SOLAR BLIND

Abstract

A solar blind (100) is provided. The solar blind (100) comprises a plurality of slats, the plurality of slats including a first slat (102) and a second slat (104). The solar blind (100) also comprises a solar panel (106). The solar panel (106) is coupled to the first slat (102) and extends over at least a portion of the first slat (102) and over at least a portion of the second slat (104). A method of assembling a solar blind and a kit of parts for assembling into a solar blind are also provided.

Claims

1. A solar blind comprising: a plurality of slats, the plurality of slats including a first slat and a second slat; and a solar panel comprising a first portion and a second portion, the solar panel being coupled to the first slat, wherein the first portion of the solar panel extends over at least a portion of the first slat and the second portion of the solar panel extends over at least a portion of the second slat, and wherein the second portion of the solar panel is movable relative to the second slat.

2. A solar blind according to claim 1, the solar blind comprising a roller and being moveable between a rolled position, in which at least two slats of the plurality of slats are rolled around the roller, and an unrolled position, in which the at least two slats of the plurality of slats extend away from the roller.

3. A solar blind according to claim 2, wherein, in the rolled position, at least a section of the solar panel is rolled around the roller and, in the unrolled position, at least the section of the solar panel extends away from the roller.

4. A solar blind according to any preceding claim, wherein the first slat is hingedly coupled to the second slat.

5. A solar blind according to any preceding claim, the solar blind comprising a first guide configured to limit movement of a first edge of the solar panel.

6. A solar blind according to claim 5, wherein the first guide comprises two or more first guide members, each first guide member corresponding to a slat of the plurality of slats.

7. A solar blind according to claim 6, wherein the first guide comprises a first guide member corresponding to the first slat, and wherein a first portion of the first edge of the solar panel is located between the first slat and the first guide member corresponding to the first slat.

8. A solar blind according to claim 7, wherein the first guide member corresponding to the first slat comprises an urging means configured to urge the first portion of the solar panel towards the first slat.

9. A solar blind according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first guide member corresponding to the first slat is attachable to, and detachable from, the first slat.

10. A solar blind according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the first guide member corresponding to the first slat extends away from the first slat and over the first edge of the solar panel.

11. A solar blind according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first guide member corresponding to the first slat defines a space for accommodating wiring for the solar panel.

12. A solar blind according to any preceding claim, the solar blind comprising a casing configured to limit movement of a third edge of the solar panel.

13. A solar blind according to any preceding claim, wherein the solar blind comprises a wiper for wiping a surface of the solar panel.

14. A method of assembling a solar blind, the method comprising: providing a plurality of slats, the plurality of slats including a first slat and a second slat; and coupling a solar panel to the first slat such that the solar panel extends over at least a portion of the first slat and over at least a portion of the second slat.

15. A kit of parts for assembling into a solar blind, the kit comprising: a plurality of slats, the plurality of slats including a first slat and a second slat; a solar panel; and a coupling means for coupling the solar panel to the first slat such that the solar panel extends over at least a portion of the first slat and over at least a portion of the second slat.

Description

LIST OF FIGURES

[0152] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

[0153] FIG. 1A shows a side view of a first embodiment of a solar blind according to the invention in an unrolled position;

[0154] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of a solar blind according to the invention;

[0155] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a slat of the solar blind without guide members;

[0156] FIG. 2B shows a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 2A;

[0157] FIG. 2C shows a top view of the slat of FIG. 2A;

[0158] FIG. 2D shows a front view of the slat of FIG. 2A;

[0159] FIG. 2E shows a side view of the slat of FIG. 2A;

[0160] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the first guide member corresponding to the second slat of the first embodiment of the solar blind according to the invention;

[0161] FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the second guide member corresponding to the second slat of the first embodiment of the solar blind according to the invention;

[0162] FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a slat of the solar blind with guide members;

[0163] FIG. 4B shows a close-up view of a portion of the slat of FIG. 4A;

[0164] FIG. 4C shows a top view of the slat of FIG. 4A;

[0165] FIG. 4D shows a front view of the slat of FIG. 4A;

[0166] FIG. 4E shows a side view of the slat of FIG. 4A;

[0167] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the first guide member corresponding to the first slat of the solar blind;

[0168] FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of the second guide member corresponding to the first slat of the solar blind;

[0169] FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a casing of the solar blind;

[0170] FIG. 6B shows a top view of the casing of FIG. 6A;

[0171] FIG. 6C shows a front view of the casing of FIG. 6A;

[0172] FIG. 6D shows a side view of the casing of FIG. 6A;

[0173] FIG. 7 shows perspective view of the first embodiment of a solar blind according to the invention in a rolled position;

[0174] FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a first guide member for a second slat of a second embodiment of the solar blind according to the invention; and

[0175] FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of a second guide member for a second slat of the second embodiment of the solar blind according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0176] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a side view and a perspective view of a first embodiment of a solar blind according to the invention, respectively. The solar blind 100 comprises a plurality of slats, including a first slat 102 and a second slat 104. The slats are hingedly coupled to one another via a hook on each slat interacting with a slot on each slat. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 1A, a hook of the second slat 104 interacts with a slot of the first slat 102 so as to hingedly couple the second slat 104 to the first slat 102.

