Solar charge arrangement for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a solar charge arrangement for a vehicle (1), wherein the solar charge arrangement (5) comprises a control unit (6) and a solar charge controller (7), in particular a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) solar charge controller (7), wherein the control unit (6) comprises a battery input (8) connectable to a battery (4) of the electric vehicle (1) and at least one switching signal input (9), wherein the control unit (6) comprises a power output (11) connected to the solar charge controller (7) for providing operating power to the solar charge controller (7), wherein the control unit (6) comprises one or more switches connected to the battery input (8) and the power output (11), wherein in an active state of the switches the solar charge controller (7) is operated by the power provided from the battery input (8) to the solar charge controller (7) via the switches, wherein in an inactive state of the switches the solar charge controller (7) is not provided with operating power from the battery input (8), wherein the control unit (6) comprises a switch controller (13), wherein the switch controller (13) is connected to the at least one switching signal input (9) and switches the switches based on signals received from the at least one switching signal input (9).

Description

[0001] Solar charge arrangement for a vehicle

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a solar charge arrangement for a vehicle according to claim 1 , to a solar arrangement for a vehicle according to claim 10 and to a vehicle according to claim 14.

[0004] TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0005] Vehicles, in particular electric vehicles, are sometimes equipped with photovoltaic cells in order to supplement their main power source, which is typically a battery pack, called battery herein. The main advantage of using solar cells in an electric vehicle is to extend the range of the vehicle by adding extra power to the battery. Solar cells can also help to reduce the environmental impact of the vehicle by using a clean, renewable energy source.

[0006] To control the power generated by the solar cells, the electric vehicle may be equipped with a solar charge controller, in particular a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT). The MPPT is an electronic circuit that optimizes the power output of the solar cells by adjusting the resistance in the circuit. By constantly monitoring the voltage and current of the solar cells, the MPPT is able to maximize the power output of the solar cells and ensure that the battery is being charged efficiently. In this way, the MPPT helps to extend the range of the EV and improve its overall performance. The present proposal is not limited to MPPTs or electric vehicles such that any explanations given with regard to MPPTs and electric vehicles may also be true for other solar charge controllers and other vehicles.

[0007] An electric vehicle may undergo extended periods of time without being charged neither by the photovoltaic cells nor by another source. For example, the electric vehicle may not be charged overnight or may be placed inside a garage for days or weeks. It is therefore generally an objective to provide the electric vehicle with a small standby power consumption.

[0008] It is known to provide MPPTs with operating power from the photovoltaic cells they are controlling. That however has the disadvantage that the MPPT may be suddenly powered off and cannot be activated, for example for updates, if no power is generated by the photovoltaic cells. The flexibility of this solution is ill- suited for an electric vehicle.

[0009] It is also known to have MPPTs "always on" and powered by a battery, in particular the battery the photovoltaic cells are charging via the MPPT.

[0010] It is a challenge to improve on the known prior art with regard to the overall energy consumption.

[0011] The invention is based on the problem of improving the known solar charge arrangements such that a further optimization regarding the named challenge is reached.

[0012] The above-noted object is solved by a solar charge arrangement having the features according to claim 1, a solar arrangement for a vehicle having the features according to claim 10, and to a vehicle having the features according to claim 14. Preferred embodiments of the invention are provided in the respective dependent claims.

[0013] Therefore, according to the present invention, a solar charge arrangement for a vehicle is provided, wherein the solar charge arrangement comprises a control unit and at least one solar charge controller, in particular, at least one Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar charge controller, wherein the control unit comprises a battery input connectable to a battery of the vehicle and at least one switching signal input, wherein the control unit comprises a power output connected to the at least one solar charge controller for providing operating power to the at least one solar charge controller, wherein the control unit comprises one or more switches connected to the battery input and the power output, wherein in an active state of the switches the at least one solar charge controller is operated by the power provided from the battery input to the at least one solar charge controller via the switches, wherein in an inactive state of the switches the at least one solar charge controller is not provided with operating power from the battery input, wherein the control unit comprises a switch controller, wherein the switch controller is connected to the at least one switching signal input and switches the switches based on signals received from the at least one switching signal input.

[0014] The main realization of the present invention is that a MPPT for an electric vehicle should be powered on and off depending on different internal and external situations of the electric vehicle.

