Patent Description:
Numerous devices with several solar panels are already known, such as solar panels mounted on the roofs of houses or devices in the shape of larger installations whereby a whole plant of solar panels is put up.

A major disadvantage of these devices is that mounting and connecting the different solar panels is not simple and requires good professional skills, as well as the appropriate installation material.

This disadvantage to some extent acts as a check on the spread of the use of solar energy in remote areas or in less developed countries where the means and knowledge for a proper installation often lack.

However, it is precisely in such regions and countries that the need for electrical energy is extremely high, whereas solar energy is abundantly available, so that generating electricity with solar panels could represent a relatively cheap and ecological solution there which is currently underused.

Another disadvantage of the known devices having several solar panels is that they are usually disposed as fixed and are not suitable for use in mobile installations.

A disadvantage of such known, fixed devices with several solar panels is that their installation usually requires some civil works.

Obtaining the rights to the grounds on which such known fixed devices with several solar panels are to be installed is also a major problem in many cases.

In some applications, however, an electrical power supply should only be temporarily installed in order to be re-used elsewhere afterwards, which is practically infeasible with the known devices having several solar panels.

For example, transmission towers or telephone exchanges are often temporarily put up at major events, for which power generators are often used for the time being.

Compared to the use of solar panels for electrically powering such installations, the use of power generators has a first disadvantage in that fuel is consumed, which is of course less interesting in terms of cost price and which is not good for the environment either.

Another disadvantage of the power generators is that they are usually very noisy machines.

Perhaps even more important is that power generators produce alternating current, while transmission towers and telephone exchanges are usually powered by direct current, just as many new types of consumers such as for example LED lights, so that in addition to the power generator also a rectifier will be required to convert the alternating current into direct current, which also represents a costly part of this solution.

Solar panels automatically deliver a DC voltage, which in principle makes the installation simpler and cheaper, since no additional conversion of the delivered energy is required.

By achieving a mobile form of a device with several solar panels, civil works can be avoided, no rights should be acquired on any lands and new ways of funding such a device can be found, such as leasing, where the financial means fall short for a classic form of financing.

In short, making a device with several solar panels fit for mobile use would offer many advantages, especially in areas with a lot of sunshine, but there is no good solution available at present, although two existing solutions are discussed here below.

<CIT> discloses a device comprising several solar panels that are hinge-mounted.

In <CIT>, a solar module is disclosed though, comprising a plurality of lamellar solar panels, which are mounted on a common axis so as to be able to pivot between a first position, in which they are positioned one on top of the other in a substantially coincident manner, and a second position, in which they are fanned out substantially adjacently, wherein, of every two adjacent solar panels, only the axis-side end section of the one solar panel has at least one guide and only the axis-side end section of the other solar panel has two stops which interact with the guide and are spaced from each other in the tangential direction, and wherein the solar panels are spaced from each other in the fanned out second position in their radially projecting sections that adjoin the aforementioned end sections.

<CIT> discloses a backup power supply apparatus including a light source absorbing device. The light source absorbing element is pivotally engaged with each other and is foldable for housing inside a casing to facilitate carrying outdoors for use. The light source absorbing element may be unfolded to absorb light source to generate electric power output required by a load.

Also, the present invention aims to provide a solution to one or several of the preceding and/or other disadvantages.

To this end, the present invention concerns a device containing several solar panels, whereby the solar panels are hinge-mounted to one another so as to form a composed solar panel in such a manner that the composed solar panel can be folded from a folded-out state into a folded state in which the solar panels are adjacent to one another and in that the composed solar panel can be unfolded from a folded state into an folded-out state in which the solar panels extend in a common plane, whereby the device is further provided with a frame which is hinge-mounted to the composed solar panel and which is formed of two frame portions which can be disassembled, in particular a first frame portion and a second frame portion, characterised in that the second frame portion is provided with adjusting means which connect the second frame portion concerned to the composed solar panel and whereby both frame portions contain a base extending in a plane and contain a number of standing ribs extending crosswise to the corresponding base, whereby in a disassembled condition of the frame, every frame portion forms a supporting structure for the solar panel, which can be unfolded into its folded-out state by unfolding the solar panels in relation to one another, and whereby the composed solar panel can be rotated as a whole in the folded-out state in relation to the first frame portion with which it is hinge-mounted so as to orient it in a horizontal position and/or in random oblique positions, whereby the frame, in an assembled condition, forms a beam-shaped cage around the folded, composed solar panel, whereby the base forms either the bottom surface or the upper surface respectively of the beam-shaped cage, at least when the frame is assembled into a cage.