[0177] The solar blind 100 comprises a first solar panel 106, the first solar panel 106 being coupled to the first slat 102 and extending over the first slat 102 and over the second slat 104. The solar blind 100 comprises a second solar panel 108, the second solar panel 108 being coupled to the first slat 102 and extending over the first slat 102 and over the second slat 104. In this embodiment, the first solar panel 106 and the second solar panel 108 are directly attached to the first slat 102 using an adhesive.

[0178] The solar blind 100 comprises a roller 110. An initial slat 101 of the plurality of slats in hingedly coupled to the roller 110. The solar blind 100 is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B in an unrolled position. The solar blind 100 is moveable between this unrolled position, in which the slats and the first solar panel 106 and the second solar panel 108 extend away from the roller 110, and an unrolled position, in which the slats and the first solar panel 106 and the second solar panel 108 are rolled around the roller 110. An example of a rolled position is shown in FIG. 7. In the first embodiment, the solar blind 100 comprises a motor (not shown). The motor is coupled to the roller 110 and is configured to rotate the roller 110 to move the solar blind 100 between the rolled position and the unrolled position. Referring to FIG. 1A, in order to move the solar blind 100 from the unrolled position to the rolled position, the roller 110 is rotated clockwise about its central axis directed into the page.

[0179] The solar blind 100 comprises a first guide 120 configured to limit movement of a first edge of the first solar panel 106, a second guide 130 configured to limit movement of a second edge of the first solar panel 106 and a first edge of the second solar panel 108, and a third guide 140 configured to limit movement of a second edge of the second solar panel 108.

[0180] The first solar panel 106 and the second solar panel 108 have substantially rectangular cross-sections. The first and second edges of each of the first and second solar panels extend along the heights of the first and second solar panels. Thus, the first edge of each solar panel opposes the second edge of each solar panel.

[0181] The first guide 120 comprises a number first guide members, each first guide member corresponding to a slat of the plurality of slats. The first guide 120 comprises a first guide member corresponding to the first slat 122 and a first guide member corresponding to the second slat 124. A first portion of the first edge of the first solar panel 106 is located between the first slat 102 and the first guide member corresponding to the first slat 122. A second portion of the first edge of the first solar panel 106 is located between the second slat 104 and the first guide member corresponding to the second slat 124. The second portion of the first edge of the first solar panel 106 is configured to move relative to the first guide member corresponding to the second slat 124 between the first guide member corresponding to the second slat 124 and the second slat 104. This motion occurs, for example, as the solar blind 100 is moved between the rolled position and the unrolled position.

[0182] The second guide 130 comprises a number of second guide members, each second guide member corresponding to a slat of the plurality of slats. The second guide 130 comprises a second guide member corresponding to the first slat 132 and a second guide member corresponding to the second slat 134. A first portion of the second edge of the first solar panel 106 is located between the first slat 102 and the second guide member corresponding to the first slat 132. A second portion of the second edge of the first solar panel 106 is located between the second slat 104 and the second guide member corresponding to the second slat 134. A first portion of the first edge of the second solar panel 108 is located between the first slat 102 and the second guide member corresponding to the first slat 132. A second portion of the first edge of the second solar panel 108 is located between the second slat 104 and the second guide member corresponding to the second slat 134.

[0183] The second portion of the second edge of the first solar panel 106, and the second portion of the first edge of the second solar panel 108, are configured to move relative to the second guide member corresponding to the second slat 134 between the second guide member corresponding to the second slat 134 and the second slat 104. This motion occurs, for example, as the solar blind 100 is moved between the rolled position and the unrolled position.

[0184] The third guide 140 comprises a number of third guide members, each third guide member corresponding to a slat of the plurality of slats. The third guide 140 comprises a third guide member corresponding to the first slat 142 and a third guide member corresponding to the second slat 144. A first portion of the second edge of the second solar panel 108 is located between the first slat 102 and the third guide member corresponding to the first slat 142. A second portion of the second edge of the second solar panel 108 is located between the second slat 104 and the third guide member corresponding to the second slat 144. The second portion of the second edge of the second solar panel 108 is configured to move relative to the third guide member corresponding to the second slat 1244 between the third guide member corresponding to the second slat 144 and the second slat 104. This motion occurs, for example, as the solar blind 100 is moved between the rolled position and the unrolled position.

