Current discharge system for a shading device and shading device therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to a current dissipation system for a shading device with a plurality of louvers (7), each of which is movably mounted in at least one lateral guide rail (1, 1a, 1b) by means of guide pins (10, 20), wherein the shading device has photovoltaic elements for generating electricity which are electrically connected to the guide pins (10, 20) of the respective louver (7), wherein at least two electrical busbars (4) are provided in the at least one guide rail (1, 1a, 1b) so that electrical contact with the photovoltaic elements of the louvers (7) is present in order to dissipate the generated current. The invention further relates to a shading device with a plurality of louvers (7), each with at least one photovoltaic element for generating electricity, wherein a current dissipation system according to the invention is provided for dissipating the generated current.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a power conduction system with guide bolts and at least one guide rail for a shading device with a plurality of slats, wherein the slats can each be movably mounted in the at least one lateral guide rail by means of the guide bolts and each have at least one photovoltaic element for power generation.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a shading device with a plurality of slats, each of which is movably mounted in at least one lateral guide rail by means of guide bolts and each of which has at least one photovoltaic element for generating electricity.

[0003] Venetian blinds with slats mounted with photovoltaic elements (also called photovoltaic cells) are already known from the state of the art. Reference is made, for example, to documents DE 10 2007 031 236 A1 or DE 10 2014 200 359 A1.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known from the publication DE 21 2019 000 358 U1 to connect the slats with a conductor wire for current conduction. However, this conductor wire is visually unsightly and adversely affects the handling and functionality of the venetian blind.

[0005] From the publications EP 3690176 A1 and EP 3892813 A1, current conduction systems of this type are also known, whereby, on the one hand, there are no busbars running over the entire height of the shading device, so that the electrical contact is only made at specific points, and, on the other hand, the electrical contact between the busbar and the contact means is rigid, i.e. not spring-loaded.

[0006] The document CN 110094153 B shows a photovoltaic blind with a contact means designed as a spring contact pin, whereby the spring force is exerted in the longitudinal direction of the slat or the guide pin.

[0007] Further prior art is provided in document CN 202047738 U.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an alternative power supply for a shading device with photovoltaic slats and a shading device therefor.

[0009] This object is solved by the features of independent patent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of subordinate claims.

[0010] The inventors have recognized that there is an alternative way to transfer the electrical energy generated in the photovoltaic elements on the movable slats of a Venetian blind or Venetian blind to a power grid or power storage device and to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0011] The invention therefore describes the possibility of conducting current via the guide rail without complex wiring of the individual slats.

[0012] An electrically conductive metal pin, such as aluminum or a copper alloy, can be inserted into each of the slats' guide pins. The guide pin is made of an electrically non-conductive material, such as plastic. Electrically conductive busbars can be inserted into the guide rail on either side or one side, creating a sliding contact with the metal pin. The busbars can be spring-loaded in the guide rail to ensure gentle contact with the guide pins or metal pins. Excessive friction impairs the function of the venetian blind and leads to jamming when the slats are raised and lowered.

[0013] The electrical energy generated in the photovoltaic elements of the slats is transferred to a power grid or a power storage unit via the contact with the busbar in the guide rail.

[0014] To increase the voltage of the power dissipation system and reduce losses, several lamellae can be connected in series in various ways. Ideally, the voltage can be increased to 24 to 30 volts, eliminating the need for an additional voltage converter. It is also possible to connect the lamellae in parallel to increase the dissipated current.

[0015] The weather resistance of the power collection system is an important component of the design due to its location on an exterior facade. To ensure longevity, external influences such as dirt and rain on the contact elements should be minimized to prevent contamination or corrosion. In addition to accelerated wear, the occurrence of contamination or corrosion can increase the electrical resistance of the conductors, leading to performance losses.

[0016] For example, brush strips or seals can be inserted into the openings of the guide rails, at least partially covering them. The guide pins can be easily moved by the brushes when the slats are raised and lowered. The brushes used should be water-repellent, highly flexible, weather- and temperature-resistant (ideally -30°C to +60°C), and UV-resistant. Brushes made of substitute materials such as polyamides, polyvinyl chlorides, polystyrenes, polyesters, or polypropylenes are particularly suitable. Nylon and Perlon have become the most popular polyamides. Polyamide is suitable, for example, for ceiling brushes, various paintbrushes, and brooms. Polyester fibers are very stiff and hardly absorb water. Polypropylene becomes brittle below 0°C and, if not plasticized, is environmentally safe.

[0017] Rubber seals or sealing lips can also be inserted into the guide rail openings. These can keep out more dirt and water and protect against self-contamination, as can happen with brittle brushes, for example. The rubber seals can also be attached to both sides of the openings and expand when a guide pin in the center of the two seals moves up or down. The rubber seals used should be water-repellent, permanently flexible, weather-resistant, especially UV-resistant, and temperature-resistant (ideally -30°C to +60°C), with the lowest possible coefficient of static friction.Silicone rubber seals are particularly suitable due to their permanent elasticity with low compression set (absolutely elastic), high resistance to aging, very high UV and temperature resistance as well as full resistance to water-based and conventional paints.

