US 12,420,881 B2
Photovoltaic device of human-powered vehicle
Kenji Nakano, Sakai (JP); Kei Asao, Sakai (JP); Nanami Matsushita, Sakai (JP); and Susumu Endo, Sakai (JP)
Assigned to SHIMANO INC., Sakai (JP)
Filed by SHIMANO INC., Sakai (JP)
Filed on Apr. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/297,014.
Prior Publication US 2024/0336319 A1, Oct. 10, 2024
Int. Cl. B62J 45/00 (2020.01); B62J 50/22 (2020.01); H02J 7/35 (2006.01); H02S 20/00 (2014.01); H02S 40/38 (2014.01)
CPC B62J 45/00 (2020.02) [B62J 50/22 (2020.02); H02J 7/35 (2013.01); H02S 20/00 (2013.01); H02S 40/38 (2014.12); H02J 2207/20 (2020.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A power-supplying system of a human-powered vehicle, comprising:
a photovoltaic device having:
a photovoltaic unit including a light receiving surface; and
electronic controller circuitry electrically connected to the photovoltaic unit;
a first electric power source electrically connected to the photovoltaic unit; and
a connection port electrically connected to the electronic controller circuitry, the connection port being configured to be electrically connected to a second electric power source when in a connection state in which the second electric power source, which is located at a remote location from the power-supplying system, is connected to the connection port, wherein
the photovoltaic unit is arranged to at least partially overlap the electronic controller circuitry as viewed in a first direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface,
the photovoltaic unit is configured to charge the first electric power source,
the power-supplying system is configured to charge the second electric power source using electricity generated by the photovoltaic unit when in the connection state via the connection port while the photovoltaic unit is also electrically connected to the first electric power source, and
the electronic controller circuitry is configured to charge the second electric power source using electricity which is supplied from the photovoltaic unit without passing through the first electric power source in a case where a level of charge of the second electric power source is lower than a level threshold and where a level of electricity supplied from the photovoltaic unit is higher than or equal to an electricity level threshold.