Foldable solar panel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laminated foldable solar panel comprising photovoltaic modules and a minor axis of bending at the centre that divides the solar panel into two sections shaped like opposing rhomboid parallelograms, the acute angles of which measure 85°. Each opposing parallelogram is divided by major axes of bending, parallel to the angle measuring 85° and extending to the minor axis of bending. The solar panel folds when an end apex of the minor axis of bending moves closer to a second folding apex located at the intersection of said minor axis of bending and the major axes of bending which are further from the end apex. The solar panel is unfolded in reverse order.

Description

[0001] FOLDABLE SOLAR PANEL

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a foldable solar panel, specifically to photovoltaic modules with a plurality of solar cells with the ability to be folded, which is applied in the field of electricity.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Today, it is widely known that solar panels capture light energy and convert it into electrical energy using solar cells. However, during transportation and distribution, the assembly and deployment process is often complex and tedious, which has led to the search for alternatives that facilitate their installation and optimize the operator experience.

[0006] Among these solutions, patent application JP2015088561 A, published on May 7, 2015, stands out. It proposes a foldable solar panel composed of a plurality of solar cells arranged in rectangular sections at right angles. However, its deployment mechanism requires multiple steps, which slows down its operation and increases the risk of damage to the solar cells due to friction between its components.

[0007] Another precedent is patent document US20180278200A1 , published on March 22, 2017, which discloses the SOAR (Structural Origami Array) concept, a high-performance deployable system that optimizes the folding efficiency of solar panels. Unlike traditional Z-fold designs or rolled architectures, this system uses an origami-inspired approach, where a flexible blanket / substrate-like structure is combined with a compact support that stabilizes the assembly through external or internal tension.While the SOAR system allows the deployment of large areas with high-efficiency photovoltaic cells in a small volume, its design lacks the advantage of being assembled in a single whole element, which complicates its manufacturing process; additionally, it lacks the orientation of the photovoltaic modules in a parallelogram of approximately 85° sexagesimal with respect to a central axis that divides the panel into two wings, which facilitates its folding, optimizing its structural design; finally, this antecedent lacks the separate arrangement of the solar panel elements to prevent damage to the solar cells, minimizing the risk of deterioration during folding and unfolding.

[0008] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention discloses a foldable solar panel based on a Miura Oh type pattern which is a method for folding a flat surface into a smaller area, the solar panel has a special design, which allows it to be folded in a single movement; This design also allows the photovoltaic modules and their electrical connections to have an adequate configuration and separation, allowing no restrictions to occur between the photovoltaic modules during folding and unfolding, in addition said photovoltaic modules have overlapping sheets with a rigidity that provides stability in the area of ​​the solar cells, while in the folding areas they ensure flexibility and durability, thus improving the structural resistance and useful life of the panel.

[0010] On the other hand, the photovoltaic modules present in the solar panel are shaped like parallelograms with sector or inclination angles of 85° sexagesimal (with respect to a horizontal line or minor bending axis). They are also joined on one of their shorter sides to a minor bending axis and on at least one of their longer sides to major bending axes. It should be noted that the minor bending axis and the major bending axes are the straight sections that separate the photovoltaic modules and also allow the solar panel to be folded and unfolded.

[0011] Indeed, the minor bending axis divides the solar panel into two sections shaped like opposite rhomboid parallelograms that have sector or inclination angles of 85° sexagesimal, and within the opposite parallelograms are the major bending axes in parallel that also have sector or inclination angles of 85° sexagesimal, which connect with the minor bending axis.

[0012] When the solar panel is folded, it bends from one extreme vertex of the minor fold axis toward a second fold vertex located at the intersection of said minor fold axis and the major fold axes furthest from the extreme vertex. In this way, the minor fold axis contracts, reducing the area of ​​the solar panel. This causes the photovoltaic modules to overlap, first between the major fold axes and then across the minor fold axis. Unfolding occurs in the reverse order. Furthermore, the folding and unfolding of the solar panel can be performed manually or with an electromechanical system, provided that the panel is held so that the indicated vertices move closer or further apart depending on the type of action the user wishes to achieve (folding or unfolding).Finally, the electrical connections for the power supply are fitted to one end of the panel, and the internal electrical connections are arranged so as not to interfere with the arrangement and movement of the photovoltaic cells.

[0013] An advantage of the foldable solar panel is that it can be assembled into a single, whole element, making it easier to manufacture. The orientation of the photovoltaic modules, which form a 85° sexagesimal parallelogram, makes it easier to fold the solar panel, and the separation at which the solar panel elements are placed prevents the solar cells from being damaged by being distanced from the bending points.

[0014] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0015] To complement the description being made and in order to facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to this specification, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0016] Figure 1: Shows a view of the solar panel deployed or extended.

[0017] Figure 2: Shows a view of the unfolded solar panel, showing the photovoltaic modules and support plates. Figure 3: Shows a view of the unfolded solar panel, showing the major and minor bending axes, the minor bending axis, and the sector or tilt angle of the photovoltaic modules.

[0018] Figure 4: Shows a view of the unfolded solar panel, indicating the extreme vertex and the fold vertex.

[0019] Figure 5: Shows the solar panel in the intermediate folding or unfolding phase, also indicating the extreme vertex and support plates.