[0018] Furthermore, flexible fabric panels can be installed between the guide pins of adjacent slats, which at least partially cover the guide rail openings when the venetian blind or Venetian blind is lowered. The fabric used should be water-repellent, flexible, weather- and temperature-resistant (ideally -30°C to +60°C), particularly UV-resistant, as well as tear-resistant and, if possible, breathable.

[0019] Different photovoltaic elements can be used on the slats. The various photovoltaic slat concepts can be divided according to the different technologies of the photovoltaic elements used. First-generation photovoltaic elements (wafer-based photovoltaic elements) and second-generation photovoltaic elements are characterized by the fact that they do not exceed the Shockley-Queisser (SQ) limit for single-band-section devices. Third-generation photovoltaic elements, on the other hand, have an efficiency potential above the SQ limit. The SQ limit describes the maximum achievable conversion efficiency of solar energy for a specific material. The limit is the benchmark against which new photovoltaic technologies are compared. A specific material has a specific band gap, which is responsible for the fact that only certain spectra of light can be absorbed.The remaining spectra cannot be absorbed and therefore cannot be used to convert them into electrical current (first- and second-generation photovoltaic elements). Third-generation photovoltaic elements, for example, circumvent this fact by using so-called tandem photovoltaic elements, in which several materials are used in different layers to also absorb the remaining spectra of light and convert them into electrical current. Conventional first-generation photovoltaic elements:

[0020] First-generation photovoltaic elements, i.e., wafer-based photovoltaic elements, are used here. This technology is advantageous because, thanks to years of research and its large market share, it offers a particularly high degree of long-term testing, a very good price-performance ratio, and very high efficiency. A major disadvantage, however, is that mass-produced photovoltaic modules using this technology are only available in sizes that cannot be applied to the slats. Therefore, slats equipped with conventional photovoltaic elements must be manufactured in such a way that the photovoltaic elements are interconnected and laminated onto the raw slats themselves to form a module. Since individual standard photovoltaic elements are too large for the slats, they must be cut through. Second and third generation photovoltaic elements:

[0021] These photovoltaic elements have the advantage that, partly due to different manufacturing processes, they can be manufactured in almost any size with significantly fewer modifications to the production process. This allows the existing surface of the slats to be used more efficiently without any open spaces. A crucial disadvantage, however, is that second and third generation photovoltaic elements, based on the current state of the art, are often not yet able to compete with first generation photovoltaic elements in terms of efficiency. Some manufacturing processes allow the thin-film photovoltaic cell layer to be vapor-deposited directly onto the slats, which then act as a substrate. For this purpose, it may be beneficial to coat the slats in advance so that they have more suitable properties for their role as a substrate.The techniques used during the manufacturing process include thermal evaporation, sputter deposition, laser deposition and metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy. Second and third generation adhesive photovoltaic elements:

[0022] Second- and third-generation photovoltaic elements are also used here, although they are not manufactured on the slats themselves, but on a film and then glued onto the slats. This concept offers the crucial advantage of allowing for a spatial separation between the production of the slats and the production of the photovoltaic elements. The photovoltaic film can be manufactured by the meter and stored in the correct width and cut to size.

[0023] In addition, different slats can also be used. The use of slats that are less curved in the application area of ​​the photovoltaic elements, such as flat slats, can have positive effects. Firstly, the photovoltaic elements only have to adapt to a less pronounced bend, which simplifies the production process and reduces the demands on the photovoltaic elements themselves. Secondly, the photovoltaic elements can be more easily protected from external influences. It is crucial that the encapsulation of the photovoltaic cell layer adheres sufficiently strongly and reliably to the edges of the slats so that it can exert its encapsulating effect. Since expansion or contraction of the slats can lead to detachment at weak points, such as the edges, it is advisable to take special precautions here.For example, the encapsulation can be folded over one or more outer edges of the slats, allowing the film to adhere to the underside of the slat. Since the flat slat has no outer edges, folding over the film is possible without any problems. With a slat with a folded edge, the film would not be easy to fold over and laminate, and the package height would increase further, as the film would extend over the edge, thus further thickening the thickest part of the slat. The film can then be particularly firmly secured to the underside using other possible methods, such as gluing.

