U.S. patent application number 12/778276 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-17 for closable solar collector.
Invention is credited to Raymond Chu.
Application Number | 20110277748 12/778276 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44910628 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110277748 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chu; Raymond |
November 17, 2011 |
Closable Solar Collector
Abstract
The closable solar collector has a stand, a solar panel body, a
ball screw and a linking assembly. The solar panel body is mounted
on the stand and has a base solar panel, multiple side solar panels
and multiple folding solar panels. The side solar panels are
mounted pivotally around the base solar panel. Every two folding
solar panels are mounted pivotally between two adjacent side solar
panels. The ball screw is mounted through the base solar panel. The
linking assembly is mounted pivotally between the ball screw and
the stand and has multiple upper linking rods and multiple lower
linking rods. The ball screw is actuated to drive the linking
assembly and the solar panel body to move so the solar panel body
can be open or closed. Therefore, the solar collector is convenient
and easy to use and store.
Inventors: |
Chu; Raymond; (Jhongli City,
TW) |
Family ID: |
44910628 |
Appl. No.: |
12/778276 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/627 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 20/50 20180501;
Y02E 10/50 20130101; H02S 30/20 20141201 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/627 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/46 20060101
F24J002/46 |
Claims
1. A closable solar collector comprising: a stand having a board
mounted inside the stand; a solar panel body mounted on the stand
and having a base solar panel mounted securely on the stand and
having a central hole; and multiple slots formed radially through
the base solar panel and around the central hole; multiple side
solar panels mounted pivotally around the base solar panel; and
multiple folding solar panels and every two folding solar panels
mounted pivotally between two adjacent side solar panels; a ball
screw mounted through the base solar panel and having a threaded
shaft mounted through the central hole of the base solar panel; and
a nut mounted movably around the threaded shaft; and a linking
assembly mounted pivotally between the nut and the stand and having
multiple upper linking rods mounted radially around the threaded
shaft and each upper linking rod having a top end and a bottom end;
multiple lower linking rods and each lower linking rod mounted
pivotally on the bottom end of a corresponding upper linking rod,
mounted movably through a corresponding slot of the base solar
panel and having a top end mounted slidably between two adjacent
folding solar panels; and a bottom end mounted pivotally on the
board; and a cover mounted pivotally on the top ends of the upper
linking rods and mounted securely on the nut and has a hole mounted
around the threaded shaft.
2. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
solar panel body further has multiple folding hinges and each
folding hinge is mounted between two adjacent folding solar panels
and has a rod; and the linking assembly further has multiple
sleeves and each sleeve is mounted pivotally on the top end of a
corresponding lower linking rod and mounted slidably around a
corresponding rod.
3. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
solar panel body further has multiple top solar panels and each top
solar panel mounted pivotally on a corresponding side solar panel
away from the base solar panel; multiple side hinges and each side
hinge mounted between adjacent side solar panel and folding solar
panel and having two hinge pieces, one hinge piece of the side
hinge attached to the side solar panel and the other hinge piece of
the side hinge attached to the folding solar pane; and a side pivot
mounted through the hinge pieces of the side hinge and fixed to the
hinge piece attached to the folding solar panel and has an end near
a corresponding top solar panel; multiple side bevel gears
respectively mounted securely on the ends of corresponding side
pivots; multiple top hinges and each top hinge mounted between
adjacent side solar panel and top solar panel and having two hinge
pieces, one hinge piece of the top hinge attached to the side solar
panel and the other hinge piece of the top hinge attached to the
top solar panel; and a top pivot mounted through the hinge pieces
of the top hinge and fixed to the hinge piece attached to the top
solar panel and has two ends; and multiple top bevel gears
respectively mounted securely on the ends of corresponding top
pivots and engaging corresponding side bevel gears.
4. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
solar panel body further has multiple top solar panels and each top
solar panel mounted pivotally on a corresponding side solar panel
away from the base solar panel; multiple side hinges and each side
hinge mounted between adjacent side solar panel and folding solar
panel and having two hinge pieces, one hinge piece of the side
hinge attached to the side solar panel and the other hinge piece of
the side hinge attached to the folding solar pane; and a side pivot
mounted through the hinge pieces of the side hinge and fixed to the
hinge piece attached to the folding solar panel and has an end near
a corresponding top solar panel; multiple side bevel gears
respectively mounted securely on the ends of corresponding side
pivots; multiple top hinges and each top hinge mounted between
adjacent side solar panel and top solar panel and having two hinge
pieces, one hinge piece of the top hinge attached to the side solar
panel and the other hinge piece of the top hinge attached to the
top solar panel; and a top pivot mounted through the hinge pieces
of the top hinge and fixed to the hinge piece attached to the top
solar panel and has two ends; and multiple top bevel gears
respectively mounted securely on the ends of corresponding top
pivots and engaging corresponding side bevel gears.
5. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
base solar panel is hexagonal and has six sides, each side is
connected pivotally to the side solar panel being rectangular, the
folding solar panels are triangle and the top solar panels are
trapezoidal; and the linking assembly has six upper linking rods
and six lower linking rods, the cover is hexagonal.
6. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
base solar panel is hexagonal and has six sides, each side is
connected pivotally to the side solar panel being rectangular, the
folding solar panels are triangle and the top solar panels are
trapezoidal; and the linking assembly has six upper linking rods
and six lower linking rods, the cover is hexagonal.
7. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
base solar panel is hexagonal and has six sides, each side is
connected pivotally to the side solar panel being rectangular, the
folding solar panels are triangle and the top solar panels are
trapezoidal; and the linking assembly has six upper linking rods
and six lower linking rods, the cover is hexagonal.
8. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
base solar panel is hexagonal and has six sides, each side is
connected pivotally to the side solar panel being rectangular, the
folding solar panels are triangle and the top solar panels are
trapezoidal; and the linking assembly has six upper linking rods
and six lower linking rods, the cover is hexagonal.
9. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 1 further
having a motor mounted inside the stand and having an output shaft,
where in the threaded shaft has a bottom end connected to the
output shaft of the motor.
10. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 2 further
having a motor mounted inside the stand and having an output shaft,
where in the threaded shaft has a bottom end connected to the
output shaft of the motor.
11. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 3 further
having a motor mounted inside the stand and having an output shaft,
where in the threaded shaft has a bottom end connected to the
output shaft of the motor.
12. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 4 further
having a motor mounted inside the stand and having an output shaft,
where in the threaded shaft has a bottom end connected to the
output shaft of the motor.
13. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 5 further
having a motor mounted inside the stand and having an output shaft,
where in the threaded shaft has a bottom end connected to the
output shaft of the motor.
14. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 6 further
having a motor mounted inside the stand and having an output shaft,
where in the threaded shaft has a bottom end connected to the
output shaft of the motor.
15. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 7 further
having a motor mounted inside the stand and having an output shaft,
where in the threaded shaft has a bottom end connected to the
output shaft of the motor.
16. The closable solar collector as claimed in claim 8 further
having a motor mounted inside the stand and having an output shaft,
where in the threaded shaft has a bottom end connected to the
output shaft of the motor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a solar collector, and more
particularly to a closable solar collector that is convenient to
store and transport.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Arts
[0004] A solar collector is a device for collecting energy from the
sun direct use or storage. A conventional solar collector comprises
at least one solar panel mounted securely on a frame and mounted in
a place facing the sky like a roof, or a square other altitudes.
The solar panel has multiple solar cells mounted securely on the
solar panel to form an absorbing surface. The absorbing surface
absorbs solar energy striking the absorbing surface and transformed
solar energy into electricity for commercial and residential
applications. The absorbing surface with a larger surface area
absorbs more solar energy to result in more power being provided by
the solar collector.
[0005] However, the absorbing surface with a larger surface area is
difficult to transport and store. Besides, the absorbing surface is
exposed all the time and consequently covering or storing the solar
panel during the sudden onset of a typhoon, rain or snow may be
difficult or impossible, which could easily lead to the absorbing
surface being damaged.
