WO2020260349A1 - Photovoltaic electricity production device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a moveable photovoltaic device, characterised in that it includes: - a wheeled moveable support (5), - gripping means (9), for gripping and pulling or pushing the device on an upper end opposite the lower end, - at least two photovoltaic modules (3a, 3b) attached to the support, each comprising a front surface (F), configured to face the sun and to receive radiation, and a rear, protective surface (B), at least one of the modules (3b) being hinged to the support (5), so as to be movable between an open electricity production position in which the photovoltaic modules (3a, 3b) present their front surface (F) towards the outside, and a closed protective and transport position in which the photovoltaic modules (3a, 3b) are stacked, and the photovoltaic module (3b) hinged furthest forward on the support (5) forms a protective cover by presenting its rear surface (B) to the outside, and - at least one electrical connection device (13) for delivering the current produced by the photovoltaic modules (3).

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Photovoltaic electricity production device

The present invention relates to the field of photovoltaic electricity production installations and devices and more particularly to mobile and light installations, for equipping users off the electricity grid or as a back-up solution. The device can also be combined with an electrical network in the form of a hybrid installation. The invention relates in particular to the field of photovoltaic installations with casters and / or folding.

In many countries, especially in Africa, regions are not covered by a domestic electricity grid. These same regions are often only accessible by paths and tracks, subject to damage by rains. However, even sporadic access to electricity makes it possible to maintain sometimes essential services such as lighting, recharging a telephone, operating a refrigerator, for example to store medical products such as vaccines or perishable foodstuffs.

The production of photovoltaic electricity does not require the transport of fuel. Thus a mobile photovoltaic installation can allow a completely autonomous electricity supply.

It is in particular known to produce mobile installations comprising modules or solar panels sewn or glued to folding textile supports.

These installations are relatively not very robust, and often deteriorate at the level of contacts arranged on the folds by force of repeated bending. Said installations also require equipment for adapting and storing the current produced, which forms a generally separate block. This separate block makes them bulky to transport. In addition, the current produced is often only sufficient to power a small, low-power device.

It is also known to produce trailers comprising an installation

at least partially collapsible photovoltaic, comprising modules

photovoltaics arranged on articulated mechanical structures, with hydraulic deployment. These facilities are specifically configured to be

transported by motor vehicle, often a truck. Their transport requires therefore a fossil fuel (gasoline, diesel, petroleum gas) and cannot be carried out by one person alone. On a track that is too irregular, vibrations can also end up damaging the installation.

There is therefore a need for a mobile photovoltaic installation, with an intermediate power of a few hundred watts, which can be transported manually by a person, on rough terrain, and which can be loaded or towed on a vehicle. In order to at least partially respond to the above problem, the invention provides a mobile photovoltaic device, characterized in that it comprises:

- a mobile support on wheels,

- gripping means, for gripping and pulling or pushing the device on one end,

- at least two photovoltaic modules attached to the support, each comprising a front surface, configured to face the sun and receive the

radiation, and a protective rear surface; at least one of the modules being articulated to the support, so as to be movable between an open position for producing electricity in which the photovoltaic modules have their front surface towards the outside, and a closed position for protection and transport in which the photovoltaic modules are superimposed, and the photovoltaic module articulated to the foremost support forms a protective cover by presenting its rear surface outwards,

- at least one electrical connection device for delivering the current produced by the photovoltaic modules.

The proposed device is compact, can be transported by a single person and forms a unit that can be used directly without requiring additional equipment. The surface of the modules can then be selected so as to be sufficient to power some household electrical equipment and to charge electronic devices such as telephones.

In the closed protection and transport position, the modules are protected, and the device consists of a block, which can then be sheltered in a limited space. The photovoltaic electricity production device according to the invention can also comprise one or more of the following characteristics taken alone or in combination. The device may further comprise at least one third photovoltaic module also articulated to the support, so as to be movable between an open position for producing electricity in which said third photovoltaic module articulated to the support has its front surface outwards, and a closed position of protection and transport in which the at least three photovoltaic modules are superimposed and the photovoltaic module articulated to the foremost support forms a protective cover by presenting its rear surface outwards.