[0015] Therefore, according to the present invention, a control unit for providing power from the battery to the MPPT in certain situations based on switching signals which are provided to the control unit is provided. Such a control unit allows activating and deactivating the MPPT based on the amount of power produced by the photovoltaic cells but also in other situations, for example at night to perform an update of the MPPT or of a controller of the MPPT. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one switching signal input comprises multiple independent switching signal inputs. Preferably, the control unit comprises a signal logic, in particular a hardware signal logic, wherein the switching signal inputs are connected to the signal logic as logic inputs, wherein the signal logic derives a logic output, in particular a maximum or sum of the logic inputs, wherein the signal logic outputs the logic output on a signal output of the signal logic connected to the switch controller and wherein the switch controller switches the switches based on the logic output

[0016] Thus, a signal logic for multiple switching signal inputs is provided according to further embodiments of the invention, which take into account that there are different reasons or conditions or states to power the MPPTs. The signal logic may be hardware logic with a low standby power consumption.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the hardware signal logic comprises one diode per logic input, wherein a respective diode lets the logic inputs pass through if the logic input is higher than the forward voltage of the respective diode, wherein the diodes are connected in parallel. Preferably, the output of the diodes is summed, in particular directly connected, and / or the forward voltage of the diodes decreases with increasing temperature.

[0018] Thus, the signal logic may be easily realized in hardware by diodes. Notably, the open-circuit voltage of photovoltaic cells decreases with temperature while the forward voltage of diodes usually also decreases with temperature. If the photovoltaic cells are connected to the switching signal input and therefore to the diodes, it is therefore possible to design the combination of diodes and photovoltaic cells such that the temperature dependence between the amount of light received by the photovoltaic cells and the switching of the MPPTs is less than the temperature dependence of either the photovoltaic cells or the diodes. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit comprises a master off module, in particular an emergency off module, wherein the master off causes the switch controller to switch the switches off irrespective of the at least one switching signal input, preferably, wherein the master off comprises a master switch connected to the output of the signal logic, in particular directly to the output of the diode and to the switch controller.

[0019] In some cases it may be necessary to switch the MPPTs off immediately and independently of the switching signal inputs. For that reason, according to the above mentioned embodiment, a master off module, in particular a master off switch, is proposed in series with the signal logic.

[0020] According to still a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one solar charge controller is connected to one or multiple of the switching signal inputs. Preferably, the at least one solar charge controller is configured to provide an "on" signal to the switching signal input when performing a software operation that should not be interrupted, in particular when writing to memory and / or when receiving an update.

[0021] Thus, according to the above embodiment, the MPPTs may be connected to a switching signal input. This connection allows the MPPTs to force the control unit to keep providing power if the photovoltaic cells, which may have caused a prior powering on, are not receiving enough light and would otherwise make the control unit cut the powerforthe MPPTs. This prevents sudden shutdowns ofthe common controller, for example during updates.

[0022] According to yet a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the solar charge arrangement comprises multiple solar charge controllers. Also, the control unit may comprise multiple power outputs, each connected to a respective solar charge controller for providing operating power to the respective solar charge controller via at least one of the switches. Preferably, the switch controller controls the switches for the solar charge controllers together. More preferably, a single output pin of the switch controller is connected to all the switches for all of the solar charge controllers such that they are always switched together.

[0023] Thus, the control unit may be used for multiple MPPTs. This increases the overall cost-efficiency of the system, in particular with regard to an electric vehicle where usually light will shine on multiple photovoltaic cells or none.

[0024] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the solar charge arrangement comprises a common controller connected to the multiple solar charge controllers and controlling the multiple solar charge controllers. Preferably, the common controller is connected to one of the switching signal inputs, and / or the common controller may be connected to one of the power outputs for receiving operating power.

[0025] Also, preferably the common controller may be configured to provide a "on" signal to the switching signal input when performing a software operation that should not be interrupted, in particular, when writing to memory and / or when receiving an update.

[0026] Accordingly, the MPPTs may have a common controller for example, for the connection to a vehicle control unit or vehicle BUS, for providing updates and the like. The common controller may be placed together with the MPPTs behind the power outputs of the control unit. The common controller may be connected to a switching signal input. This connection has the same advantages as a direct connection between MPPT and switching signal input. The common controller may prevent a power interruption if necessary.

[0027] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit is comprised by exactly one circuit board and / or preferably, the solar charge arrangement is a modular unit. Also, it is advantageous if the control unit and the common controller are comprised by exactly one circuit board. Preferably, the switch controller comprises only hardware logic.