[0006] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides
a closable solar collector to mitigate or obviate the
aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The main object of the present invention is to provide a
closable solar collector that is convenient to transport and
store.
[0008] To achieve the objective, the closable solar collector in
accordance with present invention comprises a stand, a solar panel
body, a ball screw and a linking assembly. The solar panel body is
mounted on the stand and has a base solar panel, multiple side
solar panels and multiple folding solar panels. The side solar
panels are mounted pivotally around the base solar panel. Every two
folding solar panels are mounted pivotally between two adjacent
side solar panels. The ball screw is mounted through the base solar
panel and has a nut. The linking assembly is mounted pivotally
between the nut and the stand and has multiple upper linking rods
and multiple lower linking rods. Each lower linking rod has a top
end mounted slidably between two adjacent folding solar panels. The
ball screw is actuated to drive the linking assembly and the solar
panel body to move so the solar panel body can be open or closed.
Therefore, the solar collector is convenient and easy to use and
store.
[0009] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closable solar collector
in accordance with the present invention, showing a solar panel
body is open;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an operational side view of the closable solar
collector in FIG. 1, showing the solar panel body is open;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged top view of the solar panel
body of the closable solar collector in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the solar
panel body of the closable solar collector in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an operational side view of the closable solar
collector in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an operational side view of the closable solar
collector in FIG. 1, showing the solar panel body is closed;
and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the closable solar collector
in FIG. 1, showing the solar panel body is closed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a closable solar collector
in accordance with the present invention comprises a stand (10), a
solar panel body (20), a ball screw (30) and a linking assembly
(40).
[0018] The stand (10) is hollow, has a cavity, a board (11) and a
frame (12). The board (11) is mounted inside the cavity of the
stand (10) and has a central hole (111). The frame (12) is mounted
on the board (11) and has a central hole (13) aligns with the
central hole (111) of the board (11). A motor (50) may be mounted
inside the stand (10) under the board (11) and has an output
shaft.
[0019] With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the solar panel
body (20) is mounted on the stand (10) and has a base solar panel
(21), multiple side solar panels (22), multiple folding solar
panels (23), multiple top solar panels (24), multiple side hinges
(26), multiple side bevel gears (27), multiple top hinges (26A),
multiple top bevel gears (27A) and multiple folding hinges (26B).
The base solar panel (21) is mounted securely on the stand (10) and
has a central hole (211) and multiple slots (212). The central hole
(211) aligns with the central holes (111,12) of the board (11) and
the frame (12) of the stand (10). The slots (212) are formed
radially through the base solar panel (21) and around the central
hole (211). The side solar panels (22) are mounted pivotally around
the base solar panel (21). Every two folding solar panels (23) are
mounted pivotally between two adjacent side solar panels (22). Each
top solar panel (24) is mounted pivotally on a corresponding side
solar panel (22) away from the base solar panel (21) and has a top
edge.
[0020] Each side hinge (26) is mounted between adjacent side solar
panel (22) and folding solar panel (23) and has two hinge pieces
and a side pivot (25). One hinge piece of the side hinge (26) is
attached to the side solar panel (22). The other hinge piece of the
side hinge (26) is attached to the folding solar panel (23). The
side pivot (25) is mounted through the hinge pieces of the side
hinge (26) and fixed to the hinge piece attached to the folding
solar panel (23) and has an end near a corresponding top solar
panel (24). The side bevel gears (27) are respectively mounted
securely on the ends of corresponding side pivots (25). Each top
hinge (26A) is mounted between adjacent side solar panel (22) and
top solar panel (24) and has two hinge pieces and a top pivot
(25A). One hinge piece of the top hinge (26A) is attached to the
side solar panel (22). The other hinge piece of the top hinge (26A)
is attached to the top solar panel (24). The top pivot (25A) is
mounted through the hinge pieces of the top hinge (26A) and fixed
to the hinge piece attached to the top solar panel (24) and has two
ends. The top bevel gears (27A) are respectively mounted securely
on the ends of corresponding top pivots (25A) and engage
corresponding side bevel gears (27).
