A hybrid power supply system for household appliances

Abstract

A hybrid power supply system for household appliances, wherein a household appliance (2) includes a first power supply from the mains by means of a connection (9) and a second auxiliary or alternative power supply provided locally and directly to the household appliance (2) by a power station (6) or a storage battery (3, 3a), wherein said auxiliary or alternative power supply is rechargeable by means of a portable solar panel (1), wherein said solar panel (1) is intended to convert the sun's rays (10) into electricity, wherein the hybrid power supply system includes an inverter (4) for converting the direct current supplied by the power station (6) or the storage battery (3, 3a) into alternating current usable by the household appliance (2) and an electronic board (5) for managing the power source and selecting between said second auxiliary or alternative power supply and said first power supply from the mains by means of the connection (9), wherein said second auxiliary or alternative power supply provided by the power station (6) or the storage battery (3, 3a) is provided locally and directly to the household appliance (2) and not to the mains.

Description

[0001] A HYBRID POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES

[0002] * * * * *

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of household appliances and the use of solar panels as an auxiliary or alternative power source for powering household appliances.

[0005] In particular, the present invention is directed to a hybrid power supply system for household appliances, where the household appliances can operate powered by battery or mains.

[0006] PRIOR ART

[0007] In the prior art, it is known to use solar panels for recharging storage batteries to supply power, for example, to accommodation or villas during hours without sunlight. Typically, these complex power systems allow sending to the mains the excess energy generated which cannot be stored in the storage battery.

[0008] This type of operation is achievable only with so-designed and manufactured systems, namely with solar panels installed on the roof and with power systems opportunely connected and designed for such an operation.

[0009] However, it is not possible to utilize solar energy in ordinary houses with traditional power systems.

[0010] Document US 2023 / 0253912 A1 describes a unit of electricity generation from photovoltaic panels. The generation unit is supported by a modular and movable structure.

[0011] Document WO 2022 / 236436 A1 describes an integrated, compact, portable, and autonomous apparatus / device, equipped with multiple power sources for generating, storing, and supplying power for domestic use, where the apparatus / device comprises: an assemblable housing or outer casing, made of metallic material, impact-resistant plastic, or a combination of both, and equipped with ventilation means for protecting the means accommodated or placed therein from high temperatures, where said means accommodated therein comprise: means for generating and storing power, means for supplying power, means for receiving power from the mains, and means for monitoring, controlling, and programming the operation of the generator apparatus / device for generating and storing power; and optionally, the apparatus / device further comprises remote control means, in-situ control means, or both.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The object of the invention has been achieved by a hybrid power supply system for household appliances, as defined in claim 1.

[0014] A hybrid power supply system for household appliances, where the household appliance includes a first power supply from the mains by means of a connection and a second auxiliary or alternative power supply provided locally and directly to the household appliance by a power station or a storage battery. The auxiliary or alternative power supply is rechargeable by means of a portable solar panel, and the solar panel is intended to convert the sun’s rays into electricity. The hybrid power supply system includes an inverter for converting the direct current provided by a power station or a storage battery into alternating current usable by the household appliance, and an electronic board for managing the power source and selecting between the second auxiliary or alternative power supply and the first power supply from the mains by means of the connection. The second auxiliary or alternative power supply provided by the power station or the storage battery is supplied locally and directly to the household appliance and not to the mains.

[0015] The electronic board is configured to monitor the charge level of the power station or the storage battery and automatically switch the power supply of the household appliance from the second auxiliary or alternative power supply to the first power supply from the mains by means of the connection when the power stored in the power station or storage battery is depleted.

[0016] The storage battery is removable from a seat of the household appliance to be recharged externally by means of the solar panel and a charging device, or by means of the mains, or by recovering internal kinetic energy of the household appliance.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the storage battery can also be fixedly integrated into the household appliance and is rechargeable by means of a charging plug by means of said portable solar panel, or by means of the mains, or by recovering internal kinetic energy of the household appliance. The power station is directly connected to the household appliance by means of a specific connection cable for supplying power during operation of the household appliance.

[0018] Furthermore, an inverter is present, configured to supply clean and stable electricity to the household appliance.

[0019] The household appliance is configured to operate entirely or partially with power supplied by the portable solar panel through the power station or the storage battery, thus reducing the consumption of power supply current from the mains by means of the connection and promoting the use of renewable energy, where the power supplied by the power station or the storage battery is supplied locally and directly to the household appliance and not to the mains.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a household appliance provided with a hybrid power supply system where the power supplied by the power station or the storage battery is supplied locally and directly to the household appliance and not to the mains.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a modification kit for a household appliance for developing a hybrid power supply system where the power supplied by a power station or a storage battery is supplied locally and directly to the household appliance and not to the mains.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] In the following description, reference will be made to the figures shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 , Figure 2, and Figure 3 show examples of a hybrid power supply system for household appliances according to the present invention,

[0025] Figure 4 shows an example of a portable, supporting solar panel, Figures 5 and 6 show examples of a hybrid power supply system for household appliances according to the present invention, and

[0026] Figure 7 shows a battery charging station.