A major advantage of such a device according to the invention is that it allows to fold a folded-out composed solar panel with relatively large dimensions into a package with relatively small dimensions, making the composed solar panel storable, easily transportable and thus fit for mobile use.

Another major advantage of such a device according to the invention is that the different solar panels of the composed solar panel may already be mutually electrically connected, such that the composed solar panel can be simply put in place by unfolding the different solar panels in relation to one another into the folded-out state, requiring no expert knowledge whatsoever of the user.

Another major advantage of a device according to the invention is that the device is provided with a frame formed of two frame portions which can be disassembled, namely a first frame portion and a second frame portion, whereby in a disassembled condition of the frame, every frame portion forms a supporting structure for the folded-out, composed solar panel and whereby the frame, in an assembled condition, forms a cage around the folded, composed solar panel.

Such a device according to the invention is very advantageous since the frame, in the folded condition of the composed solar panel, forms a protective cage around the solar panels, as a result of which the whole can be safely transported and several of such devices can be easily stacked onto one another.

By disassembling that same frame is moreover obtained a solid construction with which the folded-out, composed solar panel can be safely supported and maintained and with which its anchorage can be guaranteed, for example to absorb the forces exerted by the wind on the folded-out, composed solar panel.

Indeed, thanks to such an assembly the tilting point of the whole is shifted, and thus the resistance against tilting is increased by a factor of three.

Yet another advantage of such a device according to the invention is that the frame in an assembled condition forms a beam-shaped cage around the folded, composed solar panel, as a result of which several of such devices, with their frames in the assembled condition, can be easily stacked and transported.

In a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, the frame is hinge-mounted to the composed solar panel, whereby more specifically in the disassembled condition of the frame, the composed solar panel can be unfolded in its folded-out condition by unfolding the solar panels in relation to each other, and whereby the composed solar panel in the folded-out condition can be rotated as a whole in relation to the first frame portion with which it is hinge-mounted so as to orient it in a horizontal position and/or in random oblique positions.

It is clear that such an embodiment of a device according to the invention with a frame that is hinge-mounted to the composed solar panel forms a very convenient unit of elements that can be disassembled and that are connected to one another, whereby the composed solar panel can be stored in the frame on the one hand and can be easily folded out on the other hand and can be oriented in an oblique or horizontal position without much additional concern.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, the second frame portion is further provided with adjusting means which connect the second frame portion concerned to the composed solar panel and with which the distance between the folded-out, composed solar panel and the second frame portion concerned can be set so as to orient the folded-out, composed solar panel.

In such an embodiment of a device according to the invention, orienting the folded-out, composed solar panel with the adjusting means is very simple.

An appropriate choice of adjusting means will moreover result in a device in which the folded-out, composed solar panel can be automatically oriented in the right or most ideal position in relation to the sun and whereby this position may be for example also automatically adjusted as a function of the changing position of the sun during the day.

In yet another preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, the device also comprises a container and the frame can be made to fit on the roof of said container, whereby in the assembled condition of the frame, a cage is formed on the roof of the container in which the folded composed solar panel is stored, whereby in the disassembled condition of the frame, the second frame portion is placed on the ground next to the container, while the first frame portion rests on the roof of the container and whereby the composed solar panel, in this condition of the frame, can be folded out thanks to the solar panels pivoting in relation to one another, and whereby the folded-out solar panel can be rotated in order to orient it between a horizontal position and/or a random oblique position.

This embodiment of a device according to the invention is adapted to a container, whereby for example devices such as communication means may be installed in the container so as to feed them with the electric energy coming from the composed solar panel.

Of course, also peripheral devices may be provided in the container, required to convert the solar energy into usable power such as for example an MPPT controller, batteries, an inverter and so on.

In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiments of a device according to the invention are described hereafter as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:.

The device <NUM> according to the invention represented in <FIG> comprises a frame <NUM> in which is stored a composed solar panel <NUM> in a folded condition.

The frame <NUM> in this condition forms a beam-shaped cage <NUM> around the folded, composed solar panel <NUM>.

