GB2574374A

GB2574374A - A solar charging assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2574374A
Application number: GB1808416.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Parker-Swift Joanna
Original assignee: Solivus Ltd
Current assignee: Solivus Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-23
Filing date: 2018-05-23
Publication date: 2019-12-11
Also published as: GB201808416D0

Abstract

A solar charging assembly comprising at least one tree structure 12, each tree structure comprises a vertically extending trunk portion 14 and a plurality of solar cells 16 connected to branches 18 which are connected to the trunk portion. The solar cells 16 are orientated at different angles with respect to each other. At least one battery 20 is electronically connected to tree structure 12, where each battery is located underground and is configured to be charged using electricity generated from the solar cells 16 from the tree structure 12. At least one charging station 22 is electronically connected to the at least one battery for charging an electric vehicle (EV). Each solar cell may be leaf shaped and may be flexible. A plurality of reflective surfaces may be included to reflect incident sunlight onto the solar cells. The tree structure may comprise an antenna for transmitting mobile phone signals.

Description

A Solar Charging Assembly

The present invention relates to a solar charging assembly.

With the diminishment of fossil fuels, and the move to electrically powered vehicles, there are comparatively few places where such electric vehicles can be charged.

Accordingly, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a solar charging assembly comprising:

at least one tree structure, each tree structure comprising a vertically extending trunk portion and a plurality of solar cells connected to branches which are connected to the trunk portion, wherein the solar cells are orientated at different angles with respect to each other;

at least one battery electronically connected to the at least one tree structure, wherein each battery is located underground and is configured to be charged using electricity generated from the solar cells from the at least one tree structure; and at least one charging station, electronically connected to the at least one battery, for charging an electric vehicle.

The present invention provides a solution to the above mentioned problem, in that it provides a versatile, environmentally friendly, and aesthetically pleasing, solar charging assembly which can be installed in any required location to provide a means for charging an electric vehicle when the vehicle is not in use. In its broadest sense, the solar charging assembly can be operated in isolation without any electrical connection to a mains electricity supply. The presence of the solar cells which are orientated at different angles with respect to each other helps to ensure that each solar cell can capture reflected light off another solar cell present in the tree structure. Accordingly, this helps to improve the solar energy recovery by the solar charging assembly. The presence of the at least one battery being located underground helps to ensure the battery is kept away from potential collision with an electric vehicle, and away from sight and the weather.

It is envisaged that the above solar charging assembly can be used in a number of different locations, such as next to a road, in a parking lot, proximal a garage, or next to a building.

- 2 To help each tree structure simulate the appearance of a tree, each solar cell may be leaf shaped.

Each solar cell is also preferably flexible, to again help the solar cell adopt a leaf like appearance, and to allow the solar cell to be more versatilely connected to a branch from the tree structure.

In some cases, at least one battery may be located on, or in the trunk portion of, each tree structure. Each such battery may be in addition to, or instead of, each battery located underground.

In some cases the assembly, and/or each tree structure, may comprise a plurality of reflective surfaces separate from the solar cells for reflecting incident sunlight in a direction towards the solar cells from the tree structure. The use of the reflective surfaces further improves the solar energy recovery by the solar charging assembly, since they help to reflect otherwise uncaptured incident sunlight in a direction towards the solar cells.

Preferably the assembly is additionally electronically connected to a mains electricity supply, such that each charging station is further configured to be charged using electricity from the mains electricity supply. In this way, if there is a need to charge the electric vehicle up beyond what is capable by the solar cells, the mains electricity supply can be used to do this.

Preferably, the at least one battery comprises a network of batteries connected together, wherein the network of batteries is electronically connected to each charging station and to each tree structure. In this way, particularly if a plurality of tree structures and/or charging stations are connected to the batteries, the electricity can be more easily distributed such to avoid the situation of one charging station/tree structure being connected to a battery with a large energy supply, whilst another charging station/tree structure being connected to a battery with a low energy supply. The network of batteries could be electronically connected to a mains electricity supply.

In some cases, such as on large scale developments, the solar charging assembly may comprise more than one charging station, and/or more than one tree structure.

-3In the case of there being more than one tree structure, whilst the tree structures could be collectively connected to a network of batteries, each tree structure may comprise a respective battery.