The device may further include at least one retractable photovoltaic module, movable in translation relative to the support between a retracted position, in which said retractable photovoltaic module is retracted into the support, and an extended position, in which it protrudes from the housing of the support. and presents its front surface towards the outside of the device.

The support may further include at least one crutch, configured to retain the device in an inclined position.

The device may further include a connection device comprising sockets and at least one of the following elements: a regulator allowing the current produced by the photovoltaic modules to be used for storing it, a converter or an inverter for converting the current produced by photovoltaic modules or by the storage element in alternating current, a charger of storage batteries (allowing their charge from an external source) and / or protection devices against overvoltages.

The connection device may include power outlets with a voltage of 4.5V of the USB type, a voltage of 9V of the computer hardware type, a voltage of 12V of the "cigarette lighter" type, a voltage of a single-phase AC network from 110 to 240V of the domestic type and / or of a three-phase AC voltage of 380V to 410V of the industrial type.

The connection device comprises a block of sockets carrying the sockets.

The device may further include at least one battery for storing the current produced by the photovoltaic modules, said battery being connected to the regulation and charging devices and presented separately, inserted or attached to the support. The wheels can protrude from the support both in a vertical direction from the upper end to the lower end of the support and in a transverse direction orthogonal to the photovoltaic modules.

The support may include at its lower end systems for stabilizing the device, such as for example feet configured so that the device is supported only on the wheels and movable when the support is inclined, and resting on the feet and stationary when the support is tilted. bracket is in an upright position relative to gravity.

The gripping means may include two arms and / or a hoop extending substantially in the vertical direction beyond the upper end of the support. The device may further include a wheel locking device for selectively immobilizing the device, configured to engage when the photovoltaic modules are in the open position for generating electricity, and releasing the wheels when the photovoltaic modules are in the closed position. protection and transport.

The device may further include a protective cover which can be folded over the support and the photovoltaic modules in the closed protection and transport position.

The device may further include a device for measuring quantities

current produced and / or an integrated diagnostic system, and a wireless communication device connected to the measuring device and / or to the integrated diagnostic system, configured to allow reading of the electrical quantities and / or diagnosis from a terminal distant.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustration and not limitation, and the accompanying drawings in which:

[Fig. 1] is a diagrammatic representation of a photovoltaic electricity production device according to a particular embodiment with modules

folded photovoltaics,

[Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the device of Figure 1 with the photovoltaic modules deployed,

[Fig.3] is a sectional view of the modules and the support of the device of Figures 1 and 2. [Fig.4] is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the device,

[Fig.5] is a sectional view of a particular self-cleaning embodiment,

[Fig.6] is a schematic side view of a particular embodiment of a photovoltaic electricity production device in folded configuration.

In these figures, identical elements bear the same numerical references. An embodiment of a photovoltaic electricity production device 1 is shown schematically in FIG. 1 with photovoltaic modules 3 in the closed protection and transport position. The photovoltaic electricity production device 1 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2 with its photovoltaic modules 3 in an open position for producing electricity.

In what follows, reference 3 is used to speak of photovoltaic modules without consideration of order or the precise nature of the designated module (s). Separate modules will be designated by the references 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d.

The photovoltaic electricity production device 1 comprises a support 5, in particular a mobile support with wheels, which is rigid and substantially

parallelepiped or rectangular, forming an outer casing. A vertical direction V is defined between a lower end of the support 5 which comprises, according to the embodiment shown, wheels 7, and an upper end which comprises gripping means 9 such as handles, arms or a hoop as shown in figure 1. According to a development not shown, the wheels can be detachable.

A lateral direction L is defined by the axis of the wheels 7 and corresponds to the width of the parallelepiped or rectangle of the support 5. A transverse direction T is defined orthogonal to the two preceding directions.

The trihedron L, V, T is defined with respect to the support 5, the inclination of which can vary. The vertical direction V can therefore vary with respect to gravity.

