GB2611834A

GB2611834A - Solar-blind

Info

Publication number: GB2611834A
Application number: GB2203441.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hook Daniel; Oluwole Abiodun Olumuyiwa
Original assignee: Eden Lotus Ltd
Current assignee: Eden Lotus Ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-11
Filing date: 2022-03-11
Publication date: 2023-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2042-03-11
Also published as: GB2611834B; GB202203441D0

Abstract

The solar blind comprises a drum and a support material 10 deployable from a retracted condition on the drum on a polyganol drum 50. A series of solar panels are provided along the length of the support material, the panels extending transversely relative to the first direction. There is a non-uniform spacing between the solar panels in the series, such that the solar panels stack in a radial direction when wound onto the drum in the retracted condition.

Description

Solar-blind The present disclosure relates to a solar-blind, particularly retractable solar-blinds that are to be wrapped around a drum when in a retracted position.

Introduction

Developments in the field of photovoltaics have improved operating efficiency and resulted in photovoltaic panels that are more cost-effective to manufacture. As a result, integration of solar-panels into appliances is becoming increasingly common as it removes the requirement for an external power source, whilst also being environmentally friendly. However, photovoltaics are typically made from silica wafers and therefore are brittle and are not ideal for integrating in many small or flexible appliances.

There has also been increasing demand for window treatments with integrated photovoltaics that can cover a window when ambient light from outside is not needed and convert inbound light into electricity, which can be stored for later use. However, maintaining both the functionality and aesthetic of the window treatment for such devices is challenging. One particular problem is how to store a window treatment comprising photovoltaics in a retracted condition.

One prior art example is CN212002960 which discloses a roller-shutter with integral solar-panels. The shutter comprises a plurality of elongated slats, made from a rigid material wherein the front face comprises a solar panel. In the retracted condition, the slats wind around a drum. In order to facilitate storage, both the slats and solar panels have to be curved increasing the difficulty and cost of manufacture.

Thus, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a solar blind that overcomes or mitigates one or more of the problems addressed above.

Summary of invention

According to one aspect of the invention there is a solar blind comprising, a drum, a support material being selectively unfurlable from the drum in a first direction, the support material comprising a series of connectors spaced apart in the first direction for attachment of solar panels thereto, wherein the support material comprises a series of solar panels extending transversely relative to the first direction, each solar panel being connected to a respective connector such that the solar panels in the series are spaced in the first direction; wherein the solar panels are removably connected to the connectors.

The solar panels may stack in the radial direction without actively stretching the support material in the first direction.

According to another aspect of the invention there is a solar-blind comprising, a drum, a support material being selectively deployable from a retracted condition on the drum, wherein the support material is wound around the drum in the retracted condition and a length of the support material is deployable therefrom in a first direction, wherein the support material comprises a series of solar panels along its length, the panels extending transversely relative to the first direction, characterized in that there is a non-uniform spacing between the solar panels in the series when deployed, such that the solar panels stack in a radial direction on the drum in the retracted condition.

The solar panels may be provided at a predetermined spacing on the support material, said spacing being different between successive panels in the series.

The spacing may vary/increase, e.g. incrementally, in the first direction.

The support material may be inelastic or substantially inelastic. The support material may comprise a textile, such as webbing.

A plurality of discrete stacks (e.g. not overlapping) may be formed on the drum. 5 The stacks may be angularly spaced about the axis of rotation of the drum.

The support material is selectively deployable such that at least a length of the support material is unfurled from the drum. Similarly, the support material is selectively retractable wherein at least a length of the support material is furled onto the drum.

The support material extends in a first direction between two opposing sides defined to be first and second sides of the support material, e.g. the opposing ends of the support material. The length of the support material is therefore the distance between the first and second sides (i.e. the total length). 'A length' of the support material is defined to be any portion of the support material that extends along the length in the first direction. For example, a length of a support material may be defined as a portion that extends from the second side to an arbitrary distance along the length in the first direction. Similarly a length of support material may be defined as the total length of the support material (i.e. between the first and second sides) where the support material has been fully deployed (i.e. completely unfurled) or fully retracted (i.e. completely furled).