[0024] Accordingly, the inventors propose a power conduction system with guide pins and at least one guide rail for a shading device with a plurality of slats, in particular for a Venetian blind or a Venetian blind, wherein the slats can each be movably mounted in the at least one lateral guide rail by means of the guide pins, wherein the shading device has photovoltaic elements for generating electricity, wherein the photovoltaic elements are electrically connectable to the guide pins of the respective slat, wherein a total of at least two electrical busbars are present in the at least one guide rail, so that an electrical contact can be established with the photovoltaic elements of the slats in order to conduct the generated electricity, two lateral guide rails are formed and a total of at least two electrical busbars are present in the two guide rails,and a guide pin has at least one contact means which forms the electrical contact with the busbar, in that the at least one contact means is designed as an electrically conductive pin which is inserted into the non-conductive guide pin and has an enlarged head for contacting the at least one busbar, wherein the electrical contact with the busbar is made perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide pin, and the electrical contact between the busbar and the head has a pressure spring, so that a spring force presses the busbar and the head against each other perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide pin.

[0025] The power dissipation system according to the invention serves to feed the power generated in the photovoltaic elements of the slats into a power grid or a power storage unit. Depending on the design of the power dissipation system, an inverter is advantageously also provided. The shading device is preferably a Venetian blind or a Venetian blind, in particular a Venetian blind canopy. The invention is described below using a shading device designed as a Venetian blind.

[0026] According to the invention, two lateral guide rails are formed in which the guide pins are movably mounted, i.e., one guide rail on each side of the shading device. Accordingly, the two guide rails contain at least two electrical busbars. The invention is described below for an embodiment with two laterally mounted guide rails, i.e., one guide rail on each side.

[0027] Like conventional venetian blinds, the slats of the Venetian blind are movably mounted in the side guide rails by means of guide pins located at the shorter longitudinal ends. As the slats are raised and lowered, the guide pins move within the guide rails.

[0028] The photovoltaic elements of the slats are electrically connected to the guide pins, for example, by means of a soldered or copper wire. One embodiment of the power conduction system therefore provides for the at least one photovoltaic element of a slat to be electrically connected to the at least one contact means, for example, via a soldered connection or a cable connection.

[0029] According to the invention, at least two electrical busbars are located in the two guide rails of a Venetian blind or a slat stack. The movable guide pins, which are electrically connected to the photovoltaic elements, contact the fixed busbars, so that the generated current is fed into the power grid or a power storage unit. Preferably, a sliding contact is created between the contact means on the guide pin and the busbar.

[0030] Each lamination has at least two contact elements, i.e., at least one contact element at each longitudinal end, meaning at least two per lamination. Advantageously, the longitudinal ends of the laminations or the guide pins are identical in terms of the number, arrangement, and design of the contact elements. The contact elements are attached to the guide pins of the laminations. Thus, advantageously, a guide pin has at least one contact element, which forms the electrical contact with the busbar. During operation, each contact element creates an electrical connection or electrical contact with only one potential. In total, each lamination then has contact with two potentials.

[0031] In one variant of the current conduction system, each guide pin of a lamination has exactly one contact element, with one contact element contacting one or two busbars of the same potential during operation, i.e., during active current conduction. For this variant, either one or two busbars can be present in the guide rail.

[0032] Accordingly, in one embodiment, one of the guide rails has exactly one busbar. The contact element forms exactly one electrical contact with this one busbar.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, one of the guide rails has exactly two busbars. These two busbars can be at either the same potential or different potentials during operation. One embodiment provides that the two busbars are at the same potential during operation. Another embodiment provides that the two busbars are at different potentials during operation. One contact means forms exactly one electrical contact with each of the two busbars.

[0034] The busbar(s) is / are arranged either opposite the longitudinal opening of the guide rail or on the sides of the longitudinal opening in the guide rail. In a design with two busbars, these two busbars are preferably arranged opposite each other on the two sides of the longitudinal opening.

[0035] In another variant of the current conduction system, each guide pin of a lamina has two contact means, each of which contacts a busbar. The busbars have different potentials during operation. Advantageously, each contact means has only one electrical contact with a busbar, with the two contact means at the two longitudinal ends of a lamina being in contact with two different potentials. The two contact means are advantageously insulated from each other in the guide pin.

[0036] According to the invention, the electrical contact between the busbar and the contact means has a pressure spring, so that the busbar and the head are pressed together perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide pin. This ensures that the contact means and the busbar are always pressed together, for example, manufacturing inaccuracies are compensated for and the electrical connection is not accidentally released. The pressure spring can be designed in different ways. In a simple embodiment, the busbar is spring-loaded or mounted in a spring-loaded or pre-tensioned manner. An alternative embodiment provides for an additional insert in the guide rail in which the busbar is arranged, wherein the insert spring-loadedly mounts the busbar or is designed in a spring-loaded manner.If an additional insert is used in the guide rail, the busbar is preferably either glued or clipped into the insert.

[0037] Furthermore, a piping-like plastic insert or rubber lips are preferably arranged in the longitudinal opening of the guide rail, advantageously on both sides, to ensure friction-free sliding of the guide pins through the longitudinal opening. The plastic insert or the rubber lips are advantageously made of a non-conductive material, like the guide rail.

[0038] The busbars are generally made of a material with the best possible conductivity. A preferred embodiment uses a metal or alloy, such as copper or aluminum. Furthermore, the busbars are preferably designed as a flat strip or flat bar. Advantageously, a busbar extends the entire height of a guide rail.