[0028] Thus, the control unit and possibly the common controller may be placed on a single circuit board, preferably, providing a flexible modular solution, in particular for easy handling during production of the electric vehicle.

[0029] Moreover, according to the present invention, a solar arrangement for a vehicle with a solar charge arrangement is provided, wherein the solar charge arrangement comprises a control unit and at least one solar charge controller, in particular, at least one Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) solar charge controller, wherein the control unit comprises a battery input connectable to a battery of the vehicle and at least one switching signal input, wherein the control unit comprises a power output connected to the at least one solar charge controller for providing operating power to the at least one solar charge controller, wherein the control unit comprises one or more switches connected to the battery input and the power output, wherein in an active state of the switches the at least one solar charge controller is operated by the power provided from the battery input to the at least one solar charge controller via the switches, wherein in an inactive state of the switches the at least one solar charge controller is not provided with operating power from the battery input, wherein the control unit comprises a switch controller, wherein the switch controller is connected to the at least one switching signal input and switches the switches based on a signal received from the at least one switching signal input, wherein the solar arrangement comprises a photovoltaic cell and / or the battery.

[0030] All explanations given with regard to the solar charge arrangement are fully applicable and vice versa. The solar charge arrangement of the solar arrangement may be the proposed solar charge arrangement. Preferably, the solar arrangement may comprise photovoltaic groups.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one photovoltaic cell is connected to a signal input thereby providing a signal dependent on the received solar power to the signal input. Preferably, multiple photovoltaic groups are connected to a group logic as group logic inputs, wherein the group logic derives a group logic output, in particular a scaled maximum or scaled sum of the group logic inputs, and wherein the group logic output is connected to one switching signal input.

[0032] This embodiment, thus, relates to the activation of the MPPTs in case of enough solar energy. It is preferred that a single photovoltaic group receiving enough energy to provide meaningful charging of the battery activates all MPPTs. Usually, more than one photovoltaic group will receive solar energy at the same time or further groups will follow shortly after the first group (e.g. at sunrise). It is therefore a good trade off to power all MPPTs together instead of having a control unit for each, for example.

[0033] Preferably, the battery is charged via the at least one solar charge controller or solar charge controllers. The battery may provide the operating power to the at least one solar charge controller or solar charge controllers via the control unit only if the respective switch or switches is or are in the active state. Thereby, a connection between the solar charge controllers and the battery may be realized.

[0034] Further, according to the present invention, a vehicle, in particular electric automobile, with a solar charge arrangement and a battery is provided, wherein the solar charge arrangement comprises a control unit and a solar charge controller, in particular a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) solar charge controller, wherein the control unit comprises a battery input connected to the battery of the vehicle and at least one switching signal input, wherein the control unit comprises a power output connected to the solar charge controller for providing operating power to the solar charge controller, wherein the control unit comprises one or more switches connected to the battery input and the power output, wherein in an active state of the switches the solar charge controller is operated by the power provided from the battery input to the solar charge controller via the switches, wherein in an inactive state of the switches the solar charge controller is not provided with operating power from the battery, wherein the control unit comprises a switch controller, wherein the switch controller is connected to the at least one switching signal input and switches the switches based on a signal received from the at least one switching signal input.

[0035] All explanations given with regard to the proposed solar charge arrangement and the proposed solar arrangement are fully applicable and vice versa. The solar charge arrangement of the vehicle may be the proposed solar charge arrangement.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle comprises a vehicle control unit, wherein that the vehicle control unit is connected to one switching signal input and / or to the master off module. Thereby, the connection between the control unit and a vehicle control unit is realized.

[0037] It is noted that the vehicle may be an electric vehicle equipped with photovoltaic labels, a so-called Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV). However, the solar charge arrangement may also be implemented in other vehicles which have been retrofitted with solar cells or photovoltaic panels.

[0038] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] In the following, advantageous embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the enclosed drawings. However, neither the drawings nor the description shall be interpreted as limiting the invention. Fig. 1 shows an electric vehicle with photovoltaic cells arranged in photovoltaic groups, and

[0040] Fig. 2 illustrates the proposed solar charge arrangement comprising a control unit, a common controller and MPPTs, photovoltaic groups, a vehicle control unit and a battery and the signal and power connections between them according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 with photovoltaic cells 2 arranged in photovoltaic groups 3 on or in the body of the vehicle 1. Here and preferably, the vehicle 1 is an automobile. However, the vehicle 1 may equally be another vehicle 1, like a bus, a truck, or a so-called reefer, i. e. a cooling truck. Preferably, the vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle 1 , meaning a vehicle 1 that is propelled by an electric motor. In particular, the vehicle 1 may be an SEV as outlined above. Preferably, the vehicle 1 is a land-based vehicle 1 .