Not all of the support material must be furled onto the drum to define the retracted condition (for example when the support material is longer in length than the window it is to cover). The retracted condition may be defined to be when a length of previously selectively deployed support material has been retracted such as to furl back onto the drum.

The support material has a width that is substantially perpendicular to the length and can be said to extend in a second direction. The width of the support material may extend between two opposing sides which may define a third and forth side.

The first, second, third and fourth sides may collectively define an area of the support material. Where the support material has four edges, the area may be substantially quadrilateral in shape, for example the support material may be square or rectangular shaped. Alternatively, the area may be shaped to a desired aesthetic.

The support material comprises a series of solar panels arranged along it's length. Each solar panels is spaced apart in the first dimension by a predetermined amount. The spacings separating the solar panels are non-uniform. The spacings may increase in size along the length (i.e. the first dimension) such that each subsequent spacing may be greater than the previous spacing. The spacing may increase by a linear or exponential amount. After a predetermined amount of spacings, the spacing distance may reduce to a smaller size and may there after start increasing again such as to give the appearance of a repeating sequence.

The solar panels are arranged to stack substantially one on top of the other when furled on the drum such as to define one or more columns. In the preferred embodiment there are five columns of solar panels on the drum when furled however it should be appreciated that the number may be different in other embodiments. For example, there may be anywhere between two and eight columns. The number of columns may substantially be configured to correspond to the shape (or number of sides) of the drum. For example, where the drum is substantially pentagonal in shape, the support material may be arranged to form a column on each side of the pentagon (i.e. five columns). Similarly, a hexagonal drum may correspond to six columns of solar panels. It also should be understood that the number of sides of the drum may not correspond to the number of photovoltaic columns, for example the support material may be arranged to form only three columns on a hexagonal shaped drum.

Retracting the support material causes a length to furl around the drum. As the support material furls, it wraps over itself such as to define layers. Each subsequent layer on to the drum may comprise at least one solar panels that is stacked on top of a solar panels of a previous layer (thereby forming or adding to a column).

In a preferred embodiment where the support material spacing between the solar panels subsequently increases for each solar panel that is laid/furled onto the drum, the distance between two adjacent solar panels in a given outer layer is greater than the spacing between two given solar panels in a previously laid layer.

This increased spacing of the support material allows the solar panels of the layers to stack substantially one on top of the other.

When a length of the support material has been deployed from the drum, it may cover or at least partially cover an opening in a building/structure such as a door, window etc. Both furling and unfurling involves actuating the drum to rotate. Rotating the drum in a given or predetermined direction (for example clockwise with respect to a first side view) may cause a length of the support material to unfurl and be selectively deployed such as to cover a window, door etc. Rotating the drum in the opposite direction (for example counter-clockwise with respect to a first side view) causes a length of the support material to retract and 20 furl back onto the drum The support material may not be actively tensioned in order to furl a length on to the drum. The support material does not need to be stretched in order to achieve the stacked condition of the panels. As a result the support material is not prone to tearing and the photovoltaics do not 'slip' when furled. Furthermore, as the support material is not actively tensioned, there is no need to provide a tensioning bar or biasing members to manage the support material. This reduces both the cost and complexity of the solar blind, making it cheaper and easier to both manufacture and install.

The solar panels may extend across substantially the whole width of the support material, for example from substantially the third edge to the fourth edge. The panels may be elongate in appearance such that the panel width 0.e. the dimension in the second direction) is substantially greater than its height (i.e. the dimension in the first direction).

The solar panels may be comprised of a plurality of solar cells. The solar cells of a given solar panels may be connected end-on-end such that one cell connects directly to another such that they are substantially fixed together. The cells may comprise a connector that engages with the connector of an adjacent cell. The connector may function as both a physical and electrical connector such that it holds two adjacent cells in fixed alignment (i.e. being relatively fixed to each other). Alternatively, the solar cells may comprise a separate physical connector configured to hold the cells in fixed alignment as well as a separate electrical connector configured to electrically connect the cells together.