[0185] Allowing motion of the solar panel, particularly in the direction of the height of the solar panel, may mean that the solar panels are not stretched when the solar blind is moved from the unrolled position to the rolled position (like the solar panels would likely be if they were directly attached to the second slat as well as the first).

[0186] Each guide member extends away from its corresponding slat and over an edge of one or both of the first solar panel 106 and the second solar panel 108. Specifically, the first guide members extend over a first edge of the first solar panel 106, the second guide members extend over a second edge of the first solar panel 106 and over a first edge of the second solar panel 108, the third guide members extend over a second edge of the second solar panel 108.

[0187] The solar blind also comprises a casing 150. A third edge of the first solar panel 106 and a third edge of the second solar panel 108 are located in an interior volume defined by the casing. The casing 150 is configured to limit movement of the third edge of the first solar panel 106 and of the third edge of the second solar panel 108. The third edges of the first and second solar panels extend along the widths of the first and second solar panels. The third edge of each solar panel extends between the first and second edges of each solar panel. The casing 150 is also configured to limit movement of a portion of the first and second edges of each solar panel.

[0188] The casing 150 is hingedly coupled to a final slat 160 of the plurality of slats. The final slat 160 is coupled to exactly one other slat of the plurality of slats. When the solar blind 100 is in the unrolled position, the final slat 160 is further from the first slat 102 than any other slat of the plurality of slats.

[0189] The solar blind 100 also comprises a base unit 170 and a wiper 180 for wiping a surface of each of the first and second solar panels. The base unit 170 and the wiper 180 are shown in FIG. 1A but has been removed from FIG. 1B for clarity.

[0190] The base unit 170 partially surrounds the roller 110. The wiper 180 is rotatably connected to an inner surface of a wall of the base unit 170 via a hinge 172. The wiper 180 is configured to wipe a surface of each of the first and second solar panels as the solar blind 100 is moved between the rolled position and the unrolled position. As the slats and the solar panels are rolled around the roller 110, the slats and solar panels take up more space within the base unit 170. Thus, the wiper 180, which is in contact with the surfaces of the solar panels during this movement from the unrolled position to the rolled position, is forced to rotate towards the inner surface of the wall of the base unit 170 (anti-clockwise about the hinge 172 shown in FIG. 1A). Conversely, as the solar blind 100 is moved from the rolled position to the unrolled position, more space inside the base unit 170 becomes available for the wiper 180, so the wiper 180 is able to rotate back towards the position shown in FIG. 1A.

[0191] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E show the second slat 104 of the solar blind 100 prior to assembling the solar blind 100. Thus, in FIGS. 2A-2E, the solar panels and guide members are not shown.

[0192] Whilst FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E show a perspective view, a close-up view, a top view, a front view, and a side view, respectively, of the second slat 104. Whilst these figures show the second slat 104, it should be noted that each slat of the plurality of slats, prior to attaching any guide members, is identical to every other slat of the plurality of slats.

[0193] The second slat 104 comprises a hook 202 and a slot 204. In use, the hook 202 interacts with a slot of the first slat to hingedly couple the second slat 104 to the first slat. In use, the slot 204 interacts with a hook of another slat to hingedly couple the second slat 104 to the another slat.

[0194] The second slat 104 comprises a first chamber 206, a second chamber 208, and a third chamber 210. Each of these chambers is substantially cylindrical in shape, having an open top, a closed base, and a wall extending from the base to the top. The wall defines a slit extending in a direction of the height of the slat.

[0195] FIGS. 3A and 3B show perspective views of the first guide member corresponding to the second slat 124 and the second guide member corresponding to the second slat 134, respectively.

[0196] The first guide member corresponding to the second slat 124 comprises a first wall 302 and a second wall 304. The second wall 304 extends substantially perpendicularly from the first wall 302. The first guide member corresponding to the second slat 124 therefore has a substantially L-shaped cross-section. A bulbous portion of the first wall 302 is configured to be received by the first chamber of the second slat.

[0197] The second guide member corresponding to the second slat 134 comprises a first wall 352, a second wall 354, and a third wall 356. The second wall 354 and the third wall 356 extend in substantially opposite directions, and both extend substantially perpendicularly from the first wall 302. The second guide member corresponding to the second slat 134 therefore has a substantially T-shaped cross-section. A bulbous portion of the first wall 302 is configured to be received by the second chamber of the second slat.

