Patent Publication Number: US-8540406-B2

Title: Solar light bar

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to light bars and other emergency warning lighting and, in particular, a light bar which is powered by solar energy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one form, the invention comprises a light bar for use with a vehicle including an ignition and a charging system connected to a vehicle battery. The light bar is for use with an auxiliary battery and comprises a light source, a bus, a solar panel, a battery isolator and a light source switch. The bus is electrically connected to the auxiliary battery for receiving electricity from the auxiliary battery. The solar panel is electrically connected to the bus for generating electricity and for providing generated electricity to the bus. The battery isolator is adapted to be connected between the bus and the charging system for isolating the vehicle battery from the bus and for selectively connecting the bus to the charging system such that the charging system when operating supplies electricity to the bus. The light source switch is connected to the light source and to the bus. The light source switch is responsive to an operator for selectively electrically connecting the light source to the bus. When the light source switch is closed, the light source is energized by electricity from at least one of the solar panel, the charging system and the auxiliary battery. When the light source switch is open the light source is isolated from the bus. The auxiliary battery is adapted to be selectively charged by electricity from at least one of the solar panel and the charging system. 
     In another form, the invention comprises a kit for use with an auxiliary battery and a light bar including a light source. The kit includes a solar panel adapted to be electrically connected to a bus connected the auxiliary battery, the solar panel for generating electricity and for providing generated electricity to the bus. The kit also includes a battery isolator adapted to be connected between the bus and the charging system for isolating the vehicle battery from the bus and for selectively connecting the bus to the charging system such that the charging system when operating supplies electricity to the bus. The kit also includes a light source switch adapted to be connected to the light source and to the bus, the light source switch responsive to an operator for selectively electrically connecting the light source to the bus. When the light source switch is closed, the light source is energized by electricity from at least one of the solar panel, the charging system and the auxiliary battery. When the light source switch is open, the light source is isolated from the bus. The auxiliary battery is adapted to be selectively charged by electricity from at least one of the solar panel and the charging system. The bus, which is adapted to be electrically connected to the auxiliary battery for receiving electricity from the auxiliary battery, may be an optional part of the kit. 
     Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention in combination with a vehicle charging system, a vehicle battery and an ignition. 
         FIG. 1B  is a function block diagram of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates  FIG. 1B  wherein the ignition is ON, the switch is ON and the solar panel is illuminated and generating electrical power. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates  FIG. 1B  wherein the ignition is OFF, the switch is ON and the solar panel is illuminated and generating electrical power. 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates  FIG. 1B  wherein the ignition is ON, the switch is OFF and the solar panel is illuminated and generating electrical power. 
         FIG. 2D  illustrates  FIG. 1B  wherein the ignition is OFF, the switch is OFF and the solar panel is illuminated and generating electrical power. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates  FIG. 1B  wherein the ignition is ON, the switch is ON and the solar panel is NOT illuminated and NOT generating electrical power. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates  FIG. 1B  wherein the ignition is OFF, the switch is ON and the solar panel is NOT illuminated and NOT generating electrical power. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates  FIG. 1B  wherein the ignition is ON, the switch is OFF and the solar panel is NOT illuminated and NOT generating electrical power. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the solar light bar of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention in combination with a vehicle. In this embodiment, a light bar  100  is configured for use with a vehicle having an ignition  102  (e.g., an ignition switch and/or an ignition system) and a vehicle charging system  104  connected to a vehicle battery  106  for charging the battery  106  (e.g., an alternator system or a generator system). In this embodiment, the light bar  100  is configured for use with an auxiliary battery  108 , such as a second vehicle battery or any other rechargeable battery integral with light bar  100  or separate from the light bar  100 . 
       FIG. 1B  is a function block diagram of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . As illustrated, the light bar  100  includes a light source such as an LED array  202 , although any other light source commonly used for light bars and/or emergency lighting may be used, such an incandescent lamp, and HID lamp, a strobe lamp or other light producing element. The LED array may be one unit of two or more LEDs or it may be several units of one or more LEDs. A light source switch  204  is connected to the light source (e.g., the LED array  202 ) and is responsive to an operator for selectively electrically energizing the light source by connecting it to a bus  206 . Although the switch  204  is illustrated as part of the light bar  100 , it is contemplated that the switch  204  may be external to the light bar  100  and not a part thereof. 
     The light bar  100  also includes a solar panel  208  electrically connected to the bus  206  for generating direct current (DC) electricity (power) when illuminated and for providing generated electricity to the bus  206 . It is contemplated that the solar panel  208  may be one or more panels including one or more solar cells which convert light to DC power. 
     In one form, the switch  204  is a single pole, single throw switch in series between the bus and the LED array  202  and the solar panel  208  is connected to the bus  206 . In another form, the switch  204  is a multi-pole, multi-throw switch for selectively interconnecting the LED array  202 , bus  206  and solar panel is  208 . 
