1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a headgear, more particularly to a headgear assembly capable of collecting solar power.
2. Description of the Related Art
The power switch 16 is operable between an OFF state, where the rechargeable batteries 10 are disconnected electrically from the power output port 14, and an ON state, where the rechargeable batteries 10 are connected electrically to the power output port 14 such that electrical power from the rechargeable batteries 10 can be supplied to a load, which is an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, a lighting device, etc. However, when the electrical power stored in the rechargeable batteries 10 is exhausted, it is required to replace the batteries 10 or charge the rechargeable batteries 10 using electrical energy from an external power source (not shown) via the power input port 15, thereby resulting in inconvenience during use.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a headgear assembly that can collect solar power and that can supply electrical power to a load.
According to the present invention, a headgear assembly comprises:
a headgear member adapted to be worn by a user;
a solar power collecting unit mounted on the headgear member and adapted to convert solar power into electrical energy; and
a power supplying unit including
a housing configured with a battery-receiving space,
a rechargeable battery set disposed in the battery-receiving space in the housing and connected electrically and wiredly to the solar power collecting unit such that the electrical energy from the solar power collecting unit is used to charge the rechargeable battery set,
a power output port mounted on the housing and adapted to be connected electrically to a load, and
a power switch mounted on the housing, connected electrically between the rechargeable battery set and the power output port, and operable so as to switch between an OFF state, where the rechargeable battery set is disconnected electrically from the power output port, and an ON state, where the rechargeable battery set is connected electrically to the power output port such that electrical power from the rechargeable battery set is supplied to the load via the power output port.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
Referring to
In this embodiment, the headgear member 3 is in a form of a cap that includes a cap body 31 adapted to be worn by a user (see
The solar power collecting unit 4 is mounted on the headgear member 3, and is adapted to convert solar power into electrical energy. In this embodiment, the solar power collecting unit 4 is mounted on a top surface 321 of the visor 32 of the headgear member 3, and includes a solar power collecting plate 41, and a connecting port 42 connected electrically to the solar power collecting plate 41.
Referring further to
The housing 51 has a base body 511 configured with a battery-receiving space 510, and a cover body 512 for covering the base body 511.
The rechargeable battery set 52 is disposed in the housing 51, and is connected electrically and wiredly to the solar power collecting unit 4 such that the electrical energy from the solar power collecting unit 4 is used to charge the rechargeable battery set 52. In this embodiment, the rechargeable battery set 52 includes three batteries 53 connected in series and disposed in the battery-receiving space 510 in the base body 511 of the housing 51, and a cable unit 54 connected electrically to the batteries 53 and having a free end 541 that extends outwardly of the housing 51 and that is connected electrically and separably to the solar power collecting plate 41 via the connecting port 42. In this embodiment, the batteries 53 are lithium batteries. In other embodiments, the batteries 53 can be selected from the group consisting of nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries and carbon-hydrogen batteries.
The power output port 55 is mounted on the base body 511 of the housing 51, and is adapted to be connected electrically to a load 6 (see
The power switch 56 is mounted on the base body 511 of the housing 51, is connected electrically between the rechargeable battery set 52 and the power output port 55, and is operable so as to switch between an OFF state, where the rechargeable battery set 52 is disconnected electrically from the power output port 55, and an ON state, where the rechargeable battery set 52 is connected electrically to the power output port 55 such that electrical power from the rechargeable battery set 52 is supplied to the load 6 via the power output port 55.
The control circuit 50 is disposed in the housing 51, and detects amount of the electrical power stored in the batteries 53.
The low-power indicating lamp 57 is mounted on the base body 511 of the housing 51, and is activated by the control circuit 50 to emit light when the control circuit 50 detects that the amount of the electrical power stored in the batteries 53 is at a low level.
In use, the headgear member 3 is worn by the user, and the power supplying unit 5 is disposed in a pocket of an upper garment worn by the user, as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the power supplying unit 5 can be hung on a belt worn by the user, as shown in
In sum, the headgear assembly of the present invention can be worn by the user during outdoor activities and can serve as a power supply for an external electronic device, thereby facilitating outdoor use.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.