SOLAR BATTERY POWERED AWNING

Abstract

A solar battery powered awning system is provided having a controller operative to monitor battery power and to shut off power to lights and/or other accessories when the battery power falls below a reference level, such that the battery has sufficient energy to operate the motor and close the awning. A visual and/or audible indication can be provided to alert users that battery power is getting low.

Claims

1. A solar battery powered awning system comprising: a housing containing an awning rolled about an awning roller; a drive assembly having a motor coupled to the awning roller for driving the roller to open and close the awning; a plurality of lights associated with the awning and positioned to illuminate an area beneath the awning; a battery source coupled to the drive assembly for powering the motor; one or more solar panels associated with the housing and operative to charge the battery source; and a controller coupled to the battery source and to the plurality of lights and operative to power the plurality of lights and operative to monitor battery power and disconnect battery power to the plurality of lights when battery power is below a reference level and reconnect battery power to the plurality of lights when battery power is at or above the reference level.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the housing is mounted on a stand for support of the system on a mounting surface.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a microcontroller and comparator circuitry for comparing battery power to a reference level and providing an output signal in response to the comparison.

4. The system of claim 1 including a wireless remote control device for control of system operation.

5. The system of claim 1 including controls associated with the housing for control of system operation.

6. The system of claim 1 including an audible and/or visible alert indicator to denote a low battery condition.

7. The system of claim 1 including at least one USB port associated with the housing and coupled to the battery source for charging portable electronic devices.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the controller is also operative to disconnect battery power to the at least one USB port when battery power is below a reference level and to reconnect battery power to the at least one USB port when battery power is at or above the reference level.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the battery source includes one or more batteries and a battery charger coupled to the one or more batteries.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The invention will be further understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the awning system in an open position;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the awning system in a closed position; and

[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control system for the awning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The awning system is shown in open position in FIG. 1 and in closed position in FIG. 2. The system includes a housing 10 supported on legs 12 of a stand 14. A roller or drive assembly 16 is beneath the housing 10 and to which one end of each of two awning fabrics 18 is attached. The outer end of each awning fabric is affixed to a respective front bar 19 which is connected to a folding mechanism 20. A motor (not shown) is contained within one end of the drive roller and is operative to rotate the roller for furling and unfurling the awning fabric. One awning section furls about the top of the roller and the other awning fabric furls about the bottom of the roller. The awning assembly for retracting and opening the awning fabric and for supporting the awning at a suitable height can be of various constructions and is per se known. A preferred awning assembly is known commercially as the SunSetter Oasis Awning, sold by the Assignee of the present invention.

[0013] One or more solar panels 22 are supported on an upper surface of housing 10. In the illustrated embodiment a solar panel is shown on one side of the housing. Solar panels may be provided on both ends of the housing or along the entire housing length or spaced therealong to provide intended power output. The solar panels are electrically connected to a battery charger which in turn is coupled to the one or more batteries of a battery power source.

[0014] An array of LED lights 24 are provided beneath the awning for illumination of the area below the awning, as shown in FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the LED lights are disposed within tubes which are supported on a top rail of the stand. It will be appreciated that the lights may be variously positioned to provide intended illumination intensity and pattern. The lights are connected to the battery source via a controller.

[0015] One or more USB or other charging ports can be provided on the awning system in any convenient position. In FIG. 1, two ports 70 are shown on an enclosure 72 mounted to the stand.

[0016] A block diagram of the system is shown in FIG. 3. The one or more solar panels 22 are connected to a battery charger 42 which typically is an integrated circuit (IC) charger which in turn is connected to a battery source 44 having one or more batteries to provide an intended DC voltage. Typically battery voltage is 12-16 volts DC. The battery source 44 is connected to electrical motor 46 and to controller 48. The controller is connected to the LED or other light array 24, and to the one or more USB ports 70.

[0017] The controller 48 is typically a microcontroller which is operative to monitor battery voltage and to compare the monitored voltage with a reference voltage level. If the monitored voltage falls below the reference level, the controller disconnects power to the LED array 24 and to ports 70 thereby to conserve battery power. When the battery is recharged from the solar panels or from a subsidiary charging source, and the battery voltage is then at or above the reference level, the controller 48 resumes provision of power to LED array 24 and to charging ports 70.

[0018] The controller is typically implemented by one or more integrated circuits mounted on a printed circuit board, and the driver circuitry for the LEDs is also typically implemented as one or more integrated circuits mounted on a circuit board. The circuit boards and associated battery pack are contained within an electrical box 60 mountable in any convenient location in the awning housing 10 or on the structure. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the electrical box 60 is shown mounted at one end of the awning structure. The electrical components including the solar panels, LED array, motor, controller and battery pack are interconnected by suitable wiring and electrical connectors in any manner well known in the art. The electrical box may be positioned in other locations to suit particular operational or esthetic wishes. Alternatively, the battery may be contained in a separate housing for convenient access for battery replacement.

[0019] The awning system may be used for example as a convenient gathering site for persons who would benefit from an area having sun protection during sunny days, and built in lighting for use at night or cloudy days. The system can also include charging ports for phones, tablets and other such devices. Such a site would be particularly attractive for student groups at university and college campuses as a place to gather for study and conversation, or in hotel or resort grounds as a meeting place.

[0020] It will be appreciated that the invention may be embodied in a variety of awning, umbrella and other similar retractable structures. Therefore the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described except as indicated in the appended claims.