     The bus  206  is adapted to be electrically connected to the auxiliary battery  210  for receiving electricity (power) from the auxiliary battery  210  and for providing electricity (power) to the auxiliary battery  210 . In one form, the bus  206  is a terminal strip which electrically interconnects the switch  204  and auxiliary battery  210  to a vehicle battery isolator  212 . 
     The battery isolator  212  is adapted to be connected between the bus  206  and the vehicle charging system  214  for isolating the vehicle battery  106  from the bus  206  and for selectively connecting the bus  206  to the charging system  214  such that the charging system  214  when operating supplies electricity to the bus  206 . One reason for isolating the vehicle battery  106  from the bus  206  is so that the auxiliary battery  210  and/or the LED array  202  do not draw any power from the vehicle battery  106 . In this way, the light bar  100  and auxiliary battery  210  are electrically isolated and independent of the vehicle battery  106  and cannot draw down the vehicle battery  106  or otherwise cause it to lose power. Thus, the auxiliary battery  210  is adapted to be selectively charged by electricity (power) from at least one of the solar panel  208  and the charging system  214 . 
     In one embodiment the battery isolator  212  is connected to and controlled by an ignition  216  of the vehicle. For example, the isolator  212  may be controlled by the ignition switch or any other portion of the ignition system which is only powered ON when the vehicle is operating. In one form, the battery isolator  212  is a single pole, single throw (SPST) solenoid switch controlled by the ignition switch so that the SPST switch is closed when the ignition is ON (energized) resulting in the vehicle charging system  214  being energized and electrically connected to the bus  206  to supply power to the bus  206 . Thus, the vehicle battery isolator  212  comprises an isolation switch adapted to be connected to the ignition  216  and controlled by the ignition  216  such that when the ignition  216  is OFF the isolation switch is open-circuited and when the ignition  216  is ON the isolation switch is closed and electrically connects the charging system  214  to the bus  206 . Alternatively, or in addition, the isolator  212  may be controlled and/or overridden by the operator. 
     The light source switch  204  is connected to the LED array  202  and to the bus  206 . The light source switch  204  is responsive to an operator for selectively electrically connecting the LED array  202  to the bus  206 . When the light source switch  204  is closed, the LED array  202  is energized by electricity (power) from at least one of the solar panel  208 , the charging system  214  and the auxiliary battery  210 . When the light source switch  204  is open, the LED array  202  is electrically isolated from the bus  202  and not energized. 
     In one embodiment, the solar panel  208  is configured to provide sufficient power to fully energize the array  202  when the panel  208  is fully illuminated. Thus, for example, when the panel  208  is in sunlight, the array  202  may operate without drawing any power from the auxiliary battery  210  and without needing any power from the charging system  214 . In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the light source  202  draw up to 2 amperes of current when the light source switch  204  is closed and the light source  202  remains energized. 
     In one embodiment, the auxiliary battery  210  is configured to have sufficient amp-hours to energize the array  202  for a preset period of time, such as 12 hours, without the need for the auxiliary battery  210  to recharge from the charging system  214  and without the need for the array  202  to draw any supplemental power from the charging system  214 . 
     According to various modes of operation of the invention, the ignition  216  may be ON or the ignition  216  may be OFF; the LED array  202  may be ON and illuminated and consuming power or the LED array  202  may be OFF and not illuminated and not consuming power; and the solar panel  208  may be illuminated and generating DC power or the solar panel  208  may not be sufficiently illuminated and not generating DC power. The following Table 1 identifies the various modes of operation the corresponding figure illustrates the particular mode. The various modes of operation depend upon whether the vehicle is operating causing the ignition  216  to be ON, whether the solar panel  208  is sufficiently illuminated causing it to generate power and/or whether the operator has closed the light source switch  204  causing the LED array  202  to be illuminated and drawing power via the bus from either or both of the vehicle charging system  214  and the auxiliary battery  210 . 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 MODES OF OPERATION 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 FIGURE: 
                 2A 
                 2B 
                 2C 
                 2D 
                 3A 
                 3B 
                 3C 
                 NONE 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 IGNITI0N 216 
                 ON 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 LED ARRAY 202 
                 ON 
                 ON 
                 OFF 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 ON 
                 OFF 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 SOLAR PANEL 208 
                 ON 
                 ON 
                 ON 
                 ON 
                 OFF 
                 OFF 
                 OFF 
