Mains-independent, modular power supply unit for billboard lighting

Abstract

Mains-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising board lighting, which enables self-sufficiency, characterized in that a photovoltaic panel (1) essentially enables individual electrical control modules located in a switch box (19) with a switch box cover (17), preferably corresponding to protection class IP 65, to charge a battery (3) daily, and in the dark with its stored energy generates an LED lamp (12) for illuminating an advertising board information (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mains-independent, modular power supply unit which, in its design and compact arrangement, allows for easy installation and can also be subsequently implanted on an advertising board unit without optical losses, so that the laying of a mains-dependent power supply line and the associated costs for the advertising board lighting are no longer necessary.

[0002] The grid-independent, modular power supply unit essentially consists of a PV unit, i.e. a solar panel and a downstream, electronically controlled power storage unit with control access options, for example for programming the charging current, providing energy in the dark supported by a threshold control with a photo sensor, providing electrical energy at a specific time via a radio clock module support, specifying the defrosting process of the solar panels in the event of icing and / or snow cover; located in a narrow housing, preferably corresponding to protection class IP 65, so that environmental influences such as moisture and / or dust cannot penetrate and impair the electronic modules.

[0003] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, an adaptation for an inverter is provided, for example from 12 V direct current to 230 Volt - 50 Hz alternating current, so that depending on the choice of lamp, 12 V low voltage or 230 V alternating current a power supply is guaranteed.

[0004] It should also be mentioned that a single-board computer with a connected GSM module can be used as a remote control, which provides bidirectional communication transmitted via radio with associated software, providing information about the working cycles of the power supply unit and its setting options.

[0005] Mains-independent, modular power supply units for billboard lighting integrated into a compact unit in a housing and protected from environmental influences are not known.

[0006] This object is made possible according to the invention, based on this state of the art technology, in that a mains-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising board lighting, in which a PV unit, i.e. a photovoltaic panel, is mounted above an advertising board or poster and during the day feeds batteries housed in a dust and / or water-protected housing and located, for example, behind a photovoltaic panel, for charging, whereby a further supply line for the power supply of the lighting, which is also attached to the upper side of the poster, supplies power with energy from the stored energy from the batteries in the dark. A charge control regulator and a battery management system ensure the optimal charge states of the individual LTO lithium titanate oxide batteries, which are very cycle-resistant and temperature-resistant.In addition, LTO batteries eliminate the risk of fire, which contributes to a significant level of safety that conventional LiPo or LiPoFe batteries cannot. Furthermore, LTO batteries can be deeply discharged and charged with a current several times their capacity, for example, from 6 C to 10 C, which is advantageous when daylight hours are shorter.

[0007] A programmable radio clock module can limit the lighting time, since continuous lighting may not always be desired at night.

[0008] During the winter months, snowfall can occur, which can cover the solar panels and prevent them from performing at their optimal level. In this case, an NTC circuit is activated, which supplies the panels with power, which then clears the snow and / or ice using the heat they generate.

[0009] A single-board computer coupled with a GSM module which provides bidirectional communication via GPRS with associated software, preferably written in C plus, provides information about the power supply unit's operating cycles and their setting options and can therefore be used for remote control and / or remote maintenance of the power supply unit and lighting control.

[0010] In addition, the GSM module also contains a GPS segment so that the user is informed about the installation location, which proves to be useful when assigning several systems.

[0011] For easier understanding and practical implementation of the invention, it will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments, mains-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising board lighting, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic, perspective overall view of the mains-independent, modular power supply unit for billboard lighting, in a basic structure in a three-dimensional view with a switch box positioning. Fig. 2 shows an exemplary arrangement of the individual electrical modules in a control box housing. Fig. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the mains independent, modular power supply unit for billboard lighting.

[0012] In the Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic, perspective overall view of the mains-independent, modular power supply unit for billboard lighting, in a basic structure and in a three-dimensional view with a switch box positioning.

[0013] The billboard (16), usually made of wood, houses an LED lamp (12) equipped with an extension arm and positioned above the billboard. This lamp illuminates the billboard information from above in the dark, powered by the batteries located in the control box (19). A solar panel unit (1), which charges the batteries inside the control box during daylight, is positioned at an angle and also mounted above the billboard (16), concealing the control box (19) so that it is not visually noticeable.

[0014] The Fig. 2 gives an insight into the exemplary arrangement of the installed electrical modules within the control box (19) through the cut control box cover (17), which should preferably correspond to protection class IP 65.

[0015] The cable entries (18) are provided for the supply lines (not shown) of the solar panel (1), the phototransistor of the twilight sensor (8) and the NTC sensor (not shown).

[0016] On the opposite side of the switch box (19) there are also cable entries (18) (not visible) for the supply cable of the LED lamp (12). A slim design of the switch box (19) is preferable, so that it can be positioned behind the solar panel (1) in a space-saving manner and is not visually disruptive. Furthermore, the assembly sequence facilitates clear cabling, starting with the solar controller (2), the subsequent twilight sensor (8), the CPU (9) and the adjacent TX / RX radio transmission unit, i.e., the GSM module (10), which is connected to the antenna (11). The timer (5) for the time limit of the LED lamp (12) and the BMS (4) for the LTO batteries (3), as well as the relay (6) for switching on the 12 V to 230 V converter (7), complete the list of modules to be listed.

