Abstract:
A solar collector is provided for detachable arrangement on a parcel shelf of a passenger car. In this way, the solar collector can be used in the vehicle attached to the parcel shelf or outside the vehicle detached from the parcel shelf. When the solar collector is attached to the parcel shelf, electrical devices of the vehicle and external electrical devices can be operated by the solar collector. When the solar collector is disconnected from the parcel shelf, external electrical devices may still be operated by the solar collector. Accordingly, the solar collector presents itself as a mobile component which can be utilized independently of the passenger car.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 202015007105.8, filed Oct. 12, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure pertains to a solar collector for arrangement on a parcel shelf of a passenger car. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Vehicles, in particular passenger cars are known, in which a solar collector is used. Such a solar collector is connected for example with connections for operating external electrical devices or a connection for connection with an electronic system of the vehicle. In the last mentioned case, a vehicle battery can be charged for example by way of the solar collector. 
         [0004]    From US 2009/0314556 A1 a solar collector for arrangement on a parcel shelf of a passenger car is known. This solar collector is placed on the parcel shelf. The solar collector includes connections for operating external electrical devices such as portable music playback devices, computers etc. Furthermore, the solar collector includes a connection for connecting with an electronic system of the passenger car, for example for a vehicle alarm system or a system for opening and locking the vehicle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure provides an improved solar collector for arrangement on a parcel shelf of a passenger car so that the same is universally employable. The present disclosure describes a solar collector for arrangement on a parcel shelf of a passenger car. Here, the solar collector includes at least one connection for operating an external electrical device. Furthermore, the solar collector is configured to be detachable connected with the parcel shelf. The solar collector can thus be used on the one hand in the vehicle, interacting with the parcel shelf, on the other hand detached from the parcel shelf, thus used outside the passenger car. When the solar collector interacts with the parcel shelf, external electrical devices can be operated by the vehicle occupant by the solar collector. When the solar collector however is disconnected from the parcel shelf, external electrical devices can also he operated in this state of the solar collector. Accordingly, the solar collector presents itself as a mobile component which can be utilized independently of the passenger car. Preferably, the solar collector includes a connection for connecting with an electronic system of the passenger car. 
         [0006]    The external electrical devices are for example a smartphone, a DVD player, a computer or for example a mobile fan to be attached within the vehicle. The connection for connecting with the electronic system of the passenger car collects the solar collector with the electrical components of the passenger car, in particular with a control unit of the passenger car or a vehicle battery. 
         [0007]    Practically, the solar collector is configured in such a manner that it includes a housing with a front or top side, a back or bottom side and a circumferential edge between top and bottom side. This configuration of the housing makes it possible in a simple manner with suitable means to create on the one hand the detachable connection of solar collector and parcel shelf and on the other hand to integrate the connections in the solar collector. In particular, the connections for connecting solar collector and parcel shelf are arranged in the region of the surrounding edge of the housing. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the housing accommodates solar cells in the region of the top side. Preferably, the housing in the region of the bottom side includes a recess for accommodating at least one battery that is rechargeable by solar current generated by the solar cells. In particular, the recess serves for accommodating a plurality of rechargeable batteries. The recess is preferably closable by a lid. Accordingly, the solar collector presents itself as closed functional unit with the solar cells and the lid, which closes the receiving space for the battery or batteries. 
         [0009]    Practically, the housing, in the region of the surrounding edge, includes the connection for connecting with the electronic system of the passenger car and/or the at least one connection for operating an external electrical device. Preferably, at least one connection is a USB connection for an electrical device and/or at least one connection an electrical connection as usual power connection for operating an external electrical device. By way of such a usual power connection, a fan can be operated for example. 
         [0010]    Under the aspect of a simple arrangement of the solar collector with respect to the parcel shelf it is considered to be particularly advantageous when the housing is configured in such a manner that the surrounding edge is rectangular, with two parallel long edge sides and two parallel short edge sides. Thus, the housing can be easily inserted into a recessed receptacle that is correspondingly configured rectangular and in addition the solar collector, when used externally, thus when used independently of the parcel shelf, has an advantageous configuration that may be handled in an ergonomically favorable manner. In particular, the at least one connection for operating the external electrical device is arranged in the region of one of the long edge sides, preferably in the region of half the length of this edge side. The connection of the solar collector or of the housing with the parcel shelf takes place in particular in the region of the two parallel short edge sides of the housing. 