[0042] During sunshine, a battery 4 of the vehicle 1 is charged by the photovoltaic cells 2. Depending on the orientation of the sun towards the vehicle 1, different photovoltaic groups 3 may generate different amounts of energy.

[0043] There are several situations, in which the photovoltaic cells 2 do not generate any energy or not enough energy to provide any meaningful charging of the battery 4. This is the case mostly in darkness or artificial light. In those cases, all systems related to the photovoltaic cells 2 should be put into a standby mode with a low energy consumption. At the same time, some of those systems may need to be woken up sometimes, for example for updates, when the sun is not shining.

[0044] Proposed is a solar charge arrangement 5 for a vehicle 1, wherein the solar charge arrangement 5 comprises a control unit 6 and a solar charge controller 7, in particular a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) solar charge controller 7.

[0045] The solar charge controller 7 is shown in Fig. 2.

[0046] According to this embodiment shown here, the control unit 6 is used to switch the solar charge controller 7 on and off, depending on the light received by the photovoltaic cells 2. The control unit 6 may further switch the solar charge controller 7 on for updates or off in an emergency. By switching the solar charge controller 7 off instead of putting it into a standby mode, the overall standby consumption of the solar charge arrangement 5 can be very low. The yet to be described simple setup of the solar charge arrangement 5 including many hardware components further contributes to the low standby consumption. It may even be the case that the control unit 6 does not comprise any software components.

[0047] Fig. 2 shows the solar charge arrangement 5 connected to the photovoltaic cells 2 and the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 of Fig. 1 . The control unit 6 is delimited with dotted lines.

[0048] Looking at the inputs of the control unit 6, the control unit 6 comprises a battery input 8 connectable to a battery 4 of the vehicle 1. The control unit 6 further comprises at least one switching signal input 9. The control unit 6 also comprises a master off signal input 10 which will be explained later.

[0049] Looking at the outputs of the control unit 6, the control unit 6 comprises a power output 11 connected to the solar charge controller 7 for providing operating power to the solar charge controller 7. Here, multiple power outputs 11 are provided for multiple solar charge controllers 7. Each of them here and preferably is an MPPT solar charge controller 7, in short also MPPT.

[0050] The control unit 6 comprises one or more switches connected to the battery input 8 and the power output 11, here depicted in a switch module 12. In an active state of the switches, the solar charge controller 7 is operated by the power provided from the battery input 8 to the solar charge controller 7 via the switches. The solar charge controller 7 is then powered "on".

[0051] In an inactive state of the switches, the solar charge controller 7 is not provided with operating power from the battery input 8. The solar charge controller 7 is then powered "off". Generally, each solar charge controller 7 may have its own switch or switches or one or more switches may be used for multiple solar charge controllers 7. It may be the case that the switches are controlled separately to activate only some solar charge controllers 7. Here and preferably, the switches are operated jointly, either activating or deactivating all solar charge controllers 7.

[0052] The control unit 6 comprises a switch controller 13, wherein the switch controller 13 is connected to the at least one switching signal input 9 and switches the switches based on signals received from the at least one switching signal input 9.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 2, one switching signal input 9 may be connected to the photovoltaic groups 3. If the sun is shining, the photovoltaic groups 3 generate a certain voltage which is, through a voltage divider not shown, transmitted to the switching signal input 9. The switch controller 13 then receives this voltage as a signal causing it to control the switches, here the switch module 12, to activate the solar charge controllers 7.

[0054] Here and preferably the only connection between the solar charge controller and the battery 4 that provides operating power to the solar charge controller 7 is the connection through the control unit 6. Therefore, if the sun shines, the solar charge controller 7 is activated, otherwise, it may be deactivated. As can also be seen exemplarily in Fig. 2, it may be the case that the at least one switching signal input 9 comprises multiple independent switching signal inputs 9.

