric is easy to manufacture, since the production of the awning fabric does not require attention to a manufacturing process and / or a material that inherently results in a high degree of reflection. A reflective coating enables different reflection behaviors on the different sides of the awning fabric in a particularly simple manner.

[0024] The reflectance can be increased by the reflective coating, particularly in the optical wavelength range. The reflective coating comprises, in particular, a material that exhibits high reflectivity in the optical wavelength range. The coating can also contain reflective bodies, for example, at the microscopic level, that contribute to increasing the reflectance.

[0025] The awning fabric can, in particular, be made, at least partially, of optical PTFE and additionally coated with a reflective coating. This allows the degree of reflection to be further increased.

[0026] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the awning fabric has reflective particles on the side facing the at least one window element.

[0027] These reflective particles can, in particular, be part of a reflective coating. It is also possible that the awning fabric itself contains the reflective particles.

[0028] The reflective particles ensure diffuse scattering of the incident radiation on the awning fabric, thereby further increasing the degree of reflection. The reflective particles can be metallic, especially aluminum particles.

[0029] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the awning fabric has reflective threads on the side facing the at least one window element. Such reflective threads can further increase the degree of reflection.

[0030] The reflective threads can be made of optical PTFE. It is also possible for the reflective threads to be made of glass fiber.

[0031] The reflective threads can be incorporated into the awning fabric at a constant distance from one another along the longitudinal direction and / or the width direction of the awning fabric.

[0032] The reflective threads can, in particular, divide the awning fabric into a checkerboard-like pattern. It is also possible for the reflective threads to be incorporated into the awning fabric chaotically, i.e., without any inherent structure and / or order.

[0033] It is also possible that the reflective threads are formed as part of a reflective coating.

[0034] The reflective threads can be arranged on the awning fabric, particularly in conjunction with reflective particles, and / or incorporated into the fabric. This allows the degree of reflection to be further increased.

[0035] Further objects of the invention are to provide a roof construction and a window facade that can be easily integrated into buildings, for example in a winter garden, and with which electrical power can be produced in an efficient manner.

[0036] This object is achieved by a roof structure having the features listed in claim 7 or a window facade having the features listed in claim 8. In the case of the roof structure, the awning can be designed, in particular, as an under-glass awning. In the case of the window facade, the awning can be designed, in particular, in the manner of a window awning on the side of the window element facing away from the sunlight.

[0037] The roof structure or window façade can have a supporting frame that allows the roof structure or window façade to be integrated into a building. The supporting frame can also be used, in particular, to carry electrical power components that can be used to feed the electrical power generated in the transparent solar modules into the grid.

[0038] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a winter garden with which electricity can be generated in a simple and efficient manner.

[0039] This object is achieved by the winter garden having the features listed in claim 8.

[0040] Such a conservatory can, in particular, comprise a roof structure according to claim 7 and a window facade according to claim 8. In particular, individual window facades do not have to be structurally identical to one another. It is also possible, in particular, to use a different type of awning for the roof structure than for the window facade.

[0041] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an awning arrangement; Fig. 2 a plan view of the awning arrangement according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a sectional view along the section line III-III in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 a detail IV from the sectional view according to Fig. 3.

[0042] An awning arrangement 1 according to a Fig. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 comprises six window elements 2. The window elements 2 are designed, in particular, as laminated safety panes. Each of the window elements 2 comprises at least two glass layers 3 and at least one adhesive layer 4, with which the two glass layers 3 are bonded. The adhesive layer 4 comprises, in particular, a plastic from the group of polyvinyl acetals, which, on the one hand, ensure a strong bond between the two glass layers 3 and, on the other hand, are characterized by optical clarity, in particular, high transparency for light in the optical wavelength range. The adhesive layer 4 can, in particular, comprise polyvinyl butyral (PVB).

[0043] The window elements 2 are attached to a support structure 5. Such attachment can, in particular, be of a material-to-material nature. In the present case, the support structure 5 comprises three beams, one longitudinal beam and two transverse beams, which are arranged at right angles to the longitudinal beam and thus define six areas, each of which houses a window element 2 (see FIG. Fig. 2). In other embodiments, other arrangements and numbers of window elements are possible.

[0044] The support structure 5 serves in particular to integrate the awning arrangement 1 into a roof construction not shown in the figures and / or into a window façade not shown in the figures.

[0045] Furthermore, the at least one window element 2 comprises at least one solar module 6 for generating electrical power from sunlight. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, each window element 2 comprises fifteen solar modules 6. In total, the exemplary awning arrangement 1 therefore comprises 90 solar modules. The number of solar modules 6 can vary; in particular, it can be greater or less than fifteen per window element 2. It is also possible for the window elements 2 to be different in design; in particular, it is possible for one window element 2 to be larger than another window element 2. The window elements 2 can each comprise a different number of solar modules 6.

