Abstract:
A solar power supply device includes: a solar power supply module, a solar power supply switch, a light sensing module, a control circuit, a power supply interface and an external power interface switch. The solar power supply module is connected with the power supply interface through the solar power supply switch. The light sensing module is connected with the control circuit. The power supply interface is connected with an external power source through the external power interface switch. The control circuit controls the on/off of the solar power supply switch and the external power interface switch on the basis of the electric signal of the light sensing module and the voltage value of the solar power supply module. Additionally, also provided is a solar illumination device having the functions of being powered by the solar energy and an external standby power source.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present application relates to solar technologies, especially to a solar power supply device and solar lighting equipment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Solar energy is a novel energy source with increasing applications. Application of solar energy may reduce carbon emission and pollution, improving global environment, and thus won attention from governments and people of various countries. Solar energy is inexhaustible and has been used in applications of all kinds of industries in recent years. The most prominent application is grid-connected power generation and solar lighting, especially in the lighting industries. 
         [0003]    Prior solar lighting technologies mainly consist of solar cell, photosensitive device, rechargeable battery, light source (LED) and lamp body parts. During the daytime, the solar cell transforms solar energy from solar radiation to electric energy and stores it in the rechargeable battery. During the night time with no solar radiation, the light source is powered by the rechargeable battery and the charging stops after the daybreak. 
         [0004]    In practice, solar energy is limited by climate and seasons, which affects the receiving and usage of solar energy at the Earth&#39;s surface. Very limited amount of solar radiation is received during cloudy or rainy days. High-latitude areas only have weak sunlight in winter with small amount of solar energy to be captured. As a result, prior solar lighting technology may easily fail to provide sustained and steady lighting. Therefore, such technology is difficult in all-weather implementation and can hardly be used regularly in winter in high-latitude areas, making it impossible to promote its application across the world. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Therefore, it is necessary to provide a solar power supply device and a solar lighting equipment to overcome the problem in the prior solar lighting technologies that solar lighting cannot provide sustained and steady lighting. 
         [0006]    A solar power supply device is disclosed, comprising: a solar power supply module, a solar power supply switch, a photosensitive module, a control circuit, a power supply port, and an external power supply port switch; wherein 
         [0007]    the solar power supply module is connected to the power supply port via the solar power supply switch; 
         [0008]    the photosensitive module is connected to the control circuit; 
         [0009]    the power supply port is connected to an external power supply via the external power supply port switch; and 
         [0010]    the control circuit controls the switching of the solar power supply switch and the external power supply port switch according to electrical signals from the photosensitive module and voltage values of the solar power supply module. 
         [0011]    The solar power supply device described above may use a solar power supply and also connect to an external power supply at the same time. Under normal conditions, it may use both solar energy and external power supply as sources for supplying power to provide maximum power supply. Under insufficient solar energy, the solar power supply is switched off to protect the battery. This power supply device may ensure sustained and steady lighting, making full of solar energy, and be used anywhere under all-weather conditions, without being limited by seasons. 
         [0012]    The solar power supply device described above may function as a solar power supply and also connect to an external power supply at the same time. Under normal conditions, it may use solar energy or external power supply or a hybrid power from both as sources for supplying power. Under insufficient solar energy, the external power supply is used as power supplying source so as to ensure maximum energy output. 
         [0013]    A solar lighting equipment is also disclosed, comprising: a solar power supply module, a solar power supply switch, a photosensitive module, a control circuit, a power supply port, a LED driver module, and a LED light source; wherein 
         [0014]    the solar power supply module is connected to the LED driver module via the solar power supply switch; 
         [0015]    the LED driver module is connected to the LED light source; 
         [0016]    the photosensitive module is connected to the control circuit; and 
         [0017]    the control circuit controls the switching of the solar power supply switch and the external power supply port switch according to electrical signals from the photosensitive module and voltage values of the solar power supply module. 
         [0018]    The solar power supply device described above may use a solar power supply and also connect to an external power supply at the same time. Under normal conditions, it may use both solar energy and external power supply as sources for supplying power to provide maximum power supply. Under insufficient solar energy, the solar power supply is switched off to protect the battery. This power supply device may ensure sustained and steady lighting, making full of solar energy, and be used anywhere under all-weather conditions, without being limited by seasons. 