                 OFF 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 2A  illustrates  FIG. 1B  in the mode wherein the ignition  216  is ON, the light source switch  204  is ON and the solar panel  208  is illuminated and generating electrical power. In this mode of operation, when the vehicle ignition  216  is ON and the light source switch  204  is closed and the solar panel  208  is generating electricity, then the LED array  202  is energized by the solar panel  208  and the vehicle charging system  214  and the auxiliary battery  210  is charged by the vehicle charging system  214 . Since the solar panel  208  is illuminated to generate solar power (SP) amps and since the light source switch  204  has been closed by the operator (e.g., is ON), then the SP amps are provided via the closed switch  204  to the LED array  202  to illuminate the array. Since the ignition  216  is ON closing the isolator  212  (it is assumed that the vehicle charging system is properly operating and generating charging amps since the ignition is ON), the charging amps from the vehicle charging system (VCS)  214  are provided via the bus  206  to the auxiliary battery  210  and any supplemental amps needed to illuminate the LED array  202  are provided from the VCS  214  via the closed isolator  212 , via the bus  206  and via the closed switch  204  to the array  202 . Supplemental amps may be needed to fully illuminate in the array  202  if there is insufficient light to illuminate the panel  208  or if the panel  208  has been configured to have an output which is less than needed to fully energize array  202 . 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates  FIG. 1B  in the mode wherein the ignition  216  is OFF, the light source switch  204  is ON and the solar panel  208  is illuminated and generating electrical power. In this mode of operation, when the ignition  216  is OFF and the light source switch  204  is closed and the solar panel  208  is generating electricity, then the LED array  202  is energized by the solar panel  208  and the auxiliary battery  210 . Since the solar panel  208  is illuminated to generate solar power (SP) amps and since the light source switch  204  has been closed by the operator (e.g., is ON), then the SP amps are provided via the closed switch  204  to the LED array  202  to illuminate the array. Since the ignition  216  is OFF opening the isolator  212  (it is assumed that the vehicle charging system is not operating and not generating charging amps since the ignition is OFF), no charging amps from the vehicle charging system (VCS)  214  are provided via the bus  206  to the auxiliary battery  210  and any supplemental amps needed to illuminate the LED array  202  are provided from the auxiliary battery  210 . 
       FIG. 2C  illustrates  FIG. 1B  in the mode wherein the ignition  216  is ON, the light source switch  204  is OFF and the solar panel  208  is illuminated and generating electrical power. In this mode of operation, when the vehicle ignition  216  is ON and the light source switch  204  is open and the solar panel  208  is generating electricity, then the auxiliary battery  210  is charged by the solar panel  208  and the vehicle charging system  214 . Since the solar panel  208  is illuminated to generate solar power (SP) amps and since the light source switch  204  has been opened by the operator (e.g., is OFF), then the SP amps are provided via the switch  204  to the auxiliary battery to charge the battery. Since the ignition  216  is ON closing the isolator  212  (it is assumed that the vehicle charging system is properly operating and generating charging amps since the ignition is ON), the charging amps from the vehicle charging system (VCS)  214  are provided via the bus  206  to the auxiliary battery  210 . 
       FIG. 2D  illustrates  FIG. 1B  in the mode wherein the ignition  216  is OFF, the light source switch  204  is OFF and the solar panel  208  is illuminated and generating electrical power. In this mode of operation, when the ignition  216  is OFF and the light source switch  204  is open and the solar panel  208  is generating electricity, then the auxiliary battery  210  is charged by the solar panel  208 . Since the solar panel  208  is illuminated to generate solar power (SP) amps and since the light source switch  204  has been opened by the operator (e.g., is OFF), then the SP amps are provided via the switch  204  and via the bus  206  to charge the auxiliary battery  210 . Since the ignition  216  is OFF opening the isolator  212  (it is assumed that the vehicle charging system is not operating and not generating charging amps since the ignition is OFF), no charging amps from the vehicle charging system (VCS)  214  are provided via the bus  206  to the auxiliary battery  210  or the LED array  202 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates  FIG. 1B  in the mode wherein the ignition  216  is ON, the light source switch  204  is ON and the solar panel  208  is NOT illuminated and NOT generating electrical power. In this mode of operation, when the ignition  216  is ON and the light source switch  204  is closed and the solar panel  208  is not generating electricity, then the LED array  202  is energized by the vehicle charging system  214  and the auxiliary battery  210  is charged by the vehicle charging system  214 . Since the solar panel  208  is not illuminated and not generating solar power (SP) amps and since the light source switch  204  has been closed by the operator (e.g., is ON), then no SP amps are provided via the closed switch  204  to the LED array  202 . Since the ignition  216  is ON closing the isolator  212  (it is assumed that the vehicle charging system is properly operating and generating charging amps since the ignition is ON), the charging amps from the vehicle charging system (VCS)  214  are provided via the bus  206  to the auxiliary battery  210  and the supplemental amps needed to illuminate the LED array  202  are provided from the VCS  214  via the closed isolator  212 , via the bus  206  and via the closed switch  204  to the array  202 . In this mode, the supplemental amps provided from the VCS  214  to the array  210  equal the amps needed to power the LED array  202 . 