[0046] The solar modules 6 can be designed, for example, as described in DE 10 2020 133 069 A1.

[0047] The solar modules 6 are, in particular, square in shape. A rectangular configuration or other configurations of the solar modules 6 are also possible.

[0048] The solar modules 6 are arranged regularly in the window elements 2. Other arrangements of solar modules 6 in a window element 2 are of course possible.

[0049] Especially in the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the structure of a window element in detail. The two glass layers 3 are bonded together with an adhesive layer 4 such that the solar modules 6 are arranged between the two glass layers 3. In particular, the solar modules 6 are embedded in the adhesive layer 4.

[0050] Not shown in the figures are cables and lines, as well as power electronics, which supply the electricity generated by the solar modules to the grid. Lines can be routed, in particular, through the adhesive layer 4. It is particularly possible for the individual solar modules 6 of a window element 2 to be connected in series, thus requiring only one line to supply the generated electricity to the grid. The lines can be formed, in particular, from transparent conductive materials. Examples of materials are indium tin oxide (ITO) or poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT).

[0051] Any power electronics required for this purpose can be arranged in particular in the support structure 5. It is also possible for such components to be integrated into the support frame of a roof structure or a window facade.

[0052] The awning arrangement 1 further comprises an awning 7. In the present embodiment, the awning 7 is designed, for example, as a cassette awning.

[0053] The awning 7 comprises an awning housing 8. The awning housing 8 may comprise a roller shaft (not shown in the figures), from which an awning fabric 9 can be wound and unwound. The awning 7 may also be designed as a pleated awning, thus eliminating the need for a roller shaft.

[0054] In the present example, the awning 7 has guide rails 10, along which the awning fabric 9 is guided when the awning 7 is extended and retracted. The guide rails 10 are particularly suitable for Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown broken in order to be able to represent the awning fabric 9.

[0055] The awning 7 further comprises an end rail 11 running perpendicular to the guide rails 10. A projection-side edge of the awning fabric 9 is held in the end rail 11. The end rail 11 also serves to close the awning housing 8 when the awning fabric 9 is retracted.

[0056] The awning fabric 9 is designed to be reflective on its side facing the window element 2, particularly for light in the optical wavelength range. This allows the efficiency of the solar modules 6 to be increased.

[0057] The principle of increasing the efficiency of solar modules 6 is exemplified in the Fig. 4. Incident solar radiation 12 can directly impinge on a solar module 6 and interact with it. The solar module 6 generates electricity from the sunlight in a known manner.

[0058] A relevant portion of the incident solar radiation passes through the window element as transmitted solar radiation 13, for example because the solar radiation does not hit one of the solar modules 6 or is not converted into electricity by it.

[0059] The awning fabric 9 is arranged on the side of the window element 2 facing away from the sun's rays, and is reflective on its side facing the window element 2. Depending on the degree of reflection, solar radiation 13 is likely to be reflected as reflected radiation 14.

[0060] The reflected radiation 14 can impinge on a solar module 6. The solar module 6 is designed symmetrically so that it can generate electricity from solar radiation 12, 14, regardless of which side the solar radiation 12, 14 impinges on the solar module 6. Accordingly, the solar modules 6 convert a greater portion of the solar radiation 12, 14 into electricity thanks to the reflective awning fabric 9. The efficiency of the solar modules 6 is increased. 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] DE 10 2020 133 069 A1 [0002, 0046]

Claims

[1] Awning arrangement (1), comprising - at least one window element (2) with at least one solar module (6) transparent at least for light in the optical wavelength range for generating electrical current from sunlight and - an awning (7) arranged on the side of the window element (2) facing away from the solar radiation, with an awning fabric (9), wherein the awning fabric (9) is designed to be reflective at least for light in the optical wavelength range on a side facing the window element (2). [2] Awning arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the awning fabric (9) has a reflection factor R on the side facing the at least one window element (2), where R > 0.

9. [3] Awning arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the awning fabric (9) has a reflective coating on the side facing the at least one window element (2). [4] Awning arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the awning fabric (9) has reflective particles, in particular aluminum particles, on the side facing the at least one window element (2). [5] Awning arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the awning fabric (9) has reflective threads on the side facing the at least one window element (2). [6] Roof construction, in particular for a winter garden, with an awning arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [7] Window facade, in particular for a winter garden, with an awning arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5. [8] Winter garden, with a roof construction according to claim 6 and / or a window facade according to claim 7.

Images