[0198] The third guide member corresponding to the second slat is not shown in FIG. 3A or 3B, but it should be noted that the third guide member corresponding to the second slat is simply a mirror image of the first guide member corresponding to the second slat 124 shown in FIG. 3A.

[0199] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E show a perspective view, a close-up view, a top view, a front view, and a side view, respectively, of the second slat 104 of the solar blind 100 after the first, second and third guide members corresponding to the second slat 124, 134, 144 have been attached to the second slat 104.

[0200] As most clearly seen in FIG. 4B, the first chamber 206 receives the bulbous portion of the first wall 302 of the first guide member corresponding to the second slat 124. Specifically, the bulbous portion of the first wall 302 is slid into the open top of the chamber 206 and down the camber 206 to rest on the base of the chamber. Following this, a cap 402 is snap-fitted onto the top of the first chamber 206, thus closing the open top of the first chamber 206 and preventing the first guide member corresponding to the second slat 124 from sliding out of the first chamber 206.

[0201] The second chamber 208 similarly receives the first wall 352 of the second guide member corresponding to the second slat 134, and the third chamber 210 similarly receives the first wall of the third guide member corresponding to the second slat 144, and caps are also placed on the second chamber 208 and the third chamber 210.

[0202] By reversing the above actions, one can detach the guide members from their corresponding chambers, for example in order to disassemble the solar blind 100. Thus, each guide member is attachable to, and detachable from, its corresponding slat.

[0203] FIGS. 5A and 5B show perspective views of the first guide member corresponding to the first slat 122 and the second guide member corresponding to the first slat 132, respectively.

[0204] The first guide member corresponding to the first slat 122 comprises a first wall 502 and a second wall 504. The second wall 504 extends substantially perpendicularly from the first wall 502. The first and second walls of the first guide member corresponding to the first slat 122 together have a substantially L-shaped cross-section. A bulbous portion of the first wall 502 is configured to be received by a first chamber of the first slat.

[0205] The first guide member corresponding to the first slat 122 comprises a first urging means 510. The first urging means is located on an inner surface of the second wall 504. In use, a first portion of the first solar panel 106 is located between the first urging means 510 and the first slat 102. In use, the first urging means 510 is configured to urge the first portion of the first solar panel 106 towards the first slat 102.

[0206] The first guide member corresponding to the first slat 122 defines a space for accommodating wiring for the first solar panel 106. Specifically, an inner surface of the first wall 502 and an inner surface of the second wall 504 define a space for accommodating wiring for the first solar panel 106. It should be understood that all of the first guide members in this embodiment similarly define a space for accommodating wiring for the first solar panel 106. Thus, in use, wiring for the first solar panel 106 may be accommodated by the first guide 120. The wiring may electrically connect the first solar panel 106 to the roller 110, or the motor, or to an electrical storage unit.

[0207] The second guide member corresponding to the first slat 132 comprises a first wall 552, a second wall 554, and a third wall 556. The second wall 554 and the third wall 556 extend in substantially opposite directions, and both extend substantially perpendicularly from the first wall 502. The first, second and third walls of the second guide member corresponding to the first slat 132 together have has a substantially T-shaped cross-section. A bulbous portion of the first wall 502 is configured to be received by a second chamber of the second slat.

[0208] The second guide member corresponding to the first slat 132 comprises a second urging means 560 and a third urging means 562. The second urging means 560 is located on an inner surface of the second wall 554. The third urging means 562 is located an inner surface of on the third wall 554. In use, a second portion of the first solar panel 106 is located between the second urging means 560 and the first slat 102. In use, the second urging means 560 is configured to urge the second portion of the first solar panel 106 towards the first slat 102. In use, a first portion of the second solar panel 108 is located between the third urging means 562 and the first slat 102. In use, the third urging means 562 is configured to urge the first portion of the second solar panel 108 towards the first slat 102.

[0209] The third guide member corresponding to the first slat is not shown in FIG. 5A or 5B, but it should be noted that the third guide member corresponding to the first slat is simply a mirror image of the first guide member corresponding to the first slat 122 shown in FIG. 5A.

[0210] In this embodiment, the first, second, and third urging means 510, 560, 562, and a fourth urging means of the third guide member corresponding to the first slat, are all formed from a foam material. The foam material is elastically deformable and is elastically compressed when the guide member is attached to its corresponding slat. For example, the first urging means 510 is compressed as the first guide member corresponding to the first slat 122 is attached to the first slat 102. Specifically, the first urging means 510 is compressed between the second wall 504 of the first guide member corresponding to the first slat 122 and the first solar panel 106 which is attached to the first slat 102. Thus, under this compression, the first urging means 510 urges the first solar panel 106 towards the first slat 102.