[0027] The parts according to the present description are depicted in the drawings, where appropriate, using traditional symbols, showing only the specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present invention, so as not to highlight details, which will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art, with reference to the description provided below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The solution according to the present invention will now be described with the aid of the drawings.

[0029] The present invention relates to a power supply system for household appliances designed to reduce the costs of electricity use and promote the use of clean energy. In particular, the solution is directed to the use of a hybrid power supply system for a household appliance, and specifically for a large household appliance, such as a washing machine, a dishwasher, a dryer, a refrigerator, or an oven, for example. It can certainly also be extended to small household appliances.

[0030] In particular, the suggested system allows powering the household appliance by means of a battery for the entire operating cycle or only a part (in the case of household appliances with a considerable demand for energy for operation).

[0031] The battery is a rechargeable battery and can be a storage battery, for example, recharged by solar panels, by means of the mains or by recovering kinetic energy of the motor of the household appliance.

[0032] The system comprises a portable solar panel 1 , which converts the sunlight provided by the sun’s rays 10, into electricity, usable for charging a power station 6 or a battery 3, such as a storage battery 3, for example. Once charged, the power station 6 can be connected to a household appliance 2 by means of a specific connection cable 8, allowing the household appliance 2 to operate partially with the power stored in the power station 6 or in the storage battery 3.

[0033] The household appliance 2 is also provided with a seat 7 for accommodating the storage battery 3, which provides power through an inverter 4, which converts the direct current into alternating current usable by the household appliance 2. Management of the power source is entrusted to an electronic board 5, which monitors the charge level of the storage battery 3 or the power station 6 and automatically switches the power supply of the household appliance 2 to the household network current by means of a connection made with a plug 9 when the power stored in the power station 6 or in the storage battery 3 is depleted.

[0034] Thus, operation of the household appliance is achieved, which can be powered directly by the power station 6 or the storage battery 3 for part, or for the entire operating cycle of the household appliance. Naturally, the household appliance 2 also has the option of operating traditionally with direct power from the mains.

[0035] The electronic board 5 can be integrated into the household appliance 2 or external. This system allows the household appliance 2 to operate partially with clean energy (i.e. , the energy created by the portable solar panel 1 and stored in the power station 6 or the storage battery 3), thereby reducing the costs of bills and contributing to protecting the environment. On days when charging is not possible by means of the portable solar panel 1 (for example, due to cloudy or overcast skies), the electronic board 5 ensures that the household appliance 2 only uses the household network power by means of a connection made with a plug 9. In this case, it is also possible to schedule the recharging of the power station 6 or the storage battery 3 by means of the household network current, by choosing, for example, charging cycles during times with reduced energy cost rates, in order to store energy and reuse it for powering the household appliances during times with higher cost rates.

[0036] Furthermore, it is possible to consider other methods of recharging the power station 6 or the storage battery 3, for example, by using and recovering the kinetic energy of the motor of the household appliance, as in the case with regenerative braking in cars.

[0037] In particular, the hybrid power supply system includes a power supply from the mains by means of a connection 9 and an alternative auxiliary power supply provided by a power station 6 or a storage battery 3, 3a, where the alternative power supply is rechargeable by means of a portable solar panel 1 or through the network or in any other manner, for example, by using the recovery of the kinetic energy of the motor of the household appliance.

[0038] In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates a portable solar panel for generating electricity by virtue of the sun’s rays indicated by reference numeral 10. The panel is portable for being positioned outside the house and is adjustable so as to receive the maximum amount of sun’s rays 10.

[0039] A household appliance (in this case, illustrating a washing machine in the figures) is indicated by reference numeral 2. Obviously, the household appliance can also be a dishwasher, a dryer, a fridge, an oven, etc.

[0040] With reference to Figure 1 , an example of a "direct" power supply is shown, where the solar panel 1 supplies the household appliance 2 directly through a power station 6 and a specific connection cable 8. In Figure 1 , reference numeral 11 indicates a display for viewing the progress of the washing cycle. On the display 11 , it is also possible to see the type of current power supply of the household appliance 2.

[0041] Differently, Figure 2 shows an example of an "indirect" power supply, where the solar panel 1 powers the household appliance 2 through a storage battery 3, which is previously charged and then used thereafter to power the household appliance 2. The storage battery 3 is recharged by a charging device, not shown. Once charged, the storage battery 3 can be inserted, for example, into a seat 7 made in the household appliance 2.

[0042] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, the household appliance 2 can have a fixed battery 3a inside the structure of the household appliance 2, which can be recharged by means of a charging plug 13.