The solar panel <NUM> is composed of several solar panels <NUM> which are mutually hinge-mounted by means of hinged joints <NUM>, in such a way that the composed solar panel <NUM> can be unfolded from the folded state, represented in <FIG>, into a folded-out state, represented in <FIG>, whereby in the folded-out state the solar panels <NUM> extend in a common plane AA'.

Vice versa, the composed solar panel <NUM> can be folded from the folded-out state, represented in <FIG>, into the folded state which is represented in <FIG>, by hinging the solar panels <NUM> in relation to one another by means of the hinged joints <NUM>.

Every solar panel <NUM> of the composed solar panel <NUM> is in this case formed of several flat photovoltaic elements <NUM> provided on a flat support frame <NUM> made up of cross beams <NUM> and longitudinal slats <NUM>.

These flat support frames <NUM> are mutually pivotally connected by means of the hinged joints <NUM>.

In other embodiments, it is not excluded according to the invention to use for example photovoltaic elements <NUM> which are surrounded by a frame or the like or in which a frame is integrated and whereby the hinged joints <NUM> can be provided directly on said frame.

In the given example, every such hinged joint <NUM> has a common round hinge pin <NUM> extending parallel to the longitudinal slats <NUM>.

At the location of each cross beam <NUM>, such a hinged joint <NUM> is also provided with a pair of hinge leaves <NUM> coupled to one another by means of the hinge pin <NUM>.

Every hinge leaf <NUM> of such a pair is connected to a cross beam <NUM> of one of the support frames <NUM> to be coupled by the hinged joint <NUM> concerned.

In the given example of <FIG>, the device <NUM> is provided with three rectangular solar panels <NUM>, but it is not excluded according to the invention to use more or less solar panels <NUM>.

More specifically, an intermediate solar panel <NUM> is provided in this case which is hinge-mounted to an adjacent solar panel <NUM> or <NUM> on both longitudinal sides <NUM>.

The adjacent solar panel <NUM> is hereinafter referred to as the top solar panel <NUM>, because it is intended to be positioned, in an inclined position of the folded-out, composed solar panel <NUM>, above the intermediate solar panel <NUM>, as is represented for example in <FIG>.

The adjacent solar panel <NUM> is hereinafter referred to as the bottom solar panel <NUM>, as it is positioned under the intermediate solar panel <NUM> in the same inclined position of the folded-out, composed solar panel <NUM>.

In the given example, the hinged joints <NUM> of the composed solar panel <NUM> are such that the intermediate solar panel <NUM> can rotate forward to the top solar panel <NUM>, such that the photovoltaic elements <NUM> of the solar panels <NUM> and <NUM> concerned, in the folded state of the composed solar panel <NUM>, are adjacent to one another.

Vice versa, the bottom solar panel <NUM> can rotate backwards to the intermediate solar panel <NUM>, such that the support frames <NUM> of the solar panels <NUM> and <NUM> concerned, in the folded state of the composed solar panel <NUM>, are adjacent to one another.

All that precedes is clearly illustrated for example in <FIG>.

In this manner is obtained a compact whole when the composed solar panel <NUM> is put into its folded state, and the solar panel <NUM> can be stored securely and protected against damage to the photovoltaic elements <NUM>.

However, other configurations are not excluded either according to the invention.

The frame <NUM> of the device <NUM> is composed of two frame portions <NUM> and <NUM> which can be disassembled, more specifically a first frame portion <NUM> and a second frame portion <NUM>.

In a disassembled condition of the frame <NUM>, each frame portion <NUM> and <NUM> forms a supporting structure for the folded-out, composed solar panel <NUM>, as is represented in <FIG>.

In a condition of the frame <NUM> wherein the frame portions <NUM> and <NUM> are assembled, it forms a cage <NUM> around the folded, composed solar panel <NUM>, as is represented in <FIG>.

In this case, the first frame portion <NUM> and the second frame portion <NUM> contain a base <NUM> extending in a plane, whereby this base <NUM> forms either the bottom surface <NUM> or the upper surface <NUM> respectively of the beam-shaped cage <NUM>, at least when the frame <NUM> is assembled into a cage <NUM>.

Further, each frame portion <NUM> and <NUM> contains a number of standing ribs, ribs <NUM> and <NUM> respectively, extending crosswise to the corresponding base <NUM>.

The first frame portion <NUM> is provided with three such standing ribs <NUM>, whereas the second frame portion <NUM> is provided with only two such standing ribs <NUM>.