In some cases, each tree structure may comprise one or more respective charging stations. In this way, a vehicle can be parked proximal the tree structure and then charged next to it, using the charging station associated with the tree structure. Alternatively, several tree structures may share a common charging station.

In some cases, the branches of each tree structure may collectively form a canopy whose outer periphery when viewed from above defines a shape which can be tessellated. With this arrangement, when the solar charging assembly comprises more than one tree structure, the canopies of the tree structures can collectively form a tessellated surface.

Preferably, the assembly comprises monitoring software for monitoring the amount of energy stored in each battery, and/or the amount of energy being generated by each tree structure, and/or the amount of energy being consumed at each charging station. The monitoring software could also be configured to check for faults in any of the components from the solar charging assembly.

In this case, and when the at least one battery comprises a network of batteries connected together, the assembly further may further comprise a controller connected to the network of batteries and to the monitoring software, wherein the controller is configured to distribute the energy between the batteries, and/or from the batteries to each charging station.

The assembly may be provided with a user interface for conveying information relating to the amount of energy stored in each battery, and/or the amount of energy being generated by each tree structure. The user interface may be displayed on a mobile phone or a computer, for conveying information relating to the amount of energy stored in each battery, and/or the amount of energy being generated by each tree structure. Other functioning for the user interface could be to display the location of each tree structure and charging station on a map, and/or display the percentage charge of the batteries to a user.

In some cases, the trunk portion of each tree structure may comprise a first end proximal the ground, and a second end proximal the solar cells of the tree structure, wherein the

-4trunk portion is thinner at the first end than at the second end. In this way, the trunk portion does not occupy more space than necessary proximal the ground, and allows electric vehicles to be positioned in a more compact fashion with respect to each other, and allows more of each electric vehicle to be shaded by the solar cells located above it.

Depending on the requirements of the solar charging assembly, at least one charging station may comprise a wireless energy transmitter for wirelessly charging the electric vehicle. At least one charging station may comprise a wired energy transmitter for charging the electric vehicle via a wired connection.

At least one tree structure may comprise an antenna for transmitting mobile phone signals.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a parking lot comprising a plurality of vehicle parking spaces and the assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein each vehicle parking space is associated with a charging station for allowing an electric vehicle positioned in the vehicle parking space to be charged by the charging station.

The use of the solar charging assembly in a parking lot is preferred, since a parking lot typically comprises a lot of unused skyline/space suited for collecting solar energy therefrom. In this way, the installation of the solar charging assembly in the parking lot means the electric vehicles parked therein during the day can conveniently be charged, using solar energy collected from this previously unused skyline/space.

In such a parking lot, a canopy, such as an awning or roof, may be positioned between the plurality of vehicle parking spaces and the solar cells, wherein the canopy is configured to shade the plurality of vehicle parking spaces from the sun. In this case, the canopy may comprise a first side proximal the solar cells, and a second side proximal the vehicle parking spaces, wherein the first side comprises a reflective surface for reflecting incident sunlight in a direction towards the solar cells.

In a third aspect of the invention relating to a preferred parking lot configuration, there is provided a parking lot comprising:

a plurality of vehicle parking spaces, and a solar charging assembly comprising:

-5a plurality of tree structures, each tree structure comprising a vertically extending trunk portion and a plurality of solar cells connected to branches which are connected to the trunk portion, wherein the solar cells are orientated at different angles with respect to each other;

a network of batteries connected together, and which are electronically connected to the plurality of tree structures, wherein each battery is configured to be charged using electricity generated from the solar cells from the plurality of tree structures; and a plurality of charging stations, electronically connected to the network of batteries, each charging station for charging an electric vehicle;

monitoring software for monitoring the amount of energy stored in each battery from the network of batteries, and/or the amount of energy being generated by each tree structure, and/or the amount of energy being consumed at each charging station; and a controller connected to the network of batteries and to the monitoring software, wherein the controller is configured to distribute the energy between the batteries, and/or from the batteries to each charging station;

wherein each vehicle parking space is associated with a charging station from the solar charging assembly for allowing an electric vehicle positioned in the vehicle parking space to be charged by the charging station.

