Solar Skateboard

Abstract

A solar skateboard includes a board and a solar cell. The board includes a wheel, a motor, and an accumulation unit. The motor drives the wheel. The solar cell is disposed on the board to supply power to the motor through the accumulation unit to drive the wheel. The accumulation unit includes an outlet for an electric appliance to function as a mobile photoelectric charger, and a charging outlet is provided in case of insufficient light intensity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a solar skateboard, and more particularly, to one that converts photo energy into electric power to an accumulator before supplying power to drive the skateboard or to become a mobile photo-electric charger to supply power to an electric appliance, or an outlet for charging in case of weak light intensity.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Power skateboards generally available in the market as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,026 and US Publication No. 2005/0139406 are provided with a battery to supply power to the motor to drive wheels with the former having its motor controlled by a remote control and the latter by a switch attached to the board connected by means of an electric wire.

However, the power skateboard of the prior art for relying upon a rechargeable battery to supply power to the skateboard is subject to the following limitations:

• • 1. Limited Charging Location. Since the connection to an external source is a must, the recharging can only be done at where an external source is available.
  • 2. Accordingly, the operation of the power skateboard is confined to the radius where the specific recharging location is available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a solar skateboard. Wherein, a solar cell converts photo energy into electric power to drive the skateboard and to function as a mobile photoelectric charger by supplying power to an electric appliance.

To achieve the purpose, the present invention comprises a board, a solar cell, an accumulation unit, a control unit, and a motor. The board is disposed with wheels to be driven by the motor to skate along. The accumulation unit is respectively connected to the motor and the solar cell. The solar cell supplies power to the accumulation unit and an over-charging protection is disposed to the accumulation unit. The accumulation unit is provided with a power supply outlet and a charging outlet. The control unit includes a start switch, a safety switch and a main switch. The board includes a footrest and a rear wheel stay. The footrest includes a first end, a middle section, and a second end. The middle section of the footrest is located between the first end and the second end, and is pivotally connected to the rear wheel stay of the board. The first end of the footrest corresponds in position to the start switch. The second end of the footrest corresponds in position to the wheel. The start switch is disposed on the rear wheel stay and conductively connected to where between the motor and the accumulation unit. The start switch corresponds in position to the footrest and is conductively connected to where between the safety switch and the accumulator unit. The main switch is conductively connected to where between the start switch and the accumulation unit. The solar cell is provided on an upper surface or a lower surface of the board.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following advantages:

• • 1. The present invention relies upon a solar cell to convert the light source into electric power and the electric power is then stored in an accumulation unit to become the energy source for the operation of the skateboard.
  • 2. The present invention is highly mobile and ready by allowing to be immediately recharged whenever sunshine or light emission presents.
  • 3. The power outputted from the accumulation unit is available for an electric appliance.
  • 4. A charging outlet is available for recharging the present invention whenever weak light intensity present.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block chart showing electricity control flow of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an operating status (advancing) of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing another operating status (applying a brake) status of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention (up side down).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a board (1), a solar cell (2), an accumulation unit (3), a control unit (4), and a motor (5). The board (1) is provided with a wheel (151) driven by the motor (5) to roll on. Both the solar cell (2) and the accumulation unit (3) are mounted to the board (1). The solar cell (2) is disposed on an upper surface of the board (1), and the accumulation unit (3) is respectively connected with a conductor to the motor (5) and the solar cell (2) [i.e., conductively connected by convention means, not illustrated]. The solar cell (2) supplies power to the accumulation unit (3) in a detail construction as illustrated in FIGS. 2, and 3.

The board (1) includes two tube (11), two stands (12, 13), a front wheel stay (14), a rear wheel stay (15), a pivot (16), a support board (17), a face board (18), and a footrest (19). Both ends of each tube (11) are respectively fixed to the stands (12, 13). The support board (17) is fixed on the tubes (11) and the stands (12, 13). The face board (18) is disposed on the support board (17). A through hole (181) is disposed on the face board (18). The solar cell (2) is secured to the face board (18). The stand (12) is fixed to the front wheel stay (14) and the stand (13) is fixed to the rear wheel stay (15). The front wheel stay (14) is pivotally connected with front wheels (141), and the wheel (151) is disposed to the rear wheel stay (15). The rear wheel stay (15) includes the wheel (151), a start switch (43) to be described below, and the motor (5). The motor (5) uses a belt (51) to drive the wheel (151) to roll on. The pivot (16) is disposed to the rear wheel stay (15) and inserted into a spring (161) before being pivoted to the footrest (19). The footrest (19) includes a first end (191), a middle section, and a second end (192). The middle section of the footrest (19) is located between the first and the second ends (191, 192) and pivoted with a sleeve (193) to the pivot (16) of the board (1). The first end (191) corresponds in position to the start switch (43), and the second end (192), to the wheel (151). A hole (194) is bored close to the second end (192) of the footrest (19) to become a handle.

