GB2494174A - A solar powered fitting with solar panel outside building and electrical device inside building. - Google Patents

Abstract

A solar powered fitting (1) comprises a housing (2) having a cylindrical body portion (2b), with a head end (2a) and a tail end (2c) of the housing arranged at opposite ends of the body portion. The head end of the housing extends wider in a radial direction compared to the body portion such that the housing has a substantially T-shaped profile when viewed in longitudinal cross-section. The head end of the housing is provided with a solar panel (3) whilst the body portion houses an electricity storage device (42). The tail end is configured to power an electrical device using electricity generated by the solar panel. The electrical device may be a lamp (41) or an electrical power socket (12,13) or indeed both. The fitting can be arranged in use through a wall or roof of a building (20), such that the solar panel is on the outside of the building and the lamp or the power socket is on the inside of the building.

Description

Solar Powered Fitting The present invention relates to a solar powered fitting. More particularly, the invention concerns a fitting having a lamp or an electrical power socket powered by a solar panel, the fitting being arranged in use through a wall or roof of a building, such that the solar panel is on the outside of the building and the lamp or the power socket is on the inside of the building.

While solar powered torches and chargers are known and come in many forms, the present invention is particularly concerned with providing a solution for areas where there has been a natural or man-made disaster and where people need to be housed in emergency or temporary accommodation. In such situations, access to electrical power, for lighting or for communicating, is usually not possible.

It is desirable to provide basic light and power within such emergency housing or temporary accommodation to help meet basic humanitarian needs.

Improvements are sought that offer a more unified or generic solution for such emergency and temporary accommodation that can be mass-produced. Although the present invention has been developed for that primary purpose, it has wider application and may be used to provide light and power to other environments such as garden sheds and garages, or to provide lighting for communal areas.

According to a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a solar powered fitting comprising a housing having a cylindrical body portion, a head end and a tail end of the housing arranged at opposite ends of the body portion, the head end of the housing extending wider in a radial direction compared to the body portion such that the housing has a substantially T-shaped profile when viewed in longitudinal cross-section, wherein: the head end of the housing is provided with a solar panel; the body portion houses an electricity storage device to store electricity; and the tail end is configured to power an electrical device using electricity generated by the solar panel.

The T-shaped profile of the fitting enables it to be slotted into a hole provided in a wall or ceiling of a building, for example a wall or ceiling of a building as described in International (PCT) patent application No. PCT10B20111051549.

The hole may be preformed or cut easily using basic tools, More preferably the fitting is configured to be mounted in a wall of a building such that the head end of the housing is exposed to external illumination and the tail extends into an internal space on an opposite side of the wall. The tail end of the fitting can be filled with a lamp to provide basic lighting within the building or an electrical socket to charge an electronic device, or indeed both. If desired the fitting could be slotted instead into a bracket, e.g., to provide more general, communal lighting.

Preferably the head end is disc shaped, and thus the solar powered fitting can be seen to take on a form resembling a large drawing pin. However, it is of course possible to make the head end a different shape, for example, oval, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, or other polygonal form, etc., so long as it performs a function of providing a surface for mounting the solar panel on or in and provides a stop for locating the fitting within a wall or roof of a building, preferably with the head end abutting the surface of the wall or roof in a sealing manner (e.g., through the provision of 0-ring seals) so as to provide a weather-tight installation. The solar panel (or panels) can be any form of solar powered electricity generating device and is preferably in the form of a single, rectangular, panel arranged perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the filling. However arrangements are also envisaged where the panel or panels have a different outline shape, for example, circular or hexagonal, where the panel or panels perhaps have a conical or spherical form, or where the panel (or panels) is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the fitting so as to be angled more towards the sun. The panel (or panels) preferably comprises a plurality of cells, for example, a plurality of rectangular cells arranged as an array within the footprint of the panel. It is preferably provided as a pad that fits within a recess of a moulding that forms the head end of the housing.