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates  FIG. 1B  in the mode wherein the ignition  216  is OFF, the light source switch  204  is ON and the solar panel  208  is NOT illuminated and NOT generating electrical power. In this mode of operation, when the vehicle ignition  216  is OFF and the light source switch  204  is closed and the solar panel  208  is not generating electricity, then the LED array  202  is energized by the auxiliary battery  210 . Since the solar panel  208  is not illuminated and not generating solar power (SP) amps and since the light source switch  204  has been closed by the operator (e.g., is ON), then no SP amps are provided via the closed switch  204  to the LED array  202 . Since the ignition  216  is OFF opening the isolator  212  (it is assumed that the vehicle charging system is not operating and not generating charging amps since the ignition is OFF), no charging amps from the vehicle charging system (VCS)  214  are provided to the bus  206 . The auxiliary battery  210  provides amps via the bus  206 , via the switch  204  to energize the array  202 . In this mode, the amps provided to the array  201  from the battery  210  equal the amps needed to power the LED array  202 . 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates  FIG. 1B  in the mode wherein the ignition  216  is ON, the light source switch  204  is OFF and the solar panel  208  is NOT illuminated and NOT generating electrical power. In this mode of operation, when the vehicle ignition  216  is ON and the light source switch  204  is open and the solar panel  208  is not generating electricity, then the auxiliary battery  210  is charged by the vehicle charging system  214 . Since the solar panel  208  is not illuminated and not generating solar power (SP) amps and since the light source switch  204  has been opened by the operator (e.g., is OFF), then no SP amps are provided to the LED array  202 . Since the ignition  216  is ON closing the isolator  212  (it is assumed that the vehicle charging system is properly operating and is generating charging amps since the ignition is ON), the charging amps from the vehicle charging system (VCS)  214  are provided via the bus  206  to charge The auxiliary battery  210 . 
     As shown in perspective in  FIG. 4 , the light bar  100  comprises a first solar panel  208 A mounted on one side of one LED array  202 A and a second solar panel  208 B mounted on the other side of another LED array  202 B. As noted above, it is contemplated that the light source  202  draw up to 2 amperes of current when the light source switch  204  is closed and the light source  202  remains energized. In the light bar  100  shown in  FIG. 4 , each panel  208 A,  208 B generates about 1 amp when illuminated and the light bar  100  is configured in size to fit a passenger vehicle, such as a vehicle used by police. In the light bar  100  shown in  FIG. 4 , each array  202 A,  202 B may be a Model LSS222 Dual Stacked Beacon, manufactured and sold by Code 3, Inc., the assignee. The LSS222 is a weatherproof LED based warning light beacon that contains 16 state-of-the-art high intensity LED&#39;s in two stacked rows. The reflector&#39;s design captures the light of the LED&#39;s with individual parabolas that efficiently collect the light and broadcast it through the fresnelled lens. 
     It is also contemplated that in one embodiment, the invention comprises a kit for retrofit to an existing light bar. In particular, the kit would be for use with an auxiliary battery  210  and a light bar, such as any LED light bar, including a light source  202 . In this embodiment, the kit has a solar panel  208  adapted to be electrically connected to a bus  206  (not necessarily provided with the kit). The bus  206  would be connected to the auxiliary battery  210 . The solar panel  208  is for generating electricity and for providing generated electricity to the light bar via the bus  206 . The kit also has a battery isolator adapted to be connected between the bus  206  and a charging system  214  of a vehicle for isolating a vehicle battery  106  from the bus  206  and for selectively connecting the bus  206  to the charging system  214  such that the charging system  214  when operating supplies electricity to the bus  206 . The kit has a light source switch  204  adapted to be connected to the light source  202  and to the bus  206 , the light source switch  204  responsive to an operator for selectively electrically connecting the light source  202  to the bus  206  wherein when the light source switch  204  is closed, the light source  202  is energized by electricity from at least one of the solar panel  208 , the charging system  214  and the auxiliary battery  210 , and wherein when the light source switch  204  is open the light source  202  is isolated from the bus  206 . Thus, the kit permits the auxiliary battery  210  to be selectively charged by electricity from at least one of the solar panel  208  and the charging system  214 . 
     In another embodiment, the kit may include the bus  206  adapted to be electrically connected to the auxiliary battery  210  for receiving electricity from the auxiliary battery  210 . 
     The order of execution or performance of the operations in embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention. 
     When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     In view of the above, it will be seen that several advantages of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. 
     Not all of the depicted components illustrated or described may be required. In addition, some implementations and embodiments may include additional components. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional, different or fewer components may be provided and components may be combined. Alternatively or in addition, a component may be implemented by several components. 
     The above description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.