[0021] Each folding hinge (26B) is mounted between two adjacent
folding solar panels (23) and has two hinge pieces and a rod (25B).
The hinge pieces of the folding hinge (26B) are respectively
attached to corresponding folding solar panels (23). The rod (25B)
is mounted through the hinge pieces of the folding hinge (26B).
[0022] The ball screw (30) is a mechanical device for translating
rotational motion to linear motion with little friction and is
mounted through the base solar panel (21) and has a threaded shaft
(31) and a nut (32). The threaded shaft (31) is mounted through the
central holes (211,13,111) of the base solar panel (21), the frame
(12) and the board (11) of the stand (10) and has a bottom end
connected to the output shaft of the motor (50). The nut (32) is
mounted movably around the threaded shaft (31).
[0023] The linking assembly (40) is mounted pivotally between the
nut (32) and the stand (10) and has multiple upper linking rods
(41), multiple lower linking rods (42), a cover (43) and multiple
sleeves (44). The upper linking rods (41) are mounted radially
around the threaded shaft (31) and each upper linking rod (41) has
a top end and a bottom end. Each lower linking rod (42) is mounted
pivotally on the bottom end of a corresponding upper linking rod
(41), mounted movably through a corresponding slot (212) of the
base solar panel (21) and has a top end and a bottom end. The
bottom ends of the lower linking rods (42) are mounted pivotally on
the board (11) around the central hole (111) of the board (11) of
the stand (10). The cover (43) is mounted pivotally on the top ends
of the upper linking rods (41) and mounted securely on the nut (32)
and has a hole and multiple sides. The hole of the cover (43) is
mounted around the threaded shaft (31). The sides of the cover (43)
respectively correspond to top edges of the top solar panels (24).
Each sleeve (44) is mounted pivotally on the top end of a
corresponding lower linking rod (42) and mounted slidably around a
corresponding rod (25B).
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the base solar panel (21) is
hexagonal and has six sides, each side is connected pivotally to a
corresponding side solar panel (22) and the side solar panel (22)
is rectangular. The folding solar panels (23) are triangle and
every two folding solar panels (23) are mounted pivotally between
two adjacent side solar panels (22). The linking assembly (40) has
six upper linking rods (41) and six lower linking rods (42). The
top solar panels (24) are trapezoidal, the cover (43) is hexagonal
and has six sides respectively correspond to top edges of the top
solar panels (24).
[0025] With reference to FIG. 5, the threaded shaft (31) is powered
by the motor (50) or manpower and the nut (32) and the cover (43)
move along the threaded shaft (31) upwards and drive the upper and
lower linking rods (41,42) to move. When the upper and lower
linking rods (41,42) moves toward the threaded shaft (31), the
folding solar panels (23) and the side solar panels (22) are pulled
to fold. With further reference to FIG. 3, the side pivots (25)
between the folding solar panels (23) and the side solar panels
(22) rotate so the side bevel gears (27) rotate as well and drive
the top bevel gears (27A) to rotate and allow the top solar panels
(24) to close synchronously.
[0026] When the nut (32) and the cover (43) move along the threaded
shaft (31) downwards and drive the upper and lower linking rods
(41,42) to move. The solar panels (21.22.23.24) is expanded and
located in a same plane to allows absorbing surfaces of the solar
panels (21,22,23,24) to face up and absorb solar energy.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the solar panel body (20)
is closed. The top edges of the top solar panels (24) abut the
sides of the cover (43). The side solar panels (23) is in an
upright state to form a hexagonal prism and a chamber inside the
hexagonal prism. Every two adjacent folding solar panels (23) are
close to each other and in the chamber. An area of the closed solar
panel body (20) is smaller than an area of the open solar panel
body (20) so the solar collector with the closed solar panel body
(20) is convenient to transfer and store. Besides, the closed solar
panel body (20) allows the absorbing surfaces of the solar panels
(21,22,23,24) to face inside and prevents damage.
[0028] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and features of the
invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made
in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *