Bench-type power generator

Abstract

To provide a bench-type power generator which is advantageous for maintainability and load reduction of a solar cell module.SOLUTION: A bench-type power generator includes: a seating face forming part for forming a seating face; a backrest forming part forming a backrest; and a solar cell module which has a light receiving face crossing a front face view direction of the backrest and is provided in the backrest forming part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of solar cell modules have been proposed. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a bifacial solar cell module in which both sides of a panel-shaped solar cell module are light-receiving surfaces. Patent Document 3 also proposes a solar cell module called a see-through or light-through type, which has improved transparency in the thickness direction.

[0003] Various uses of solar cell modules have also been proposed, including application to outdoor structures. For example, Patent Document 4 discloses a rest facility with solar cell modules installed on the roof for power generation. Patent Document 5 discloses a bench with solar cell modules installed on the seat for power generation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-72989 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 2022-153854 [Patent Document 3] JP 2017-093054 A [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 7148238 [Patent Document 5] JP 2001-190359 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a structure in which solar cell modules are installed on the roof as in Patent Document 4, the installation and maintenance of the solar cell modules must be done at a high place, which poses a problem in terms of workability. In a structure in which solar cell modules are installed on the seat as in Patent Document 5, the module bears the weight of people sitting on it, etc., which poses a problem in terms of ensuring the durability of the solar cell module when used as a bench.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a bench-type power generating device which is advantageous in terms of ease of maintenance of the solar cell module and reduction of the load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present invention, A seat forming portion that forms a seat; A backrest forming portion that forms a backrest; A solar cell module having a light receiving surface intersecting with a front viewing direction of the backrest and provided in the backrest forming portion. A bench-type power generating apparatus is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bench-type power generating device which is advantageous in terms of ease of maintenance of the solar cell module and reduction of the load. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view of a bench-type power generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] Cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1. [Diagram 3] Block diagram of the electrical system of the bench-type generator shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing examples of electric loads. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more features among the multiple features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0011] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is an external view of a bench type power generating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1. The structure of the bench type power generating apparatus 1 will be described with reference to these figures. In each figure, arrows X and Y indicate horizontal directions perpendicular to each other, and arrow Z indicates a vertical direction. The X direction corresponds to the left-right direction (width direction) of the bench type power generating apparatus 1, the Y direction corresponds to the front-rear direction (depth direction) of the bench type power generating apparatus 1, and the Z direction corresponds to the height direction of the bench type power generating apparatus 1.

[0012] The bench-type power generating device 1 is a device intended to be used as a bench outdoors in parks, squares, bus stops, etc., and is equipped with a seat forming portion 2 that forms seat surfaces 20A, 20B on which a person can sit, a backrest portion 3 that forms a backrest 30 against which the person can lean their back, and legs 4 that support these on the ground.

[0013] The seat forming portion 2 is a horizontal plate-like member, and its upper surface forms the seat surfaces 20A and 20B. In the case of this embodiment, the seat surfaces 20A and 20B are formed on both sides of the backrest 30 in the Y direction, allowing one bench-type power generating device 1 to be used as a bench by more people.

[0014] The leg 4 comprises a base 40 which is a horizontal plate-like member, and a vertical wall 41 which is erected in the center of the base 40 in the Y direction and extends in the X direction, the base 40 is grounded, and the vertical wall 41 supports the seat forming part 2. The seat forming part 2 and the leg 4 can be formed, for example, by an H-shaped concrete member which integrally comprises them.

[0015] The backrest 3 is a vertical wall-like unit erected in the center of the seat forming part 2 in the Y direction and extending in the X direction, and incorporates a solar cell module 5. Providing the solar cell module 5 in the backrest 3 allows workers to install and maintain the module on the ground, which is advantageous in terms of maintainability since it does not require working at height. In addition, the backrest 3 is less susceptible to contact with people, luggage, etc. and less load compared to the seats 20A and 20B, and is also advantageous in terms of load reduction.

[0016] The backrest 3 has a rectangular frame 31 that forms its periphery. The frame 31 has a pair of vertical frames 31a spaced apart in the X direction, an upper frame 31b extending in the X direction, and a lower frame 31c extending in the X direction. The solar cell module 5 and a pair of front and rear protective plates 32 are supported by the frame 31.

[0017] The pair of vertical frames 31a have a U-shaped horizontal cross section with a groove that opens inward in the X direction and extends in the vertical direction. The solar cell module 5 is sandwiched between the pair of protective plates 32 and inserted between the opposing grooves of the pair of vertical frames 31a. The grooves of the vertical frames 31a are also used as wiring passages for wiring the solar cell module 5.

[0018] The upper frame 31b is installed between the upper ends of the pair of vertical frames 31a, and covers the solar cell module 5 and the pair of protective plates 32 from above. The lower frame 31c connects the lower ends of the pair of vertical frames 31a, and supports the solar cell module 5 and the pair of protective plates 32 from below. The lower frame 31c is fixed to the seat forming portion 2.