The photovoltaic electricity production device 1 comprises at least two photovoltaic modules 3, attached to the support 5, located at a front face of the support 5, opposite a rear face of said support 5 at which the wheels 7. The term photovoltaic module 3 is understood here to mean modules comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells carried by a common flat support, and connected in series or parallel to junctions, for the production of electricity from solar radiation. According to a particular embodiment, the photovoltaic modules 3 can in particular comprise cells made of crystalline or monocrystalline silicon,

encapsulated between a front plate of high transparency material (greater than 80-90% on the spectrum used) such as a plastic or glass material, and a back plate forming a support, in particular by lamination with an encapsulating transparent resin. Application EP 3,403,826 entitled "LAMINATION PROCESS IN PARTICULAR FOR MANUFACTURING PHOTOVOLTAIC LAMINATES AND LAMINATION DEVICE IMPLEMENTING SAID LAMINATION PROCESS" describes, for example, such modules.

Such photovoltaic modules 3 are then light, resistant and durable.

The photovoltaic modules 3 have a front face F, configured to receive solar radiation in the direction of the photovoltaic cells, and a rear surface B, opposite to the front surface F. The material of the rear plate comprising the rear surface B can in particular be selected. regardless of transparency considerations to be strong, durable and abrasion resistant. According to an alternative, the photovoltaic modules 3 can be glass support modules, heavier but more resistant.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 comprises in particular three modules

photovoltaic 3, the dimensions of which correspond substantially to the dimensions of the parallelepipedic support 5 in the vertical V and lateral L directions.

By taking modules 3 superimposed in the folded position, the device 1 is compact. The photovoltaic current generation device 1 is then easily

transportable by a single person without mechanical assistance.

A first photovoltaic module 3a is fixedly attached to the support 5.

A second photovoltaic module 3b is articulated to the support 5 around an axis A here in the vertical direction V and located on one side of the support 5, so as to be movable between an open position, in which said module 3b articulated to the support 5 , has its front surface F outwards (FIG. 2), and a closed position in which its front surface F bears against the front surface F of the fixed photovoltaic module 3a (FIG. 1, see also FIG. 3).

In the closed position, the front surfaces F of the photovoltaic modules 3a,

3b fixed and articulated are therefore facing each other, and are thus protected from impacts, abrasion by dust and dirt. The front surfaces F of the modules 3 can also include sealing gaskets (not shown) on their edges. These sealing gaskets may in particular comprise a strip of compressible material such as an expanded polymer foam. By taking a tape of hydrophobic material or coated with hydrophobic material with sufficiently fine open pores (expanded neoprene for example), the sealing joints obtained are breathable: they allow the evacuation of moisture in the form of vapor, while avoiding the infiltration of liquid water and dust.

The third photovoltaic module 3c is retractable: it is mobile in translation relative to a housing provided in the support 5, for example by sliding along rails. It is movable between a retracted position, in which said retractable photovoltaic module 3c is retracted into the housing of the support 5, and an extended position, in which it protrudes laterally from the housing of the support 5 and has its front surface F outwardly of the device.

In the open position for producing electricity, the photovoltaic modules 3 have their front surfaces F parallel and substantially arranged in the plane containing the vertical V and lateral L directions. The front surfaces F are oriented towards the same direction, hereinafter referred to as being the front of the photovoltaic electricity production device 1.

When the articulated photovoltaic modules 3b, 3c and movable in translation are in the respectively closed and retracted position corresponding to the closed position of protection and transport, the photovoltaic modules 3 are folded and stacked in the transverse direction T, and the articulated photovoltaic module 3b the front-most support 5 forms a protective cover by presenting its rear surface B outwards. The vertical V and lateral L dimensions of the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 then correspond substantially to the external dimensions of the support 5.

The wheels 7 protrude from the support 5 in the vertical V and transverse T directions towards the bottom and rear of the photovoltaic power generation device 1. In this way, the photovoltaic power generation device 1 can be manipulated and moved by. analogous to a handling hand cart or wheelbarrow. The wheels 7 form a tilting aid, and the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 is supported on the wheels 7 when it is tilted backwards.

