Hand-held solar battery charger

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable solar charging device that is easy to carry and can regulate power by combining it with other portable solar charging devices as needed. In addition, the present invention is a portable solar charging device comprising a main body having a solar cell panel disposed on one side and a battery built in therein, and connecting parts disposed on both sides of the main body and detachably coupled to other portable solar charging devices, thereby enabling an electrical connection between them when the other portable solar charging devices are coupled. This allows for easy portability and, at the same time, enables the coupling of other portable solar charging devices as needed to overcome limitations caused by the solar cell panel area and increase the amount of power generated by sunlight.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable solar charging device that is easy to carry and can regulate power by combining it with other portable solar charging devices as needed. Background Technology

[0003] Recently, there has been a surge in the number of people seeking to enjoy various leisure activities such as fishing, hiking, and camping. Due to these leisure activities, the time spent outdoors increases, and occasionally, there may be cases where people stay overnight outdoors.

[0004] Meanwhile, due to the development of the IT industry, the distribution of personal portable devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and laptops has become widespread, and the frequency of using such devices during outdoor activities is increasing. In addition to the aforementioned personal portable devices, the frequency of using electronic products such as lighting, fans, and radios is also increasing.

[0005] As such, the number of people carrying and using solar-powered portable chargers to supply electricity is increasing as they frequently use personal mobile devices or electronic products outdoors.

[0006] However, conventional portable charging devices utilizing solar power inevitably have limited solar panel area to ensure portability, which leads to the problem of low power generation from sunlight.

[0007] In addition, conventional portable charging devices utilizing solar power have a structure in which the output voltage and current are fixed, and there is a problem in that the voltage or current cannot be adjusted or switched to suit the target to which the electricity is supplied.

[0008] In addition, there is a problem that even if multiple conventional solar-powered portable charging devices are provided, they cannot be used complementarily and must each be used individually.

[0009] Meanwhile, the technology forming the background of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0130806 and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0103197. Prior art literature

[0011] Published Patent Application No. 10-2014-0130806 (2014.11.12.) Published Patent Application No. 10-2016-0103197 (2016.09.01.) The problem to be solved

[0012] The present invention has been devised in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a portable solar charging device that can guarantee portability while ensuring sufficient power generation and allowing for power adjustment as needed.

[0013] The objectives of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned objectives will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0015] The present invention, for achieving the above-mentioned purpose, provides a portable solar charging device comprising: a main body having a solar cell panel disposed on one side and a battery built in; and connecting parts disposed on both sides of the main body, to which other portable solar charging devices are detachably coupled, and which enable an electrical connection to be formed between the other portable solar charging devices when coupled.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion includes a magnet, and coupling with the other portable solar charging device is achieved by magnetism.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion is plated for electrical connection on all or part of the magnet.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the connection portion is electrically connected to at least one of the solar panel and the battery.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the connection portion is separated into an upper connection portion with positive polarity and a lower connection portion with negative polarity, and the portable solar charging device is connected in series or parallel with the other portable solar charging device according to the polarity of the connection portion.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, when the portable solar charging device is coupled with the same polarity by the connection part, it is connected in parallel with the other portable solar charging device, and the output current increases.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, when the portable solar charging device is coupled with opposite polarity by the connection part, it is connected in series with the other portable solar charging device, and the output voltage increases.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the portable solar charging device further comprises a connector to which a charging target is connected; wherein, when a charging target is connected to the connector, the portable solar charging device supplies at least one of power produced by the solar panel and charging power of the battery, and when the charging target is not connected, the battery is charged with power produced by the solar panel.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the portable solar charging device further comprises a DC / DC converter for power conversion and a circuit breaker for interrupting power input or output from the connection part, and a substrate electrically connected to the solar panel, the battery, and the connection part. Effects of the invention

[0025] By means of the aforementioned problem-solving means, the present invention has the effect of eliminating limitations caused by the area of ​​the solar panel and increasing the amount of power generated by sunlight by combining other portable solar charging devices as needed while being easy to carry.

[0026] In addition, since the present invention allows multiple portable solar charging devices to be connected in series or parallel when available, it has the effect of enabling the multiple portable solar charging devices to be utilized complementarily by adjusting or switching the voltage or current according to the target to be supplied with electricity. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0028] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a portable solar charging device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portable solar charging device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the combined state of a portable solar charging device according to the present invention and another portable solar charging device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration installed on a substrate of a portable solar charging device according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0029] In the following description, specific details of the invention are provided to provide an overall understanding of the invention, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention can be easily practiced without these specific details and by variations thereof.

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached FIGS. 1 to 4, focusing on the parts necessary to understand the operation and function according to the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a portable solar charging device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portable solar charging device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the combined state of a portable solar charging device according to the present invention and another portable solar charging device.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a portable solar charging device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a solar cell panel (110), a battery (120), a main body (130), a connecting part (140, 150), a connector (160), a substrate (170), and a wireless charging coil (180).

[0034] The portable solar charging device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can be used to supply electricity to personal portable devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and laptops, as well as electronic products such as lights, fans, and radios, while engaging in leisure activities such as fishing, hiking, and camping, or various outdoor activities.

