1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to solar cell technology, and in particular, relates to portable solar power generators.
2. Description of Related Art
Currently, portable electronic devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, MP3 players and the like are very popular due to their versatile and enjoyable functions. However, more functions also mean higher power consumption rates, and currently available batteries cannot always conveniently meet the increased energy supply requirements of these devices. Thus, many of these portable electronic devices suffer from an unduly limited service time, after which their batteries need to be replaced or recharged. However, in many or most outdoor conditions, a power supply or a power outlet may not be available for recharging the batteries.
Therefore, there is a desire to provide a portable power generator for supplying electrical energy for portable electronic devices.
Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
As illustrated in
The light pervious housing 11 has a hollow plate-shaped structure, and includes a top plate 112 and a bottom plate 114. A top surface 1120 of the top plate 112 serves as a first light incident surface of the light pervious housing 11, and a bottom surface 1140 of the bottom plate 114 serves as a second light incident surface of the light pervious housing 11. Sunlight passes through the top surface 1120 of the top plate 112 and the bottom surface 1140 of the bottom plate 114 to enter the light pervious housing 11. The top plate 112 and a bottom plate 114 both have a first refractive index.
The light guide element 12 is positioned between the top plate 112 and the bottom plate 114. The light guide element 12 includes a first reflecting plate 122 and an opposite second reflecting plate 124. The first reflecting plate 122 and the second reflecting plate 124 are respectively in contact with the top plate 112 and the bottom plate 114. The first reflecting plate 122 and the second reflecting plate 124 both have a second refractive index, which is greater than the first refractive index. In one example, the first refractive index can be 1.4, and the second refractive index can be 1.6.
The condensing lens 13 is positioned in the light pervious housing 11, near the solar cell unit 14. The condensing lens 13 may be positioned adjacent the light guide element 12, or in the light guide element 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the condensing lens 13 is positioned in the light guide element 12. In particular, two opposite ends of the condensing lens 13 are embedded in end portions of the first and second reflecting plates 122, 124, respectively. The condensing lens 13 converges light incident thereon.
The solar cell unit 14 is positioned in the light pervious housing 11 adjacent the light guide element 12, and near the condensing lens 13. That is, the solar cell unit 14 is located at a side of the condensing lens 13 opposite to the side where the majority of the light guide element 12 is located. The solar cell unit 14 is configured for receiving the light converged by the condensing lens 13, and converting the received light into electrical energy.
The connector assembly 15 is electrically coupled to the solar cell unit 14. A power consuming device (i.e., an energy storing means, not shown) can be connected to an outer end of the connector assembly 15. Thus, the electrical energy generated from the solar cell unit 14 can be transferred to the power consuming device by the connector assembly 15.
Due to the first refractive index being less than the second refractive index, sunlight can successfully enter the light guide element 12 by passing through the top plate 112 and the first reflecting plate 122 and by passing through the bottom plate 114 and the second reflecting plate 122. Such light between the first reflecting plate 122 and the second reflecting plate 124 can then be trapped in the housing 11 by total internal reflection (TIR). Thereby, the sunlight received in the light guide element 12 can efficiently transmit to the condensing lens 13. The light introduced onto the condensing lens 13 can then be converged onto the solar cell unit 14, and the solar cell unit 14 can convert the received light into electrical energy. The electrical energy may be stored in the solar cell unit 14. The electrical energy generated from the solar cell unit 14 can be transferred to the power consuming device (not shown) by the connector assembly 15. In addition, because of the convergence of the light by the condensing lens 13, the light introduced onto the solar cell unit 14 is centralized. Accordingly, a photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell unit 14 is improved.
Referring to
The protection layer 28 is arranged on most or all of outside surfaces of a light pervious house 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the protection layer 28 is arranged on most of the outside surfaces of the light pervious house 21, including on a bottom surface 2140 of a bottom plate 214 of the light pervious house 21. The protection layer 28 is for avoiding damage to the portable solar power generator 20 due to impact, dampness, strong light, and other hazards. A material of the protection layer 28 may be selected from silicone, plastics, and other suitable light pervious materials. Alternatively, the protection layer 28 may be made of opaque material. In such case, the protection layer 28 only covers parts of the outside surfaces of the light pervious house 21. For example, one of a top surface 2120 of a top plate 212 and the bottom surface 2140 of the bottom plate 214 can be exposed to sunlight. In the illustrated embodiment, the sunlight can pass through the top plate 212 to enter a light guide element 22 positioned in the light pervious house 21.
Referring to
As illustrated in
The light pervious housing 41 has a hollow cylindrical structure, and has a first refractive index. An outer surface 412 of the light pervious housing 41 serves as a light incident surface thereof. Sunlight can pass through the outer surface 412 and enter the light pervious housing 41.
The light guide element 42 is a cylindrical tube, and is positioned in the light pervious housing 41, being attached to an inner side of the light pervious housing 41. The light guide element 42 has a second refractive index, which is greater than the first refractive index of the light pervious housing 41.
The condensing lens 43 is positioned in the light pervious housing 41, near the solar cell unit 44. The condensing lens 43 may be positioned adjacent to the light guide element 42, or in the light guide element 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the condensing lens 43 is positioned in an end portion of the light guide element 42. In particular, an annular periphery of the condensing lens 13 is embedded in the end portion of the light guide element 42. The condensing lens 43 converges light incident thereon.
The solar cell unit 44 is positioned in the light pervious housing 41 adjacent to the light guide element 42, and near the condensing lens 43. That is, the solar cell unit 44 is located at a side of the condensing lens 43 opposite to the side where the majority of the light guide element 42 is located. The solar cell unit 44 is configured for receiving the light converged by the condensing lens 43 and converting the received light into electrical energy.
The connector assembly 45 is electrically coupled to the solar cell unit 44. A power consuming device (i.e., an energy storing means, not shown) can be connected to an outer end of the connector assembly 45. Thus, the electrical energy generated from the solar cell unit 44 can be transferred to the power consuming device by the connector assembly 45.
Due to the first refractive index being less than the second refractive index, sunlight can successfully enter the light guide element 42 by passing through the light pervious housing 41 and the light guide element 42. Such light within the light guide element 42 can then be trapped in the housing 41 by total internal reflection (TIR). Thereby, the sunlight received in the light guide element 42 can efficiently transmit to the condensing lens 43. The light introduced onto the condensing lens 43 can then be converged onto the solar cell unit 44, and the solar cell unit 44 can convert the received light into electrical energy. The electrical energy may be stored in the solar cell unit 44. The electrical energy generated from the solar cell unit 44 can be transferred to the power consuming device (not shown) by the connector assembly 45. In addition, because of the convergence of the light by the condensing lens 43, the light introduced onto the solar cell unit 44 is centralized. Accordingly, a photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell unit 44 is improved.
While certain embodiments have been described and exemplified above, various other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure. The present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described and exemplified but is capable of considerable variation and modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
200810306258.9 | Dec 2008 | CN | national |