[0019] The solar cell module 5 is a rectangular panel-shaped module having a cell layer 50 in which solar cell cells are provided, and a pair of sealants 51 sandwiching the cell layer 50. The light-receiving surface (light-receiving surface of the cell) of the solar cell module 5 intersects with the front viewing direction FD of the backrest 30, and is formed over the entire inner region (region of the XZ plane) of the frame body 31. Here, in this embodiment, the front viewing direction FD is the Y direction, and the light-receiving surface of the solar cell module 5 is a vertical surface on the XZ plane that is perpendicular to the front viewing direction FD.

[0020] However, the light receiving surface may be an inclined surface inclined from a vertical surface. For example, in the present embodiment, the backrest surface of the backrest 30 is a vertical surface, but the backrest surface may be inclined, in which case the light receiving surface (i.e. the entire solar cell module 5) may be disposed inclined from the vertical surface along the backrest surface. Also, the backrest surface may be a vertical surface, while the light receiving surface (i.e. the entire solar cell module 5) may be inclined from the vertical surface. In other words, it is sufficient that the light receiving surface appears to extend in the X direction and the Z direction when viewed in the front viewing direction FD.

[0021] The solar cell module 5 of this embodiment is a bifacial solar cell module. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, it generates electricity for both light in the DF direction from the front side of the backrest 30 in the Y direction and light in the DR direction from the rear side of the backrest 30 in the Y direction. The solar cell module 5 of this embodiment is also a see-through solar cell module. Therefore, the solar cell module 5 has transparency in the thickness direction (Y direction), and the rear side of the backrest 30 can be seen from the front side of the backrest 30 to the front side, or vice versa.

[0022] The pair of protective plates 32 are transparent rectangular plates, e.g., resin plates. Providing the protective plates 32 improves the protection performance of the solar cell module 5 and also improves the rigidity of the backrest forming portion 3. The transparent protective plates 32 not only allow light to enter the solar cell module 5, but also make the backrest forming portion 3, except for the frame body 31, a structure that has transparency in the thickness direction (Y direction), making it easier for the bench-type power generating device 1 to blend into the surrounding scenery and providing a sense of freedom to the seated person.

[0023] In this embodiment, the light receiving surface of the solar cell module 5 is a vertical surface, and compared to a horizontal surface, the amount of direct sunlight received may be less during the day when the sun is high in the sky. Therefore, in this embodiment, the seats 20A and 20B are provided with reflective material 21 that reflects light incident on the seats 20A and 20B to the light receiving surface. As shown by arrow D1 in Figure 1, when sunlight enters the seat 20A from the arrow D1, it is reflected by the reflective material 21 to the solar cell module 5, and the amount of light received by the solar cell module 5 can be improved.

[0024] The reflecting material 21 is preferably one that has a property of reflecting light in the near-infrared wavelength region, which can suppress the temperature rise of the seats 20A, 20B, and can reduce the discomfort of the seats 20A, 20B when the seats 20A, 20B become hot in the summer, for example. In addition, since light in the near-infrared wavelength region is invisible light, it is also possible to prevent people around from feeling dazzled by the reflected light. The reflecting material 21 may be, for example, a paint that is applied to the seats 20A, 20B, and as a paint that has a property of reflecting light in the near-infrared wavelength region, for example, a heat-shielding paint used for heat-shielding pavement of roads can be used, and specifically, Thermo Eye (registered trademark) Road W manufactured by Nippon Paint Co., Ltd. can be mentioned. In addition, when the reflecting material 21 has a property of reflecting light in the near-infrared wavelength region, the protective plate 32 is preferably a material that has a high transmittance of light in the near-infrared wavelength region, and for example, polycarbonate is preferable.

[0025] Next, in the bench-type power generating apparatus 1 of this embodiment, a storage space is formed between the seat forming portion 2 and the base portion 40, and a battery 6 and a control device 7 are installed therein. The battery 6 stores electricity generated by the solar cell module 5. The control device 7 controls the entire bench-type power generating apparatus 1. The electricity generated by the solar cell module 5 and stored in the battery 6 is supplied to the control device 7, as well as to an outlet 8 and a display device 9.

[0026] The outlet 8 supplies electricity to an external device, and can be connected to a power cable of a mobile device such as a portable terminal. The outlet 8 is provided in the frame 31, and in this embodiment, is fixed to the vertical frame 31a. This improves convenience for the seated occupant.

[0027] The display device 9 is a device that provides information to people in the vicinity, and is, for example, an electronic image display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The display device 9 can display in text information such as whether or not power is being generated, the amount of power generated, the weather, and the temperature. The display device 9 may be a device that emits light in multiple colors, and may provide information such as whether or not power is being generated and the amount of power generated by using the emitted light color. For example, the display device 9 may emit green light while power is being generated, and emit red light when power is not being generated or the amount of power generated is low. Also, for example, the display device may emit red light when the temperature is high, and emit blue light when the temperature is low.

