DEVICE FOR FORMING A CANOPY

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for forming a canopy over a region in the outdoors, comprising a flat element and a support assembly with supports, wherein the support assembly can be anchored to a ground surface of the region, and wherein the flat element supported by the support assembly functions to form an areal protective canopy over the region, wherein a section of the flat element extends along a ridge region of the protective canopy. According to the invention, a solar cell module is provided, which is connected to the flat element, such that, with light irradiation on the solar cell module, light energy can be converted into electrical energy, wherein a quick-closure mechanism comprising zip-closure mechanism with a zip-closure unit are provided, in order to detachably arrange a solar cell module on the flat element using the zip closure mechanism.

Claims

1. An agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables, for forming a canopy over an outdoor region, such as cultivation areas for arable crops or agricultural crops, or other commercially exploited areas, comprising a panel element and a supporting arrangement with supports, wherein the supporting arrangement can be anchored on a ground area of the region, and wherein the panel element which is supported by the supporting arrangement serves to form a flat protective canopy above the region, wherein a portion of the panel element extends along a ridge region of the protective canopy, wherein the supports which are spaced apart from one another extend in the vertical direction from below from the ground area as far as into the ridge region, wherein, in the ridge region, a ridge element, elongate transversely with respect to the vertical, of the supporting arrangement is present in the ridge region offset vertically with respect to the ground area, wherein a solar cell module is provided which is connected to the panel element, with the result that light energy can be converted into electrical energy in the case of the irradiation of light onto the solar cell module, wherein the solar cell module is present in a region of the agricultural canopy system which is adjacent with respect to the ridge element of the ridge region, wherein the panel element has a first panel element portion which is present adjacently with respect to the ridge element and extends in the longitudinal direction of the ridge element, wherein the panel element comprises a second panel element portion which is present adjacently with respect to the first panel element portion, on a side of the first panel element portion which faces away from the ridge element, wherein the solar cell module is present on an outer side of the first panel element portion, wherein the solar cell module is present adjacently with respect to the ridge element in a strip of the panel element which runs parallel to the ridge element, wherein the second panel element portion has a multiple width of the width of the first panel element portion, wherein the panel element can be rolled up and unrolled, for example, in a flexible manner, wherein quick action closure mechanisms are provided comprising a zipper mechanism with a zipper unit, in order to arrange a solar cell module on the panel element releasably by way of the zipper mechanism.

2. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 1, wherein a solar cell module is provided which is connected to the panel element, with the result that light energy can be converted into electrical energy in the case of the irradiation of light onto the solar cell module, wherein the solar cell module is present in a region of the agricultural canopy system which is adjacent with respect to the ridge element of the ridge region, wherein the panel element has a first panel element portion which is present adjacently with respect to the ridge element and extends in the longitudinal direction of the ridge element, wherein the panel element comprises a second panel element portion which is present adjacently with respect to the first panel element portion, on a side of the first panel element portion which faces away from the ridge element, wherein the solar cell module is present on an outer side of the first panel element portion, wherein the solar cell module is present adjacently with respect to the ridge element in a strip of the panel element which runs parallel to the ridge element, wherein the second panel element portion is a multiple width of the width of the first panel element portion, wherein the panel element can be rolled up and unrolled, for example, in a flexible manner, wherein quick action closure mechanisms are provided comprising a hook and loop fastener mechanism with a hook and loop fastener unit, in order to arrange a solar cell module on the panel element releasably by way of the hook and loop fastener mechanism.

3. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell module is of flexible configuration.

4. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell module is connected releasably to the panel element via an edge region of the solar cell module by means of the zipper mechanism.

5. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to

1., wherein a zipper unit has a slide and two elongate side parts which can be hooked releasably to one another, wherein there is one side part of the zipper unit on the solar module, and there is another side part of the associated zipper unit on the panel element.

6. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 1, wherein the zipper mechanism comprises two zipper units which each function independently of one another for a releasable arrangement of the solar cell module on the panel element.

7. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 6, wherein two zipper units are provided in such a way that a releasable arrangement of opposite edges of the solar cell module on the panel element is configured.

8. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 1, wherein a first zipper unit and a second zipper unit are provided with in each case two side parts and a slide, wherein there is one side part of the first zipper unit on the solar cell module along a first longitudinal edge of the solar cell module, and wherein there is one side part of the second zipper unit on the solar cell module along a second longitudinal edge of the solar cell module.

9. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 1, wherein the zipper mechanism comprises a first zipper unit and a second zipper unit with in each case two side parts, wherein there is one side part of the first zipper unit on the panel element, and wherein there is one side part of the second zipper unit on the panel element spaced apart from the side part of the first zipper unit.

10. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 1, wherein the panel element comprises an outer film and a support such as a net element which is present below the film.

11. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell module comprises a flexible carrier material, to which one side part of a zipper unit is attached.

12. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 1, wherein one side part of a zipper unit is present in a sewn-on state, such as on the panel element or on a carrier material of the solar cell module.

13. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell module comprises an electrical contact point, wherein the agricultural canopy system has a line portion which is fixed on a component of the agricultural canopy system and is provided for making electrical contact with the electrical contact point of the solar cell module.

14. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables which serves to form a canopy over an outdoor region, such as cultivation areas for arable crops or agricultural crops, or other commercially exploited areas, according to claim 1, wherein the device has a solar cell module which is connected to a retrofit panel element, and wherein the device is configured as a retrofit arrangement for attaching the device to the agricultural canopy system in such a way that the retrofit panel element can be attached subsequently to a panel element of the agricultural canopy system.

15. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 14, wherein the solar cell module is connected releasably and/or non-releasably to the retrofit panel element such as, for example, by adhesive bonding, plastic welding and/or sewing on.

16. The agricultural canopy system such as a canopy system for arable crops, fruit and/or vegetables according to claim 14, wherein the retrofit panel element can be connected releasably and/or non-releasably to the panel element of the canopy device such as, for example, by adhesive bonding, plastic welding and/or sewing on.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0144] Further features and advantages of the present invention are explained in greater detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are shown in a highly diagrammatic manner.

[0145] FIG. 1 shows a horizontal front view of a device for forming a canopy;

[0146] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view obliquely from above of a detail of a device for forming a canopy;

[0147] FIG. 3A shows an enlarged detail of a protective canopy of the device according to FIG. 2;

[0148] FIG. 3B shows a cross-section according to the section A-A in FIG. 3A through a detail of the protective canopy;

[0149] FIG. 3C shows a cross-section according to the section B-B in FIG. 3A through a detail of the protective canopy;

[0150] FIG. 4 shows, in the view according to FIG. 3A, a detail of a protective canopy of a device for forming a canopy which is an alternative to the device according to FIG. 2, wherein there is no solar cell module;

[0151] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of a solar cell module which is consistent with the detail according to FIG. 4;

[0152] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a device for forming a canopy with a protective canopy which is partially folded together, in a perspective view obliquely from above;

[0153] FIG. 7 shows a horizontal front view of a protective canopy which is spread out;

[0154] FIG. 8 shows the protective canopy according to FIG. 7 in a horizontal front view, in a state of a part of the protective canopy, in which it is folded together and held;

[0155] FIG. 9 shows a horizontal front view of a protective canopy, which is spread out, of a canopy device with a retrofit arrangement; and

[0156] FIG. 10 shows a horizontal front view of an arrangement of a protective canopy, which is spread out, of a canopy device with an alternative retrofit arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0157] FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for putting a canopy over an outdoor region 2 such as, for example, cultivation areas for arable crops or agricultural crops, or other commercially exploited areas, comprising a panel element 3 and a supporting arrangement 4 with supports 5. For example, the supports 5 are configured as scaffolding poles.

[0158] The supporting arrangement 4 is or can be anchored on a ground area 6 of the region 2. The panel element 3 which is supported by the supporting arrangement 4 serves to form a flat protective canopy 7 above the region 2. A panel element portion 3a of the panel element 3 extends along a ridge region 8 of the protective canopy 7. The ridge region 8 has, for example, a ridge element 8a, for example a tensioned ridge wire.

[0159] For example, the multiply ridge roof-shaped protective canopy 7 has a plurality of parallel ridge regions 8. For example, one edge portion of the panel element 3 extends along a respective ridge region 8. In the example which is shown, each ridge region 8 is configured at an angle with part regions which taper toward one another in a ridge roof-shaped design of the protective canopy 7.

[0160] In the case of one alternative design of the protective canopy which is not shown and is curved outward or bent upward, the ridge region is bent on both sides toward a highest part of the protective canopy.

[0161] In the case of the device 1, a plurality of ridge regions 8 are provided with in each case two solar cell modules 9.