Preferably the fitting is provided with a mechanism to clamp it within the wall or roof of a building. The clamping mechanism may then draw the head end of the filling into abutment with the external surface of the wall or roof. In preferred embodiments, the body portion comprises an external thread, preferably extending the length of the body portion. The fitting may then include a locking ring that has an internal thread which screws onto the external thread of the body portion. In this way the locking ring can be screwed up tight against the internal surface of the wall or roof, thereby drawing the head end of the filling against the external surface of the wall or roof to clamp the fitting in place, in a manner analogous to a nut and bolt, The locking ring preferably includes lugs or grip members that are sized for ease of tightening by hand rather than needing specialised tools. Other clamping mechanisms are also envisaged that could provide a similar clamping effect.

Preferably the clamping mechanism allows the locking ring or other such device to be clamped at a position anywhere along the body portion.

Preferably the body portion is sized so that it is of a length that can extend through a wall of a building and the clamping mechanism attached. The fittHng has been developed for use in walls of temporary or emergency accommodation where the walls are a single leaf and in particular are in the form of blocks containing insulation and/or ballast or other material. Preferably the body portion is of a length greater than 60 mm to accommodate this thickness of wall material, more preferably it is greater than 75 mm, still more preferably greater than 90 mm and most preferably of a length equal to or greater than 100 mm. In some preferred embodiments the length of the body portion is greater than 120mm and could be considerably longer. For example, it could be 200 mm or more, even 300 mm or more for extending through a roof space or a cavity wall. In one embodiment the body portion is supplied longer and cut down to length on site. Thus generally the body portion is longer than a radial distance to a periphery of the head end, in some cases much longer. In the building described in PCT/GB2O1 1/051 549 that the fitting is intended for, the ceiling, which comprises a roof panel, is generally of thinner construction than the wall. The extra length of the body portion, however, does not create a problem for using the fitting in this roof location too.

Preferably the body portion houses three electricity storage devices as this arrangement can be accommodated within the cylindrical form of the body portion easily, arranged around the longitudinal axis. However arrangements are envisaged where there are more than three, e.g., four, five, six, or more such storage devices, as well as less than three, e.g., a single one of large diameter aligned with the longitudinal axis. Preferably these electricity storage devices are in the form of rechargeable batteries, e.g., Ni-metal hydride batteries or similar. The electricity storage devices allow the solar-powered fitting to store electricity generated during the day and to use this power to illuminate a lamp or power another electrical component for at least a few hours during the night. The electricity storage devices may be held together as a pack of such devices within a sub-assembly that also comprises an electronic circuit board and electrical connections for coupling the devices to the solar panel. Withdrawing the sub-assembly from within the body portion allows the electricity storage devices to be replaced as and when necessary.

Preferably the tail end of the fitting is provided with a lamp, in particular a lamp comprising an array of LEDs. This may be a conventional low voltage lamp, e.g., having a GU10 or two pin fitting, or it may utilise an alternative connection system such as a lighter socket. In another embodiment the tail end of the fitting may be provided with an electrical socket for powering another electrical device.

While the socket could be integral with the fitting, preferably it is provided by a removable adapter that fits within or substantially within the body portion at the tail end of the housing and connects to terminals provided within the housing to receive electrical energy that has been generated by the solar panel. The adapter may have an external form corresponding substantially to the shape of a lamp so that the adapter can be interchanged with the lamp according to needs. The fitting may include a collar which fits onto the tail end of the housing to retain the lamp or adapter in position within the body portion, and it preferably includes ribs for tightening it by hand.

The electrical socket could be a USB socket, a phone charging socket, a lighter socket or other standardised socket (male or female) comprising DC contacts, where the low voltages may be sufficient to operate or at least charge an electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a radio. The tail end may be provided with more than one electrical socket, for example, two types of USB socket. In a preferred embodiment the solar panel is a 2.5W solar panel or similar. The amount of power generated by such a solar panel would be particularly suited to USB power sockets. Thus, preferably, the at least one electrical power socket comprises a USB socket and/or a mini USB socket.

The fitting also preferably includes a switch device, e.g., to turn the lamp on and off. This avoids the need to install any wiring that is external to the fitting within the building. Any suitable switch device may be used. In one embodiment the switch device is configured to be activated by pressing the tail end of the housing, e.g., the collar may have a member extending within the body portion of the housing to activate a switch mounted on the sub-assembly holding the electricity storage device(s). In another the switch device is configured to be activated through the detection of motion in proximity to, but not in contact with, the housing.