According to an alternative embodiment, the wheels 7 can in particular be in a central position in the vertical direction V, still at the rear face of the support 5.

Depending on the terrain on which the transport will take place, the wheels 7 may in particular be wheels of reduced diameter (of the order of 8 to 15 cm for example) and be

simply covered on their periphery with a layer of hard rubber for more lightness and compactness. As an alternative, the wheels 7 can be of larger diameter (greater than 20cm for example), and fitted with tires, if traffic on rough terrain is expected.

Shock absorber systems can connect the wheels 7 to the support to absorb vibrations, and said wheels 7 can be equipped with braking and / or locking systems to selectively immobilize the device 1 when it is in the open position of production of. electricity.

In particular, the wheel locking system can be configured to

switch on automatically when the photovoltaic modules 3 are brought into the open position.

For example, said wheel locking system may comprise a pin engaging the spokes of the wheels 7 in a locking position. Said pin is for example brought into the locking position when the modules 3 are opened by a mechanical transmission system, or else due to the electrical actuation of a solenoid ejecting said pin.

As an alternative, said wheel locking system may include a block brake engaging the wheels 7 or a wheel axle 7 when the photovoltaic modules 3 are brought into the open position.

The support 5 of the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 also comprises legs 11, articulated at the level of the rear part of the support 5, and which stabilize the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 in an inclined position. at an angle for example between 20 and 40 ° with respect to gravity. The support 5 may also include means for fixing to a fixed element, such as for example a fastener for a padlock, or even include an anti-theft type fastening directly implemented at said support 5, in particular integrated in a reclosable housing provided in the support 5.

The crutches 11 can in particular have an adjustable length in order to allow a variable inclination of the photovoltaic modules 3 to optimize their irradiation by the sun.

The gripping means 9 are advantageously foldable or retractable, in order to be folded or retracted in the deployed configuration of the photovoltaic electricity production device 1.

The photovoltaic electricity production device 1 further comprises a connection device 13, here for example in the form of a socket block 15, arranged, in the folded configuration, in a housing of the support 5, at the level of the socket. lower end carrying the wheels 7.

The connection device may in particular include elements adapting the current produced by the photovoltaic modules 3 to the needs of the electrical and electronic devices connected to the connection device 13, and in particular a regulator, converting the current produced by the photovoltaic modules 3, an inverter or regulator to convert the current produced by the 3 photovoltaic modules into alternating current, a battery charger and surge protection devices.

As an alternative or in addition, the connection device 13 may include a connection to another similar or complementary photovoltaic electricity generation device 1, so as to connect them in series or parallel and thus adapt the voltage and / or the current. of the current supplied.

The sockets of the socket block 15 may in particular include low voltage sockets such as a voltage of 4.5 V of the USB type, a voltage of 9 V of the computer equipment type, a voltage of 12V of "cigarette lighter" type, with a single-phase AC mains voltage of 110 to 240V of the domestic type for a household appliance for example, and / or of a three-phase AC mains voltage of 380V to 410V of the industrial type if the power photovoltaic modules 3 allows it. The socket block 15 is in particular connected to the support 5 and to the modules 3 by a flexible electric cable 17, of a length of the order of a few centimeters to several meters (2 to 10 m for example), in order to allow to move the block of electrical outlets 15 from the location of the photovoltaic electricity production device 1.

The support 5 and the photovoltaic modules 3 can then be positioned outside in the sun, while the socket block 15 can be placed inside or in the shade.

The current socket device 13 can also include a link to another photovoltaic electricity production device 1, connecting them in series or in parallel in order to generate a higher current or voltage.

The connection device 13 further comprises a device for measuring electrical quantities of the current produced and an integrated diagnostic system, as well as a wireless communication device connected to the measuring device and to the system. These devices are configured to allow reading. electrical quantities measured and diagnosis from a remote terminal such as a telephone, tablet or computer, for fault diagnosis and evaluation purposes, for example to adapt the load to the power produced.

The photovoltaic electricity production device 1 can also include a geolocation system, in order, for example, to allow its remote location.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the support and of the photovoltaic modules 3 in a photovoltaic electricity production device 1 during deployment.