[0162] A respective solar cell module 9 is connected to the panel element 3, with the result that, in the case of light irradiation onto the solar cell module 9, light energy can be converted into electrical energy.

[0163] For example, quick action closure mechanism 10 comprising zipper mechanism 11 with a zipper unit 12 are provided, in order to arrange a solar cell module 9 on the panel element 3 releasably by way of the zipper mechanism 11.

[0164] For example, quick action closure mechanism 10 comprising hook and loop fastener mechanism 13 with a hook and loop fastener unit 14 are provided, in order to arrange a solar cell module 9 on the panel element 3 releasably by way of the hook and loop fastener mechanism 13.

[0165] The zipper unit 12, for example, a first zipper unit 12a and a second zipper unit 12b, has a slide 15 and two elongate side parts 16, 17 which can be interlocked releasably with one another (see FIG. 3A).

[0166] The attachment of, for example, a side part 16 by sewing onto the panel element 3 is illustrated by FIGS. 3B and 3C.

[0167] On an upper longitudinal edge, facing the ridge element 8a, of the first panel element portion 3a which is configured as a film strip or the portion 3a of the panel element 3, for example, according to the section A-A in FIG. 3A, a side part 16 is fixed so as to lie at the top on a strip-shaped film 18 of the portion 3a. The side part 16 is sewn by way of a sewing thread 20 to the panel element portion 3a and to the film 18 and a net element 19 which is present below it. The sewing thread 20 connects the side part 16 of the zipper unit 12a, the film 18 of the portion 3a and the net element 19 in a manner which reaches through them (see FIG. 3B). A side part 17 which belongs to the zipper unit 12a is sewn or adhesively bonded to the associated solar cell module 9, for example.

[0168] On a lower longitudinal edge, facing away from the ridge element 8a, of the first panel element portion 3a, configured as a film strip, of the panel element 3, for example, according to the section B-B in FIG. 3A, a side part 16 is fixed. The side part 16 is present above the film 18 of the panel element portion 3a, and is sewn by way of a sewing thread 22 to a film 21 of the strip-shaped second panel element portion 3b and the lowermost net element 19 which is present throughout. The seam or stitched connection connects an edge of the upper film 18 to the lower film 21, wherein the edges of the films 18 and 21 overlap in the seam region. The sewing thread 22 connects the side part 16 of the zipper unit 12, the film 18 of the portion 3a, the film 21 of the panel element portion 3b and the net element 19 in a manner which reaches through them (see FIG. 3C). A side part 17 which belongs to the zipper unit 12b is sewn or adhesively bonded to the associated solar cell module 9, for example.

[0169] FIG. 6 shows a device 1 in perspective and in detail.

[0170] Over the length along a ridge element 8a, the device 1 has the panel element portion 3a with the solar cell module 9 present above it continuously over the entire length and on both sides of the ridge element 8a.

[0171] Over a part length of the remaining panel element, the panel element portion 3b and further strip-shaped panel element portions 3c, 3d and 3e form a region of the panel element 3 in a storage position according to FIG. 8 or front part in FIG. 6. In the storage position, the panel element portions 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e are held and folded together or laid together, and form a closed part of the protective canopy 7, for example, for winter storage. The closed part of the protective canopy 7 is reduced in volume and is situated in a held and protected manner below the panel element portion 3a with the solar cell module 9 (see FIG. 8, front part in FIG. 6).

[0172] Another part of the protective canopy 7, comprising the stretched-out panel element portion 3a with the solar cell module 9 and a region with the spread-out further panel element portions 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e, is open in order to form a canopy over the region 2. FIG. 7 shows film strips, free on one side, of the film element portions 3b-3e in a manner which is deflected upward toward the net element 19, for example, brought about by wind.

[0173] All of the parts of the illustrated protective canopy 7 have the flat spatially obliquely oriented solar cell modules 9 in operation for energy generation.

[0174] Holding mechanism 23 are present for holding the region of the panel element 3, comprising panel element portions 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e, in the storage position in a wrapped-around manner, in order to arrange this region of the panel element 3 in a temporarily protected manner in a non-covering arrangement. The regions with the panel element portions 3b-3e including part of the net element 19 in the storage position are folded together or rolled together upward in the direction of the ridge region 8, and are held below the panel element portion 3a which is connected to the solar cell module 9.

