WO2017052482A1

WO2017052482A1 - A new curtain and sun shade enabling energy production

Info

Publication number: WO2017052482A1
Application number: PCT/TR2016/000129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ahmet Fuat YALCIN
Original assignee: Yalcin Ahmet Fuat
Priority date: 2015-09-22
Filing date: 2016-09-22
Publication date: 2017-03-30

Abstract

The invention relates to a curtain or sun shade design enabling energy production and contains all sorts of cover used basically in houses, offices or indoor or outdoor areas. These covers may be of textile, plastic, vinyl, non-woven, wood or composite materials. Thus, all curtains or sun shades will be referred as "curtain", however, it should be remembered that it contains all. Design of the photovoltaic cell-containing curtain of the invention is produced basically from plastic, wood, metal, textile or composite materials, and it is designed for curtains used as vertical strips, horizontally, vertically- and horizontally-folded or wound into each other.

Description

A NEW CURTAIN AND SUN SHADE ENABLING ENERGY PRODUCTION

Field of Invention

This invention relates to a new curtain or sun shade enabling energy production. The invention also relates to an engineering design which enables energy production by being used in photovoltaic cells in vertically or horizontally-used curtains or sun shades which are made of particularly fabric, plastic, non-woven, wood and composite-based materials. Thanks to the effective design of the manufacture materials in the engineering design of said curtain or sun shade, the manufacture method and the physical design of the curtain or sun shade, it is possible to manufacture a curtain and sun shade which is much more productive, economical, easy-to-use and easy-to-assemble and also practical compared to the prior art.

Technical Field

In our day, there are a variety of curtains used for receiving light from outside such as a window and door particularly in houses and offices in a controlled way and for closing the view of the indoor space when desired. Textile-based curtains used for a long time are still used for their decorative properties. However, there also exist curtains wound as a roll and generally used horizontally along with curtains having vertically or horizontally striped curtains which are accepted to be more modem. Such curtains are mostly produced from plastic based PVC, fabric, wood or composite materials. Vertical curtains are generally gathered on one side and horizontal curtains are gathered up. Or vertical and horizontal curtain can be rotated around its own axis, allowing the distance therebetween to vary. Curtains which are generally used horizontally and gathered up as a roll can also be used by levelling up and down. Such curtains are for enabling controlled sunlight to a place having the curtain in front or for completely opening and closing a window (or a place where a curtain is used). Some sections of such curtains are controlled manually, and mode of operation of some sections is rendered more automated by using electrical engine.

It has been seen in the prior art that there are ideas for using photovoltaic technologies in curtains used vertically and horizontally. A patent related thereto is a Great Britain patent numbered GB2455753. In this patent, photovoltaic panel is used in a curtain which is used horizontally and opened and closed by being wound as a roll and type of its control is mentioned. Although there is an information explaining the use of photovoltaic panels in said patent curtains, no information regarding overcoming practical difficulty of using photovoltaic panels in curtains encountered in the prior art, efficiency, technique of manufacture etc. are not encountered. Thus, said patent is merely regarded as an idea related to the use of photovoltaic panels in curtains.

Another study seen in the prior art is an international patent application numbered WO2014/094081. In this application, placement of photovoltaic cells to inner sections and different sections of a curtain, transformation of light coming from an external source (sunlight) into energy and transmission thereof into a light source formed with diverse figures within inner section of the curtain are mentioned. Although this study explains use of a photovoltaic system on a curtain, detail design information is not stated such as how the curtain and the photovoltaic cells are combined.

Another study seen in the prior art is an international patent application numbered WO2006/040514. In this application, placement of photovoltaic cells into curtain slat in a conventional curtain which consists of horizontal slats and can be leveled up and down is mentioned. Although this application mentions introduction of photovoltaic cell onto a curtain as an idea, there exists no detailed information relating to technical superiorities and design of the introduction. Another study similar to this patent is U.S. patent numbered US8678069. There is relatively much information. However, these details are not related to manufacture or technology of curtain, but to construction of placement into a window.

Object and Description of Invention

An object of the invention is to obtain an engineering design manufactured by lamination with photovoltaic cells along with layers produced from different materials enabling use of photovoltaic cell in curtains and sun shades which can be used vertically or horizontally, which approach towards each other vertically or horizontally or which are used by being wound or folded. Strength and energy production capability of said curtain and sub shade produced with said photovoltaic cells to external conditions with said engineering design are higher and these can be produced serially and hence, it contains a feature of flexibility for use in different places with lower production costs.