[0043] With reference to Figure 3, a solar panel 1 is shown, which recharges a storage battery 3 by virtue of the sun’s rays 10 and, by means of an inverter device 4, supplies power to the household appliance 2.

[0044] Figure 4 shows an example of a solar panel 1 with a support arm 12, for positioning the solar panel 1 so as to receive the sun’s rays 10.

[0045] In this example, the panel can be movable, or a fixed panel can be provided, which is pivotable so as to store the maximum amount of sun’s rays 10.

[0046] With reference to Figures 5 and 6, examples of the household appliance 2 are shown indicating the auxiliary power supply.

[0047] In particular, in the case of an external battery 3 (Figure 5), the battery seat 7 for accommodating the battery 3 charged by the solar panel 1 is illustrated, as well as the inverter 4, and an electronic board for managing the power supply of the household appliance 2.

[0048] In particular, in the case of a fixed battery 3a (Figure 6), the battery 3a, which is charged by means of the charging plug 13, is illustrated, as well as the inverter 4, and an electronic board for managing the power supply of the household appliance 2.

[0049] This invention aims to reduce the costs of using electricity for household appliances, by virtue of a solar panel 1 dedicated to the household appliance 2.

[0050] As is visible in Figures 5 and 6, a space is present both for accommodating the fixed battery 3a and the removable rechargeable battery 3. Also in the other household appliances, a space is present for accommodating the battery for the auxiliary or alternative power supply.

[0051] Therefore, a power station 6 or a storage battery 3 can be charged by using a portable solar panel 1 irradiated outside the house by the sun’s rays 10.

[0052] If a power station 6 is used, once charged by the sun’s rays 10, it is sufficient to connect it by means of a specific connection cable 8 to the household appliance 2 to ensure that a part of the operation of the household appliance 2 is carried out using the clean energy supplied by the power station 6. Next, once the energy supplied by the power station 6 is finished, the household appliance 2 switches to using the house current supplied by the mains by means of the cable 9. The electronic board 5 decides when to use the power supplied by the power station 6 or the household power by means of the connection 9 to the home network.

[0053] Again, by virtue of a portable solar panel 1 , a storage battery 3 can be recharged, which, once recharged, is inserted into the special seat 7 in the household appliance 2.

[0054] By virtue of an inverter 4, clean energy is thus supplied to the household appliance 2 to enable it to operate.

[0055] The electronic board 5 manages when to use the current supplied by the battery 3 or the house current by means of the connection 9. Once the program of the household appliance 2 has finished, the storage battery 3 must be removed from the seat 7 and recharged by the sun’s rays 10 by means of the solar panel 1 .

[0056] As stated, the household appliance 2 can alternatively also have a fixed battery 3a inside the structure thereof, similar to electric cars.

[0057] On days when it is not possible to recharge by means of the solar panel 1 , the battery 3 can remain in the seat 7, and the electronic board 5 will use only the house current by means of the connection 9 to operate the household appliance 2.

[0058] Instead, in the case of the fixed battery 3a, on days when it is not possible to recharge by means of the solar panel 1 , the electronic board 5 will only use the house current by means of the connection 9 to operate the household appliance 2. It is thus possible to have a household appliance, which can operate partly by virtue of clean energy, reducing the costs of bills and helping the environment. The present invention also relates to a household appliance 2 provided with a hybrid power supply system and a modification kit for creating a hybrid power supply system as described.

[0059] Obviously, the batteries 3 and 3a can be recharged from external sources, such as the solar panel 1 , or alternatively, they can also be recharged from the mains, for example, during less expensive time slots and used to operate the household appliance 2 during more expensive time slots, completely or partially replacing the household network.

[0060] As mentioned, the batteries 3 and 3a can also be recharged by recovering the energy inside the household appliance 2, e.g., by recovering the kinetic energy.

[0061] As stated previously, large household appliances are intended to mean washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, ovens, cooktops, air conditioners and dehumidifiers, etc., i.e. , everything belonging to the world of Large Household Appliances GED.

[0062] Furthermore, household appliances can also include electric brooms, food processors, robotic vacuum cleaners, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, air fryers, blenders, steam irons, coffee machines, battery-operated brooms, floor washers and air purifiers, etc., i.e., everything belonging to the world of Small Household Appliances SHAs.

[0063] Additionally, it is possible to consider using an element for charging the batteries 3, such as a charging station 20, for example, like the one shown in Figure 7.

[0064] The slots 22 are for recharging the different batteries 3.

[0065] Example, one slot 22 is for the battery of the washing machine, one for recharging the battery of the vacuum cleaner, etc.

[0066] In particular, in the description with the hybrid power supply system, a system is intended, which allows alternatively powering the household appliance 2 with the energy provided by the power station 6 or by the battery 3 or 3a or the house current by means of the connection 9 to the home network.

