Photovoltaically Active Laminate

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a photovoltaically active laminate that includes a cover film, a photovoltaic active solar cell film, and a fiber composite support layer. The cover film defines a top surface of the laminate and is transparent to incident light radiation. The photovoltaic active solar cell film includes a support film and a coating of a photovoltaically active material applied to the support film. The cover film has a thickness in a range up to 1 mm. The solar cell film has a thickness in a range between 0.06 mm and 2 mm. The support layer has a thickness in a range between 0.8 mm and 3 mm.

Claims

1.-14. (canceled)

15. A photovoltaic active laminate for directly attaching to a non-planar surface, comprising: a cover film defining a top surface of the laminate, the cover film being transparent to incident light radiation; a photovoltaic active solar cell film comprising a support film and a coating of a photovoltaic active material applied to the support film; a fiber composite support layer; and an adhesive disposed on the support layer and covered by a removable protective film, the adhesive configured to adhere the laminate to the non-planar surface, wherein the cover film has a thickness in a range up to 1 mm, the solar cell film has a thickness in a range between 0.06 mm and 2 mm, and the support layer has a thickness in a range between 0.8 mm and 3 mm.

16. The photovoltaic active laminate according to claim 15, wherein the cover film comprises polyurethane, styrene-acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, or polyamide.

17. The photovoltaic active laminate according to claim 15, wherein the support layer comprises glass-fiber-reinforced or carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics material.

18. The photovoltaic active laminate according to claim 15, wherein the cover film is disposed directly on the solar cell film, and the solar cell film is disposed directly on the support layer.

19. The photovoltaic active laminate according to claim 15, further comprising: one or more intermediate films disposed between the cover film and the support layer.

20. The photovoltaic active laminate according to claim 19, wherein the one or more intermediate films are disposed between the solar cell film and the support layer.

21. The photovoltaic active laminate according to claim 19, wherein the one or more intermediate films include a first intermediate film disposed between the cover film and the solar cell film and a second intermediate film disposed between the solar cell film and the support layer.

22. The photovoltaic active laminate according to claim 19, wherein the one or more intermediate films are comprised of a same material as the cover film.

23. The photovoltaic active laminate according to claim 19, wherein the one or more intermediate films comprise polyvinyl butyral.

24. The photovoltaic active laminate according to claim 19, wherein the one or more intermediate films each have a thickness in a range between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

25. The photovoltaic active laminate according to claim 15, wherein the adhesive comprises an adhesive film.

26. A motor vehicle comprising: one or more outer surfaces; a photovoltaic active laminate disposed on the one or more outer surfaces, wherein the photovoltaic active laminate comprises: a cover film defining a top surface of the laminate, the cover film being transparent to incident light radiation, a photovoltaic active solar cell film comprising a support film and a coating of a photovoltaic active material applied to the support film, and a fiber composite support layer, wherein the cover film has a thickness in a range up to 1 mm, the solar cell film has a thickness in a range between 0.06 mm and 2 mm, and the support layer has a thickness in a range between 0.8 mm and 3 mm.

27. The motor vehicle according to claim 26, wherein the laminate is adhered to the one or more outer surfaces by an adhesive film.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram, in section, through a laminate according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram, in section, through a laminate according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram, in section, through a laminate according to a third embodiment of the invention, and

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a laminate 1 according to an embodiment of the invention in the form of a schematic diagram. According to the embodiment, laminate 1 can include a cover film 2, for example made of PU, PC, SAN, or PA. The cover film 2 is transparent, but can also be colored. In any case, it is transparent to incident light radiation, so that light can pass through the cover film 2 with as little attenuation as possible. Instead of the types of film mentioned, another amorphous plastics material can also be used, as long as it is sufficiently stable and sufficiently transparent, but is nevertheless flexible.

[0027] According to the embodiment, cover film 2 is applied to a solar cell film 3 which has a thickness of at least 0.06 mm, preferably a thickness of approximately 0.3-0.5 mm. It can be a polyimide film to which a photovoltaically active material, for example cadmium telluride, is applied in an extremely thin coating. However, other photoactive materials or support films are also conceivable. In any case, this solar cell film is also extremely thin and flexible.

[0028] According to the embodiment, solar cell film 3, in turn, is applied to a support layer 4 made of glass fiber or carbon fiber reinforced composite material, this support layer also being extremely thin and flexible. It has a thickness of approx. 0.8-3 mm. Overall, this creates an extremely thin laminate structure that is extremely light and flexible, so that it can be attached to different geometric objects, for example to the outer shell of a motor vehicle body, despite their curvatures, etc.

[0029] For easier installation, it is conceivable to provide the laminate 1 with an adhesive 5 that is applied to the support layer 4, although this is optional and therefore does not necessarily have to be done at the factory, which is why this adhesive 5 in FIG. 1 is only shown in dashed lines. The adhesive 5 can, for example, be a direct application of adhesive, which is covered with a removable protective film, for example silicone paper, but it can also be a double-sided adhesive film, which is also covered with such a protective film. The laminate according to an embodiment of the invention can easily be glued to the desired surface via this adhesive 5.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a laminate 1 according to another embodiment of the invention, again comprising a cover film 2 of the type described above. A solar cell film of the prescribed type, on which the cover film 2 is applied, is also provided.

[0031] In contrast to the configuration according to FIG. 1, the solar cell film is applied to an intermediate film 6, which is also extremely thin; it preferably has a thickness of 0.1-1 mm. It is preferably a PVB film, but this intermediate film can also be the same plastics material as the cover film 2. This intermediate film serves to shield the solar cell film 3 from the support layer 4, i.e., the intermediate film 6 is applied to the support layer 4, which has already been described above for FIG. 1.

[0032] In this case, too, an adhesive 5 can optionally be applied to the support layer 4.

[0033] FIG. 3 also shows a laminate 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, which likewise has a cover film 2 of the type described above. In contrast to the configuration according to FIG. 2, however, this is applied to a second intermediate film 7, which can preferably be a PVB film with a thickness of 0.1-1 mm, but it can also include consist of the same plastics material as the cover film 2. This second intermediate film 7 is applied to the solar cell film 3 of the type described above, so it serves as a protective film for the same toward the cover film 2.

[0034] The solar cell film 3 is in turn, similar to FIG. 2, applied to a first intermediate film 6, preferably again a PVB film, or designed corresponding to the second intermediate film 7, which in turn is applied to the support layer 4. In this case, too, the overall result is an extremely thin laminate structure which is still sufficiently flexible, since all the films or layers used are extremely thin and, in turn, flexible.

[0035] The application of an adhesive 5 is optionally also shown in this case in dashed lines.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a motor vehicle 9 according to an embodiment of the invention, which is either a purely electric vehicle, which is therefore only operated electrically, or a hybrid vehicle. As shown, the outer surface of the motor vehicle 9 is covered over a large area in a plurality of places with a laminate 1 according to embodiments of the invention. For example, the laminate 1 can be glued onto the front hood or bonnet 10, it can also be glued onto the roof 11 or the trunk lid or tailgate 12 over a large area. The fastening at these positions is advantageous as there is a very good incidence of light during the day.

[0037] Additionally or alternatively, the arrangement of the laminate can also take place on the doors 13, 14.

[0038] The laminate or laminates 1, which can also be referred to as solar cell laminates or flexible solar cell modules, are preferably coupled directly to the high-voltage circuit via which the motor vehicle 9 can be electrically operated or driven, i.e., the “solar power” generated by them can be fed directly into this high-voltage circuit so that the range of electrically powered vehicles can be increased. It is also conceivable to store this “solar power” in a corresponding energy storage device or to buffer it and use it if necessary.