One advantage of the photovoltaic cell-containing curtain of the invention is the minimization of damages of the photovoltaic cells which result from external impacts and may be formed due to the use thereof thanks to a cell protective upper layer, a cell protective lower layer in the curtain strip and their combination with lamination technique at appropriate pressure and temperatures. Another advantage of the photovoltaic cell-containing curtain of the invention is the provision of the production of flexible, everlasting and more preferable curtains in terms of aesthetics with use of aluminum based materials, wood based materials, fiberglass based materials and textile based materials along with plastic based materials in the lamination technique used.

Another advantage of the photovoltaic cell-containing curtain of the invention is the ability of the photovoltaic cells to connect with each other serially and in parallel with cables and conductive materials. With such connection flexibility, decorative and flexible designs can be obtained and energy efficiency can be increased without compromising technological superiority.

Another advantage of the photovoltaic cell-containing curtain of the invention is the ability to be applied on not only vertical striped curtains, but also horizontal striped curtains and even curtains which can be folded with a roll and fabric curtains.

The figures will be utilized for better understanding of the assembly of the invention.

Description of Drawing Figure-1 A representative image of a model with even and complete strip width and photovoltaic cell width of the curtain of the invention.

Figure-2 A representative image of a spaced model with a strip width larger than photovoltaic cell width of the curtain of the invention. Figure-3 A representative image of a spaced model and a model with horizontal photovoltaic cells with a strip width larger than photovoltaic cell width of the curtain of the invention.

Figure-4 A representative image of a spaced model and a model with vertical photovoltaic cells with a strip width larger than photovoltaic cell width of the curtain of the invention. Figure-5 A representative projection image of a model of the curtain of the invention as applied to a window of which strip moves are made with thread and pulley.

Figure-6 A representative perspective image of a model of the curtain of the invention as applied to a window of which strip moves are made with a thread and a pulley.

Figure-7 A representative projection image of a model of the curtain of the invention as applied to a window of which strip moves are made with an engine.

Figure-8 A representative image exhibiting layer details of the first version constituting production layers of the curtain of the invention.

Figure-9 A representative image exhibiting layer details of the second version constituting production layers of the curtain of the invention.

Figure-10 A representative image exhibiting layer details of the third version constituting production layers of the curtain of the invention.

Figure 11- Exhibition of conceptual production scheme of the production method of the curtain of the invention with lamination technique.

Reference Numerals of Pieces and Parts Aiding in Explanation of the Invention

1- Curtain

2- Strip

3- Photovoltaic cell

4- Strip hole

5- Strip space

6- Upper mechanism

7- Rotation thread

8- Movement thread

9- Rotation electrical engine

10- Collecting electrical engine

1 1- Strip protective lower layer

12- Cell protective layer

13- Strip protective upper layer 14- Printed circuit board

15- Reinforced plastic

16- Epoxy resin

17- Aluminum based layer

18- PET-polyethylene

19- Metal based layer

20- Wood based layer

21- Polymer based layer

22- TPE-Tedlar - Polyethylene

23-TPT-Tedlar-Polyester-Tedlar

24-TPO-Membrane

Detailed Description of Invention The invention relates to a curtain or sun shade design enabling energy production and contains all sorts of cover used basically in houses, offices or indoor or outdoor areas. These covers may be of textile, plastic, vinyl, non-woven, wood or composite materials. Thus, all curtains or sun shades will be referred as "curtain", however, it should be remembered that it contains all. Design of the photovoltaic cell-containing curtain of the invention is produced basically from plastic, wood, metal, textile or composite materials, and it is designed for curtains used as vertical strips, horizontally, vertically- and horizontally-folded or wound into each other. However, it should not be forgotten that it contains all sorts of sun shades including sub shades or curtains used for example to cover the front or the top of a window of a store and to cover the front or the top of a gymnasium or swimming pool. In said design, the curtain materials with the photovoltaic cells are produced with lamination technique as different from the prior art. The photovoltaic cell-containing curtain will be explained based on vertical striped curtain as will be mentioned below. However, it may be applied for also horizontal striped curtains, rolled curtains or curtains used by winding by maintaining the basic technology and/or know-how.