[0055] To decide depending on the signals received at the switching signal inputs 9, preferably, the control unit 6 comprises a signal logic 14, in particular a hardware signal logic 14. The switching signal inputs 9 are connected to the signal logic 14 as logic inputs, the signal logic 14 derives a logic output, in particular, a maximum or sum of the logic inputs, and the signal logic 14 outputs the logic output on a signal output of the signal logic 15 connected to the switch controller 13. The switch controller 13 switches the switches based on the logic output.

[0056] As shown, according to an embodiment, the hardware signal logic 14 comprises diodes 16, here and preferably, one diode 16 per logic input. A respective diode 16 lets the logic inputs pass through if the logic input is higher than the forward voltage of the respective diode 16. The diodes 16 are connected in parallel. Preferably, the output of the diodes 16 is summed, in particular, directly connected. Therefore, here and preferably, any input signal amounting to a "high" threshold, which may or may not be the forward voltage of the diodes 16, activates the solar charge controllers 7 via the switch controller 13. Here and preferably, the switching signal inputs 9 not connected to the photovoltaic groups 3 are connected to outputs of microcontrollers or other controllers. As only one input is not binary, the summing has no relevant influence here. The diodes 16 further prevent any feedback from the switching signal inputs 9.

[0057] It may be the case that the forward voltage of the diodes 16 decreases with increasing temperature. This effect is inverse to the open-circuit voltage of photovoltaic cells 2, which decreases with increasing temperature. These effects can be tuned to have a substantially constant threshold of power generation by the photovoltaic cells 2 which activates the at least one solar charge controller 7 substantially independent of temperature. Another signal logic 14 with a decreasing threshold with increasing temperature may be used. The diodes 16 may be Schottky diodes 16.

[0058] A further feature shown in Fig. 2 which is here and preferably present is that the control unit 6 comprises a master off module 17, in particular emergency off module. The master off module 17 causes the switch controller 13 to switch the switches off irrespective of the at least one switching signal input 9. Preferably, the master off comprises a master switch connected to the output of the signal logic 14, in particular directly to the output of the diodes 16, and to the switch controller 13. Here, the master off module 17 includes a switch connected to the signal logic 14 that draws the output of the signal logic 14 to "low" if activated. The master off may be an emergency off activated by a vehicle control unit 18 via a master off signal 19 through the master off signal input 10.

[0059] The proposed control unit 6 may, as has been explained, be activated by the photovoltaic cells 2 if the sun is shining. If the sun sets or the electric vehicle 1 is placed in a shadow or darkness, the "on", here "high", signal of the photovoltaic groups 3 at the switching signal input 9 will decay towards "low". This would cause the switch controller 13 to switch the solar charge controller 7 or solar charge controllers 7 off.

[0060] In particular to prevent such an abrupt and unexpected shutdown, according to one embodiment it is proposed, that the solar charge controller 7 is or are connected to one or multiple of the switching signal inputs 9. Preferably, the solar charge controller 7 or multiple solar charge controllers 7 is or are configured to provide a "on", in particular "high", signal to the switching signal input 9 when performing a software operation that should not be interrupted, in particular when writing to memory and / or when receiving an update.

[0061] According to one embodiment and as already described, it is proposed that the solar charge arrangement 5 comprises multiple solar charge controllers 7. All explanations given with regard to one solar charge controller 7 may be true for multiple or all solar charge controllers 7.

[0062] As Fig. 2 shows and preferably, the control unit 6 comprises multiple power outputs 11, each connected to a solar charge controller 7 for providing operating power to the solar charge controller 7 via at least one of the switches. Preferably, the switch controller 13 controls the switches for the solar charge controllers 7 together. That may be realized by connecting a single output pin of the switch controller 13 to all of the switches for all of the solar charge controller s such that they are always switched together. All switches may then be activated or deactivated together. For that reason, Fig. 2 shows only a single signal connection between the switch controller 13 and the switch module 12.

[0063] According to one embodiment it is proposed that the solar charge arrangement 5 comprises a common controller 20 connected to the solar charge controllers 7 and controlling the solar charge controllers 7. This common controller 20 may for example control charging of the battery 4 or battery 4 pack depending on the power received from the photovoltaic groups 3 and may coordinate the solar charge controllers 7.

[0064] Here and preferably, the common controller 20 is connected to one of the switching signal inputs 9, and / or, connected to one of the power outputs 11 for receiving operating power. In particular, all explanations given with regard to the power supply of the solar charge controllers 7 may be true for the common controller 20. In the active state of the switches the common controller 20 is operated by the power provided from the battery input 8 to the power output 11 and in an inactive state of the switches the common controller 20 is not provided with operating power from the battery input 8.