         [0019]    The solar lighting equipment described above may use a solar power supply and also connect to an external power supply at the same time. Under normal conditions, it may use solar energy or external power supply or a hybrid power from both as sources for supplying power. Under insufficient solar energy, the external power supply is used as power supplying source so as to ensure maximum energy output. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a structural schematic diagram of a solar power supply device according to one of the embodiments. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a structural schematic diagram of a solar power supply device according to one of the preferred embodiments. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a structural schematic diagram of a solar lighting equipment according to one of the embodiments. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a structural schematic diagram of a solar lighting equipment according to one of the preferred embodiments. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a structural schematic diagram of a solar lighting system according to one of the embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The embodiments of the solar power supply device of the present application will be described in details with references to the figures. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , in one of the embodiments, a structural schematic diagram of a solar power supply device, comprising a solar power supply module  110 , a solar power supply switch  20 , a photosensitive module  310 , a control circuit  40 , a power supply port  50 , and an external power supply port switch  60 . 
         [0027]    The solar power supply module  110  is connected to the power supply port  50  via the solar power supply switch  20 . The photosensitive module  310  is connected to the control circuit  40 . The power supply port  50  is connected to an external power supply via the external power supply port switch  60 . 
         [0028]    In operation, the control circuit  40  controls the switching of the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60  according to electrical signals from the photosensitive module  310  and voltage values of the solar power supply module  110 . 
         [0029]    During the day time, the control circuit  40  switches off the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60  according to the electric signals from the photosensitive module  310 . During the night time, the solar power supply switch  20  is switched on and the external power supply port switch  60  is switched off. When the voltage values of the solar power supply module  110  are lower than a certain value, indicating insufficient power of the solar power supply, the control circuit  40  controls the external power supply port switch  60  to switch on so that the backup external power supply (e.g., AC) may be used to supply power to the power supply port  50  to realize continuous power supply. 
         [0030]    During the day time, the control circuit  40  switches off the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60  according to the electric signals from the photosensitive module  310 . During the night time, the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60  are first switched on. When the voltage values of the solar power supply module  110  are lower than a certain value, indicating insufficient power of the solar power supply, the control circuit  40  switches off the solar power supply switch  20  to protect the battery with the external power supply becoming the sole power supply source. 
         [0031]    The device of the present application, connecting to a backup external power supply via the external power supply port switch  60 , which may connect to the backup external power supply anytime while supplying power with solar energy. In this way, solar energy as a clean energy source is taken full advantage of while a maximum energy output is ensured. This power supply device may be used anywhere under all-weather conditions, without being limited by seasons. 
         [0032]    The device of the present application, connecting to a backup external power supply via the external power supply port switch  60 , supplies power with solar energy and the external power supply simultaneously. In this way, solar energy as a clean energy source is taken full advantage of while a maximum energy output is ensured. This power supply device may be used anywhere under all-weather conditions, without being limited by seasons. 
         [0033]    Now refer to  FIG. 2 , which shows a structural schematic diagram of a solar power supply device according to one of the preferred embodiments. 
         [0034]    In one of the embodiments, the solar power supply module  110  comprises a solar cell  111 , a charging control circuit  112 , and a rechargeable battery  113  connected in sequence, wherein the rechargeable battery  113  is connected to the solar power supply switch  20 . 
         [0035]    In this embodiment, the solar cell  111  converts solar energy to electric power, charging the rechargeable battery  113  via the charging control circuit  112 , which may prevent overcharging of the rechargeable battery  113  by controlling the charging current and voltage. 
         [0036]    In one of the embodiments, the photosensitive module  310  comprises a photosensor  311  and a light control module  312  connected to each other, wherein the light control module  312  is connected to the control circuit  40 . 
         [0037]    In this embodiment, when there is light during the day time, the photosensor  311  can sense the light, and the light control module  312  outputs a signal indicating strong radiance to the control circuit  40 . The control circuit  40 , when receiving the signal indicating strong radiance, switches off the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60 , stopping the power supply port  50  from supplying electricity. 
         [0038]    When the night comes, the photosensor  311  senses a drop in the radiance, and the light control module  312  outputs a signal indicating low radiance to the control circuit  40 . The control circuit  40 , when receiving the signal indicating low radiance, examines whether the voltage of rechargeable battery  113  is higher than a preset value. Higher voltage than the preset value indicates sufficient power stored in the rechargeable battery  113 , in which case the solar power supply switch  20  switches on to the rechargeable battery  113  so that power is supplied from the rechargeable battery  113  to the power supply port  50 . Meanwhile, the external power supply port switch is switched on so that power is supplied from the external power supply to the power supply port  50 . 