The accumulation unit (3) is provided with an over-charging protection (31), a power supply outlet (32) and a charging outlet (33). Both the power supply outlet (32) and the charging outlet (33) are provided on the rear wheel stay (15) to respectively supply power to an electric appliance or execute charging in case of the weak light intensity presents, e.g., during night hours, raining day, or winter season.

The control unit (4) includes a main switch (41), a safety switch (42), the start switch (43), and a fuse (44). The main switch (41) is disposed on the rear wheel stay (15) and connected to the accumulation unit (3). The safety switch (42) is located at the front wheel stay (14) and exposed out of the through hole (181). The start switch (43) is disposed to the rear wheel stay (15) of the board (1) and conductively connected to the motor (5) by means of a conductor. The conductive connection (i.e., connection by means of a conductor, a conventional means, thus not illustrated) among the main switch (41), the safety switch (42), and the start switch (43) merely takes place between the accumulation unit (3) and the motor (5). The start switch (43) corresponds in position to the first end (191) of the footrest (19).

In operation, the main switch (41) is first turned on, and the rider has one foot stepping on the safety switch (42) and the other foot stepping on the first end (191) of the footrest (1) to press the start switch (43), as illustrated in FIG. 4, to activate the motor (5) driving the wheel (151) to roll on.

While applying the brake as illustrated in FIG. 5, the rider simply steps on the second end (192) of the footrest (19) for the first end (191) of the footrest (19) to clear away from the start switch (43), thus to cut off the power supply while the rider presses the wheel (151) to apply the brake.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 6, includes a board (1A), a solar cell (2A), an accumulation unit (3A) and a motor (5A). Wherein, the solar cell (2A) is disposed on a lower surface of the board (1A).

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of solar skateboard have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

Claims

1. A solar skateboard including a board, a solar cell, an accumulation unit and a motor; the board being provided with a wheel to be driven by the motor to roll on; the solar cell and the accumulation unit being disposed to the board; the accumulation unit being respectively connected to the motor and the solar cell; and the solar cell supplying power to the accumulation unit.

2. The solar skateboard of claim 1, wherein the accumulation unit is provided with an over-charging protection.

3. The solar skateboard of claim 1, wherein the accumulation unit is provided with a power supply outlet.

4. The solar skateboard of claim 1, wherein the accumulation unit is provided with a charging outlet.

5. The solar skateboard of claim 1, further including a control unit to control the motor; the board including a footrest and a rear wheel stay; the footrest being pivotally connected to the rear wheel stay of the board; the control unit including a start switch; the start switch being disposed to the rear wheel stay and connected between the motor and the accumulation unit; and the start switch corresponding in position to the footrest.

6. The solar skateboard of claim 5, wherein the footrest includes a first end, a middle section, and a second end; the middle section of the footrest being located between the first and the second ends of the footrest and pivotally connected to the board; the first end corresponding in position to the start switch; and the second end corresponding in position to the wheel.

7. The solar skateboard of claim 5, wherein the control unit further includes a safety switch, and the start switch is conductively connected between the safety switch and the accumulation unit.

8. The solar skateboard of claim 7, wherein the control unit further includes a main switch, and the main switch is connected between the start switch and the accumulation unit.

9. The solar skateboard of claim 1, wherein the solar cell is disposed to an upper surface of the board.

10. The solar skateboard of claim 1, wherein the solar cell is disposed to a lower surface of the board.

11. A solar skateboard including a board, a solar cell, an accumulation unit and a motor; the board being provided with a wheel to be driven by the motor to roll on; both the solar cell and the accumulation unit being disposed on the board; an outlet being disposed to the accumulation unit, and the accumulation unit being respectively connected to the motor and the solar cell; and the solar cell supplying power to the accumulation unit.

12. The solar skateboard of claim 11, wherein the accumulation unit is provided with an over-charging protection.

13. The solar skateboard of claim 11, wherein the outlet is a power supply outlet.

14. The solar skateboard of claim 11, wherein the outlet is a charging outlet.

15. The solar skateboard of claim 11, further including a control unit to control the motor; the board including a footrest and a rear wheel stay; the footrest being pivotally connected to the rear wheel stay of the board; the control unit including a start switch; the start switch being disposed to the rear wheel stay and connected between the motor and the accumulation unit; and the start switch corresponding in position to the footrest.

16. The solar skateboard of claim 15, wherein the footrest includes a first end, a middle section, and a second end; the middle section of the footrest being located between the first end and the second end of the footrest and pivotally connected to the board; the first end corresponding in position to the start switch; and the second end corresponding in position to the wheel.

17. The solar skateboard of claim 15, wherein the control unit further includes a safety switch, and the start switch is conductively connected between the safety switch and the accumulation unit.

18. The solar skateboard of claim 17, wherein the control unit further includes a main switch connected between the start switch and the accumulation unit.

19. The solar skateboard of claim 11, wherein the solar cell is disposed to an upper surface of the board.

20. The solar skateboard of claim 11, wherein the solar cell is disposed to a lower surface of the board.