[0028] Next, there will be described the configuration of the electrical system of the bench type power generating apparatus 1. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the electrical system of the bench type power generating apparatus 1, and shows the configuration of the control device 7 and its periphery.

[0029] The control device 7 includes a control circuit 70. The control circuit 70 includes a processor represented by a CPU, a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, an input / output interface with an external device, a real-time clock circuit, etc. The storage device stores programs executed by the processor, data used by the processor for processing, etc.

[0030] Electricity generated by solar cell module 5 is supplied to battery 6 via DC / DC converter 72 and stored. The amount of power generated by solar cell module 5 is measured by current / voltage sensor 71. Control circuit 70 can also update the display on display device 9 in accordance with the measurement results. Electricity stored in battery 6 is supplied to outlet 8 and electrical equipment 75 via DC / DC converter 73. Electric equipment 75 includes display device 9.

[0031] In addition, the electricity stored in the battery 6 can also be supplied to an electrical device 100 outside the bench-type power generating apparatus 1 via a DC / AC converter 73. The electrical device 100 is, for example, electrical equipment (street lights, displays, work machines, etc.) associated with the park, square, or bus stop where the bench-type power generating apparatus 1 is installed.

[0032] Second Embodiment The electric device 75 can be various devices other than the display device 9. FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B) show an example. FIG. 4(A) shows an example in which a lighting device 10 is provided as the electric device 75. The lighting device 10 is built into the upper frame 31b and includes a light-emitting element such as an LED and a drive circuit for the same. The lighting device 10 irradiates light from the upper frame 31b toward the seat surface 20A as shown by the arrow. Although not shown, the lighting device 10 also irradiates light from the upper frame 31b toward the seat surface 20B on the back of the backrest forming part 3. The lighting device 10 makes the entire bench-type power generation device 1 appear to be emitting light. For example, by emitting light at night, it can serve as a substitute for a street light, improving crime prevention in the surrounding area, and the bench-type power generation device 1 can also be made to appear as a decoration by selecting the luminous color.

[0033] FIG. 4(B) shows an example in which a blower 11 is provided as the electric device 75. The blower 11 is, for example, a line fan, and is built into the vertical frame 31a. A plurality of blower openings 31d are formed in the vertical frame 31a in the Z direction. By operating the blower 11, air can be blown from the blower openings 31 to the front of the backrest portion 30, so that the seated person can feel cool in the summer. In addition, a blower 11 that blows air to the back side of the backrest forming portion 3 is also provided. For example, the control circuit 70 may operate the blower 11 when a sensor (not shown) detects that a person is seated, and may stop the blower 11 when the seating is no longer detected. Also, based on the detection result of the sensor 71, the amount of air blown may be increased when the amount of power generation increases, and may be decreased when the amount of power generation decreases.

[0034] <Other embodiments> In the above embodiment, the seat forming part 2 forms two seat surfaces 20A, 20B on both sides of the backrest part 30 in the Y direction, but there may be only one seat surface. For example, only the seat surface 20A may be provided and the seat surface 20B is unnecessary, so that the backrest forming part 3 may be erected at the end part on the far side in the Y direction of the seat forming part 2. In this case, the solar cell module 5 may be a single-sided light receiving type solar cell module in which only one light receiving surface is provided, or may be a double-sided light receiving type solar cell module as in the above embodiment.

[0035] Although the embodiment of the invention has been described above, the invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 bench type power generating device, 2 seat forming part, 3 backrest forming part, 5 solar cell module

Claims

1. A seat forming portion that forms a seat; A backrest forming portion that forms a backrest; A solar cell module having a light receiving surface intersecting with a front viewing direction of the backrest and provided in the backrest forming portion. A bench-type power generating device characterized by:

2. 2. The bench type power generating apparatus according to claim 1, The seat surface is provided with a reflective material that reflects light incident on the seat surface to the light receiving surface. A bench-type power generating device characterized by:

3. 3. The bench-type power generating apparatus according to claim 2, The reflector reflects light in the near-infrared wavelength range. A bench-type power generating device characterized by:

4. 2. The bench type power generating apparatus according to claim 1, The seat surface forming portion forms the seat surface on both sides of the backrest in the front-rear direction, The solar cell module is a bifacial solar cell module. A bench-type power generating device characterized by:

5. 5. The bench-type power generating apparatus according to claim 4, The solar cell module is a see-through type solar cell module. A bench-type power generating device characterized by:

6. 2. The bench type power generating apparatus according to claim 1, a power outlet for supplying electricity generated by the solar cell module to an external device; A bench-type power generating device characterized by:

7. 2. The bench type power generating apparatus according to claim 1, An electric device is provided that operates using electricity generated by the solar cell module. A bench-type power generating device characterized by:

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