         [0039]    During the power supplying process, the control circuit  40  may continuously detect the voltage of the rechargeable battery  113 . When the voltage of the rechargeable battery  113  is lower than a preset value, the control circuit  40  controls the solar power supply switch  20  to switch off from the rechargeable battery  113 . Then, only the external power supply port switch  60  is connected to the external power supply so that power is supplied only from the external power supply to the power supply port  50 . 
         [0040]    During the power supplying process, the control circuit  40  continuously detects the voltage of the rechargeable battery  113 . When the voltage of the rechargeable battery  113  is lower than a preset value, the control circuit  40  controls the solar power supply switch  20  to switch off from the rechargeable battery  113 . Then, only the external power supply port switch  60  is connected to the external power supply so that power is supplied only from the external power supply to the power supply port  50 . 
         [0041]    After the daybreak, the photosensor  311  can sense the light, and the light control module  312  outputs a signal indicating strong radiance to the control circuit  40 . The control circuit  40 , when receiving the signal indicating strong radiance, switches off the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60 , stopping the power supply port  50  from supplying electricity. 
         [0042]    The solar power supply device described above may use a solar power supply and also connect to an external power supply at the same time. Under normal conditions, it may use both solar energy and external power supply as sources for supplying power to provide maximum power supply. Under insufficient solar energy, the solar power supply is switched off to protect the battery. This power supply device may ensure sustained and steady lighting, making full of solar energy, and be used anywhere under all-weather conditions, without being limited by seasons. 
         [0043]    The device of the present application, connecting to a backup external power supply via the external power supply port switch  60 , supply power with solar energy and the external power supply simultaneously. In this way, solar energy as a clean energy source is taken full advantage of while a maximum energy output is ensured. This power supply device may be used anywhere under all-weather conditions, without being limited by seasons. 
         [0044]    The embodiments of the solar lighting equipment of the present application will be described in details with references to the figures. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , in one of the embodiments, a structural schematic diagram of a solar lighting equipment, comprising a solar power supply module  110 , a solar power supply switch  20 , a photosensitive module  310 , a control circuit  40 , a power supply port  50 , a LED driver module  710 , and a LED light source  720  (light emitting diode). 
         [0046]    The solar power supply module  110  is connected to the LED driver module  710  via the solar power supply switch  20 . The LED driver module  710  is connected to the LED light source  720 . The photosensitive module  310  is connected to the control circuit  40 . 
         [0047]    In operation, the control circuit  40  controls the switching of the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60  according to electrical signals from the photosensitive module  310  and voltage values of the solar power supply module  110 . 
         [0048]    During the daytime, the control circuit  40  switches off the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60  to stop supplying power to the LED driver module  710 . During the night, the solar power supply switch  20  is switched on and the external power supply port switch  60  is switched off. When the voltage of the solar power supply module  110  is lower than a certain value, indicating insufficient electric power from the solar energy, the control circuit  40  controls external power supply port switch  60  to switch on and uses on the backup external power supply (e.g., AC) to supply power to the LED driver module  710 , driving the LED driver module  710  to realize continuous lighting. 
         [0049]    During the daytime, the control circuit  40  switches off the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60  to stop supplying power to the LED driver module  710 . During the night, the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60  are both switched on. When the voltage of the solar power supply module  110  is lower than a certain value, indicating insufficient electric power from the solar energy, the control circuit  40  switches off the solar power supply switch  20  and uses only the backup external power supply (e.g., AC) to supply power to the LED driver module  710 , driving the LED light source  720  to realize continuous lighting. 
         [0050]    Now refer to  FIG. 4 , which shows a structural schematic diagram of a solar lighting equipment according to one of the preferred embodiments. 
         [0051]    In one of the embodiments, the solar lighting equipment  110  comprises a solar cell  111 , a charging control circuit  112 , and a rechargeable battery  113  connected in sequence, wherein the rechargeable battery  113  is connected to the solar power supply switch  20 . 
         [0052]    In this embodiment, the solar cell  111  converts solar energy to electric power, charging the rechargeable battery  113  via the charging control circuit  112 , which may prevent overcharging of the rechargeable battery  113  by controlling the charging current and voltage. 
         [0053]    In one of the embodiments, the photosensitive module  310  comprises a photosensor  311  and a light control module  312  connected to each other, wherein the light control module  312  is connected to the control circuit  40 . 
         [0054]    In this embodiment, when there is light during the day time, the photosensor  311  can sense the light, and the light control module  312  outputs a signal indicating strong radiance to the control circuit  40 . The control circuit  40 , when receiving the signal indicating strong radiance, switches off the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60 , stopping supplying electricity to the LED driver module  710  and the LED light source  720  is off. 