For example, when used as a ceiling lamp the fitting may be set to switch the lamp on and off when an occupant of the building waves their hand within a pre-set zone close to a sensor of the lamp. The switch device may use infra-red radiation to detect the motion. In another arrangement, the switch device may be activated by a remote controller. In other arrangements the fitting may be provided with a pull-cord or rocker switch.

The invention also provides a building, for example, the temporary or emergency buildings already mentioned, a garden shed, a garage, a beach hut, a stable or other such building, comprising a solar powered fitting as described above, which is installed in a wall or roof thereof. The invention is particularly suited to the buildings as described in PCT/0B2011/051549, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Thus, preferably, the building in which the solar-powered fitting is installed is a prefabricated building, preferably constructed of blocks that are stacked together to form one or more of the walls of the building.

The blocks may be filled with insulation material and/or ballast or other material.

Other blocks within the building may be adapted to provide a reservoir for storing harvested rainwater. The roof may be formed of one or more roof panels and be fitted with further solar-powered fittings as described above.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a solar powered fitting according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the underneath of the solar powered fitting of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the solar powered fitting of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of an adapter for the solar powered fitting of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows the underneath of the solar powered fitting of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a top view of the solar powered fitting of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a side view of the outside of a prefabricated building fitted with a solar powered fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a side view of the inside of the prefabricated building of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the underneath of a solar powered fitting of a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 shows the underneath of a further embodiment of a solar powered fitting; Figure 11 is a partial cutaway side view of the solar powered fitting of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the solar powered fitting of Figure 10; and Figure 13 is an exploded view of the components of the solar powered fitting of Figure 10.

A solar powered fitting 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1-3, 5 and 6. This comprises a housing 2 having a head end 2a, a cylindrical body portion 2b and a tail end 2c. The head end 2a has a 2.5W solar panel 3 fitted on the top side thereof and a nylon handle 4 detachable via pin 5 and slot 6. A neoprene 0-ring 15 (see Figure 3) is located under the head end 2a. The cylindrical body portion 2b has an external thread 9, and extends from the centre of the head end 2a such that together the cylindrical body portion 2b and head end 2a form a "T shape".

It should be noted that all references to the orientation of the parts, e.g., "top side", "under", "underneath", "side", etc., are all in the context of the arrangements illustrated in Figures 1 and 10. In use, the fitting may extend through a wall rather than a ceiling, or may be mounted in some other way where it is positioned in a different orientation to that shown in the figures.

An adapter 11 is fitted in a tail end of the housing, i.e. in an end of the cylindrical body portion 2b (seen in Figure 2). In this illustrated embodiment, the adapter has electrical power sockets, however in an alternative embodiment the adapter can comprise a lamp. The illustrated adapter has a face plate 14 with USB socket 12 and mini USB socket 13 disposed therein. A collar 10 is screwed onto the bottom of the cylindrical body portion 2b and holds the socket adapter 11 in place. The cylindrical body portion 2b contains batteries (not shown in Figure 2) for storing power generated by the solar panel 3, a circuit board and other electronics/wiring to provide DC power to the sockets 12, 13 in the socket adapter 11.

A locking ring 7 having an internal thread (not visible in Figure 2) is fitted around the cylindrical body portion 2b such that it can be screwed up and down on the thread 9. The locking ring 7 has lugs 8 by which the locking ring 7 can be gripped.

The adapter 11 is illustrated in Figure 4. This comprises a face plate 14 within which the USB socket 12 and mini USB socket 13 are disposed and a housing 17 containing electronics for the sockets and wiring to connect the sockets to the batteries storing the solar power.

The solar powered fitting 1 is installed in a building by removing collar 10 and unscrewing locking ring 7 from the cylindrical body portion 2b. The cylindrical body portion 2b is then inserted through a pre-made hole in a building (e.g. in the wall of a building) such that the head end 2a with solar panel 3 is located on the outside, and the cylindrical body portion 2b extends through the hole to a tail end 2c on the inside. The locking ring 7 is then screwed on the external thread 9 of the cylindrical body portion 2b and tightened against the inside of the wall such that the wall is clamped between the head end 2a on the outside and the locking ring 7 on the inside, thus holding the fitting 1 in place. The 0-ring 15 provides a seal between the head end 2a and the wall.