In general, standing ribs <NUM> or <NUM> can be provided forming a row of adjacent, standing ribs <NUM> and <NUM> between the bottom surface <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the frame <NUM> in its assembled condition.

In another embodiment, a fixed panel may be provided in the plane of the standing ribs <NUM> and <NUM> in order to reduce the wind loads on the composed solar panel <NUM>.

Naturally, also the number of standing ribs <NUM> and <NUM> may vary.

The base <NUM> in this case forms a rectangular frame <NUM> which is composed of longitudinal beams <NUM> and cross beams <NUM> which are connected in the corners to the corresponding standing rib <NUM> or <NUM> by means of corner pieces <NUM>.

The corner pieces <NUM> are preferably of a type which is used as standard in a so-called ISO container <NUM> for transporting goods, an example of which is represented in <FIG>.

In such a beam-shaped corner piece <NUM>, according to specific ISO standards, holes <NUM> are provided in three mutually perpendicular planes which are used in the transport sector in order to be able to lift the containers <NUM> with so-called "twist locks" or in order to link several containers <NUM>.

By applying the same kind of corner pieces <NUM> in a device <NUM> according to the invention, the frame <NUM> or the frame portions <NUM> and <NUM> can also be easily manipulated with the same hoist means as the standard ISO containers <NUM>, or the device <NUM> can be easily linked to such a standard ISO container <NUM>.

In support of the standing ribs <NUM> and <NUM> are provided slanting connection pieces <NUM> between the standing rib <NUM> or <NUM> concerned and the base <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> is hinge-mounted to the composed solar panel <NUM>, more specifically at the longitudinal side <NUM> of the intermediate solar panel <NUM> which is adjacent to the top solar panel <NUM>.

The composed solar panel <NUM> is thereby hinge-mounted to the first frame portion <NUM> containing the bottom surface <NUM> of the beam-shaped cage <NUM>, namely on the longitudinal side <NUM> of said bottom surface <NUM> opposite the pair of standing ribs <NUM> of the first frame portion <NUM> concerned.

In the disassembled condition of the frame <NUM>, which is represented in <FIG>, the composed solar panel <NUM> can be unfolded into its folded-out state by folding apart the solar panels <NUM> with respect to each other.

To this end, the length L of the composed solar panel <NUM> should of course be somewhat smaller than the length L' of the frame <NUM>.

Further, the composed solar panel <NUM> can be rotated as a whole in its folded-out state, preferably gradually, with respect to the first frame portion <NUM>, such that it can be oriented, for example in a horizontal position, as is represented in <FIG>, or in an inclined position, as is represented in <FIG>, in an oblique position at an angle X of <NUM>° in relation to the horizontal plane ZZ' for <FIG>, and in an inclined position at an angle Y of <NUM>° in relation to the horizontal plane ZZ' respectively.

The frame portions <NUM> and <NUM> are designed to be gradually erected in support of the folded-out, composed solar panel <NUM>, whereby each frame portion <NUM> and <NUM> is placed with its base <NUM> on a flat surface or on the surface of a supporting structure.

More specifically, in the given example, the first frame portion <NUM> is designed to support the composed solar panel <NUM> by putting it with its base <NUM> in a position at a certain height H above a flat surface <NUM> on which the other second frame portion <NUM> is placed with its base <NUM> in order to support the composed solar panel <NUM>.

In the embodiments represented in <FIG>, the supporting structure consists of a container <NUM>, but in other cases also other supporting structures can be applied of course.

The frame <NUM> is hereby implemented with the right dimensions, such that it fits on the roof <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

In this case, the frame <NUM> has a length L' equal to half the length L" of the container <NUM>, such that two devices <NUM> can be lined up on the roof <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> in this case has a width B which is equal to the width B of the container <NUM>.

Putting up composed solar panels <NUM> may be simply done in practice by disassembling the frames <NUM> concerned and then turning the second frame portions <NUM> around, such that they can be put up on the ground with their base <NUM> next to the respective containers <NUM>, which is illustrated by way of example in <FIG>.

It is advantageous to place several containers <NUM> in the longitudinal direction over a distance L' corresponding to the length L' of the frame <NUM> in relation to each other.

In that case, a first frame portion <NUM> can be suspended with the composed solar panel <NUM> between a pair of containers <NUM> arranged in succession, more specifically by hanging this first frame portion <NUM> on either side to first frame portions <NUM> which are placed on the roof <NUM> of the successive containers <NUM> concerned.

