Solar Powered LED Umbrella Lighting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large umbrellas used in remote locations without access to electricity face challenges in providing lighting, as existing solutions rely on electric power availability.
Innovation Solution
A solar powered LED lighting system integrated into the umbrella, featuring a rechargeable battery, solar panel, LED lights, touch control sensors, and an unipath touch control circuit, allowing users to control lighting through touch events and ambient light intensity sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a lighting system is installed on the umbrella to provide illumination in remote locations, then the lighting function is improved, but the system becomes dependent on electricity availability which is not present in remote areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a solar panel to automatically charge a rechargeable battery during the day, which then powers the LED lights at night. This self-charging mechanism eliminates the need for external electricity infrastructure, making the lighting system fully autonomous and adaptable to remote locations without grid access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from relying on continuous grid electricity to using stored electrical energy from a rechargeable battery. The solar panel converts optical energy to electrical energy during the day, changing the energy source parameter from external supply to self-generated storage, enabling operation in locations without electricity infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rechargeable battery and solar panel are added to the umbrella, then independence from electricity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel, rechargeable battery, LED lights, and control circuit are integrated into a unified lighting system mounted on the umbrella structure. This merging of components into a single functional system reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate systems, while still providing full independence from external electricity.
Solution Approach 2:
The umbrella structure serves multiple functions: it provides shade, supports the lighting system components (solar panel, battery, LEDs), and the solar panel simultaneously generates power while the battery stores it for later use. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate structures, thereby managing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If touch control sensors and control circuits are added to the lighting system, then ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical switches or buttons with touch control sensors that detect user input through capacitive or resistive touch. This substitution simplifies the user interface while reducing the mechanical moving parts, thereby improving ease of operation with minimal increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically detects ambient light levels and user touch inputs to manage LED operation. The microcontroller unit autonomously processes sensor data and controls lighting without requiring complex user programming or multiple control mechanisms, simplifying the control architecture while maintaining ease of use.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable and user-controlled lighting for umbrellas in remote areas, independent of electricity access, with efficient battery charging and adjustable LED light intensity.
Implementation Method 1
The solar panel converts optical energy to electrical energy and charges the rechargeable battery
Implementation Method 2
The LED lights are installed on the umbrella to provide lighting
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relates to a solar powered LED lighting system for an umbrella. In certain embodiments, the solar powered LED lighting system has (a) a rechargeable battery, (b) a solar panel, (c) one or more LED lights, (d) one or more touch control sensors, and (e) an unipath touch control circuit. The rechargeable battery is used to provide electricity to the solar powered LED lighting system. The solar panel converts optical energy to electrical energy and charges the rechargeable battery. The LED lights are installed on the umbrella to provide lighting. The touch control sensors are used to sense a user's touch event, and responsively generate a control signal. The unipath touch control circuit receives the control signals from the touch control sensors, and controls the solar powered LED lighting system according to the received control signal.