There may be different types of placement of the photovoltaic cells on the curtain in the photovoltaic cell-containing curtain of the invention. Hence, there are design difference in the vertical striped curtain in Figure-1 , Figure-2, Figure-3 and Figure-4. These differences are related to dimension of the photovoltaic cell and the curtain. Apart from these, there is no need for images relating to the use of the system in horizontal striped or roll-shaped curtains. As to Figure-5, Figure-6 and Fjgure-7, these are representative images exhibiting the formation of a curtain by combination of the strips and application thereof onto a window. There is no need to present an image for structuring in a fabric curtain or curtains used as a roll. Figure-8, Figure-9 and Figure-10 are representative images exhibiting the first, the second and the third version of the layers constituting the curtain strips (or only strips). Figure-11 shows a conceptual design scheme facilitating the understanding of said lamination technique. The photovoltaic cell-containing curtain of the invention (1) consists of the strips (2) positioned vertically on a window. The strips (2) are parallel and upright in case the curtain (1) is vertical. When desired, the strips (2) can be positioned horizontally and form a curtain. The strips (2) can even be in a position which is flexible and can be folded as a roll horizontally. For this purpose, folding areas should be well calculated and there should be a roll system enabling rotation. When desired, the strips (2) and the photovoltaic cells (3) thereon may be selected as flexible, thereby enabling the folding with the strip (2) as a roll. In this case, the photovoltaic cells (3) selected as flexible will be, of course, as a "thin film" or "flexible cell". Nevertheless, descriptions are made using vertical strips (2) for better understanding of the basic technology and design here. There are photovoltaic cells (3) on the strips (2) connected in parallel or serially with each other. Placement of the photovoltaic cells (3) into the strip (2) and formation of the curtain (1) consist of the combination of different layers to be explained below with the lamination technique. General production of said lamination technique will also be given below. The formation of the curtain (1) in a window with the strips (2) comprises an operation system comprising rotation of the strip (2) around its own axis by being hung to the upper mechanism (6) from the strip holes (4) formed at the top thereof, or folding in and out to/from the sides. Rotation of the curtain (1) around its own axis in accordance with sunlight is possible with the rotation thread (7) in the upper mechanism (6), and the folding in and out to from the sides with the movement thread (8). Control of the rotation thread (7) and the movement thread (8) can be manual, and is also possible with the rotation electrical engine (9) and the collecting electrical engine (10) position in the upper section of the curtain (1). Various versions of the rotation thread (7), the movement thread (8), the rotation electrical engine (9) and the collecting electrical engine (10) are already present in curtain design in the prior art. Here, mostly technology of the placement of the photovoltaic cell (3) into the strips (2) is highlighted. The photovoltaic cell-containing curtain of the invention (1) will be examined in three different versions containing different layers consisting of different materials therein. In each version, alternative uses of the different materials and their contents will be provided. In the first version seen in Figure-8, the curtain (1) comprises at least one strip (2), a strip protective lower layer (11 ) at the bottom of said strip (2), a cell protective layer (12) on said strip protective lower layer (11 ), at least one photovoltaic cell (3) connected in parallel or serially with each other on said cell protective layer (12), again a cell protective layer (12) on said photovoltaic cell (3), a strip protective upper layer (13) on said cell protective layer (12). The lamination technique is an assembly or attachment technique for layer or film materials under heat and pressure. General production process of this technique will further be given.

The strip protective lower layer (1 1 ) here consists of Tedlar (polyvinyl fluorite polymer, polyvinyl fluoride polymer) material.

The cell protective layer (12) consists of EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate) material. The photovoltaic cell (3) is silisium based crystalline photovoltaic solar cell in the prior art. The strip protective upper layer (13) consists of ETFE (ethylene tetra fluoro ethylene, fluoroplastic film) material. In this technology, when desired, TPE -Tedlar Polyethylene (22), TPT -Tedlar Polyester Tedlar (23), Pet-polyethylene (18) and TPO - membrane (24) and similar polymer based materials can be used with lamination instead of the strip protective upper layer (13). Accordingly, when desired, Pet-polyethylene (18), TPE -Tedlar Polyethylene (22), TPT -Tedlar Polyester Tedlar (23) and TPO -membrane (24) may be used instead of the strip protective lower layer (1 1).