By providing the batteries as a network, along with the monitoring software, and controller, the parking lot can effectively manage the charging of electric vehicles located in the parking lot at any given time.

Preferably, the branches of each tree structure collectively form a canopy, wherein the canopies of the tree structures collectively form a tessellated surface when viewed from above. In this way, the amount of energy recovered by the tree structures can be increased. The presence of the tessellated surface also helps to better shelter any vehicles located under the tree structures.

It will be appreciated that the parking lot according to the third aspect of the invention may include any of the additional features recited in respect of the first and/or second aspects of the invention.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

-6Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of solar charging assembly.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of solar charging assembly.

Figure 3 shows a parking lot comprising a solar charging assembly.

Figure 4 shows an example schematic operation of the solar charging assembly shown in Figures 1-2, and/or the parking lot shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of solar charging assembly.

With reference to Figure 1, there is shown as a solar charging assembly 10 comprising a tree structure 12. The tree structure 12 comprises a vertically extending trunk portion 14 and a plurality of solar cells 16 connected to branches 18 which are connected to the trunk portion 14.

The solar cells 16 are preferably orientated at different angles with respect to each other to ensure the tree structure 12 can collect light at all angles, and at all times during the day.

Having the solar cells 16 at different angles with respect to each other also helps to ensure that a solar cell 16 can capture reflected light off another solar cell 16 present in the tree structure 12.

Each solar cell 16 is preferably leaf shaped, to help the tree structure adopt the shape of a tree. The solar cells 16 may also be flexible, to again help the solar cell 16 adopt a leaf like appearance, and to allow the solar cell 16 to be more versatilely connected to its associated branch 18.

Energy collected from the solar cells 16 of the tree structure 12 is collected by at least one battery 20 electronically connected to the at least one tree structure 12, such that each battery 20 is configured to be charged using electricity generated from the solar cells 16. The position of the battery 20 with respect to the tree structure 12 can vary as required. As shown in Figure 1, the battery 20 could be positioned on the tree structure 12, or in the trunk portion 14 of the tree structure 12. A battery 20 could alternatively/additionally be

-7 located underground, for instance underneath the tree structure 12 as also shown in Figure

1.

At least one charging station 22 is electronically connected to the battery 20 for charging an electric vehicle V. Each charging station 22 may comprises a wireless energy transmitter 22A for wirelessly charging the electric vehicle V, and/or may comprise a wired energy 22B transmitter for charging the electric vehicle V via a wired connection.

To improve the amount of energy recovered by the tree structure 12, the tree structure 12 may be provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces 30 separate from the solar cells 16 for reflecting incident sunlight in a direction towards the solar cells 16. The reflective surfaces 30 could be a mirror, and may be orientated at different angles with respect to each other as shown in Figure 1.

The trunk portion 14 comprises a first end 14A proximal the ground, and a second end 14B proximal the solar cells 16 of the tree structure 12. Preferably, the trunk portion 14 is thinner at the first end 14A than at the second end 14B. In this way, the trunk portion 14 does not occupy more space than necessary proximal the ground, and allows electric vehicles V to be positioned in a more compact fashion with respect to each other, and allows more of each electric vehicle V to be shaded by the solar cells 16 located above it.

With reference to Figure 2, another solar charging assembly 10 is shown comprising a tree structure 12. In this assembly 10, the branches 18 are connected to the trunk portion 14 in a different, more geometric, 3D structure. In this embodiment, the plurality of solar cells 16 may be formed as a plurality of flexible photovoltaic cells 16 which are each respectively wrapped around a branch 18. Alternatively, each solar cell 16 may be connected to the branches 18 shown in Figure 2 in a similar way to that shown in Figure 1. Either way, the solar cells 16 are preferably orientated at different angles with respect to each other to improve the solar energy recovery by the solar charging assembly 10.

The solar charging assembly 10 from Figure 2 similarly comprises at least one battery 20 (shown in Figure 2 as being underground), which is electronically connected to the tree structure 12 and to the charging station 22.