[0039] As an alternative embodiment, the busbars can be designed as electrically conductive brushes.

[0040] Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one lower end of the busbars is insulated to avoid a short circuit when installed in a metal window sill or in the event of rain, etc.

[0041] According to the invention, the at least one contact means is designed as an electrically conductive pin which is inserted into the non-conductive guide pin and has an enlarged head for contacting the at least one busbar, wherein the electrical contact with the busbar is made perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide pin. The pin is inserted into the guide pin along the longitudinal direction of the lamination and projects beyond it into the guide rail. The guide pin forms a type of insulating shaft around the pin. At the free end of the pin, i.e. the end not arranged in the guide pin, the pin has a significantly enlarged head. The pin head establishes electrical contact with the busbar(s), i.e. the pin head rests against the busbar and slides along it when the lamination moves up or down.

[0042] In a variant with one contact element per guide pin, the pin is either T-shaped, with the T-shaped crossbar formed by the head and the ends of the crossbar capable of contacting one or two busbars. Alternatively, the pin is L-shaped, with the end of the short L-shaped leg capable of contacting a busbar.

[0043] In a variant with two contact means per guide pin, the pins are advantageously L-shaped and the ends of the L-legs each contact a busbar.

[0044] Preferably, the guide rail is also designed such that a temperature-related change in the length of the slat, particularly in its longitudinal direction, can be compensated for in the guide rail. To ensure proper operation of the current conduction system, a break in the electrical contact between the busbar and the contact means should be prevented. A simple variant provides that, in a contact means designed as a pin with an enlarged head, the head has a smaller width than the busbar when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the slat. This allows the head to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the slat without losing electrical contact.

[0045] A further variant of the power conduction system provides for two guide rails on each side of the shading device, with the guide pins of adjacent slats on each side being arranged alternately in the two guide rails. The guide rails are advantageously arranged next to one another and parallel in their longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the guide pins that engage in the outer guide rail are longer than the guide pins that engage in the inner guide rail. During operation, the two guide rails on one side are either at the same potential or at different potentials, with each slat being connected to two different potentials.

[0046] Furthermore, the current conduction system according to the invention is advantageously protected from weather influences such as rain, sunlight, etc. in order to ensure the longest possible service life with minimal wear.

[0047] One embodiment of the current conduction system therefore provides for rubber seals and / or brush seals to be inserted into at least some of the longitudinal openings of the guide rails. These seals do not completely close the longitudinal opening, but allow the guide pins to slide up and down through the seals.

[0048] The advantages of brush seals, for example made of nylon or Perlon, are: Easy implementation thanks to prefabricated strips that can be applied along the longitudinal openings; brush seals are weather- and water-resistant; the replacement of slats is not affected; and protection in all slat positions.

[0049] However, individual bristles can become loose and contaminate the busbars. Furthermore, a brush seal does not provide complete protection against the ingress of moisture and dust.

[0050] The advantages of rubber seals, for example made of silicone rubber, are: Protection against splash water and dirt; easy installation; does not affect the replacement of slats; protection in all slat positions.

[0051] However, the material of the rubber seals must meet stringent requirements, as they must be permanently elastic and not become brittle. The friction between the guide pins and the seal is significantly greater with a rubber seal than with a brush seal.

[0052] Another embodiment of the current conduction system provides for a fabric insert to be arranged between the guide pins of adjacent slats. This insert is stretched when the slats are lowered and at least partially covers the openings of the guide rails. The fabric used is advantageously as flexible as possible, weather-resistant and breathable, as well as waterproof and UV-resistant.

[0053] The advantages of fabric inserts are: The longitudinal openings are covered to make them dust- and watertight; installation is possible with moderate effort; and any moisture that penetrates can evaporate.

[0054] However, a fabric insert only protects the longitudinal opening when the slats are lowered. Depending on the material, the individual fabric sections can fray at the sides. Replacing individual slats is made more difficult by the fabric inserts attached to the slats.

[0055] In an advantageous embodiment of the current conduction system according to the invention of a shading device with a plurality of slats with photovoltaic elements, it is proposed that at least two slats are electrically connected to one another in series to form a slat set, wherein the connection points between the two slats of a slat set are electrically coupled to one another in parallel via a respective busbar.

[0056] If several sets of slats are used in the shading device, each consisting of two slats connected in series, this can be achieved by having exactly two slats connected in series per set of slats, whereby: The potential-equal connection points between the first slat and the second slat of a slat set are electrically connected via a busbar on a first side of the shading device, and each slat set is electrically connected to a positive and a negative busbar on the second side of the shading device opposite the first side. This results in the slats being arranged alternating in polarity from top to bottom.