The first frame portions <NUM> can hereby be connected to each other by making use of twist-locks provided in the corner pieces <NUM>.

In a similar manner, the second frame portion <NUM> can be placed on the ground between the containers <NUM> and it can possibly be coupled to the adjacent frame portions <NUM>.

Of course, other dimensions may be used, but it should be noted that it is generally advantageous to make the devices <NUM> such that they can be modularly built and combined to form a larger unit.

Another important and advantageous feature of the devices <NUM> represented in the figures consists in that the second frame portion <NUM> is provided with adjusting means <NUM> which connect the second frame portion <NUM> concerned to the composed solar panel <NUM> and with which the distance D between the folded-out, composed solar panel <NUM> and the second frame portion <NUM> concerned can be adjusted in order to orient the folded-out, composed solar panel <NUM>.

In the given embodiment, these adjusting means <NUM> comprise a cylinder <NUM> and an electric spindle <NUM>, as well as an electric control <NUM>, with which the above-mentioned distance D can be set between the second frame portion <NUM> and the folded-out, composed solar panel <NUM>.

The control <NUM> may for example also comprise detection means with which it is possible to detect in what direction the incident light has the most intensity, such that based on these measurements the folded-out, composed solar panel <NUM> can be automatically put in a position crosswise to this direction with the largest light intensity by setting the distance D correctly.

The composed solar panel <NUM> may for example also be automatically put in the horizontal position by the control <NUM> in case of too high wind speeds or snowfall, for example.

This can obviously be done by using the well-known control technology methods.

The adjusting means <NUM> and control <NUM> may also have other shapes.

The adjusting means <NUM> can also be stored in the frame <NUM> in the condition wherein it forms a cage <NUM> for the folded, composed solar panel <NUM>.

The photovoltaic elements <NUM> and solar panels <NUM> are pre-wired and pre-connected to one another by the appropriate connecting means <NUM>, such that the composed solar panel <NUM> can be put into operation as an electrical power supply by simply arranging the frame portions <NUM> and <NUM> correctly, folding out the composed solar panel <NUM> and putting it in the right position in relation to the sun.

It is clear that the aims of the invention have been achieved, namely obtaining a simple system for erecting several solar panels <NUM> which can be used in a mobile manner by people who should not have any particular knowhow to that end.

Claim 1:
Device (<NUM>) comprising several solar panels (<NUM>) which solar panels (<NUM>) are mutually hinge-mounted so as to form a composed solar panel (<NUM>) in such a way that the composed solar panel (<NUM>) can be folded from a folded-out state into a folded state in which the solar panels (<NUM>) are adjacent to one another and in that the composed solar panel (<NUM>) can be unfolded from a folded state into a folded-out state in which the solar panels (<NUM>) extend in a common plane (AA'), whereby the device (<NUM>) is further provided with a frame (<NUM>) which is hinge-mounted to the composed solar panel (<NUM>) and which is formed of two frame portions (<NUM>,<NUM>) which can be disassembled, more specifically a first frame portion (<NUM>) and a second frame portion (<NUM>), characterised in that the second frame portion (<NUM>) is provided with adjusting means (<NUM>) which connect the second frame portion (<NUM>) concerned to the composed solar panel (<NUM>) and whereby both frame portions (<NUM>,<NUM>) contain a base (<NUM>) extending in a plane and contain a number of standing ribs (<NUM>) and (<NUM>) respectively, extending crosswise to the corresponding base (<NUM>), whereby in a disassembled condition of the frame (<NUM>), each frame portion (<NUM>,<NUM>) forms a supporting structure for the solar panel (<NUM>), which can be unfolded into its folded-out state by unfolding the solar panels (<NUM>) in relation to one another, and whereby the composed solar panel (<NUM>) can be rotated as a whole in the folded-out state in relation to the first frame portion (<NUM>) with which it is hinge-mounted so as to orient it in a horizontal position and/or in random oblique positions, whereby the frame (<NUM>), in an assembled condition, forms a beam-shaped cage (<NUM>) around the folded, composed solar panel (<NUM>), whereby the base (<NUM>) forms either the bottom surface (<NUM>) or the upper surface (<NUM>) respectively of the beam-shaped cage (<NUM>), at least when the frame (<NUM>) is assembled into a cage (<NUM>).