         [0055]    When the night comes, the photosensor  311  senses a drop in the radiance, and the light control module  312  outputs a signal indicating lower radiance to the control circuit  40 . The control circuit  40 , upon receiving the signal indicating lower radiance, examines whether the voltage of rechargeable battery  113  is higher than a preset value. Higher voltage than the preset value indicates sufficient power stored in the rechargeable battery  113 , in which case the solar power supply switch  20  switches on to the rechargeable battery  113  so that power is supplied from the rechargeable battery  113  to the LED driver module  710  and the LED light source  720  is on. 
         [0056]    During the power supplying process, the control circuit  40  continuously detects the voltage of the rechargeable battery  113 . When the voltage of the rechargeable battery  113  is lower than a preset value, the control circuit  40  controls the solar power supply switch  20  to switch off from the rechargeable battery  113 . Meanwhile, only the external power supply port switch  60  is connected to the external power supply so that power is supplied from the external power supply to the LED driver module  710  to maintain the lightening status of the LED light source  720 . 
         [0057]    During the power supplying process, the control circuit  40  continuously detects the voltage of the rechargeable battery  113 . When the voltage of the rechargeable battery  113  is lower than a preset value, the control circuit  40  controls the solar power supply switch  20  to switch off from the rechargeable battery  113 . Then, only the external power supply port switch  60  is turned on and connected to the external power supply so that power is supplied from the external power supply to the LED driver module  710  to maintain the lightening status of the LED light source  720 . 
         [0058]    After the daybreak, the photosensor  311  can sense the light, and the light control module  312  outputs a signal indicating strong radiance to the control circuit  40 . The control circuit  40 , when receiving the signal indicating strong radiance, switches off the solar power supply switch  20  and the external power supply port switch  60 , stopping supplying electricity to the LED driver module  710  and the LED light source  720  is off. 
         [0059]    The solar lighting equipment described above may use a solar power supply and also connect to a backup external power supply at the same time. Under normal conditions, it may use solar energy as sources for supplying power. Under insufficient solar energy, the backup external power supply is used as the power supply for lightening. This power supply device may ensure sustained and steady lighting, making full of solar energy, and be used anywhere under all-weather conditions, without being limited by seasons. 
         [0060]    The solar lighting equipment described above may use a solar power supply and also connect to an external power supply at the same time. Under normal conditions, it may use solar energy or external power supply or a hybrid power from both as sources for supplying power to provide maximum power supply. Under insufficient solar energy, the solar power supply is switched off to protect the battery. This power supply device may ensure sustained and steady lighting, making full of solar energy, and be used anywhere under all-weather conditions, without being limited by seasons. 
         [0061]    To further clarify the technical solution of the present application, an example embodiment is described below. 
         [0062]    Now refer to  FIG. 5 , which shows a structural schematic diagram of a solar power supply device or a solar lighting equipment according to the present application, substantially comprising: a lamp top cover  810 , a photosensor  311 , a solar cell  111 , a control circuit board  820 , an electric appliance holder  830 , a rechargeable battery  113 , a LED light source  720 , a lampshade  840 , an external power supply port  850 , and a lamp post  860 , wherein the control circuit board  820  integrated on it a charging control circuit  112 , a light control module  312 , a LED driver module  710 , a control circuit  40 , and a external power supply port switch  60 . 
         [0063]    In this example, the photosensor  311  and the solar cell  111  are mounted on the lamp top cover  810  and undergo waterproof treatment. The solar cell  111  is exposed upwards to receive the sunlight. 
         [0064]    The control circuit board  820 , the rechargeable battery  113 , and the LED light source  720  are mounted and fixed to the electric appliance holder  830 , which is connected to the top cover via fasteners. The photosensor  311 , the solar cell  111 , the rechargeable battery  113 , and the LED light source  720  are connected to the control circuit board  820  via wires. The components described above form together a lamp socket assembly. 
         [0065]    The lamp socket assembly is connected to the lampshade  840  and the lamp post  860 . The external power supply port  850  is connected to the control circuit board  820  via a wire through the internal edge of the lampshade  840  and the electric appliance holder  830 . 
         [0066]    The solar lighting system of this example can work under all weather operations as long as it is placed under the sun and connected to an external power supply. 
         [0067]    The detailed embodiments described herein are only for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. It would be understand by a person skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Such changes and modifications are contemplated by the present invention, the scope of which should only be defined by the following claims.