[0057] If several sets of slats are used in the shading device, each consisting of three slats connected in series, this can be achieved by designing a current discharge system in such a way that each set of slats has exactly three slats connected in series, whereby: the potential-equal connection points between the respective first slats and the second slats are electrically connected via a first busbar on a first side of the shading device, the potential-equal connection points between the respective second slats and the third slats are electrically connected via a second busbar on a second side of the shading device opposite the first side, and each set of slats is electrically connected to a positive busbar and a negative busbar on one side of the shading device.

[0058] The invention also relates to a shading device, in particular a Venetian blind or a Venetian blind, at least comprising a curtain with a plurality of slats, each of which is movably mounted by means of guide bolts in at least one of the lateral guide rails and each having at least one photovoltaic element for generating electricity, wherein a power discharge system according to the invention as described above is provided for discharging the generated electricity.

[0059] The shading device is preferably a Venetian blind or a Venetian blind, in particular a Venetian blind canopy. The invention is further described with reference to a shading device designed as a Venetian blind.

[0060] The structure of the Venetian blind is similar to that of a conventional Venetian blind. Photovoltaic elements for electricity generation are mounted on the slats, either as a complete coating of the slats or as individual sections of the slats. Both conventional first-generation photovoltaic elements and second- or third-generation photovoltaic elements can be used.

[0061] One embodiment of the shading device, in particular a Venetian blind, provides that the blind comprises at least a first slat pack and a second slat pack, wherein the slat packs are tilted differently around the respective longitudinal axes of the slats. This type of blind is generally referred to as a two-part blind. Preferably, an upper slat pack is rotatable or tiltable separately from the remaining slats. For example, a lower section of the blind can be completely closed to generate electricity, while an upper section remains open or at least partially open to allow daylight to enter a room.

[0062] In the following, the invention is described in more detail using the preferred embodiments with the aid of the figures, wherein only the features necessary for understanding the invention are shown.

[0063] They show in detail: FIG 1: a schematic perspective view of a Venetian blind with a power conduction system with a guide rail, FIG 2: a sectional perspective view of the Venetian blind with a power conduction system according to the Figure 1 , FIG 3: a schematic cross-sectional view through a guide rail with guide pins according to the Figure 1 , FIG 4: a schematic perspective view of a Venetian blind with power conduction system with two guide rails, FIG 5: a sectional perspective view of the Venetian blind with power conduction system according to the Figure 4 , FIG 6: a schematic perspective view of the two guide rails with guide bolts according to the Figure 4 , FIG 7: a schematic bottom view of the Venetian blind with power discharge system according to the Figure 4 , FIG 8: a schematic cross-sectional view of the Venetian blind with current discharge system according to the Figure 4, FIG 9: a schematic representation of a Venetian blind with a power conduction system and a first series connection of the slats, FIG 10: schematically simplified representation of the electrical series connection of the Venetian blind according to Figure 9 , FIG 11: a schematic representation of a Venetian blind with power conduction system and a further series connection of the slats, and FIG 12: schematically simplified representation of the electrical series connection of the Venetian blind according to the Figure 11 .

[0064] The Figures 1 to 3 each show different representations of a Venetian blind with a power discharge system with a single guide rail 1 on one side.

[0065] In the Figure 1a schematic perspective view is shown, wherein for the sake of clarity only two slats 7 and the guide rail 1 are shown. A photovoltaic element is arranged on each of the slats 7, which generates electricity during operation, which electricity is discharged via the guide rail 1 to the power grid or a power storage device by means of the power discharge system according to the invention. A guide pin 10, 20 is formed on each of the long sides of the slats 7 and is movably mounted in the guide rail 1. The guide rail 1 has a longitudinal opening 3 for the guide pins 10, 20. Both guide pins 10, 20 are arranged one above the other in the one guide rail 1. Both sides of the shading device or both long ends of the slats with the one guide rail on both sides are designed identically.

[0066] Two busbars 4 are arranged opposite one another in the guide rail 1. The guide pins 10, 20 each have a contact means 11, 21, which, on the one hand, provides an electrical connection 6 to the photovoltaic element of the respective slat 7 and, on the other hand, forms the electrical contact with the busbars 4. The two busbars 4 are at the same potential.

[0067] In the Figure 2 A sectional perspective view is shown. The guide pins 10, 20 are of equal length and positioned one below the other in one guide rail 1.

[0068] The contact means 11, 21 each have an elongated pin 12, 22. The guide pin 10, 20 forms a shaft aligned in the longitudinal direction of the lamella 7 or the guide pin 10, 20, which insulates the inner electrically conductive pin 12, 22 from the outside, in particular from the guide rail 1 in the region of its longitudinal opening 3. An enlarged, round-disk-like head 13, 23 is formed on the end of the pin 12, 22 positioned in the guide rail 1. The pin 12, 22 and the head 13, 23 are T-shaped in longitudinal cross-section. The head 13, 23 of the contact means 11, 22 rests on the busbar 4 on both sides, with the two busbars 4 being at the same potential.

