Solar power generation equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a solar power generation device that is normally capable of generating electricity using sunlight shining on a columnar object, and can be transformed into a form capable of obtaining a large amount of power in emergencies such as earthquakes or large-scale power outages. [Solution] The solar power generation device 10 is deformable between a first form attached to a columnar object 81 and a second form detached from the columnar object 81 and unfolded, and includes a flexible, quadrilateral solar cell sheet 11, a pair of first support members 21 that are elongated in one direction and separately support at least a portion of one side and at least a portion of the other side of two opposing sides of the solar cell sheet 11, a second connecting means (second support member 31, shaft portion 25, bearing portion 32, screw hole 26, through hole 33 and bolt 34) for connecting the first support members 21 in the second form, and an output terminal 16 for connecting to the solar cell sheet 11.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the development of a solar power generation device that generates electricity using sunlight irradiated on columnar objects such as utility poles, telephone poles, and trees has been underway. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a solar power generation device having a structure in which a flexible solar cell is wound around a columnar object.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above structure, since the light receiving area of the solar cell sheet for sunlight is relatively small, it may be difficult to obtain a large amount of power required in an emergency such as an earthquake or a large-scale power outage. The present invention is generally in a form capable of generating electricity using sunlight irradiated on the position of a columnar object, and in an emergency such as an earthquake or a large-scale power outage, it is an object to provide a solar power generation device that can be deformed into a form capable of obtaining a large amount of power.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention relates to a photovoltaic power generation device that is deformable between a first form attached to a columnar object and a second form detached from the columnar object and unfolded, comprising: a flexible, quadrilateral solar cell sheet; a pair of first support members that are elongated in one direction and separately support at least a portion of one of the two opposing sides of the solar cell sheet and at least a portion of the other side; a second connecting means for connecting the first support members in the second form; and an output terminal for connecting to the solar cell sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a solar power generation device that is normally capable of generating electricity using sunlight shining on a columnar object, and can be transformed into a form that can obtain a large amount of power in emergencies such as earthquakes or large-scale power outages. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the structure of the first form of photovoltaic power generation device. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the structure of the second type of photovoltaic power generation device. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the structure of a solar power generation device in the process of transforming from its first form to its second form. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the structure of a solar power generation device in the process of transforming from the configuration shown in Figure 3 to the second configuration. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the installation state of the second type of solar power generation system. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the installation state of the second type of solar power generation system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The structure of the photovoltaic power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a first form of photovoltaic power generation device 10 attached to a columnar structure 81. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of a second form of photovoltaic power generation device 10 when detached from the columnar structure 81 and unfolded.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the photovoltaic power generation device 10 comprises a solar cell sheet 11, two first support members 21, two second support members 31, and an output terminal 16. The photovoltaic power generation device 10 may also further comprise two third support members 41.

[0011] The solar cell sheet 11 is composed of flexible solar cells such as perovskite solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and organic thin-film solar cells. The solar cell sheet 11 has a light-receiving surface 12.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, in the first embodiment described above, the solar cell sheet 11 is wrapped around a columnar object 81 with a circular cross-sectional shape. As a result, the solar cell sheet 11 becomes cylindrical, and the curvature of the solar cell sheet 11 in a cross-section A perpendicular to direction Z, which is the longitudinal direction of the columnar object 81, becomes a first curvature R1. For example, sunlight is shone parallel to direction S, and sunlight within the range of the light-receiving width W1 shines onto the light-receiving surface 12.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, in the second embodiment, the solar cell sheet 11 is removed from the columnar object 81 and unfolded. The unfolded shape of the solar cell sheet 11 is quadrilateral. The curvature of the solar cell sheet 11 at the same position on the solar cell sheet 11 as in the first embodiment, in the cross-section A of the second embodiment, is the second curvature R2. The second curvature R2 is smaller than the first curvature R1. In the second embodiment, the solar cell sheet 11 may be planar in shape, and the second curvature R2 may be 0. For example, sunlight is shone parallel to direction S, and sunlight within the range of the light-receiving width W2 shines on the light-receiving surface 12. The light-receiving width W2 is larger than the light-receiving width W1.

[0014] The first support member 21 is a member having a shape that is long in one direction and is made of iron, carbon steel, alloy steel, aluminum alloy, resin, wood, or the like.