The fixed photovoltaic module 3a is here in an intermediate position between the articulated photovoltaic module 3b, located forwards with respect to the photovoltaic module 3a, and the retractable photovoltaic module 3c, located behind the module

fixed photovoltaic 3a.

The photovoltaic module 3b is tilted around the axis A, materialized by a schematically represented hinge. The retractable photovoltaic module 3c is pulled outwards, and may in particular include a support portion 5a at one end, which closes the support 5 when the photovoltaic module 3c

retractable is in the retracted position. The articulated photovoltaic module 3b forms, in the folded position, a cover of the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 by presenting its rear surface B outwards, and thus protects the front surfaces F of the other modules 3.

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3 of an alternative embodiment of photovoltaic electricity production device 1.

In said alternative embodiment, the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 comprises a third photovoltaic module 3d also articulated to the support 5, so as to be movable between an open position in which said third articulated module 3d to the support 5 has its front surface F towards the outside, and a closed position in which its front surface F is directed towards either the first photovoltaic module articulated to the support 3b, or the fixed photovoltaic module 3a.

The third articulated photovoltaic module 3d is in particular articulated around an axis B arranged on a different side of the support 5 than the axis A, for example on the side opposite to the axis A in FIG. 4.

The fixed photovoltaic module 3a is placed behind the two modules

photovoltaic 3b, 3d articulated.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 of an alternative embodiment of a photovoltaic electricity production device 1. The photovoltaic electricity production device 1 of FIG. 5 comprises a fixed photovoltaic module 3a , a photovoltaic module 3b articulated to the support 5 and a photovoltaic module 3c retractable by translational movement.

The photovoltaic module 3c is in particular arranged, in the closed protective position between the fixed photovoltaic module 3a and the articulated photovoltaic module 3b.

The retractable photovoltaic module 3c comprises at its end opposite to the opening in the closed protective position two cleaning devices 18, for example flexible lips or brushes. The cleaning devices 18 are, when the photovoltaic modules 3 are, in the closed protective position, in contact against the front face F of the fixed photovoltaic module 3a and against the front face F of the articulated photovoltaic module 3b.

An additional cleaning device 18 is placed on the front face F of the photovoltaic module 3b articulated at the end at the level of the opening through which the retractable photovoltaic module 3c comes out of the support 5, and is in contact with the front face F of said retractable module 3c in the closed protective position. The additional cleaning device is placed as close as possible to the opening through which the retractable photovoltaic module 3c comes out of the support 5

The opening of the articulated photovoltaic module 3b can in particular be blocked by a locking mechanism as long as the retractable photovoltaic module 3c is not in the open position for producing electricity.

Thus, by pulling on the retractable photovoltaic module 3c during the passage into the open position for producing electricity, the user slides the cleaning devices 18 along the front surfaces F of the photovoltaic modules 3 and cleans them.

FIG. 6 is a side view schematically illustrating an alternative embodiment, in which the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 comprises one or more batteries 19 for storing the current produced by the photovoltaic modules 3, attached to the support and in particular housed in said support 5.

The battery or batteries 19 are in particular arranged behind the modules 3, at a back of the photovoltaic electricity production device 1. The battery or batteries 19 are connected to the connection device, and configured to receive the current and the store. The battery or batteries 19 may be in the form of a separate block, inserted in the support interchangeably.

The batteries 19, the photovoltaic modules 3 and the connection device 5 are in particular contained in the support 5, which is here in particular in the form of a rigid housing that is substantially parallelepiped.

The photovoltaic electricity production device 1 of FIG. 5 is in a substantially vertical position, the vertical direction V then being substantially aligned with gravity.

To allow immobilization in this position, the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 comprises systems for stabilizing the device, in particular in the form of feet 21, arranged in front of the wheels 7. When the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 is in operation. upright position, the feet 21 are supported on the ground, while said feet 21 attached to a lower surface of the support 5 are driven and raised when the production device of photovoltaic electricity 1 is tilted backwards to be transported by pushing or pulling it at the level of the gripping means 9.