[0065] Therefore, it may also be the case that the common controller 20 is configured to provide an "on" signal to the switching signal input 9 when performing a software operation that should not be interrupted, in particular when writing to memory and / or when receiving an update.

[0066] Turning to the physical implementation, according to an embodiment, the control unit 6 is comprised by exactly one circuit board, and / or, the solar charge arrangement 5 is a modular unit, and / or the control unit 6 and the common controller 20 are comprised by exactly one circuit board, and / or the switch controller 13 comprises, in particular only, hardware logic. A modular solution can be easily mounted to the electric vehicle 1 during production of the electric vehicle 1 .

[0067] Further, a solar arrangement 21 for a vehicle 1 with a solar charge arrangement

[0068] 5 is provided, wherein the solar charge arrangement 5 comprises a control unit 6 and a solar charge controller 7, in particular a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) solar charge controller 7, wherein the control unit 6 comprises a battery input 8 connectable to a battery 4 of the vehicle 1 and at least one switching signal input 9, wherein the control unit 6 comprises a power output 11 connected to the solar charge controller 7 for providing operating power to the solar charge controller 7, wherein the control unit 6 comprises one or more switches connected to the battery input 8 and the power output 11, wherein in an active state of the switches the solar charge controller 7 is operated by the power provided from the battery input 8 to the solar charge controller 7 via the switches, wherein in an inactive state of the switches the solar charge controller 7 is not provided with operating power from the battery input 8, wherein the control unit

[0069] 6 comprises a switch controller 13, wherein the switch controller 13 is connected to the at least one switching signal input 9 and switches the switches based on a signal received from the at least one switching signal input 9, wherein the solar arrangement 21 comprises a photovoltaic cell 2 and / or the battery 4.

[0070] All explanations given above may apply. According to one embodiment it is proposed, that the solar arrangement 21 comprises multiple photovoltaic cells 2 controlled by the solar charge controller 7 or solar charge controllers 7, preferably, that the solar arrangement 21 comprises multiple photovoltaic groups 3. The photovoltaic cells 2 may be grouped depending on their position on the body of the vehicle 1. The photovoltaic cells 2 may share some hardware in the respective photovoltaic group 3.

[0071] Each group comprises multiple photovoltaic cells 2. Here and preferably, each group is controlled by one solar charge controller 7.

[0072] According to another embodiment it is proposed that at least one photovoltaic cell 2 is connected to a signal input thereby providing a signal dependent on the received solar power to the signal input. This signal may be the open-circuit voltage or depend on the open circuit voltage.

[0073] Preferably, multiple photovoltaic groups 3 are connected to a group logic as group logic inputs 22. In Fig. 2, the group logic is shown as a summation point rather schematically. The group logic may comprise a voltage divider tuned to provide a "high" signal and / or overcome the forward voltage of the diodes 16 if at least one photovoltaic group 3 provides power above a predefined threshold.

[0074] The group logic generally derives a group logic output 23, in particular, a scaled maximum or scaled sum of the group logic inputs 22. The group logic output 23 is connected to one switching signal input 9.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the battery 4 is charged via the solar charge controller 7 or a plurality of solar charge controllers 7 and the battery 4 provides the operating power to the solar charge controller 7 or solar charge controllers 7 via the control unit 6 only if the respective switch or switches is or are in the active state. Moreover, vehicle 1, in particular electric automobile, with a solar charge arrangement 5 and a battery 4 is provided, wherein the solar charge arrangement 5 comprises a control unit 6 and a solar charge controller 7, in particular a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) solar charge controller 7, wherein the control unit 6 comprises a battery input 8 connected to the battery 4 of the vehicle 1 and at least one switching signal input 9, wherein the control unit 6 comprises a power output 11 connected to the solar charge controller 7 for providing operating power to the solar charge controller 7, wherein the control unit 6 comprises one or more switches connected to the battery input 8 and the power output 11 , wherein in an active state of the switches the solar charge controller 7 is operated by the power provided from the battery input 8 to the solar charge controller 7 via the switches, wherein in an inactive state of the switches the solar charge controller 7 is not provided with operating power from the battery 4, wherein the control unit 6 comprises a switch controller 13, wherein the switch controller 13 is connected to the at least one switching signal input 9 and switches the switches based on a signal received from the at least one switching signal input 9.