[0015] One of the two first support members 21 is fixed by an adhesive tape, an adhesive, or the like to at least a part of the vicinity of one of the two opposing sides (B and C in FIG. 2) of the solar cell sheet 11, which is side B in FIG. 2. Further, the other of the two first support members 21 is fixed by an adhesive tape, an adhesive, or the like to at least a part of the vicinity of the other of the two opposing sides (B and C in FIG. 2) of the solar cell sheet 11, which is side C in FIG. 2. That is, the pair of first support members 21 separately support at least a part of the vicinity of one of the two opposing sides of the solar cell sheet 11 and at least a part of the vicinity of the other side.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one of the two first support members 21 may include a screw hole 23, and the other first support member 21 may include a through hole 22.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, in the first embodiment, the through hole 22 and the screw hole 23 may be screwed together by a bolt 24 so that the two first support members 21 may be connected to each other. Thereby, the photovoltaic power generation device 10 may be fixed to the columnar object 81. Further, in the first embodiment, the first support member 21 may be arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the first support member 21 is substantially parallel to the direction Z.

[0018] In the first embodiment, the through hole 22, the screw hole 23, and the bolt 24 that connect the two first support members 21 to each other correspond to the first connecting means. The first connecting means is not limited to the through hole 22, the screw hole 23, and the bolt 24, and may be a hook, a snap fit, a magnet, a string, or the like.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, in the above second embodiment, the pair of first support members 21 separately support at least a part of one side and at least a part of the other side among two opposing sides of the deployed solar cell sheet 11.

[0020] A shaft portion 25 protruding in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first support member 21 may be provided near the end of the first support member 21. Further, a screw hole 26 may be provided near the end on the opposite side of the end where the shaft portion 25 of the first support member 21 is provided. The positions of the shaft portion 25 and the screw hole 26 provided on the first support member 21 are not limited to the vicinity of the ends.

[0021] The second support member 31 is a member having a long shape in one direction and made of iron, carbon steel, alloy steel, aluminum alloy, resin, wood, etc.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a bearing portion 32 rotatably connected to the shaft portion 25 may be provided near the end of the second support member 31. Further, a through hole 33 may be provided near the end on the opposite side of the end where the bearing portion 32 of the second support member 31 is provided. The positions of the bearing portion 32 and the through hole 33 provided on the second support member 31 are not limited to the vicinity of the ends.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, in the above first embodiment, the second support member 31 may be arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the second support member 31 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first support member 21. Further, the bolt 34 may be screwed into the through hole 33 and the screw hole 26 such that one second support member 31 is connected to one first support member 21 by the shaft portion 25 and the bearing portion 32, and the screw hole 26, the through hole 33, and the bolt 34.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, in the second embodiment described above, the second support member 31 may be positioned such that its longitudinal direction intersects with the longitudinal direction of the first support member 21. Alternatively, one second support member 31 may be connected to one of the first support members 21 by a shaft portion 25 and a bearing portion 32, and connected to the other first support member 21 by a bolt 34, a through hole 33 and a screw hole 26, such that the bolt 34 is screwed into the through hole 33 and the screw hole 26.

[0025] The second support member 31 is not limited to a member with a shape that is elongated in one direction. Furthermore, the number of second support members 31 is not limited to two; it may be one or three or more.

[0026] In the second embodiment described above, the second support member 31, shaft portion 25, bearing portion 32, screw hole 26, through hole 33, and bolt 34 that connect the two first support members 21 together constitute the second connecting means. The second connecting means is not limited to the second support member 31, shaft portion 25, bearing portion 32, screw hole 26, through hole 33, and bolt 34, but may also be a hook, snap fit, magnet, string, etc.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second support member 31 may be provided with a shaft portion 35 that protrudes in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second support member 31.

[0028] The third support member 41 is a member that is elongated in one direction and made of iron, carbon steel, alloy steel, aluminum alloy, resin, wood, or the like.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the third support member 41 may be provided with a bearing portion 42 that is rotatably connected to the shaft portion 35.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, in the first embodiment described above, the third support member 41 may be positioned such that its longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of at least one of the second support member 31 and the first support member 21.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, in the second embodiment described above, the third support member 41 may be positioned such that its longitudinal direction intersects with the longitudinal direction of the first support member 21 and also intersects with the longitudinal direction of the second support member 31.

[0032] The bearing portion 42 may be rotatably connected to a shaft portion (not shown) provided on the first support member 21, rather than to the shaft portion 35. The number of third support members 41 is not limited to two; there may be one or three or more.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an output terminal 16 is provided that is connected to the solar cell sheet 11. Power can be supplied from the output terminal 16 when sunlight is irradiating the light-receiving surface 12 of the solar cell sheet 11. The output terminal 16 may also be connectable to devices such as the user's mobile terminal (not shown) or portable power supply (not shown).