The connector may comprise electrical pins, such that a given solar cell comprises a female connector configured to receive the male electrical pins of an adjacent solar cell. Optionally, each solar cell may comprise both female and male connectors.

The solar cells may be removable, e.g. such that a given solar cell of a solar panels can be selectively removed and/or replaced (such as to be cleaned, repaired or swapped for another solar cell). The individual solar panels may be removably mechanically and/or electrically connected to the support material.

The support material may comprise electrical conductors for electrically connecting the solar panels. The electrical conductor may comprise one or more wire, e.g. embedded in the support material. Electrical conductors typically extend between every solar panel in the solar blind so as to form an electrical circuit.

The solar panels may be arranged electrically in parallel. The solar cells of a given solar panel may be arranged electrically in parallel. Alternatively, the solar panels and/or solar cells may be arranged electrically in series.

The solar cells may comprise an elongated panel portion that forms a substrate for attaching one or more photovoltaics thereto. The panel portions may comprise one or more mating members that allow the solar panels to stack. The mating members may be configured to locate and/or engage with a separator (explained in detail further below), where the separator comprises complementary shaped mating members that allow a plurality of separators to stack.

The mating member of a given solar panel may comprise one or more protrusions that are configured to engage with a recess of an adjacent solar panels. The mating members form guides that ensure that the support material stacks in a space efficient manner when furling onto the drum. The recess may be complementary shaped to the protrusion. Preferably the protrusions are located on the first major face of the panel and the recesses are located on the second major face of the panel. The first and second major faces may be the back and front surfaces of the panel respectively.

Preferably, each mating member comprises two recesses and two projections. The protrusions and recesses may each comprise shoulder portions which may prevent the solar panels from slipping laterally or rotationally when stacked. The mating members (i.e. the recesses and protrusions thereof) may comprise a plurality of shoulder portions. Each shoulder portion is configured to stop a solar panels slipping in a specific direction. For example where a mating member comprises two shoulder portions, a first shoulder may be configured to stop a solar panels from slipping in a first lateral or rotational direction, whereas a second shoulder portion may be configured to stop a solar panels slipping in a second lateral or rotational direction.

The mating members may be located proximal to the elongated edges of the solar panels. The solar panel may comprise a mating member in the mid-point of the 30 panel. There may be mating members in between each adjacent solar cell of a given solar panel.

The support material may comprise separators that are suitable for locating and/or engaging to the solar panels. The separators may be U-shaped such as to comprise a front, back and side wall. A solar cell of a solar panels may locate within the of the separator. The separator may comprise mating members that are configured to engage with a solar panels (i.e. a solar cell thereof) and/or an adjacent separator such as to allow stacking. For example, the separator may comprise one or more protrusions on the back wall that extend away from the separator and are suitable for locating into the mating members (i.e. the recesses thereof) of an adjacent solar cell or separator. The one or more protrusions on the back wall of the separator may form recesses that are configured to receive the protruding mating members on the back of a solar panels (i.e. a solar cell thereof). Similarly, the front wall of the separator may comprise one or more mating members in the form of apertures or recesses that are capable of engaging with the protruding mating member of an adjacently stacked solar panels (i.e. a solar cell thereof) or an adjacent separator. Where the mating members are apertures, the protruding mating members of the adjacent solar panels (i.e. solar cell thereof) or an adjacent separator extend through the apertures and locate into the recessed mating members of the solar panels (i.e. solar cell thereof).

The solar-blind may be able to generate more than 10 watts of power. More preferably, more than 50 watts of power, even more preferably more than 100 watts of power, more preferably still more than 500 watts of power.