[0069] In the Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a guide rail 1 and through a guide pin 10 according to the Figure 1shown. The busbars 4 are designed as flat copper rods or strips and extend over the entire height of the guide rail 1. To ensure permanent contact between the busbar 4 and the head 13, the busbars 4 are spring-mounted in the guide rail 1. For this purpose, an additional insert 2 is inserted between the busbar 4 and the guide rail 1, which has two spring legs 2a on its side facing away from the busbar 4, which are pretensioned such that the busbar 4 is pressed into the center of the guide rail 1 in the direction of the head 13.

[0070] The guide rail 1 has a longitudinal opening 3 through which the guide pins 10, 20 protrude. Along the longitudinal opening 3, piping-like plastic inserts 5 are formed on both sides. These inserts, on the one hand, ensure reduced sliding friction of the guide pins 10 along the longitudinal opening 3 and, on the other hand, additionally insulate the guide rail 1 from the guide pins 10, 20 and the pins 12, 22.

[0071] Furthermore, it can be clearly seen that the round, disc-shaped head 13 is narrower than the busbar 4 when viewed in the longitudinal direction, so that changes in the length of the lamella 7 due to temperature fluctuations are compensated.

[0072] The Figures 4 to 8Each shows different representations of a Venetian blind with a power distribution system featuring two guide rails 1a, 1b on each side. The following only discusses the differences between the two versions. Identical components are otherwise identified by the same reference numerals.

[0073] In the Figure 4a schematic perspective view is shown, whereby for the sake of clarity only two slats 7 and the two guide rails 1a, 1b are shown. The two guide rails 1a, 1b are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the slats 7 and have a common longitudinal opening 3a for the guide pins 10, 20. The guide pin 20 of the lower slat 7 projects through the longitudinal opening 3a, first through the right or inner guide rail 1a and through a further longitudinal opening 3b into the left or outer guide rail 1b, where it is movably mounted. The guide rails 1a, 1b are thus designed as a single component integrated with one another. Two busbars 4 are arranged in each of the guide rails 1a, 1b.

[0074] In the Figure 5A sectional perspective view is shown. Here, it is clearly visible that the guide pins 10, 20 are of different lengths, so that with the same design of the slats 7, the upper guide pin 10 extends into the guide rail 1a located further inside, while the lower guide pin 20 is longer in order to reach into the guide rail 1b located further outside.

[0075] The contact means 11, 21 are identical in both embodiments except for the length of the pins 12, 22. The head 13 of the contact means 11 of the upper lamella 7 is arranged in the first guide rail 1a and rests on a busbar 4 on both sides, wherein the two busbars 4 of this one guide rail 1a are at the same potential. The head 23 of the other contact means 21 of the lower lamella 7 projects through the first guide rail 1a into the second guide rail 1b and rests on a busbar 4 on both sides, wherein the two busbars 4 of this other guide rail 1b are at a different potential than the busbars 4 of the first guide rail 1a.

[0076] In the Figure 6A schematic perspective view of the two guide rails 1a, 1b with the guide pins 10, 20 is shown. The busbars 4 are also designed as flat copper rods or strips and extend over the entire height of the guide rails 1a, 1b. To ensure permanent contact between the busbar 4 and the head 13, 23, the busbars 4 are also spring-mounted in the guide rails 1a, 1b.

[0077] The two guide rails 1a, 1b have a common longitudinal opening 3a through which the two guide pins 10, 20 protrude. Along the longitudinal opening 3a, piping-like plastic inserts 5 are formed on both sides.

[0078] Furthermore, the round, disc-shaped heads 13, 23 of the contact means 11, 21 are narrower than the busbars 4 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the lamellae 7, so that changes in the length of the lamellae 7 due to temperature fluctuations are compensated.

[0079] In the Figure 7 A schematic bottom view is also shown. Visible are the longitudinal openings 3a, 3b through which the guide pins 10, 20 protrude into the guide rails 10, 20. The guide pin 20 is attached to the underside of the lower slat 7 and has an electrical connection 6 to the photovoltaic element arranged on the top side of the slat 7.

[0080] In the Figure 8A schematic cross-sectional view is also shown. The longitudinal ends of the slats 7 with the guide pins 10, 20 of different lengths are visible. The guide pin 10 of the upper slat 7 is shorter and protrudes only through the first, outer longitudinal opening 3a into the first right-hand or inner guide rail 1a, where the head 13 contacts the two busbars 4. The guide pin 20 of the lower slat 7 is longer and protrudes through the first, outer longitudinal opening 3a and through the first guide rail 1a through the second, inner longitudinal opening 3b into the second left-hand or outer guide rail 1b, where the head 23 contacts the two busbars 4.