[0035] The above solar panel (110) is positioned so as to be exposed on one side of the main body (130) and generates electricity through sunlight. The power generated at this time may be supplied to a charging target through a connector (160) or may be charged into a battery (120).

[0036] The solar panel (110) may be formed in a structure of a combination of multiple solar cells, and the solar cells may be any one selected from silicon solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, compound semiconductor solar cells, and tandem solar cells, and may include a sealing material for sealing the solar cells, a cover (132) for protecting the light-receiving surface, etc.

[0037] The above battery (120) is built into the main body (130) and is charged by receiving power produced by the solar panel (110). It may also supply charging power to a charging target together with the solar panel (110), and in the event that power is not produced from the solar panel (110) due to nighttime or weather conditions, it may supply charging power to a charging target instead of the solar panel (110).

[0038] Additionally, the battery (120) may be charged by receiving power through the connector (160), or by charging power wirelessly through the wireless charging coil (180).

[0039] The battery (120) may be provided as a lithium battery (120), but is not limited thereto, and various secondary batteries configured to enable charging and discharging of power may be used.

[0040] The above main body (130) forms an exterior and is provided to protect the solar panel (110), battery (120), connecting part (140, 150), connector (160), substrate (170) and wireless charging coil (180), and can be formed in various shapes including a cuboid shape.

[0041] The main body (130) may be composed of a base (131) and a cover (132). The base (131) is located at the bottom of the main body (130) and provides a space for accommodating various components. The cover (132) has a through hole of a predetermined width formed therein so that the light-receiving surface of the solar panel (110) can be exposed, and the base (131) and the cover (132) can be fixedly connected by means such as snap-fitting or screw-fitting. At this time, a fixing member (133) may be further provided for a robust connection between the base (131) and the cover (132).

[0042] The above connecting parts (140, 150) are positioned on both sides of the main body (130) and are configured to include magnets, thereby enabling coupling with other portable solar charging devices (200) by magnetic force.

[0043] That is, other portable solar charging devices (200) can be detachably connected by the connecting parts (140, 150), and when connected in a stacked manner, the overall volume can be reduced, thereby improving portability.

[0044] Additionally, the connecting portion (140, 150) may be plated with nickel or gold for electrical connection to all or part of the magnet, and may be electrically connected to at least one of the solar panel (110) and the battery (120).

[0045] That is, when another portable solar charging device (200) is connected through the connecting part (140, 150), an electrical connection is made between them by the plating formed on the connecting part (140, 150).

[0046] Meanwhile, the connecting portion (140, 150) can be separated into an upper connecting portion (140a, 150a) of positive polarity and a lower connecting portion (140b, 150b) of negative polarity, the upper connecting portion (140a, 150a) of positive polarity is connected to the positive terminal of the solar cell panel (110) or battery (120), and the lower connecting portion (140b, 150b) of negative polarity is connected to the negative terminal of the solar cell panel (110) or battery (120).

[0047] As such, when combining other portable solar charging devices (200) by dividing the polarity of the connecting parts (140, 150) into positive and negative poles by the upper connecting parts (140a, 150a) and the lower connecting parts (140b, 150b), they can be connected in series or in parallel.

[0048] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3(a), the direction in which the connector (160) of the portable solar charging device (100) is located is called the front, and when another portable solar charging device (200) is connected while facing the front in the same way, the upper connection part (150a) and the lower connection part (150b) of the left connection part (150) are connected with the same polarity as the other portable solar charging device (200) and are connected in parallel with the other portable solar charging device (200), and as the two portable solar charging devices (100, 200) are connected in parallel, the overall output current increases.

[0049] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3(b), when a portable solar charging device (100) and another portable solar charging device (200) are combined so as to face opposite directions, the upper connecting part (150a) and the lower connecting part (150b) of the left connecting part (150) are connected with opposite polarities to the other portable solar charging device (200) and are connected in series with the other portable solar charging device (200), and as the two portable solar charging devices (100, 200) are connected in series, the overall output voltage increases.

[0050] Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 3(c), three or more portable solar charging devices (100, 200, 300) may be combined and used in a combination of series and parallel, and if necessary, the entire set may be connected in series or the entire set may be connected in parallel.

[0051] The above connector (160) is provided to allow a charging target to be connected, and it is preferable to provide a USB Type-C connector which is frequently used, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the connector (160) can be connected to the solar panel (110) and the battery (120) through the substrate (170).

[0052] Meanwhile, the connector (160) can check whether the charging target is connected through the substrate (170), and when the charging target is connected to the connector (160), at least one of the power produced by the solar panel (110) and the charging power of the battery (120) is supplied. For reference, when the charging target is not connected to the connector (160), the battery (120) is charged with the power produced by the solar panel (110).

[0053] The above substrate (170) is electrically connected to a solar panel (110), a battery (120), and a connection part (140, 150) and interrupts or controls the flow of power. For this purpose, the substrate (170) may be provided in the structure of a PCB substrate on which a switching element, a DC / DC converter (172, 174), etc. are mounted, including one or more processors.