The drum may comprises at least three sides/faces disposed about its axis of rotation. The drum may be substantially pentagonal in shape such as to comprise five distinct sides. Each side may be configured such that it is suitable for receiving a solar panels or column of solar panels when furled onto the drum. For example, each side may be greater in length than the length of the solar panels. The corners separating two adjacent sides may be rounded, e.g. such as to assist the furling/retracting process. Alternatively, the drum may have a different number of sides such as to be triangular, quadrilateral, hexagonal in shape. Alternatively the drum may be substantially cylindrical in shape.

The drum may comprise one or more mating members configured to mate with a corresponding mating member located on a solar panels or separator.

The drum may comprise a receptacle for storing items. One or more batteries may be stored in the receptacle, capable of storing electricity generated by the photovoltaics. The battery may be capable of storing several kilowatt hours of power. Preferably at least 0.1kVVh, 0.5kVVh, 1kWh or 2kWh.

The solar blind may comprise electrical connectors such as to connect to an external battery such as to provide an overflow when the battery of the drum is fully charged.

The end of the drum may comprise removable caps such as to close the receptacle, sealing in the contents (i.e. the battery).

The solar blind may also comprise a power inverter to convert generated electricity to alternating current. The invertor may be located in the receptacle of the drum.

The support material forms a frame for which the solar panels are located. The support material is preferably flexible in nature. This may be achieved by using a flexible material such as fabric/textile, or a plurality of rigid materials such as plastic slats that are hinged together. As the support material is not actively tensioned, there is not a requirement for the support material to be elastic, although it should be appreciated that where the sheet is made from a flexible material such as fabric there may be some inherent minimal level of elasticity.

The support material may comprise a substrate for embedding the solar panels thereto. The substrate may be a sheet that extends substantially in both the first and second directions.

The substrate may comprise one or more elongate elements that extend in the first direction, for example strips or string.

The support material may comprise one or more support members for supporting and/or attaching the solar panels or the solar cells thereof. The support members may form pockets that comprise a receptacle for which the photovoltaics are inserted. The pockets may extend substantially over the width of the support material in the second direction. Alternatively there may be a plurality of pockets extending in the second direction for a given solar panels, such as to form a row of pockets. The pockets may comprise an opening such as a window to allow light to reach the solar panels. The windows may comprise a screen such as to protect the solar panels (for example the solar cells thereof) from scratches.

The pockets may be formed from elongated strips of material that extend in the second direction and are connected to the substrate of the support material (i.e. the sheet thereof) along one or two edges of the elongated strips of material.

Alternatively, the support members may comprise one or more loops of material that are attached to the substrate such as to form eyes. Alternatively or additionally, the support members may comprise clips, magnets or rigid holders that form an interference fit with the solar panels (e.g. the solar cells thereof).

The pockets may each comprise an opening for insertion/removal of the solar panel. The pockets may open in this regard in the second/lateral direction with respect to the support material.

The solar blind may comprise a protective frame member that is to be substantially positioned in the opening of a building structure. The frame member may have a window portion made of a transparent material such as plastic or glass, permitting light to reach the photovoltaics.

The solar blind may comprise one or more channels that extend substantially in the first direction such as to guide a length of the support material as it unfurls from the drum. Preferably there are two channels approximately the width on the support material apart. The channels may be affixed or integrally formed into the frame member.

The solar blind may comprise panels that are interchangeable with the solar cells of the solar panels. The panels may comprise light elements and be suitable for displaying graphics such as advertisements.

The solar blind may comprise a housing for locating the drum and also optionally the battery therein. The housing may comprise an opening configured to allow the support material to extend and retract in the first direction. The housing may comprise a guide member for aiding the support material to furl and unfurl from the drum. The guide member may be a lip. The lip may be resilient and/or biased into contact with the drum and/or support material furled onto the drum. When the support material is fully retracted such that it is fully located in the housing and has passed over the lip, the support material may be somewhat 'snail cam' shaped on the drum. As the drum continues to rotate in the furling direction, the lip is continuously biased onto the support material. As the bottom edge of the support material revolves past the lip, the lip 'drop's' such as to come into contact with the previous layer of the support material. This helps maintain the support material being furled to the drum when retracting. When rotating in the unfurling direction such as to selectively deploy the support material, the lip ensures that the bottom edge of the support material exits via the opening, since it is biased into contact with the previous layer of the support material and therefore will not allow the support material to stay furled. This further prevents jamming of the solar blind.