[0017] The block diagram of the Fig.Figure 3 describes the function of the off-grid, modular power supply unit for advertising board lighting, starting with the solar panel (1), which supplies the electrical energy generated from daylight to the solar controller (2). The solar controller (2) can operate within the pre-programmed upper and lower voltage limits and thus charges the LTO batteries (3). The BMS (4), which is connected to each cell, in this example 6 of 2 volts each, manages and ensures the ideal charging current and voltage distribution. When it naturally begins to get dark in the evening, the charge controller (2) exceeds the predefined voltage limits for the lower voltage range and switches off. At the same time, the twilight sensor (8) activates and energizes the relay (6), which in turn supplies the 12V to 230V converter (7) with power, which is used to illuminate the LED lamp (1).A timer (5) is provided for temporarily interrupting the nighttime lighting. This de-energizes the relay (6) and then re-energizes it at the specified time. If the solar panel (1) is covered in snow, it is warmed up by applying a current, which is determined by an NTC sensor based on the outside temperature (not shown). The TX / RX unit (10) for remote transmission, which controls and monitors the modular power supply unit for billboard lighting via GPRS, is connected to a single-board computer (CPU) (9) via data cables (14) / (15).

[0018] The stored software of the CPU (9) will determine a status query from the solar controller (2), the timer (5), the twilight sensor (8) and the NTC sensor via a receive data line (15) and communicate it to the TX / RX unit (10) so that a user can access this information by means of a query.

[0019] In reverse order, the CPU (9) can influence the operator's specifications via the TX / RX unit (10).

[0020] A GPO segment also integrated in the TX / RX unit (10) provides the user with information about the location. Reference number assignment: 1 photovoltaic panel 2 solar controllers 3 LTO accumulators 4 Battery management system 5 Timer 6 relays 7 Converter 12 to 230 Volt 8 Twilight sensor 9 CPU (single-board computer / Outbreak) 10 GSM radio transmission unit with GPRS and GPS unit 11 Antenna 12 LED lamp 13 14 Send data line 15 Data line reception 16 billboard 17 Switch box cover 18 Cable entry 19 Switch box

Claims

[1] Mains-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising board lighting, which enables self-sufficiency, characterized in that a photovoltaic panel (1) essentially enables individual electrical control modules located in a switch box (19) with a switch box cover (17), preferably corresponding to protection class IP 65, to charge a battery (3) daily, and in the dark with its stored energy to generate an LED lamp (12) for illuminating an advertising board information (16). [2] Mains-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising board lighting, according to claim 1, characterized in that a solar controller (2) regulates an optimal charging voltage in a programmed voltage range for the batteries (3) to be charged, which in turn serves with a battery management system BMS (4) for the optimal current and voltage distribution of the individual battery cells, so that a maximum capacity is achieved. [3] Mains-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising board lighting, according to claim 1, characterized in that a twilight sensor (8) reaches the set threshold value at dusk in the evening and at dusk in the morning and causes the relay (6) to pull in or drop out, so that the stored energy from the batteries (3) illuminates or switches off an LED lamp (12). [4] Mains-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising panel lighting, according to claim 1, characterized in that a timer (5) defines the time limitation of the lighting during the night hours via the control of the relay (6) and an LED lamp (12). [5] Mains-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising panel lighting, according to claim 1, characterized in that an NTC module triggers a current supply to the solar panels per set limit value, for example for sub-zero temperatures, and thus brings about thawing in the event of snow and / or ice cover. [6] Mains-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising board lighting, according to claim 1, characterized in that LTO (3) lithium titanate oxide batteries are used as power storage, which are known for their high cycle stability and temperature resistance and also do not pose a fire hazard, which contributes to enormous safety. In addition, LTO batteries can be deeply discharged and supplied with a charging current several times higher than their capacity, for example from 6 C to 10 C, which proves to be an advantage when daylight duration is shorter. [7] Network-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising panel lighting, according to claim 1, characterized in that an adaptive GSM radio transmission unit (10) with an externally mounted antenna (11), which is connected via data lines (14 / 15) to an adaptive CPU (single-board computer / Outbreak) (9), so that a bidirectional communication for querying and / or remote control of the entire system by the user can be established and enabled. [8] Mains-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising board lighting, according to claim 1, characterized in that an adaptive CPU (single-board computer / Outbreak) (9) has a stored sequence control program which can be addressed by the user via an adaptive GSM radio transmission unit (10) and in return receives the current parameters of the solar controller (2), the timer (5), the twilight sensor (8) and the NTC sensor. [9] Network-independent, modular power supply unit for advertising panel lighting, according to claim 1, characterized in that an adaptive GSM radio transmission unit (10) is equipped with a GPO segment, so that the user learns the current location, which proves to be useful when operating several systems and their assignment.

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