[0067] Therefore, it is possible to power the household appliance 2 locally and directly with the power station 6 or the battery 3 or 3a. Obviously, in the case of operating cycles requiring considerable energy, it might be necessary to complete the cycle using power from the home network. Therefore, the household appliances defined herein are capable of operating by battery (the power station 6 or the battery 3 or 3a) and traditionally using power from the mains.

[0068] It should be pointed out that in the previous documents and in the prior art, the energy produced by the solar panels 1 becomes part of the network power supply, which is then distributed throughout the entire home, and not directly used by a single household appliance, as in the case described here.

[0069] Similarly, the storage batteries come into play by supplying power to the home network, but not directly to individual household appliances.

[0070] It is possible to imagine that in the next few years, there will be increasingly powerful batteries capable of autonomously operating household appliances 2 for the entire duration of the cycle, resulting in household appliances powered by batteries and / or the home network.

[0071] Additionally, it is possible to consider using the charging station 20 with panels 1 also for recharging the batteries of small household appliances, in order to achieve a reduction in the costs of using electricity and promote the use of clean energy. The above description of embodiments of the invention is capable of showing the invention from a conceptual point of view so that others, using the prior art, will be able to modify and / or adapt in various applications such specific embodiments without further research and without departing from the inventive concept, and thus it is understood that such adaptations and modifications will be considered as equivalents of the specific embodiments.

[0072] The means and materials for achieving the various functions described can be of a various nature, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0073] Note that the terminology or expressions used are merely descriptive and therefore non-limiting.

[0074] Obviously, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the construction details and the embodiments can vary widely with respect to what is described and illustrated above by way of example, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0075] When the constructional features and techniques mentioned in the claims below are followed by references signs or numerals, such reference signs were introduced for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims, and therefore have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified, merely by way of example, by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1 ) A hybrid power supply system for household appliances, wherein a household appliance (2) includes a first power supply from the mains by means of a connection (9) and a second auxiliary or alternative power supply provided locally and directly to the household appliance (2) by a power station (6) or a storage battery (3, 3a), wherein said auxiliary or alternative power supply is rechargeable by means of a portable solar panel (1 ), wherein said solar panel (1 ) is intended to convert the sun’s rays (10) into electricity, wherein the hybrid power supply system includes an inverter (4) for converting the direct current supplied by the power station (6) or the storage battery (3, 3a) into alternating current usable by the household appliance (2) and an electronic board (5) for managing the power source and selecting between said second auxiliary or alternative power supply and said first power supply from the mains by means of the connection (9), wherein said second auxiliary or alternative power supply provided by the power station (6) or the storage battery (3, 3a) is supplied locally and directly to the household appliance (2) and not to the power supply network.2) The hybrid power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein said electronic board (5) is configured to monitor the charge level of the power station (6) or the storage battery (3, 3a) and automatically switch the power supply of the household appliance (2) from the second auxiliary or alternative power supply to the first power supply from the mains by means of the connection (9) when the power stored in the power station (6) or the storage battery (3, 3a) is depleted.3) The hybrid power supply system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said storage battery (3) is removable from a seat (7) of the household appliance (2) to be recharged externally by means of the solar panel (1 ) and a charging device (20) or by means of the mains or by recovering internal kinetic energy of the household appliance (2).4) The hybrid power supply system according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the storage battery (3a) is fixedly integrated into the household appliance (2) and is rechargeable by means of a charging plug (13) by means of said portable solar panel (1 ) or by means of the mains or by recovering internal kinetic energy of the household appliance (2).5) The hybrid power supply system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said power station (6) is directly connected to the household appliance (2) by means of a specific connection cable (8) for supplying power during operation of the household appliance (2).6) The hybrid power supply system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inverter (4) is configured to supply clean, stable electricity to the household appliance (2).7) The hybrid power supply system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portable solar panel (1 ) is provided with a support arm (12) for positioning the solar panel (1 ) in a pivotable manner to store the maximum amount of sun’s rays (10).8) The hybrid power supply system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (2) is configured to operate fully or partially with power supplied by the portable solar panel (1 ) through the power station (6) or the storage battery (3, 3a), thus reducing the consumption of power from the mains by means of the connection (9) and promoting the use of renewable energy, wherein the power supplied by said power station (6) or said storage battery (3, 3a) is provided locally and directly to the household appliance (2) and not to the mains.9) A household appliance (2) provided with a hybrid power supply system according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, wherein the power supplied by said power station (6) or said storage battery (3, 3a) is supplied locally and directly to the household appliance (2) and not to the mains.10) A modification kit for a household appliance (2) to obtain a hybrid power supply system according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, wherein the power supplied by said power station (6) or said storage battery (3, 3a) is supplied locally and directly to the household appliance (2) and not to the mains.

Images