Any of the optional or essential features defined in relation to any one aspect of the invention above may be applied to any further aspect, wherever practicable.

Those optional feature combinations have not been explicitly repeated only for conciseness.

Workable embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below, by 30 way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a support material. Figure 2 shows a front view of a solar cell.

Figure 3 shows a front view of a plurality of solar cells being inserted into the support material.

Figure 4 shows several views of a separator.

Figure 5 shows the support material furled on a drum.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of solar blind in retracted configuration Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the solar blind in the deployed configuration.

Figure 8 shows a front view of the solar blind.

Detailed description

Figure 1 shows the front view of a support material 10 used in a solar blind 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention suitable for using as part of a solar blind in a window treatment.

The solar blind 100 comprises a support material 10 in the form of a flexible sheet of fabric. The support material 10 extends in a first direction L1 defining its length. The support material supports a series of photovoltaic solar panels 11 along it's length that extends in a second direction L2 along the width of the support material 10. Adjacent solar panels 11 are separated by spacings S comprised of support material in the first direction L1 and can be seen in figure 1 to increase in size from top to bottom along the first direction Li such that the spacing S (or gap) between two adjacent solar panels 11 along the bottom of the support material 10 is greater than that of two solar panels 11 located along the top.

The primary purpose of the support material 10 is to support solar panels 11 and allow them to be manoeuvred such that they can be selectively deployed or retracted from a drum when desired. As such it should be understood the support material 10 is required to be flexible. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by using a fabric material for the support material 10 although it could be achieved via alternative means. For example in alternative embodiments, the support material 10 may instead be comprised of one or more straps or strings extending in the first direction Li, or a plurality of straps extending in both the first L1 and second direction L2 such as to form a woven web or lattice, or a rigid structures that are connected that act as a flexible joint (for example a ball and socket joint).

Each of the solar panels 11 are comprised from a plurality of solar cells 20 that are connected together. Figure 2 shows the solar cell 20 of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The photovoltaic portion 21 of the cell is affixed to a panel member 22. The photovoltaic portion 21 is comprised and manufactured by methods and materials that will be known to the skilled person. The panel member 22 comprises connectors that join adjacent solar cells. As shown in figure 2, each of the solar cells comprises both male 23 and female 24 connectors allowing solar cells to be attached together. The connectors provides both an electrical and physical connection. Once a plurality of solar cells 20 are connected such as to form a solar panel 11, they are relatively fixed to one another.

The panel members 22 of each solar cell 20 comprises mating members 25 that are configured to engage with complementary shaped mating members 25 of a stacked solar cell 20 or separator (see below). The solar cell may comprise mating members on the front face that correspond to the mating members on the back face. For example, the mating members 25 shown on the front face of the solar cell of figure 2 are recesses that are configured to be engageable with the protrusions located on the separator 40 (see below) or the protrusions on the back face of an adjacent solar cell 20.

Figure 3 shows a plurality of solar cells 20 being arranged within the support material 10 such as to create a series of solar panels 11. For conciseness, only the bottom three solar panels 11 are shown. As shown in figure 3, the bottom solar panel 11 is being constructed from a plurality of solar cells 20 being inserted into the support member 10 and joint via the connectors. The solar cells 20 are inserted into the support material 10 via an opening (not shown) along the edge of the support material 10 defining a pocket. In practice, the solar panels 11 can be constructed before inserting into the support material 10. The second and third solar panels 11 from the bottom edge of the support material shown in figure 3 have been fully inserted into the support material 10.