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the photovoltaic power generation device 10 is typically configured in the first form described above. This allows power to be supplied from the output terminal 16 by generating electricity from the solar cell sheet 11 using sunlight that shines within a light-receiving width W1 including the position of the columnar object 81 on the light-receiving surface 12, without requiring a large space around the columnar object 81.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, in emergencies such as earthquakes or large-scale power outages, the solar power generation device 10 is configured in the second form described above. This allows for the supply of more power from the output terminal 16 than in the first form, through the generation of electricity by the solar cell sheet 11 using sunlight irradiated onto the light-receiving surface 12 within the range of the light-receiving width W2.

[0036] The method of transforming from the first form to the second form will be explained below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0037] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the photovoltaic power generation device 10 during the transformation from the first form (Figure 1) to the second form (Figure 2). Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the photovoltaic power generation device 10 during the transformation from the form in Figure 3 to the second form (Figure 2).

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the bolts 24 are removed from the through holes 22 and screw holes 23, separating the two first support members 21. Then, the solar cell sheet 11 wrapped around the columnar object 81 is removed from the columnar object 81 and unfolded.

[0039] Next, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the bolt 34 is removed from the through hole 33 and the screw hole 26, and the second support member 31 is rotated in direction P (Figure 3) around the bearing portion 32, and the bolt 34 is screwed into the through hole 33 and into a different screw hole 26 than the screw hole 26 that was screwed into the through hole 33 in the first configuration. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, the second support member 31 connects the two first support members 21.

[0040] Next, as shown in Figures 4 and 2, the third support member 41 is rotated in direction Q (Figure 4) around the bearing portion 42. As a result, as shown in Figure 2, the longitudinal direction of the third support member 41 intersects with the longitudinal direction of the first support member 21 and also with the longitudinal direction of the second support member 31.

[0041] The installation state of the solar power generation device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

[0042] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the installation state of the photovoltaic power generation device 10 in the second embodiment described above. The solar power generation device 10 may have a structure that allows it to stand on its own with the third support member 41 in contact with the ground 51 and the light-receiving surface 12 of the solar cell sheet 11 intersecting with the ground 51.

[0043] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the installation state of the photovoltaic power generation device 10 in the second embodiment described above. The solar power generation device 10 may have a structure that allows it to stand on its own, with the end of the third support member 41 away from the solar cell sheet 11 and the edges of the solar cell sheet 11 away from the third support member 41 in contact with the ground 51, and the light-receiving surface 12 of the solar cell sheet 11 intersecting with the ground 51.

[0044] The effects of the above embodiment will be described below.

[0045] The solar power generation device 10 is deformable between the first form in which it is attached to a columnar object 81 and the second form in which it is removed from the columnar object 81 and unfolded, and includes a flexible, quadrilateral solar cell sheet 11, a pair of first support members 21 that are elongated in one direction and separately support at least a portion of one side and at least a portion of the other side of two opposing sides of the solar cell sheet 11, a second connecting means for connecting the first support members 21 to each other in the second form, and an output terminal 16 that connects to the solar cell sheet 11. As a result, the solar power generation device 10 is normally configured in the first form described above, and power can be supplied from the output terminal 16 by generating electricity from the solar cell sheet 11 using sunlight irradiated onto the area including the location of the columnar object 81, without requiring a large space around the columnar object 81. On the other hand, in emergencies such as earthquakes or large-scale power outages, the solar power generation device 10 can be configured in the second form described above, and the power generated by the deployed solar cell sheets 11 can supply more electricity from the output terminals 16 than in the first form described above.

[0046] In the first embodiment described above, the solar power generation device 10 may also include the first connecting means for connecting the first support members 21 together. This makes it possible to stably fix the solar power generation device 10 to the columnar structure 81, and to enable the solar power generation device 10 to generate electricity stably.

[0047] In the first embodiment described above, the first support member 21 may be positioned such that its longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the columnar object 81. This makes it possible to arrange the first support member 21 compactly, and to reduce the required space around the columnar object 81.

[0048] The second connecting means described above may include a second support member 31 that is elongated in one direction. This makes it possible to expand the solar cell sheet 11 in the second embodiment described above, and by maintaining a large light-receiving width W2, it is possible to supply more power from the output terminal 16.

[0049] The second support member 31 and the first support member 21 may be rotatably connected. This allows the photovoltaic power generation device 10 to be transformed from the first form to the second form more quickly, and enables the rapid supply of greater power.