[0076] All explanations given above may apply. Here and preferably, the vehicle 1 comprises an electric motor powered by the battery 4. The vehicle 1 may be a car and / or may have wheels and a body. The vehicle 1 may be able to provide power from the battery 4 to another vehicle 1 , acting as a mobile solar panel. The vehicle 1 here and preferably comprises the photovoltaic groups 3 and therefore preferably the solar arrangement 21 .

[0077] According to one embodiment it is proposed, that the vehicle 1 comprises a vehicle control unit 18, that the vehicle control unit 18 is connected to one switching signal input 9 and / or to the master off signal input 10.

[0078] It is noted that the vehicle control unit 18 may comprise multiple control units. Reference numerals

[0079] 1 vehicle

[0080] 2 photovoltaic cell

[0081] 3 photovoltaic group

[0082] 4 battery

[0083] 5 solar charge arrangement

[0084] 6 control unit

[0085] 7 solar charge controller

[0086] 8 battery input

[0087] 9 switching signal input

[0088] 10 master off signal input

[0089] 11 power output

[0090] 12 switch module

[0091] 13 switch controller

[0092] 14 signal logic

[0093] 15 signal output of the signal logic

[0094] 16 diode

[0095] 17 master off module

[0096] 18 vehicle control unit

[0097] 19 master off signal

[0098] 20 common controller

[0099] 21 solar arrangement

[0100] 22 group logic input

[0101] 23 group logic output

Claims

Claims1. Solar charge arrangement for a vehicle (1), wherein the solar charge arrangement (5) comprises a control unit (6) and at least one solar charge controller (7), in particular, at least one Maximum Power Point Tracking, MPPT, solar charge controller (7), wherein the control unit (6) comprises a battery input (8) connectable to a battery (4) of the vehicle (1 ) and at least one switching signal input (9), wherein the control unit (6) comprises a power output (11) connected to the at least one solar charge controller (7) for providing operating power to the at least one solar charge controller (7), wherein the control unit (6) comprises one or more switches connected to the battery input (8) and the power output (11), wherein in an active state of the switches the at least one solar charge controller (7) is operated by the power provided from the battery input (8) to the at least one solar charge controller (7) via the switches, wherein in an inactive state of the switches the at least one solar charge controller (7) is not provided with operating power from the battery input (8), wherein the control unit (6) comprises a switch controller (13), wherein the switch controller (13) is connected to the at least one switching signal input (9) and switches the switches based on signals received from the at least one switching signal input (9).

2. Solar charge arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one switching signal input (9) comprises multiple independent switching signal inputs (9), preferably, wherein the control unit (6) comprises a signal logic (14), in particular a hardware signal logic (14), wherein the switching signal inputs (9) are connected to the signal logic (14) as logic inputs, wherein the signal logic (14) derives a logic output, in particular a maximum or sum of the logic inputs, wherein the signal logic (14) outputsthe logic output on a signal output of the signal logic (15) connected to the switch controller (13), wherein the switch controller (13) switches the switches based on the logic output.

3. Solar charge arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the hardware signal logic (14) comprises one diode (16) per logic input, wherein a respective diode (16) lets the logic inputs pass through if the logic input is higher than the forward voltage of the respective diode (16), wherein the diodes (16) are connected in parallel, preferably, wherein the output of the diodes (16) is summed, in particular directly connected, and / or, wherein the forward voltage of the diodes (16) decreases with increasing temperature.

4. Solar charge arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (6) comprises a master off module (17), in particular emergency off module, wherein the master off causes the switch controller (13) to switch the switches off irrespective of the at least one switching signal input (9), preferably, wherein the master off comprises a master switch connected to the output of the signal logic (14), in particular directlyto the output of the diodes (16), and to the switch controller (13).

5. Solar charge arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one solar charge controller (7) is connected to one or multiple of the switching signal inputs (9), preferably, wherein the at least one solar charge controller (7) is configured to provide a "on" signal to the switching signal input (9) when performing a software operation that should not be interrupted, in particular when writing to memory and / or when receiving an update.