In order to allow the photovoltaics of the solar panels 11 to function, the support material 10 comprises a window 13 for each solar cell 20 of a given solar panel 11. In the embodiment shown in figure 3, each solar panel 11 is constructed from six solar cells 20 and therefore there are six corresponding windows 13. In other embodiments however the number of windows 13 may not correspond to the number of solar cells, for example there may be one elongated window 13 that is configured to allow light to reach all the photovoltaics of a given solar panel 11.

The pockets are formed by fabric strips that are stitched onto the support material 10. The windows 13 are formed by cutting out portions of the strips. The function of the pockets is to provide a means to releasably attach the solar panels 11 to the support material 10. Alternative means of attaching the solar panels 11 to the support material 10 can be used instead of pockets, for example clips or snap fittings on to a backing plate.

The solar cells 20 of a given solar panel 11 are interchangeable such that a solar cell 20 can be swapped out from a solar panel 11 in the event of cleaning, repairing or replacing.

Also shown in figure 3 are separators 40 located at opposing side edges of the support material 10. The separator 40 is shown in greater detail in figure 4 and comprises front 41 and back 42 walls that are separated by a side wall 43 such that the separator is substantially U-shaped. This allows the end of a solar panel 11 (i.e. a solar cell 20 thereof) to be received between the front 41 and back 42 walls of the separator 40.

As shown in figure 4, the separator 40 comprises a total of four mating members, two on the front wall 41 and two on the back wall 42. The mating members on the back wall 42 are protrusions 45 that protrude outwardly away from the separator 40. The front wall 41 comprises two apertures 46 that are suitable allowing the protruding mating members of an adjacent stacked separator 40 (located on the back wall 41 thereof) to pass therethrough. When a solar cell 20 of a given solar panel 11 is located in the separator 40 (i.e. between the front 41 and back 42 walls thereof), the mating member apertures 46 of the front wall 41 correspond to the mating member recesses located on the solar cell 20. This allows the protrusions 45 located on the back wall 42 of an adjacently stacked separator 40 to locate into the recesses of the solar cell 20. In alternative embodiments the apertures 46 of a separator 40 may be instead be protrusions that protrude inwardly of the separator 40 such as to locate into the recesses 25 of the solar cell, whilst providing recesses for the protrusions 45 of an adjacent separator 40 to locate into in the way described above.

The separator 40 further comprises a male connector 47 that is configured to locate into the end female connector 24 of a solar panel 11. The separator 40 may close the electrical circuit of the solar panel 11 such that power is routed towards an energy store (i.e. a battery) or an electrical appliance.

Figure 3 shows additional separators 47 located on the front surface of the supporting material at the mid-point of it's width. These separators 47 each comprise a single wall and have two mating members which are configured to engage with separators (not shown) on the back surface of the support material.

These mating members are similarly configured to the separators at the end edges of the support material, such as to allow separators to stack.

Although it isn't shown in figure 3, it should be appreciated that electrical wiring is extending through the support material 10. The solar panels 11 are arranged in parallel such that a faulty solar panel 11 is isolated. The solar cells 20 of a given solar panel 11 are arranged in series.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the support material 10 being furled around a drum 50. The drum 50 is substantially pentagonal in shape and comprises five distinct sides. The support material 10 is connected to the drum along it's top edge and then furled around the drum 50 until fully retracted. As the support material 10 furls, the separators 40 stack into columns extending radially from the drum 50. It should be appreciated that each separator 40 shown in figure corresponds to a solar panel 11 extending in the second direction. The first five separators shown in figure 5 from the top edge of the support material 10 each engage directly to the drum 50, in particularly the protruding mating members 45 of the separators 40 locate into complementary shaped recesses 51 located on the drums 50 surface. It is apparent that in order for the solar panels 11 to stack onto the drum 50, the length of each side of the drum 50 should be greater than the length of the solar panels 11.