[0050] In the first embodiment described above, the second support member 31 may be positioned such that its longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first support member 21. This makes it possible to arrange the second support member 31 and the first support member 21 compactly, and to reduce the required space around the columnar object 81.

[0051] In the second embodiment described above, the second support member 31 may be positioned such that its longitudinal direction intersects with the longitudinal direction of the first support member 21. This makes it possible to expand the solar cell sheet 11 even further, and by maintaining a large light-receiving width W2, it becomes possible to supply more power from the output terminal 16.

[0052] The photovoltaic power generation device 10 may also include a third support member 41 that is elongated in one direction and connected to the second support member 31 or the first support member 21. This makes it possible to make the solar power generation device 10 self-sufficient in the second embodiment described above, enabling a stable posture and the supply of a larger amount of power.

[0053] The third support member 41 and the second support member 31 or the first support member 21 may be rotatably connected. This allows the photovoltaic power generation device 10 to be transformed from the first form to the second form more quickly, and enables the rapid supply of greater power.

[0054] In the first embodiment described above, the third support member 41 may be positioned such that its longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of at least one of the second support member 31 and the first support member 21. This makes it possible to compactly arrange the third support member 41 and at least one of the second support member 31 and the first support member 21, thereby reducing the required space around the columnar object 81.

[0055] In the second embodiment described above, the third support member 41 may be positioned such that its longitudinal direction intersects with the longitudinal direction of the first support member 21 and also intersects with the longitudinal direction of the second support member 31. This makes it possible to make the solar power generation device 10 more stable and self-sufficient in the second embodiment described above, enabling the supply of a larger amount of power in a stable position.

[0056] Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below.

[0057] The first connecting means described above can be omitted. In this case, the solar power generation device 10 may be fixed to the columnar object 81 using adhesive tape (not shown).

[0058] The third support member 41 can be omitted. In this case, the solar power generation device 10 may be self-supporting in the second embodiment described above, provided that at least one of the first support member 21 and the second support member 31 is grounded.

[0059] The output terminal 16 may be structured in a way that prevents connection from the outside of the solar power generation device 10, or it may be connected to a charging device (not shown) or lighting device (not shown) provided by the solar power generation device 10.

[0060] The cross-sectional shape of the columnar object 81 is not limited to a circle; it may be a square or other shape.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 10. Solar power generation equipment 11 Solar cell sheets 16 output terminals 21 First support member 22 Through hole 23 screw holes 24 volts 25 Shaft section 26 screw holes 31 Second support member 32 Bearing section 33 Through hole 34 volts 41 Third support member 42 Bearing section 81 Columnar object

Claims

1. A photovoltaic power generation device that is transformable between a first form attached to a columnar object and a second form detached from the columnar object and unfolded, A flexible solar cell sheet with a quadrilateral shape, A pair of first support members, each elongated in one direction, separately support at least a portion of one side and at least a portion of the other side of the solar cell sheet, In the second embodiment, a second connecting means for connecting the first support members together, Output terminals connected to the aforementioned solar cell sheet, A solar power generation system equipped with [specific features / features].

2. The photovoltaic power generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first connecting means for connecting the first support members together in the first embodiment.

3. The photovoltaic power generation device according to claim 2, wherein the first support member can be positioned such that the longitudinal direction of the first support member is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the columnar object.

4. The photovoltaic power generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting means comprises a second support member having a shape that is elongated in one direction.

5. The photovoltaic power generation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second support member and the first support member are rotatably connected.

6. The photovoltaic power generation device according to claim 4, wherein the second support member can be positioned such that the longitudinal direction of the second support member is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first support member, in the first embodiment.

7. The photovoltaic power generation device according to claim 4, wherein the second support member can be positioned such that the longitudinal direction of the second support member intersects with the longitudinal direction of the first support member, in the second embodiment.

8. The photovoltaic power generation device according to claim 4, further comprising a third support member having a unidirectional elongated shape connected to the second support member or the first support member.

9. The photovoltaic power generation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the third support member and the second support member or the first support member are rotatably connected.

10. The photovoltaic power generation device according to claim 8, wherein the third support member can be positioned such that the longitudinal direction of the third support member is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of at least one of the second support member and the first support member, in the first embodiment.

11. The photovoltaic power generation device according to claim 8, wherein, in the second embodiment, the third support member can be positioned such that its longitudinal direction intersects with the longitudinal direction of the first support member and also intersects with the longitudinal direction of the second support member.

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