-8The assembly 10 in this embodiment is additionally electronically connected to a mains electricity supply 40, such that each battery 20 and/or charging station 22 is further configured to be charged using electricity from this mains electricity supply 40. With this functionality, an electric vehicle V positioned at the charging station 22 is still able to be charged even if the energy in the battery 20 is running low due to lack of energy being recovered by the tree structure 12. The mains electricity supply 40 can also be used to ensure that the battery 20 is always kept charged above a certain level, and/or used in certain cases to boost the amount of electricity being delivered to the charging station 22.

A preferred application for the solar charging assembly 10 is when used in a parking lot 100, as shown in Figure 3. The parking lot 100 comprises a plurality of vehicle parking spaces 102 and the solar charging assembly 10. In the case of Figure 3, the solar charging assembly 10 is shown as comprising a plurality of tree structures 12 which are electronically connected to a network 42 of batteries 20 that are connected together. The solar charging assembly 10 further comprises a plurality of charging stations 22, also electronically connected to the network 42 of batteries 20.

Each vehicle parking space 102 is associated with a charging station 22 from the solar charging assembly 10 for allowing an electric vehicle V positioned in the vehicle parking space to be charged by the charging station 22. It will be appreciated that the parking lot 100 may have additional ordinary vehicle parking spaces which do not comprise an associated charging station 22.

Each tree structure 12 shown in Figure 3 is shown as having branches 18 connected to the trunk portion 14 in a different 3D structure compared to the tree structures 12 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The plurality of solar cells 16 are connected to the branches 18 such that the solar cells 16 are orientated at different angles with respect to each other.

To help shade the electric vehicles V from the sun, the parking lot preferably comprises a canopy 104 (such as an awning or roof) positioned between the plurality of vehicle parking spaces 102 and the solar cells 16. Here, the trunk portions 14 from the tree structures 12 project through openings in the canopy 104. The canopy 104 comprises a first side 106 proximal the solar cells, and a second side 108 proximal the vehicle parking spaces V. Preferably, the first side 106 comprises a reflective surface for reflecting incident sunlight

-9in a direction towards the solar cells 16. This serves to increase the energy collected by each tree structure 12.

In some cases, as shown in Figure 3, at least one of the tree structures 12 may comprise an antenna 46 for transmitting mobile phone signals, using energy from a battery 20.

The network 42 of batteries 20 is configured to allow energy to be distributed between each of the batteries 20 as required, and is configured such that the network 42 can receive energy from any of the tree structures 12, and power any of the charging stations 22. Preferably, the network 42 of batteries 20 and the charging stations 22 are connected to the mains electricity supply 40 to cater for times when insufficient energy is present in the batteries 20, as previously described in relation to Figure 2.

With reference to Figure 4, there is shown a schematic operation of the solar charging assemblies 10 shown in Figures 1-2, and also the parking lot 100 shown in Figure 3. In the schematic, there is shown the at least one tree structure 12 which are each configured to charge the batteries 20 (preferably the network 42 of batteries 20). Electronically connected to the at least one charging station 22 is the mains 40 and the batteries 20.

Monitoring software 50 is electronically connected to the above components for monitoring the amount of energy stored in each battery 20 (or network 42 of batteries 20), and/or the amount of energy being generated by each tree structure 12, and/or the amount of energy being consumed at each charging station 22. Connected to the monitoring software 50 is a user interface 52, for instance displayed on a mobile phone or a computer, for conveying information relating to the amount of energy stored in each battery 20, and/or the amount of energy being generated by each tree structure 12. The monitoring software 50 is preferably also configured to detect faults in any of the components from the solar charging assembly

10. Where a fault is detected, the user interface 52 would convey this fault to the user.

A controller 54 is connected to the batteries 20 (or the network 42 of batteries 20) and to the monitoring software 50. Preferably, the controller 54 is configured to distribute the energy between the batteries 20, and/or from the batteries 20 to each charging station 22, depending on the energy usage requirements at any given time. Further functionality for the controller 54 could be that is connected to the mains electricity supply 40 to control the delivery of electricity from this supply 40 as required to either the batteries 20 or the

- 10charging stations 22, and/or be connected to each tree structure 12 to control the extent to which the electricity is generated from the solar cells 16.

In terms of the tree structures 12 described herein, it will be appreciated that their shape 12 is not limited to being the exact form of a tree. Indeed, the term “tree structure” as used herein is taken to encompass any 3D structure which comprises a columnar member upstanding from the ground (the trunk portion 14); which is connected to other members connected to the columnar member (the branches 18), to which the solar cells 16 are connected.