As the support material 10 containing solar panels 11 furls around the drum 50, it forms a plurality of layers that locate over a previously furled solar panel 11 and it's corresponding separators 40, 47. The subsequent solar panels 11 that are furled are thereby stacked on to previously furled solar panels 11 via the mating members of the separators 40, 47. Specifically, the protruding mating member 45 engages with the recesses 25 located on the furled solar panel via the apertures 46 of the separator 40.

The distance between two adjacent solar panels 11 increases for each subsequent layer of the support material 10. The increased spacing S allows for the solar panels 11 to stack. The support material 10 is not required to be actively tensioned therefore mitigates the support material 10 from tearing. The solar blind is also less prone to jamming and slipping which would otherwise require user intervention.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the solar blind 100. The support material 10 is fully retracted such as to be completely furled around the drum 50. The support material 10 and drum 50 are located within a housing 60 which is fixed to a frame member 70. In this configuration, light is permitted to travel through a window 73 of the frame member 70 allowing light into a building. Figure 7 shows the support material 100 being fully deployed such as to block light in a window.

To move between a retracted to a deployed (or partially deployed) configuration, the drum 50 rotates with respect to the rest of the solar blind 100. Rotating in a first direction causes the support material 10 to deploy where as rotating in the opposite direction causes the support material 10 to retract. As shown by comparison of the enlarged regions of figure 7, the solar panels 11 are spaced further apart at the bottom of the support material than those at the top.

As shown in figure 6, the housing 60 comprises a guide member in the form of a lip 61 that aids the furling and unfurling process and prevents jamming. The lip 61 extends from the bottom of the housing 60 beyond the lowest region of the drum 50. The lip 61 extends substantially along the width of the housing 60. The housing 60 further comprises an opening 62 for the support material 10 to enter and exit the housing 60.

When the support material 10 is fully retracted, the bottom edge of the support material 10 passes over the lip 61 such that it is fully located in the housing 60. When the support material 10 is completely furled, the drum can be continuously rotated in the furling direction as the lip 61 is resiliently biased into contact with the support material 10. The drum 50 and support material 10 forms a snail cam wherein the solar panel 11 closest to the bottom edge of the support material 10 pushes against the bias of the lip for each revolution. The arrangement ensures that the bottom most solar panel 11 of the support material exits via the housing opening 62 when the drum is rotated in the unfurling direction.

The frame member 70 of the solar panel 10 comprises channels 71 at opposing sides such as to act as guides as the support material is deployed from the drum. As shown in figure 6, the housing opening 62 is aligned with the channel such that the support material 10 enters the channel 72 upon exiting the housing 60.

A front view of the solar blind is shown in figure 8 in the deployed configuration. The frame member 70 comprises four sides and a window 73 which is locatable within or close proximity to a window or door frame. The support material 10 is seen through the window 73 of the frame member 70 such as to allow light to reach the photovoltaics or enter a room when the support material 10 is retracted.

In a alternative embodiment the solar blind 100 may not comprise a frame member 70 and instead be comprised from a housing 60 which is fixed above a window, where the support material 10 is deployed in the same way as described above.

In operation the user selectively deploys the support material 10 from the drum 50 by using an actuation device such as a switch or a smart phone. Actuation causes the drum 50 to rotate in an unfurling direction which causes the support material 10 to be deployed from the housing such as to obstruct light to the desired amount of the user. The solar panels 11 are then exposed to sunlight and start to generate electricity. The electrical power is then stored in a battery located in the drum 50 or sent directly to the desired electrical appliances. When the user wants to retract the solar blind 100, the user operates the actuation device to cause the drum 50 to rotate in the furling direction.