[0081] The Figure 9shows an embodiment according to the invention of the upper part of a Venetian blind with a slat box 8 and a curtain, the slats 7.1 and 7.2 of which are provided with photovoltaic elements, which are connected in series in sets to one another and each form a slat set 7. Photovoltaic elements of the slats are connected in sets to the busbars 4+ and 4- for current dissipation, with each set having a connection of the photovoltaic elements to the busbar 4.z in such a way that a total of one serial connection is created between the photovoltaic elements of the two slats 7.1 and 7.2 for each slat set 7, and thus the voltages U1 and U2 generated by the photovoltaic elements are added to a total voltage Uges and, ideally, doubled. As can be seen from the Figure 9As can be seen, the busbar for the intermediate potential 4z runs on one side in one guide rail 1, while the two current discharge rails 4+ and 4- run in the right guide rail 1.

[0082] For a clearer illustration, the schematic electrical circuit of the photovoltaic elements mounted on the slats 7.1 and 7.1 is shown in the Figure 9 again in the Figure 10shown. On the left, the negative or earthed busbar 4- is arranged, from which leads lead to the first slat 7.1 of a slat set 7. The first and second slats 7.1 and 7.2 are connected together and with reversed polarity to the busbar 4.z, where a common intermediate potential of the voltage U1 is present between the first and second slats 7.1 and 7.2. The second slats 7.2 are then connected with the positive side of their photovoltaic elements with their voltage U2 to the busbar 4+, whereby a total voltage Uges = U1 + U2 is generated between the busbars 4- and 4+. The two busbars 4+ and 4- serve to discharge current with the potential of the total voltage Uges and combine the entire electrical output of the venetian blind according to the invention.

[0083] The Venetian blind according to the invention thus consists of a plurality of slat sets 7 connected in parallel and made up of serially connected slats 7.1 and 7.2, wherein the intermediate potential between all first slats 7.1 and all second slats 7.2 is interconnected.

[0084] Another embodiment of the Venetian blind according to the invention provides that three slats 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 of a slat set 7 are connected in series and the slat sets 7 of the entire Venetian blind are connected in parallel and the first, second and third slats 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 are connected in parallel. Such an embodiment is exemplified in Figure 11This shows the upper part of a Venetian blind with a slat box 8 with laterally arranged guide rails 1 designed according to the invention and three slat sets 7. Each slat set 7 contains a first, second and third slat 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3, each with a photovoltaic element arranged thereon. A busbar 4+ and 4- is arranged on the right and left in the guide rails, which on the one hand is connected to an external power connection and on the other hand electrically connects the slat sets 7. In addition, a busbar 4.z is arranged in each of the lateral guide rails 1, which connects the individual slats 7.1 to 7.2 and 7.2 to 7.3 in series and simultaneously connects all first slats 7.1, all second slats 7.2 and all third slats 7.3 in parallel.

[0085] A schematic representation of this electrical circuit from the Figure 11 is in the Figure 12shown. There are four slat sets 7, each consisting of the three slats 7.1 to 7.3. These three slats 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 are connected in series to each other within each slat set 7. At the same time, the slat sets are each connected in parallel via busbars 4- and 4+. In addition, there is also a parallel connection to the same intermediate potentials of the individual slats 7.1 and 7.2 via the two busbars 4.z, whereby these busbars 4.z are each insulated from the outside. In this way, the achieved operating voltage Utotal can be increased to the sum of the individual voltages U1+U2+U3 of the first, second and third slats 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 in order to keep transmission losses as low as possible. At the same time, the current output of the slat sets 7 is summed up according to their number in the venetian blind.

[0086] Overall, the invention proposes a power dissipation system for a shading device with a plurality of slats, each of which is movably mounted in at least one lateral guide rail by means of guide pins, wherein the shading device has photovoltaic elements for generating power, which are electrically connected to the guide pins of the respective slat, wherein at least two electrical busbars are present in the at least one guide rail, so that there is electrical contact with the photovoltaic elements of the slats in order to dissipate the generated power. Furthermore, a shading device with a plurality of slats, each with at least one photovoltaic element for generating power, is proposed, wherein a power dissipation system according to the invention is present for dissipating the generated power.

[0087] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is defined by the claims. List of reference symbols

[0088] 1Guide rail 1aRight, inner guide rail 1bright, outer guide rail 2Insert 2aSpring legs 3Longitudinal opening 3aFirst, outer longitudinal opening 3bSecond, inner longitudinal opening 4Busbar 4+positive busbar 4-negative busbar 4.zBusbar for intermediate potential 5Keder insert 6Connection between contact means and photovoltaic element 7Slats with photovoltaic elements 7.1First slat with photovoltaic element of a serial slat set 7.2Second slat with photovoltaic element of a serial slat set 7.3Third slat with photovoltaic element of a serial slat set 8Slat box 9+positive busbar 9-negative busbar 10, 20Guide bolt 11, 21Contact element 12, 22Pin 13, 23Head