The photovoltaic electricity production device 1 is then supported only on the wheels 7 and movable when the support 5 is inclined, and resting on the feet 21 and immobilized when the support 5 is in a vertical position.

To make the tilting of the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 easier, the gripping means extend beyond the upper edge of the support 5 in the direction opposite to the wheels 7. The lever thus increased allows the user to 'tilting the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 more easily.

For additional protection against dust and humidity, the photovoltaic electricity production device 1 may further include a protective cover which can be folded down onto the support 5 and the photovoltaic modules 3 in

folded configuration. This protective cover is advantageously housed, when not in use to cover the support 5 and the modules

photovoltaic 3, in a pocket or a housing of the support 5.

The proposed photovoltaic electricity production device 1 is thus compact, easily transportable by a single person and without mechanical assistance. The photovoltaic electricity production device 1 is also complete or “all in one”, allowing the direct exploitation of photovoltaic energy without separate or additional equipment.

Claims

Claims [Claim 1] [Mobile photovoltaic device, characterized in that it comprises: - a mobile support (5) with wheels, - gripping means (9), for gripping and pulling or pushing the device on one end, - at least two photovoltaic modules (3a, 3b) attached to the support (5), each comprising a front surface (F), configured to face the sun and receive its radiation, and a rear surface (B) for protection, a at least of the modules (3b) being articulated to the support (5), so as to be movable between an open position for producing electricity in which the photovoltaic modules (3a, 3b) have their front surface (F) outwards , and a closed position of protection and transport in which the photovoltaic modules (3a, 3b) are superimposed, and the module photovoltaic (3b) hinged to the foremost support (5) forms a protective cover by presenting its rear surface (B) outwards, - at least one electrical connection device (13) for delivering the current produced by the photovoltaic modules (3). [Claim 2] Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one third photovoltaic module (3d) also articulated to the support (5), so as to be movable between an open position for producing electricity. wherein said third photovoltaic module (3d) articulated to the support (5) has its front surface (F) outwardly, and a closed position of protection and transport in which the at least three photovoltaic modules (3a, 3b, 3d ) are superimposed and the photovoltaic module (3b) hinged to the foremost support (5) forms a protective cover by presenting its rear surface (B) outwards. [Claim 3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises at least one retractable photovoltaic module (3c), movable in translation with respect to the support (5) between a retracted position, in which said module retractable photovoltaic (3c) is retracted into the support (5), and an extended position, in which it protrudes from the housing of the support (5) and presents its front surface (F) towards the outside of the device. [Claim 4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (5) further comprises at least one crutch (11), configured to retain the device in an inclined position. [Claim 5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a connection device (13) comprising sockets (15) and at least one of the following elements: a regulator, converting the current produced by the modules photovoltaic (3), an inverter or converter to convert the current produced by the photovoltaic modules into alternating current, a battery charger and / or surge protection devices. [Claim 6] Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connection device (13) comprises sockets with a voltage of 4.5V of USB type, and / or of a voltage of 9V of computer hardware type, and / or a voltage of 12V of the "cigar-lighter" type, a single-phase AC mains voltage of 110 to 240V of the domestic type and / or a three-phase AC voltage of 380V to 410V of the industrial type. [Claim 7] Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connection device comprises a block of sockets (15) carrying the sockets. [Claim 8] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one battery (19) for storing the current produced by the photovoltaic modules (3), said battery (19) being connected to the devices of regulation and load and presented separately, inserted or attached to the support (5). [Claim 9] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a wheel locking device (7) for selectively immobilizing the device, configured to engage when the photovoltaic modules (3a, 3b ) are in the open position for producing electricity, and releasing the wheels (7) when the modules photovoltaic cells (3a, 3b) are in the closed position for protection and transport. [Claim 10] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a device for measuring electrical quantities of the current produced and / or an integrated diagnostic system, and a wireless communication device connected to the device. measuring device and / or the integrated diagnostic system, configured to allow reading of electrical quantities and / or diagnostics from a remote terminal.