[0054] The above wireless charging coil (180) is provided adjacent to the base (131) of the main body (130) and can receive power wirelessly to charge the battery (120) or supply the charging power charged in the battery (120) wirelessly to a charging target.

[0055] It is preferable that such wireless charging coils (180) be implemented using a magnetic induction method that is easy to commercialize, but are not limited thereto.

[0056] Hereinafter, a hardware configuration installed on a substrate (170) of a portable solar charging device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration installed on a substrate of a portable solar charging device according to the present invention.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 4, the substrate (170) of a portable solar charging device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a switching circuit (171), a DC / DC converter (172, 174), a USB interface circuit (173), an interruption unit (175, 176), a battery capacity comparison circuit (177), and an LED (178).

[0060] The above switching circuit (171) is for controlling the flow of power and is connected to a solar panel (110), a battery (120), and a connector (160) so that power produced from the solar panel (110) can be switched to flow to the connector (160) or power produced from the solar panel (110) can be switched to flow to the battery (120).

[0061] The switching circuit (171) can check whether the charging target is connected by monitoring the DC / DC converter (172) connected to the connector (160) side, or it can check whether the charging target is connected through the USB interface circuit (173).

[0062] The above DC / DC converter (172, 174) is for power conversion and is positioned between the switching circuit (171) and the connector (160), and also between the switching circuit (171) and the battery (120).

[0063] These DC / DC converters (172, 174) may be configured to include a Power Management IC (PMIC) and may switch the output voltage according to a request signal from a USB interface circuit (173), and may also be configured to switch to a variable output or a fixed output.

[0064] The above USB interface circuit (173) communicates with the charging target through the connector (160) when the charging target is connected, and can transmit a request signal for adjusting the output voltage to the DC / DC converter (172, 174) according to the voltage required by the charging target.

[0065] The above-mentioned control unit (175, 176) is provided to control power input or output from the connection unit (140, 150), and can be connected to each of the connection units (140, 150) on both sides, and can be provided as an N-Chennel MOFET, but is not limited thereto.

[0066] Additionally, the control unit (175, 176) allows power to flow when the object connected to the connection unit (140, 150) is another portable solar charging device (200), and can cut off power to the connection unit (140, 150) when a metal or conductive material comes into contact with it due to magnetism.

[0067] In this case, the drain of the control unit (175, 176) is connected to the DC-DC converter on the connector (160) side, the source is connected to the upper connection unit (140a, 150a) of the connection unit (140, 150), and the gate is provided as a pull-up resistor so that the output remains high, and when another portable solar charging device (200) is connected, it operates as a single circuit that shares power with one another.

[0068] In addition, when the object connected to the connection part (140, 150) is a metal or conductive material, the gate is connected to ground and the output is switched to Low, thereby blocking the flow of power and preventing power from flowing from the connection part (140, 150).

[0069] The above battery capacity comparison circuit (177) is connected to the battery (120) to monitor the battery (120) capacity, i.e., the charge amount, and to control the LED (178).

[0070] The above LED (178) is configured to be turned on or off by a battery capacity comparison circuit (177), is positioned so as to be exposed for external verification, and the number of lights or colors may be changed depending on the charge amount of the battery (120).

[0071] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described illustratively above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments and can be appropriately modified within the scope described in the claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0073] 100 : Portable solar charger 110 : Solar panel 120 : Battery 130 : Main body 140, 150 : Connection 160 : Connector 170 : Substrate 180 : Wireless charging coil

Claims

Claim 1 A portable solar charging device comprising: a main body having a solar cell panel disposed on one side and a battery built in therein; and connecting parts disposed on both sides of the main body, to which another portable solar charging device is detachably coupled, and which enable an electrical connection to be made between the other portable solar charging devices when coupled, wherein the connecting parts include a magnet and coupling with the other portable solar charging device is made by magnetism, and wherein the connecting parts are characterized by having a plating treatment for electrical connection on all or part of the magnet. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A portable solar charging device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is electrically connected to at least one of the solar panel and the battery. Claim 5 A portable solar charging device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is separated into an upper connecting portion of positive polarity and a lower connecting portion of negative polarity, and the portable solar charging device is connected in series or parallel with another portable solar charging device according to the polarity of the connecting portion. Claim 6 A portable solar charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the portable solar charging device is coupled with the same polarity by the connection part, it is connected in parallel with the other portable solar charging device to increase the output current. Claim 7 A portable solar charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the portable solar charging device is coupled with opposite polarity by the connecting part, it is connected in series with another portable solar charging device to increase the output voltage. Claim 8 A portable solar charging device according to claim 1, further comprising a connector to which a charging target is connected; wherein the portable solar charging device supplies at least one of power produced by the solar panel and charging power of the battery when a charging target is connected to the connector, and charges the battery with power produced by the solar panel when the charging target is not connected. Claim 9 A portable solar charging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a DC / DC converter for power conversion and a circuit breaker for interrupting power input or output from the connection part, and a substrate electrically connected to the solar cell panel, the battery, and the connection part.

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