Claims

1. Current discharge system having guide bolts (10, 20) and at least one guide rail (1, 1a, 1b), for a shading device with a plurality of slats (7), in particular for a Venetian blind or for a slatted blind, wherein the slats (7) can each be movably mounted in the at least one lateral guide rail (1, 1a, 1b) by means of the guide bolts (10, 20), wherein the shading device has photovoltaic elements for generating current, wherein the photovoltaic elements can be electrically connected to the guide bolts (10, 20) of the respective slat (7), wherein there are at least two electrical busbars (4) in the at least one guide rail (1, 1a, 1b) of the current discharge system, so that electrical contact with the photovoltaic elements of the slats (7) can be established to discharge the current generated, two lateral guide rails (1, 1a, 1b) are formed and there are a total of at least two electrical busbars (4) in the two guide rails (1, 1a, 1b), and a guide bolt (10, 20) has at least one contact means (11, 21), which forms the electrical contact with one of the guide rails (4), characterized in that the at least one contact means (11, 21) is in the form of an electrically conductive pin (12, 22), which is situated in the non-conductive guide bolt (10, 20) and has an enlarged head (13, 23) for contacting the at least one busbar (4), wherein the busbar (4) is electrically contacted perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the guide bolt (10, 20), and the electrical contact between the busbar (4) and the head (13, 23) has a contact-pressure spring system, so that a spring force presses the busbar (4) and the head (13, 23) against each other perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the guide bolt (10, 20).

2. Current discharge system according to the preceding Claim 1, characterized in that each guide bolt (10, 20) of a slat (7) has precisely one contact means (12, 21), wherein the one contact means (21, 21) contacts one or two busbars (4) of equal potential during operation.

3. Current discharge system according to either of the preceding Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that one of the guide rails (1, 1a, 1b) has precisely one busbar (4).

4. Current discharge system according to either of the preceding Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that one of the guide rails (1, 1a, 1b) has precisely two busbars (4).

5. Current discharge system according to the preceding Claim 3, characterized in that the two busbars (4) are at equal potential during operation.

6. Current discharge system according to the preceding Claim 3, characterized in that the two busbars (4) are at different potentials during operation.

7. Current discharge system according to the preceding Claim 1, characterized in that each guide bolt (10, 20) of a slat (7) has two contact means (11, 21), wherein the contact means (11,2 21) each contact a busbar (1, 1a, 1b), wherein the busbars (1, 1a, 1b) have different potentials during operation.

8. Current discharge system according to any of the preceding Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that one of the guide rails (1, 1a, 1b) is formed in such a way that a temperature-related change in length of the slat (7) can be compensated for in the guide rail (1, 1a, 1b).

9. Current discharge system according to any of the preceding Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that two guide rails (1, 1a, 1b) are formed on each side of the shading device, wherein the guide bolts (10, 20) of adjacent slats (7) are arranged alternately in the two guide rails (1, 1a, 1b) on each side.

10. Current discharge system according to any of the preceding Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that rubber seals and / or brush seals are inserted into the longitudinal openings (3, 3a, 3b) of one of the guide rails (1, 1a, 1b) at least in sections.

11. Current discharge system according to any of the preceding Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in each case at least two slats (7.1, 7.2, 7.3) are electrically connected to each other in series several times to form a respective set of slats (7), wherein the connecting points (9) between the slats (7.1 to 7.2 and 7.2 to 7.3) are electrically coupled to each other in parallel via a respective busbar (4.z).

12. Current discharge system according to the preceding Claim 11, characterized in that there are precisely two slats (7.1, 7.2), which are connected in series, for each set of slats (7), wherein: - the equal-potential connecting points (9) between the respective first slat (7.1) and the second slat (7.2) are electrically connected via a busbar (4.z) on a first side of the shading device, and - each set of slats (7) is electrically connected to the positive and negative busbars (4+, 4-) on the second side, which is situated opposite the first side, of the shading device, wherein the polarity (+, -) of the slats in the shading device is designed to alternate from top to bottom.

13. Current discharge system according to the preceding Claim 11, characterized in that there are precisely three slats (7.1, 7.2, 7.3), which are connected in series, for each set of slats (7), wherein: - the equal-potential connecting points (9) between the respective first slat (7.1) and the second slat (7.2) are electrically connected via a first busbar (4.z) on a first side of the shading device, - the equal-potential connecting points (9) between the respective second slat (7.2) and the third slat (7.3) are electrically connected via a second busbar (4.z) on a second side - which is situated opposite the first side - of the shading device, - each set of slats (7) is electrically connected to a positive busbar (4+) and a negative busbar (4-) on a respective side of the shading device.

14. Shading device, in particular a Venetian blind or a slatted blind, at least comprising a hanging having a plurality of slats (7), which are each movably mounted in at least one of the lateral guide rails (1, 1a, 1b) by means of guide bolts (10, 20) and each have at least one photovoltaic element for generating current, characterized in that there is a current discharge system according to any of the preceding Claims 1 to 13 for discharging the current generated.

15. Shading device according to the preceding Claim 14, characterized in that the hanging comprises at least a first package of slats and a second package of slats, wherein the packages of slats can be tilted differently around the respective longitudinal axes of the slats.

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