Claims

Claims 1. A solar blind comprising, a drum, a support material being selectively deployable from a retracted condition on the drum, wherein the support material is wound around the drum in the retracted condition and a length of the support material is deployable therefrom in a first direction, wherein the support material comprises a series of solar panels along its length, the panels extending transversely relative to the first direction, characterized in that there is a non-uniform spacing between the solar panels in the series, such that the solar panels stack in a radial direction on the drum in the retracted condition.
2. A solar blind according to claim 1, wherein the spacing distance between adjacent solar panels increases along the first direction such that the distance separating each subsequent solar panel in the first direction is greater than the previous spacing.
3. A solar blind according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the solar panels are releasably detachable to the support material
4. A solar blind according to claim 3, wherein the support material comprises a plurality of pockets, each pocket being suitable for locating a solar panel therein.
5. A solar blind according to claim 4, wherein the pockets comprise one or more windows configured to allow light to reach the solar panels.
6. A solar blind according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support material comprises a plurality of separators, each configurable to engage with a solar panel and allow the solar panels to stack when wound on the drum.
7. A solar blind according to claims 6, wherein the separators comprise one or more mating members configurable to engage with complementary shaped mating members of an adjacently stacked separator.
8. A solar blind according to claim 7, wherein the one or more mating members on the front wall of a given separator are apertures or recesses that are configured to engage with protruding mating members located on an adjacently stacked separator.
9. A solar blind according to claim 8, wherein the solar panels comprise recessed mating members that are configured to receive the protruding mating members of an adjacently stacked separator, that protrude or locate into the apertures or recesses located on the front wall of a separator.
10. A solar blind according to claims 8-9, wherein the solar panels comprise one or more mating members that are engageable with the mating members of a separator.
11. A solar blind according to any of the previous claims, wherein the solar panels are comprised from two or more solar cells connected together.
12. A solar blind according to claim 11, wherein two adjacent solar cells are connected via male and female connectors.
13. A solar blind according to claim 12, wherein the male connectors are electrical pins that are locatable into female connectors of an adjacent solar cell.
14. A solar blind according to claims 12 or 13, wherein each solar cell comprises both male and female connectors at opposing ends of the solar cell, such that a plurality of solar cells can be connected to form a solar panel.
15. A solar blind according to any of claims 11-14, wherein the solar cells are substantially identical such that the solar cells of a solar panel are interchangeable.
16. A solar blind according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support material comprises a sheet of flexible fabric.
17. A solar blind according to any of the previous claims, wherein the drum comprises at least one side being suitable for locating a solar panel thereto, preferably the drum comprises five sides that a suitable for locating solar panels thereto such as to be substantially pentagonal in shape.
18. A solar blind according to claim 17 and any of claims 7-10, wherein the at least one side of the drum comprises mating members configured to be engageable with the mating members of a separator such as to allow a solar panel to engage wit the drum.
19. A solar blind according to any of the previous claims, wherein the solar blind comprises a housing, wherein the drum is locatable within the housing and rotatable with respect thereto.
20. A solar blind according to claim 19, wherein the housing comprises an opening, and wherein the support material is selectively deployable and retractable from the drum through the opening.
21. A solar blind according to claim 20, wherein the housing comprises a lip configured to ensure that the support material exits the housing via the opening when fully retracted on the drum in use.
22. A solar blind according to claim 21, wherein the lip is biased towards the drum such that the bottom edge of the support material can pass between the drum and the lip when the drum is rotating in a particular direction but not in the opposing direction.
23. A solar blind according to claims 21-22, further comprising a frame member suitable for locating in or in close proximity to a door or window frame in use, wherein the frame member comprises one or more channels suitable for locating at least a portion of a length of selectively deployed support material.
24. A method of using a solar blind, comprising the steps of: actuating a drum having a support material depending therefrom in a longitudinal direction of the support material, wherein the support material comprises a series of solar panels along its length, the panels extending transversely relative to the first direction; the drum being actuated to rotate in a predetermined direction such as to selectively deploy a length of the support material thereby obstructing light from passing through the opening, and actuating the drum to rotate in an opposite direction to the predetermined direction such as to retract and furl a length of support material onto the drum, characterized in that there is a non-uniform spacing between the solar panels in the series, such that the solar panels stack in a radial direction on the drum in the retracted condition.
25. A method of using a solar panel according to claim 24, wherein when a length of the support material has been selectively deployed, electrical power is generated via solar panels of the support material.