In use, the solar panel 3 on the outside of the building will generate power which is stored in the batteries contained in cylindrical body portion 2b. When it is desired to utilise the power, a device, such as a mobile phone, radio, iPodTM, iPadTM etc can be plugged into the USB socket 12 or mini USB socket 13 on the inside of the building.

A solar powered fitting 1 installed in a prefabricated building 20 is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. The head end 2a of the fitting I having solar panel 3 can be seen in Figure 7, whilst the tail end 2c having face plate 14 with sockets 12, 13 can be seen in Figure 8. In other embodiments it may be desirable to dispense with the handle 4 and pins 5.

Since the solar powered fitting 1 can easily be attached to and removed from a wall, it has the advantage of being portable. Thus, if it is desired to provide a power supply at another location within or outside the building, the fitting 1 can be removed and moved to the new location. It can be carried and hung up if desired by handle 4.

In a further embodiment of the invention, an alternative adapter 31 is provided having all the same features as the adapter 11, but additionally comprising LEDs 18 as illustrated in Figure 9. These LED5 18 are powered by the batteries storing the solar power. Thus, the solar powered fitting 30 of this embodiment provides both electrical power and light. The LEDs 18 are switched on and off by a switch device (e.g., see switch 45 in Figure 13 which is activated by depression of a switch barrel 59 relative to the body portion 2b through pressing collar 10). Other switching devices are also possible, for example, rocker or toggle switches, motion activated switches with sensors provided in the tail end 2c, pull cord switching devices, etc. A further embodiment of a solar powered fitting is shown in Figures 10 to 13.

The features are the same as the embodiment of Figure 1 unless indicated otherwise.

The underneath of the solar powered fitting 40 is illustrated in Figure 10, with the cylindrical body portion 2b removed. A power pack 42 is permanently fixed to the underside of the head end 2a. The power pack 42 has a power output 47 from which electricity can be passed to an electrical device. A side view of the solar powered fitting 40 is shown in Figure 11, with the cylindrical body portion 2b partially cut away. The power pack 42 comprises electricity storage devices in the form of rechargeable batteries which can be replaced by removing plate 43. These features of a power pack are also applicable to the other described embodiments.

However, in this embodiment, the adapter does not comprise electrical sockets, but instead is an adapter comprising an LED bulb unit 41. A lead 44 connects the power output 47 to the LED bulb unit 41. An on/off switch 45 is provided for turning the power to the bulb unit 41 on and off. The switch is activated via switch barrel 59 by pushing the LED bulb unit. The features of the embodiment are also shown in the partial cutaway perspective view of Figure 12.

Figure 13 illustrates the embodiment of Figures 10 to 13 in exploded view.

The features described above can be seen, together with head end casing 61, head end base plate 62 and solar panel connector 51 for connecting the output of the solar panel 3 to the power pack 42. Also shown are the electronic circuit board of the power pack 42, batteries 54 and fixing screws 52 by which the power pack 42 is connected to the head end 2a. Further fixing screws 55 are provided to connect the battery replacement plate 43 to the power pack 42. The cylindrical body portion 2b is shown, with the battery pack location 56, lamp barrel location 57 and switch barrel location 58 indicated therein. A foam rubber pressure pad 60 is also shown, which transmits force exerted on the bulb unit 41 to the switch barrel 59, in order to turn the lamp(s) on and off. The cylindrical body portion 2b is connected to the head end base plate 62 through screwing it into a threaded internal collar 62a.

Adhesive can be used to prevent the parts coming undone. The lamp may also be provided with a diffuser, for example, a domed cover of frosted glass which is provided with a radial flange for that can be retained beneath the collar 10.

In another embodiment, that is not illustrated, the switch device 45 is activated by a sensor provided in the body portion 2b at the tail end 2c, under the collar 10 at the tail end 2c of the housing, or projecting from the underside of the head end 2a through a second hole provided in the wall or roof rriaterial. For example, a window may be provided in the component, or the component, e.g., the collar 10, may be made of a transparent or translucent material so that a signal from a remote controller or similar device can be detected by the sensor arranged underneath. The sensor is preferably arranged to respond to an infra red signal beamed from the remote controller, causing it to switch the lamp on or off. In another embodiment the sensor is a movement detecting sensor and responds to movement close to the fitting, for example, an occupant waving their hand below the sensor.