[0211] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D show a perspective view, top view, front view and side view of the casing 150, respectively.

[0212] The casing 150 comprises a base 151. The casing 150 comprises a front wall 152, a first side wall 153, and a second side wall 154, and a back wall 155, each extending substantially perpendicularly from the base 151. In use, a hook of the casing 150 hingedly couples the casing 150 to a slot of a final slat of the plurality of slats.

[0213] In use, a portion of the first solar panel 106 hangs freely in a first interior volume defined by the casing 150, and a portion of the second solar panel 106 hangs freely in a second interior volume defined by the casing 150.

[0214] In use, a first portion 1521 of the front wall 152 extends over a portion of the first edge of the first solar panel 106, a second portion 1522 of the front wall 152 extends over a portion of the second edge of the first solar panel 106, a third portion 1523 of the front wall 152 extends over a portion of the first edge of the second solar panel 108, and a fourth portion 1524 of the front wall 152 extends over a portion of the second edge of the second solar panel 108. These first, second, third and fourth portions of the front wall 152 limit movement of the first and second edges of each of the first and second solar panels. In this way, these portions of the front wall 152 act in a similar manner to guide members of the slats.

[0215] In use, a fifth portion 1525 of the front wall 152 extends over a portion of the third edge of the first solar panel 106, and a sixth portion 1526 of the front wall 152 extends over a portion of the third edge of the second solar panel 108. These fifth and sixth portions of the front wall 152 limit movement of the solar panels along their widths.

[0216] The casing 150 comprises four drainage holes 156, 157, 158, 159. The drainage holes are located in the base 151 of the casing 150. In this embodiment, the drainage holes 156, 157, 158, 159 are apertures having substantially circular cross-sections.

[0217] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the solar blind 100 in a rolled position. In this position, at least some of the slats and the first solar panel 106 and the second solar panel 108 are rolled around the roller 110. The solar blind may be capable of moving beyond the rolled position of FIG. 7 to a rolled position in which all of the slats are rolled around the roller 110. This may be referred to as a fully rolled position.

[0218] The solar blind 100 is provided to a user as a kit of parts for assembling into the solar blind 100. The kit of parts comprises the individual slats, including the first slat 102 and the second slat 104, the first solar panel 106 and the second solar panel 108, each solar panel having an adhesive strip located across its width on its back face for coupling each solar panel to the first slat 102, the roller 110 with an integrated motor, the first, second and third guides comprising the first, second and third guide members, the casing 150, and the base unit 170 with the wiper 180 already connected.

[0219] After receiving the kit of parts, a user may assemble the solar blind 100 by following these ordered steps: [0220] A. Couple the slats to each other, the roller 110, and the casing 150; [0221] B. Locate the third edge of the first solar panel 106 and the third edge of the second solar panel 108 in the first and second interior volumes defined by the casing 150; [0222] C. Adhere the first solar panel 106 and the second solar panel 108 to the first slat 102, such that the solar panels extend over the first slat 102 and over the second slat 104; [0223] D. Attach the guide members to their corresponding slats, ensuring that any wiring for the solar panel is electrically connected to the solar panel and that, where possible, the wiring is accommodated by the spaces defined by the guide members.

[0224] Other methods of assembly are possible. For example, step C may be performed before step B.

[0225] FIGS. 8A and 8B show perspective views of guide members having alternative structures to those shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B in respect of the first embodiment of the invention. The guide members of FIGS. 8A and 8B are therefore intended for use in a solar blind according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0226] In FIG. 8A a first guide member 800 is shown. The first guide member 800 is for use on a second slat, such as the second slat 124 described above in respect of the first embodiment of the invention. The first guide member 800 comprises a first wall 802 and a second wall 804. The second wall 804 extends substantially perpendicularly from the first wall 802. The first guide member 800 therefore has a substantially L-shaped cross-section.

[0227] The second wall 804 of the first guide member 800 in FIG. 8A has a substantially convex outer surface 804A. This contrasts with the second wall 304 of the guide member shown in FIG. 3A, which has a substantially flat outer surface. Similarly, the second guide member 801 shown in FIG. 8B is substantially the same as the second guide member of FIG. 3B. However, the second guide member 801 shown in FIG. 8B comprises a second wall 854 and a third wall 856, each of which has a substantially convex outer surface 854A, 856A. This contrasts with the second and third walls 354, 356 of the guide member shown in FIG. 3A, which has a substantially flat outer surface. Such curved outer surface of the guide members shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B may advantageously allow the slats of the solar blind to be more tightly wound around the roller when the solar blind is in a rolled position.