         [0011]    Practically, the housing includes an attachment mounted in the same for connecting with the parcel shelf. The attachment or a part thereof are preferably engagement elements. Accordingly, the solar collector or the housing is inserted into the parcel shelf and connected to the parcel shelf in a form-fit manner, in particular using engagement elements. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the attachment or engagement element includes electrical components for connecting the solar collector to electrical components of the parcel shelf, which are connected to the electronic system of the passenger car. Thus, the attachment or engagement elements not only has the function of connecting solar collector and parcel shelf but also the electrical connection of solar collector and electrical components of the parcel shelf, which are connected to the electronic system of the passenger car. 
         [0013]    It is particularly practical when the housing on its bottom side accommodates at least one support. The support is moveable out of a position in which it is retracted into the housing into a position in which it is extended from the housing, in particular pivoted-out position. This design of the solar collector with the support makes it possible to optimally set up the solar collector when used externally and in particular when it does not interact with the parcel shelf, namely with supported housing. The solar collector can thus be favorably aligned with respect to the sun and need not lie on a surface with its bottom side. 
         [0014]    In particular, two supports are provided which, spaced from one another, are pivotably mounted in the housing. Preferably, the respective support is extendable, so that the support length is freely variable and thus the inclination of the housing and of the solar collector is also freely adjustable. Preferably, fixtures seamlessly affix the respective support relative to the housing and/or with respect to the length of the support are provided. Accordingly it is considered to be particularly advantageous when the support is adjustable not only with respect to its angle to the housing but also the length of the support. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a rear view of a station wagon with opened tailgate and a solar collector lying on a parcel shelf of the passenger car; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows an inside view of the passenger car with solar collector lying on the parcel shelf. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows the solar collector separated from the parcel shelf and removed from the passenger car, seen on its top side, with folded-out supports; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows the solar collector according to  FIG. 3  in a view of the bottom side of the solar collector; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows the solar collector according to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , looking at the bottom side, looking at the bottom side, with folded-in supports; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows the solar collector in a view according to  FIG. 5 , with lid removed; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a lateral view of a solar collector of modified design removed from a parcel shelf, standing on a base, with folded-out supports; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  shows the solar collector used in  FIG. 7 , in the position inserted in the parcel shelf, illustrated in a sectional representation in the region of the connection of solar collector and parcel shelf. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a passenger car designed as a station wagon in its rear region, with opened tailgate, thus accessible load compartment  2 . The same is covered at the top by a parcel shelf  3 . The same is arranged horizontally and on its top side includes a recess for receiving a solar collector  4 . The same receives solar cells  5  in the region of the top side. The solar collector  4 , as is evident in the representation regarding  FIG. 2 , is provided, on its side facing the vehicle interior, with three connections  6 ,  7  for operating external electrical devices  29 . The two connections  6  are USB connectors and the connection  7  a usual power connection, thus for connecting an external electrical device such as an electric fan, a lamp, a laptop etc. 
         [0026]    In  FIGS. 3 to 6  a first exemplary embodiment of a solar collector  4  is described. The solar collector  4  includes a housing  8  with a top side  9  and a bottom side  10 . Here, the specifications top side and bottom side relate to the orientation of the solar collector  4  when lying on the parcel shelf  3 . In the region of the top side  9 , the solar collector  4  receives the solar cells  5 . Between top side  9  and bottom side  10 , the housing  8  is provided with a surrounding edge  11 . The same is rectangular, with two parallel long edge sides  12  and two parallel short edge sides  13 . In the region of the one long edge side  12 , namely the one which when the solar collector  4  lies on the parcel shelf  3 , faces the vehicle interior, the housing  8  is provided with the connections  6 ,  7 . These connections  6 ,  7  are arranged symmetrically, wherein the middle connection  7  is arranged in the region of half the length of this long back side  12 . 
         [0027]    In the region of the bottom side  10 , the housing  8  includes a recess  14  for receiving a plurality, in the exemplary embodiment for receiving four batteries  15  that are rechargeable by means of solar current. The recess  14  with the batteries located therein can be closed by means of a lid  16 . On both sides of the lid  16  supports  17  are mounted in the housing  8 . These two supports  17  can be pivoted out of the housing  8  so that the solar collector can be positioned on a base with respect to a position that is inclined to the vertical.  FIGS. 3 and 4  show the supports  17  in their pivoted-out position,  FIGS. 5 and 6  the supports  17  in their position in which they are pivoted into the housing  8 . 
         [0028]    In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the batteries  15  are thus recharged via the solar cells  5  and via the batteries  15  and an electronic system that is not illustrated and assigned to the solar collector  4 , the external electrical devices operated, 
         [0029]    In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a configuration of the solar collector  4  that is modified with respect to the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 3 to 6  and a modified connection of solar collector  4  and parcel shelf  3  illustrated. Parts of the two exemplary embodiments which correspond in construction or in the mode of operation are marked with the same reference numbers for the sake of simplicity, 
         [0030]    The exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 7 and 8  differs from that according to  FIGS. 3 to 6  in that the supports  17  cannot only be pivoted out but are also extendable, furthermore in that in the housing  8  attachment  18  for connecting solar collector  4  and parcel shelf  3  are provided, wherein one or a plurality of attachments  18  not only serve for the mechanical connecting but equally for electrically contacting electrical components of the solar collector  4  and electrical components of the parcel shelf  4 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates one of the two supports  17  both in a position pivoted into the housing  8 , with short configuration of the support  17 , and also in the pivoted-out position of the support  17 , with extended support  17 . For extending the support  17 , the same is pivoted about its pivot bearings  19 . The respective support  17  includes two parts  20 ,  21  telescopically arranged. The part  20  in the region of an end accommodates the pivot bearing  19  and in the region of the other end is telescopically inserted into the part  21 . By relatively rotating part  20  and  21 , a clamping mechanism between the two parts  20 ,  21  may be released so that these can be moved relative to one another. By rotating back, the clamping mechanism is activated so that the two parts  20 ,  21  are axially fixed. The length of the support  17  is dimensioned corresponding to the desired angle of inclination of the housing  8  to a base  22 . 
         [0032]    As is further evident from the representation of  FIG. 7 , the housing  8  in the region of its top side  9  includes sliding elements  23  for extending an attachment  18  that is connected to the respective sliding element  23 . The respective attachments  18  in the region of the long edge side  12  of the housing  8  is mounted in the same and displaceable relative to the same. Attachments  18  are thus provided on sides of the housing  8  facing away from one another for connecting the solar collector  4  with the parcel shelf  3  in the region of these long edge sides  13 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  shows the arrangement of solar collector  4  and parcel shelf  3 , for the connecting region of a holding means  18 , which additionally assumes the task of electrical connecting. Here, the parcel shelf  3  has two plate-shaped sections  24  which are arranged parallel to one another and a function section  25  connecting these sections  24 . The housing  8  of the solar collector  4  on the bottom side  10  includes rubber feet  26 , which support themselves on a plate-shaped section  24  assigned to these. An attachment  18  arranged in this region is illustrated on the one hand in its position retracted into the housing  8  and furthermore in its position extended from the housing  8 . In the extended position, the attachment  18 , which is formed as pin or plate, is inserted into a complementary receptacle  27  of the function section  25 . In this receptacle  27 , an electrical contact  28  (i.e., a +/− contact is inserted and held in the function section  25 . The contact  28  constitutes a connection for connecting to an electronic system of the passenger car. In order to establish a conductive connection between the electrical components of the solar collector  4  and this contact  28 , the attachment  18  is likewise configured as a current-conducting component that is connectable to the contact  28 . The attachment  18  is connected to the electrical components of the solar collector  4 . 
         [0034]    Accordingly, when connecting parcel shelf  3  and solar collector  4  direct electrical contacting of the electrical components of the solar collector  4  with the electrical components of the passenger car takes place. This contacting may take place also by way of a plurality, in particular two attachments  18 . By way of this electrical contacting a battery of the passenger car  1  can be recharged by the solar collector  4 . 
         [0035]    While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.