The housing is preferably formed by injection moulding using any suitable plastics material including fillers as appropriate. In one example the housing is moulded from glass reinforced plastics. The fitting can be moulded in a range of colours.

Thus the present invention can be seen to provide, at least in the preferred embodiments, a solar-powered fitting that can be in the form a lamp or power supply. These can be fitted in the roof or wall of a building and may provide up to 6-8 hours of continuous lighting from one day of solar charge. Each lamp may be operated independently by an infrared remote control or other switch device, avoiding the need for internal wiring in the building. The solar-powered fitting can also be used for many other retrofit applications, such as for use in caravans, mobile homes, boats, canopies, and even for use in car park lighting. -10-

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. A solar powered fitting comprising a housing having a cylindrical body portion, a head end and a tail end of the housing arranged at opposite ends of the body portion, the head end of the housing extending wider in a radial direction compared to the body portion such that the housing has a substantially T-shaped profile when viewed in longitudinal cross-section, wherein: the head end of the housing is provided with a solar panel; the body portion houses an electricity storage device to store electricity; and the tail end is configured to power an electrical device using electricity generated by the solar panel.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fitting is configured to be mounted in a wall or roof of a building such that the head end of the housing is exposed to external illumination and the tail end extends into an internal space on an opposite side of the wall.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A fitting as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the head end is disc shaped, preferably oval, square, pentagonal, hexagonal or polygonal shaped.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the solar panel of the head end is arranged perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fitting.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the solar panel projects beyond a circumferential surface of the body portion.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion comprises an external thread, the external thread preferably extending the full length of the body portion.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A fitting as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fitting includes a locking ring that is provided with an internal thread which screws onto the external thread of the body portion, the locking ring preferably including lugs or grips by which a hand can grip the locking ring.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion is of a length greater than 60mm, more preferably greater than 75mm, still more preferably greater than 90 mm and most preferably of a length equal to or greater than 100 mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the length of the body portion is greater than 50% of the width of the head end.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion is fitted to the head end of the housing by screwing into an internal collar provided within the head end.</claim-text> <claim-text>Ii. A fitting as claimed in any of claims ito 9, wherein the body portion of the housing is integrally formed with the head end.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion houses one or more electricity storage devices, preferably three or more.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tail end is provided with a lamp, in particular a lamp comprising an array of LEDs.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tail end is provided with an electrical socket for powering another electrical device.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A fitting as claimed in any claim 14, wherein the electrical socket is a socket providing DC power, preferably a USB socket.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A fitting as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the tail end is provided with more than one electrical socket, in particular two types of USB socket.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A fitting as claimed in any of claims 141o 16, wherein the one or more electrical socket is provided within an adapter that fits in or substantially within the body portion of the housing and connects to terminals provided within the housing to receive electrical energy generated by the solar panel. -12-</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A fitting as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the titling includes a collar which fits onto the tail end of the housing to retain the lamp or adapter in position within the body portion of the housing.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A fitting as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fitting includes a switch device to turn the lamp on and off.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A fitting as claimed in claim 19, wherein the switch device is configured to be activated by pressing the tail end of the housing.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A fitting as claimed in claim 20, wherein the switch device is configured to be activated through the detection of motion in proximity to, but not in contact with, the housing.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A fitting as claimed in claim 21 wherein the switch device uses infra-red radiation to detect the motion.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A fitting as claimed in claim 19, wherein the switch device is activated by a remote controller.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. A fitting as claimed in claim 19, wherein the switch device is activated by pulling on a pull-cord.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. A building having a fitting as claimed in any preceding claim provided in a wall thereof, with the head end of the housing exposed to external illumination and the tail end extending into an internal space on an opposite side of the wall.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. A building having a fitting as claimed in any preceding claim provided in a roof thereof, with the head end of the housing exposed to external illumination and the tail end extending into an internal space on an internal side of the roof.</claim-text>