Abstract:
A solar cell module includes a number of solar cell panels and a number of connecting elements connecting to the solar cell panels. The solar cell panels are collapsibly connected by the connecting elements. Due to the collapsible function, a volume of the solar cell module can be reduced, thereby simplifying transport of the solar cell module.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to solar cell modules, and particularly to a collapsible solar cell module with collapsible connecting element. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Solar cells, utilizing solar radiation to generate clean and renewable energy, have gained massive popularity in use ranging from residential to large scale industrial application. Although solar cells have gradually improved efficiency of conversion, arrays presenting a very large area are still required to fulfill power requirements. 
         [0005]    Standalone power supply systems, which can fully generate electric power from received sunlight, have been developed, often including a solar cell module, a rechargeable battery, a controller controlling the solar cell module and rechargeable battery, and an AC electric load connected to the controller. These components are independent of each other, and connected together by electrical interconnections. 
         [0006]    It is difficult to transport the standalone power supply system for temporary deployment and relocation. Also, the solar cell module is often immovably fixed to a base or frame, making it difficult to change alignment of the solar receiving surface. 
         [0007]    What is needed, therefore, is a solar cell module which can collapse easily for transport and ameliorate the described limitations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present solar cell module. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the views. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a solar cell module collapsed in accordance with a first embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a solar cell module deployed in accordance with the first embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a solar cell module collapsed in accordance with a second embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a solar cell module deployed in accordance with the second embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a solar cell module collapsed in accordance with a third embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a solar cell module deployed in accordance with the third embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a solar cell module collapsed in accordance with a fourth embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a solar cell module deployed in accordance with the fourth embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a solar cell module collapsed in accordance with a fifth embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of a solar cell module deployed in accordance with the fifth embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Embodiments of a solar cell module as disclosed are described in detail here with reference to the drawings. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a solar cell module  100  in accordance with a first embodiment includes a plurality of solar cell panels  110  and a plurality of connecting elements  120 . In this embodiment, the connecting elements  120  are pivoting structures and at least one connecting element  120  is arranged between the adjacent solar cell panels  110  for collapsing together with the connecting elements  120 . The connecting elements  120  are staggered, and can be hinges. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , a solar cell module  200  in accordance with a second embodiment includes a main bottom solar cell panel  221 , a plurality of peripheral solar cell panels  222  surrounding the main bottom solar cell panel  221 , and a plurality of elastic connecting elements  223  connecting the side surfaces of the main bottom solar cell panel  221  and the plurality of peripheral solar cell panels  222 . As an example, the main bottom solar cell panel  221  and the plurality of peripheral solar cell panels  222  can be quadrate plates with four peripheral solar cell panels  222  and elastic connecting elements  223  utilized. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  schematically shows the elastic connecting elements  223 . In the practical embodiment, the elastic connecting elements  223  collapsibly connect the main bottom solar cell panel  221  and the peripheral solar cell panels  222 , and extend elastically when the solar cell module  200  is not in use, and the four elastic connecting elements  223  assume different degrees of deformation to stack the corresponding peripheral solar cell panel  222  on the top surface of the main bottom solar cell panel  221 . Further, to provide support for the peripheral solar cell panels  222  when the solar cell module  200  is in use, the elastic connecting elements  223  return from deformation and spread the peripheral solar cell panels  222  with the main bottom solar cell panel  221 , maintaining the same plane. 
         [0023]    A supporting mechanism can be arranged outside the solar cell module  200  or between the main bottom solar cell panel  221  and the peripheral solar cell panels  222 , with the structure and number of main bottom solar cell panels  221 , peripheral solar cell panels  222 , and elastic connecting elements  223  adjusted according to need as long as the solar cell module  200  can be deployed for use and collapsed for convenient transport and storage. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , a solar cell module  300  in accordance with a third embodiment includes a main bottom solar cell panel  321 , a plurality of peripheral solar cell panels  322 , and rail structures  301  for connecting slidably with each peripheral solar cell panels  322 . In this embodiment, four peripheral solar cell panels  322  are arranged above the main bottom solar cell panel  321  at different heights and four rail structures  301  are correspondingly arranged above the main bottom solar cell panel  321  horizontally at different heights. Each of the peripheral solar cell panels  322  slidably matches ridges and recesses with the corresponding rail structure  301 . For example, the bottom of each peripheral solar cell panel  322  can be configured with a longitudinal ridge  3220 , and the rail structure  301  includes a longitudinal recession  3010  receiving the ridge  3220 . In contrast, if the bottom of each peripheral solar cell  322  is configured with a longitudinal recession, the rail structure  301  will include a corresponding longitudinal ridge. When the solar cell module  300  is deployed, the plurality of peripheral solar cell panels  322  slides outwardly along the rail structure  301  horizontally. When the solar cell module  300  is stacked, the plurality of peripheral solar cell panels  322  slide inwardly along the rail structure  301  horizontally and stack above the main bottom solar cell panel  321  sequentially. A supporting mechanism for supporting the outside portion of the peripheral solar cell panel  322  can be arranged to stably fix the peripheral solar cell panel  322  in the rail structure  301  when deployed. There is no limitation of the manner of the supporting mechanism. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , a solar cell module  400  in accordance with a fourth embodiment includes a supporting shaft  410  and a plurality of solar cell panels  420  connecting the supporting shaft  410 . The plurality of solar cell panels  420  is arranged parallel along the longitudinal axis of the supporting shaft  410 . The plurality of solar cell panels  420  is planar and connects with the supporting shaft  410  perpendicularly, rotatable horizontally by any angle. When the solar cell module  400  is deployed, the plurality of solar cell panels  420  can rotate horizontally by different angle to stagger each other as shown in  FIG. 8  to receive sunlight with larger area. When the solar cell module  400  is stacked, the plurality of solar cell panels  420  rotate horizontally to the same side of the supporting shaft  410  and stack together. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , a solar cell module  500  in accordance with a fifth embodiment includes a central solar cell panel  510  surrounded by a plurality of peripheral solar cell panels  520 . The central solar cell panel  510  forms an elliptical sphere and each peripheral solar cell panel  520  includes an inner surface  521  parallel to the outer surface of the elliptical sphere and an outer surface  522  with curvature exceeding that of the inner surface  521 . In this embodiment, the solar cell module  500  is integrated with a portable solar cell power supply device, and arranged on an electricity module  501 . Each peripheral solar cell panel  520  is rotatably fixed on the top surface of the electricity module  501  with a hinged body  530 . The hinged body  530  allows the peripheral solar cell panels  520  to rotate a predetermined angle along a predetermined path. When the solar cell module  500  is in use, it rotates the peripheral solar cell panels  520  incline outwardly relative to the central solar cell panel  510  to receive sunlight with a total area. When the solar cell module  500  is not in use, it rotates the peripheral solar cell panels  520  to incline inwardly toward the central solar cell panel  510  to reduce the volume of the total solar cell module  500 . A plurality of rollers  502  is arranged at the bottom of the electricity module  501  to conveniently transport the portable solar cell power supply device. 
         [0027]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiment(s), the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.