6. Solar charge arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar charge arrangement (5) comprises multiple solar charge controllers (7), wherein the control unit (6) comprises multiple power outputs (11), each connected to a respective solar charge controller (7) for providing operating power to the respective solar charge controller (7) via at least one of the switches, preferably, wherein the switch controller (13) controls the switches for the solar charge controllers (7) together, more preferably, wherein a single output pin of the switch controller (13) is connected to all of the switches for all of the solar charge controllers such that they are always switched together.

7. Solar charge arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the solar charge arrangement (5) comprises a common controller (20) connected to the multiple solar charge controllers (7) and controlling the multiple solar charge controllers (7), preferably, wherein the common controller (20) is connected to one of the switching signal inputs (9), and / or wherein the common controller (20) is connected to one of the power outputs (11 ) for receiving operating power.

8. Solar charge arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the common controller (20) is configured to provide a "on" signal to the switching signal input (9) when performing a software operation that should not be interrupted, in particular, when writing to memory and / or when receiving an update.

9. Solar charge arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (6) is comprised by exactly one circuit board, and / or, that the solar charge arrangement (5) is a modular unit, and / or wherein the control unit (6) and the common controller (20) are comprised by exactly one circuit board, and / or wherein the switch controller (13) comprises, in particular only, hardware logic.

10. Solar arrangement for a vehicle (1) with a solar charge arrangement (5), wherein the solar charge arrangement (5) comprises a control unit (6) and at least one solar charge controller (7), in particular, at least one Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) solar charge controller (7), wherein the control unit (6) comprises a battery input (8) connectable to a battery (4) of the vehicle (1 ) and at least one switching signal input (9), wherein the control unit (6) comprises a power output (11) connected to the at least one solar charge controller (7) for providing operating power to the at least one solar charge controller (7), wherein the control unit (6) comprises one or more switches connected to the battery input (8) and the power output (11), wherein in an active state of the switches the at least one solar charge controller (7) is operated by the power provided from the battery input (8) to the at least one solar charge controller (7) via the switches, wherein in an inactive state of the switches the at least one solar charge controller (7) is not provided with operating power from the battery input (8), wherein the control unit (6) comprises a switch controller (13), wherein the switch controller (13) is connected to the at least one switching signal input (9) and switches the switches based on a signal received from the at least one switching signal input (9), wherein the solar arrangement (21) comprises a photovoltaic cell (2) and / or the battery (4).11 . Solar arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the solar arrangement (21) comprises multiple photovoltaic cells (2) controlled by the at least one solar charge controller (7) wherein preferably, the solar arrangement (21) comprises multiple photovoltaic groups (3), wherein each group comprises multiple photovoltaic cells (2), that each group is controlled by one solar charge controller (7).

12. Solar arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, wherein at least one photovoltaic cell (2) is connected to a signal input thereby providing a signal dependent on the received solar power to the signal input, preferably, wherein multiple photovoltaic groups (3) are connected to a group logic as group logic inputs (22), that the group logic derives a group logic output (23), in particular a scaled maximum or scaled sum of the group logic inputs (22), wherein the group logic output (23) is connected to one switching signal input (9).

13. Solar arrangement according to one of the claims 10 to 12, wherein the battery (4) is charged via the at least one solar charge controller (7) and wherein the battery (4) provides the operating power to the at least one solar charge controller (7) via the control unit (6) only if the respective switch or switches is or are in the active state.

14. Vehicle, in particular electric vehicle, with a solar charge arrangement (5) and a battery (4), wherein the solar charge arrangement (5) comprises a control unit (6) and at least one solar charge controller (7), in particular a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) solar charge controller (7), wherein the control unit (6) comprises a battery input (8) connected to the battery (4) of the vehicle (1 ) and at least one switching signal input (9), wherein the control unit (6) comprises a power output (11) connected to the solar charge controller (7) for providing operating power to the at least one solar charge controller (7), wherein the control unit (6) comprises one or more switches connected to the battery input (8) and the power output (11), wherein in an active state of the switches the at least one solar charge controller (7) is operated by the power provided from the battery input (8) to the at least one solar charge controller (7) via the switches, wherein in an inactive state of the switches the at least one solar charge controller (7) is not provided with operating power from the battery (4),wherein the control unit (6) comprises a switch controller (13), wherein the switch controller (13) is connected to the at least one switching signal input (9) and switches the switches based on a signal received from the at least one switching signal input (9).

15. Vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the vehicle (1 ) comprises a vehicle control unit (18), wherein the vehicle control unit (18) is connected to one switching signal input (9) and / or to the master off module (17).

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