[0020] Figure 6: Shows a view of the folded solar panel.

[0021] Figure 7: Shows the electrical diagram of the deployed solar panel.

[0022] PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0023] As one of the embodiments of the invention, a foldable solar panel having Miura Oh patterns was developed, said solar panel being formed by superimposed sheets that form an entire structure. The foldable solar panel comprises photovoltaic modules (1) in the form of parallelograms with sector or inclination angles of 85° sexagesimal (A), which are joined on one of their smaller sides to the minor folding axis (3) and on at least one of their larger sides to the major folding axes (2);

[0024] The solar panel has in the middle the minor bending axis (3) that divides the solar panel into two sections in the shape of opposite parallelograms that have sector or inclination angles of 85° sexagesimal and within the opposite parallelograms are the major bending axes (2) in parallel, which have sector angles of 85° sexagesimal, which meet the minor bending axis (3).

[0025] Each photovoltaic module (1) of the solar panel is formed by superimposed sheets comprising a reflective sheet, encapsulating sheets, photovoltaic cells, and protective sheets, which give it a certain rigidity; while, on the minor bending axis (3) and the major bending axes (2) the reflective sheet and the encapsulating sheet are present; said sheets give flexibility and resistance to the axes. In one embodiment of the invention, support plates (4) are located on the minor bending axis (3), which add rigidity to the panel and allow mechanical connection with mechanisms or elements external to the solar panel, if required by the user. In another embodiment of the invention, at the intersection of the major bending axes (2) with the minor bending axis (3) there is a separation or unlaminated space that facilitates the folding of the solar panel.In another embodiment of the invention, the length of the solar panel is in a range of 1700 to 1850 mm and its width in a range of 1050 mm to 1150 mm, also, the distance traveled by the extreme vertex (5) of the minor folding axis (3) and the folding vertex (6) located at the intersection of said minor folding axis (3) and the major folding axes furthest from the first extreme vertex (5) is, preferably, 1350 mm to 1450 mm, this for the purpose of folding and unfolding the solar panel. Both vertices are shown as a reference in Figures 4 and 5.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention, the minor fold axis (3) has a width of 12 to 30 mm and the major fold axes (2) have a width of 3 to 5 millimeters. In another embodiment of the invention, the electrical wiring of the foldable solar panel is of the series type, in which the solar cells of the photovoltaic modules are energized consecutively from the modules adjacent to the major fold axes until passing through a connecting end cable (7) that crosses the minor fold axis and at the other end the power inputs (8) of the panel are located. In this way the electrical connection of the panel is ensured.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment, the photovoltaic modules (1) in the form of parallelograms have sector or inclination angles of between 82° and 88° sexagesimal (with respect to a horizontal line or minor bending axis (3)). In this preferred embodiment, the minor bending axis (3) divides the solar panel into two sections in the form of opposite rhomboid parallelograms that have sector angles of between 82° and 88° sexagesimal (with respect to a horizontal line) and within the opposite parallelograms are the major bending axes (2) in parallel that have a sector angle of between 82° and 88° sexagesimal (with respect to a horizontal line) which intersect with the minor bending axis (3). It should be taken into account that the sector or inclination angles provided in the present invention belong to angles when the solar panel is in the unfolded position, as a substantially flat sheet.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A foldable solar panel characterized in that it comprises: photovoltaic modules (1) in the form of parallelograms with sector or inclination angles of 85° sexagesimal, which are joined on one of their smaller sides to a minor folding axis (3) and on at least one of their larger sides to major folding axes (2); the minor folding axis (3) divides the solar panel into two sections in the form of opposite rhomboid parallelograms having sector angles of 85° sexagesimal and within the opposite parallelograms are the major folding axes (2) in parallel that have a sector angle of 85° sexagesimal which intersect with the minor folding axis (3); an extreme vertex (5) of the minor fold axis (3), and a fold vertex (6) located at the intersection of said minor fold axis (3) and the major fold axes furthest from the first extreme vertex (5).

2. The foldable solar panel according to claim 1, characterized in that support plates (4) are located on the minor folding axis (3).

3. The foldable solar panel according to claim 1, characterized in that at the intersection of the major folding axis (2) with the minor folding axis (3) there is an unlaminated separation.

4. The foldable solar panel according to claim 1, characterized in that a reflective sheet and at least one encapsulating sheet are present on the minor folding axis (3) and the major folding axes (2).

5. The foldable solar panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the solar panel is in a range of 1700 to 1850 mm and its width in a range of 1050 mm to 1150 mm, also, the distance traveled by the extreme vertex (5) of the minor folding axis (3) and the folding vertex (6) located at the intersection of said minor folding axis (3) and the major folding axes furthest from the first extreme vertex (5) is preferably 1350 mm to 1450 mm.

6. The foldable solar panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the minor folding axis (3) has a width of 12 to 30 mm and the major folding axes (2) have a width of 3 to 5 millimeters.

7. The foldable solar panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical wiring of the foldable solar panel is of the series type, in which the solar cells of the photovoltaic modules are energized consecutively from the modules adjacent to the major bending axes until passing through a connecting end cable (7) that crosses the minor bending axis and at the other end the power inputs (8) of the panel are located.

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