In the second version in Figure-9, the curtain (1 ) comprises a strip protective lower layer

(11) at the bottom, a printed circuit board (14) or a reinforced plastic (15) on said strip protective lower layer (1 1 ), a cell protective layer (12) on said printed circuit board (14) or the reinforced plastic (15), at least one photovoltaic cell (3) connected in parallel or serially with each other on said cell protective layer (12), again a cell protective layer (12) on said photovoltaic cell (3) and a strip protective upper layer (13) on said cell protective layer

(12) . In this technology, when desired, aluminum based layer (17) or PET-polyethylene (18) or metal based layer (19) or wood based layer (20) or polymer based layer (21) can be used instead of the printed circuit board (14) or the reinforced plastic (15). The reinforced plastic (15) is a plastic reinforced with fiberglass material and known as RP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) in the market. Moreover, printed circuit board (14) is referred as PCB in the market. The strip protective upper layer (13) consists of ETFE (ethylene tetra fluoro ethylene, fluoroplastic film) or PET-polyethylene (18) material. In this technology, when desired, TPE -Tedlar -Polyethylene (22), TPT - Tedlar - Polyester - Tedlar (23), TPO - membrane (24), PET-polyethylene (18) and similar polymer based materials (21) may be used with lamination instead of the strip protective upper layer (13).

For production of the material of the invention as in the first and the second versions, lamination may be performed as seen in the general scheme in Figure-11 such that lamination temperature of the strip (2) is 100-140°C, vacuum period is between 5 and 10 minutes, press period is between 2 and 20 minutes. In such lamination, the sensitivity of the materials to be applied the press force should be such that each can be attached with each other. In the second version, lamination is also possible without use of the strip protective lower layer (11) at the bottom.

In the third version in Figure-10, the curtain (1) comprises a printed circuit board (14) or a reinforced plastic (15) at the bottom, at least two photovoltaic cell (3) connected serially or in parallel with each other on said printed circuit board (14) or the reinforced plastic (15), a strip protective upper layer (13) or an epoxy resin (16) on said photovoltaic cell (3). In this technology, when desired, an aluminum based layer (17) or metal based layer (19) or wood based layer (20) or polymer based layer (21) may be used instead of the printed circuit board (14) or the reinforced plastic (15). In the production of the strip (2) in the third version, a production process is possible in which the epoxy resin (16) is mixed with the hardener in the equal ratio or such that the epoxy (16) is two-fold of the hardener and it is poured onto said photovoltaic cell (3), and heated between 40°C and 80°C for 5 minutes to 60 minutes or kept at room temperature (20°C-25°C) for 24 hours.

The strips (2) in Figure-8 and Figure-9 will be produced with lamination. In Figure-10, the strips (2) will be produced in appropriate temperature and appropriate period after coating the strips with epoxy.

In addition to the descriptions in light of the images given in Figure-8 and Figure-9, it is possible that TEDLAR (polyvinyl fluorite polymer, polyvinyl fluoride polymer) used in the strips which is back protective of the strips (2), i.e., the strip protective lower layer (11) is colored. Or it is possible to make the strips colored or pictorial with lamination of the strips by adding a colored layer or coloring of the rear surfaces of the strips or pressing onto the rear surfaces of the strips. Thus, the curtain (1 ) can be colored, pictorial or patterned.

It is possible to use the photovoltaic cell-containing curtain of the invention enabling energy production in fabrics. Assembly can be enabled by stitching flexible or non-flexible photovoltaic cells (3) in a textile fabric into the fabric, and also lamination may be performed with attachment or high pressure and a temperature degree that does not impair material of the textile, but enables attachment with lamination. The photovoltaic cells (3) can be combined on the strips (2) as seen in Figure-1 with dimensions leaving no margin, and they can also be combined such that a strip spaces (5) are left on sides as can be seen in Figure-2, Figure-3 and Figure-4. It should be remembered that the photovoltaic cells (3) should face sun in combination and used as such.

The photovoltaic cell-containing curtain of the invention (1 ) can be produced with vertical strips as well as horizontal strips. In this way, it can be used as folding curtain, accordion- type curtain and even roll-shaped curtain designs with flexible materials and flexible photovoltaic cells. The curtains thus produced can be used in places such as offices and houses, gymnasiums, closed swimming pools etc.