[0175] The holding mechanism 23 comprise, for example, a winter storage strap such as, for example, an elastic strap with end-side hook-in means such as a rigid hook. For example, in the non-used state according to FIG. 7, the holding mechanism 23 hang loosely downward. The holding mechanism 23 are fastened to and, for example, can be hooked into the support 5 and/or the ridge element 8a, for example.

[0176] According to FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, a hook and loop fastener unit 14 comprises two flat flexible hook and loop strips, comprising a first hook and loop strip 24 and a second hook and loop strip 25. The hook and loop strips 24 and 25 can be interlocked releasably with one another in a reversible manner.

[0177] For example, the first hook and loop strip 24 is provided with flexible loops, for example, a fleece tape. For example, the second hook and loop strip 25 has small flexible barbs, for example, a hook strip.

[0178] For example, on the first panel element portion 3a according to FIG. 4, for example, on the film 18, an upper first hook and loop strip 24 and a lower first hook and loop strip 24 are, for example, sewn on, stitched, adhesively bonded, welded or attached in one piece to the panel element in a manner which is offset in parallel.

[0179] In relation to the hook and loop strips 24 on the panel element portion 3a, at a corresponding spacing on a lower side 9a of the solar cell module 9 according to FIG. 5, for example, on a lower-side carrier material, an upper second hook and loop strip 25 and a lower second hook and loop strip 25 are, for example, sewn on, stitched, adhesively bonded, welded or attached in one piece on the lower side 9a in a manner which is offset in parallel.

[0180] The solar cell module 9 can therefore be reversibly applied releasably to the lower side 9a in a manner which is oriented toward the upper side of the panel element portion 3a or presses on the film 18, and is held in a fixed manner. Each hook and loop strip 24 comes into interlocking pressing contact with an associated hook and loop strip 25.

[0181] FIG. 9 greatly diagrammatically shows a canopy device 26 for forming a canopy over an outdoor region with four identical devices 27 which are configured as a retrofit arrangement. Accordingly, the canopy device 26 which is erected, for example, as an existing canopy device has a panel element 28 and a supporting arrangement 29 with supports 30. The panel element 28 which is supported by the supporting arrangement 29 forms a protective canopy. The panel element 28 forms four part regions of the protective canopy which are each oriented obliquely.

[0182] The devices 27 each have a retrofit panel element 31 with a solar cell module 32. The devices are each present on both sides along two ridge regions of the protective canopy.

[0183] The respective solar cell module is fastened, for example, releasably to the retrofit panel element 31, for example, by way of zipper and/or hook and loop fastener mechanism.

[0184] The retrofit panel element 31 is attached, for example, retrospectively to the protective canopy or the panel elements 28, for example, in a manner which is clamped fixedly, for example, by way of plaques 33.

[0185] The arrangement according to FIG. 10 differs from the arrangement according to FIG. 9 solely in that two rows of solar cell modules 32 which are present on both sides of a ridge line of a ridge region are attached to a common retrofit panel element 34, for example, by way of zipper and/or hook and loop fastener mechanisms.

[0186] The retrofit panel element 34 which is in each case of continuous configuration on the two illustrated ridge regions covers in each case the associated ridge line.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0187] 1 Device [0188] 2 Region [0189] 3 Panel element [0190] 3a-3e Panel element portion [0191] 4 Supporting arrangement [0192] 5 Support [0193] 6 Ground area [0194] 7 Protective canopy [0195] 8 Ridge region [0196] 8a Ridge element [0197] 9 Solar cell module [0198] 9a Lower side [0199] 10 Quick action closure mechanism [0200] 11 Zipper mechanism [0201] 12 Zipper unit [0202] 12a, 12b Zipper unit [0203] 13 Hook and loop fastener mechanism [0204] 14 Hook and loop fastener unit [0205] 15 Slide [0206] 16 Side part [0207] 17 Side part [0208] 18 Film [0209] 19 Net element [0210] 20 Sewing thread [0211] 21 Film [0212] 22 Sewing thread [0213] 23 Holding mechanism [0214] 24 Hook and loop strip [0215] 25 Hook and loop strip [0216] 26 Canopy device [0217] 27 Device [0218] 28 Panel element [0219] 29 Supporting arrangement [0220] 30 Support [0221] 31 Retrofit panel element [0222] 32 Solar cell module [0223] 33 Plaque [0224] 34 Retrofit panel element