An example of such a 3D structure constituting a tree structure 12 within the present invention is shown in Figure 5. Here the solar charging assembly 10, which could constitute a parking lot, is shown as comprising two neighbouring tree structures 12. The branches 18 of each tree structure 12 collectively form a canopy 56 whose outer periphery 58 when viewed from above defines a shape which can be tessellated. In the case of Figure 5, the trunk portion 14 of each tree structure 12 is located at the centre of each canopy 56, wherein the canopy 56 defines an outer periphery 58 in the shape of a square. In this way the outer periphery 58 of each canopy 56 is shaped to match the outer periphery 58 of a different canopy 56 from a neighbouring tree structure 12, such that the canopies 56 of the tree structures 12 from the solar charging assembly 10 collectively form a tessellated surface 60.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A solar charging assembly comprising:

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein each solar cell is leaf shaped.

3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein each solar cell is flexible.

4. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of reflective surfaces separate from the solar cells for reflecting incident sunlight in a direction towards the solar cells from the tree structure.

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly is additionally electronically connected to a mains electricity supply, such that each charging station is further configured to be charged using electricity from the mains electricity supply.

6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one battery comprises a network of batteries connected together, wherein the network of batteries is electronically connected to each charging station and to each tree structure.

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising more than one charging station.

8. An assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising more than one tree structure.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein each tree structure comprises a respective battery.

10. An assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each tree structure comprises a respective charging station.

11. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the branches of each tree structure collectively form a canopy whose outer periphery when viewed from above defines a shape which can be tessellated.

12. An assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising monitoring software for monitoring the amount of energy stored in each battery, and/or the amount of energy being generated by each tree structure, and/or the amount of energy being consumed at each charging station.

13. An assembly according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the assembly further comprises a controller connected to the network of batteries and to the monitoring software, wherein the controller is configured to distribute the energy between the batteries, and/or from the batteries to each charging station.

14. An assembly according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a user interface for conveying information relating to the amount of energy stored in each battery, and/or the amount of energy being generated by each tree structure.

15. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the trunk portion of each tree structure comprises a first end proximal the ground, and a second end proximal the solar cells of the tree structure, wherein the trunk portion is thinner at the first end than at the second end.

16. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one charging station comprises a wireless energy transmitter for wirelessly charging the electric vehicle.

17. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one charging station comprises a wired energy transmitter for charging the electric vehicle via a wired connection.

18. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one tree structure comprises an antenna for transmitting mobile phone signals.

19. A parking lot comprising a plurality of vehicle parking spaces and the assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein each vehicle parking space is associated with a charging station for allowing an electric vehicle positioned in the vehicle parking space to be charged by the charging station.

20. A parking lot according to claim 19, further comprising a canopy positioned between the plurality of vehicle parking spaces and the solar cells, wherein the canopy is configured to shade the plurality of vehicle parking spaces from the sun.

21. A parking lot according to claim 20, wherein the canopy comprises a first side proximal the solar cells, and a second side proximal the vehicle parking spaces, wherein the first side comprises a reflective surface for reflecting incident sunlight in a direction towards the solar cells.

22. A parking lot comprising:

a plurality of tree structures, each tree structure comprising a vertically extending trunk portion and a plurality of solar cells connected to branches which are connected to the trunk portion, wherein the solar cells are orientated at different angles with respect to each other;

monitoring software for monitoring the amount of energy stored in each battery from the network of batteries, and/or the amount of energy being generated by each tree structure, and/or the amount of energy being consumed at each charging station; and

- 14a controller connected to the network of batteries and to the monitoring software, wherein the controller is configured to distribute the energy between the batteries, and/or from the batteries to each charging station;

wherein each vehicle parking space is associated with a charging station from the

5 solar charging assembly for allowing an electric vehicle positioned in the vehicle parking space to be charged by the charging station.

23. A parking lot according to claim 22, wherein the branches of each tree structure collectively form a canopy, wherein the canopies of the tree structures collectively form a 10 tessellated surface when viewed from above.