Claims

1. At least one strip (2) containing photovoltaic cells (3) and a curtain (1) design consisting of said strips (2), characterized in that said strip (3) contains layers of three different versions, the layers constituting said strip (2):

- contains, in the first version, a strip protective lower layer (11) at the bottom, a cell protective layer (12) on said strip protective lower layer (11), at least one photovoltaic cell (3) connected serially or in parallel with each other on said cell protective layer (12), again a cell protective layer (12) on said photovoltaic cell (3), a strip protective upper layer (13) on said cell protective layer (12); or

- contains, in the second version, a strip protective lower layer (11) at the bottom, a printed circuit board (14) or a reinforced plastic (15) on said strip protective lower layer (11), a cell protective layer (12) on said printed circuit board (14) or the reinforced plastic (15), at least one photovoltaic cell (3) connected serially or in parallel with each other on said cell protective layer (12), again a cell protective layer (12) on said photovoltaic cell (3) and a strip protective upper layer (13) on said cell protective layer (12); or

- contains, in the third version, a printed circuit board (14) or a reinforced plastic (15) at the bottom, at least one photovoltaic cell (3) connected serially or in parallel with each other on said printed circuit board (14) or the reinforced plastic (15), a strip protective upper layer (13) or an epoxy resin (16) on said photovoltaic cell (3).

2. A strip (2) containing a photovoltaic cell (3) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the strip protective lower layer (11) for the first and the second versions is made of Tedlar (polyvinyl fluorite polymer, polyvinyl fluoride polymer) material.

3. A strip (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that PET-Polyethylene (18), TPE -Tedlar Polyethylene (22), TPT -Tedlar Polyester Tedlar (23) and TPO - membrane (24) can be used, if desired, in the first version.

4. A strip (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the cell protective layer (12) in the first and the second versions consists of EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate) material.

5. A strip (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the lamination can be enabled without the use of the strip protective lower layer (11) at the bottom in the second version.

6. A strip (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that aluminum based layer (17) or PET-polyethylene (18) or metal based layer (19) or wood based layer (20) or polymer based layer (21) may be used instead of the printed circuit board (14) or the reinforced plastic (15) for the second version of the strip (2).

7. A strip (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the strip protective upper layer (13) in the first and the second versions of the strip (2) consists of ETFE (ethylene tetra flor ethylene, fluoroplastic film) or PET-polyethylene (18) material, and when desired, TPE -Tedlar -Polyethylene(22) , TPT- Tedlar - Polyester - Tedlar (23), TPO - membrane (24), PET-polyethylene(18) and similar polymer based materials (21) may be used with lamination instead of the strip protective upper layer (13).

8. A strip (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that an aluminum based layer (17) or metal based layer (19) or wood based layer (20) or polymer based layer (21) may be used for the third version of the strip (2) instead of the printed circuit board (14) or the reinforced plastic (15).

9. At least one strip (2) containing photovoltaic cells (3) and a curtain (1) design consisting of said strips (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that strip holes (4) are included onto uppermost part of the strips (2) constituting the curtain (1) in a window; the strip (2) is connected to the upper mechanism (6) from said strip holes (4); a rotation thread (7) and a movement thread (8) are included enabling the movement of the strips (2) in said upper mechanism (6); a rotation electrical engine (9) and a collecting electrical engine (10) located at upper part of the curtain (1), if desired, enabling the movement of the rotation thread (7) and the movement thread (8) with the engine.

10. At least one strip (2) containing photovoltaic cells (3) and a curtain (1) design consisting of said strips (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the strips (2), when desired, can be spaced (5) or non-spaced.

11. At least one strip (2) containing photovoltaic cells (3) and a curtain (1) design consisting of said strips (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the strips are colored and pictorial by use of colored version of the strip protective lower layer (11) which is the back protective of the strips (2) or lamination of the strips by addition of a colored layer or coloring of the rear surfaces of the strips or pressing onto the rear surfaces of the strips.

12. At least one strip (2) containing photovoltaic cells (3) and a curtain (1) design consisting of said strips (2) according to the claim, characterized in that the curtain (1), when desired, can be a vertical, horizontal or roll curtain varying to contain the photovoltaic cell (3) and the strips (2).

13. A strip (2) production method containing photovoltaic cells (3) characterized in that lamination temperature is 00-140°C, vacuum period is between 5 and 10 minutes, press period is between 2 and 20 minutes in lamination procedures of the fist and the second versions of the strip (2).

14. A strip (2) containing photovoltaic cells (3) characterized in that in the production of the strip (2) in the third version, the epoxy resin (16) is mixed with the hardener in the equal ratio or such that the epoxy (16) is two-fold of the hardener and it is poured onto said photovoltaic cell (3), and heated between 40°C and 80°C for 5 minutes to 60 minutes or kept at room temperature (20°C-25°C) for 24 hours.

15. A strip (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the strips (2) may be used by attaching onto sun-facing surfaces of present fabric curtains or assembly with lamination.