Vehicle with solar battery

Abstract

To provide a vehicle with a solar battery capable of more efficiently making a vehicle indoor space comfortable.SOLUTION: A vehicle 1 includes: a sheet-like first solar battery (a front battery 11, a right battery 14, and an upper battery 12) provided in the vehicle 1 and facing in a first direction (right direction, forward direction, and upward direction); a sheet-like second solar battery (a left battery 13 and a rear battery 15) provided in the vehicle 1 and facing in a second direction (left direction and rear direction); and a control device that determines an incident direction of solar light with respect to the vehicle 1 on the basis of a difference in generating output of the first and second solar batteries.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle equipped with solar cells. [Background technology]

[0002] International Publication No. 07 / 013389 discloses a vehicle in which a thermoelectric generating module and a dimming material are provided on the window glass. The dimming material adjusts the amount of light transmitted by a control means. The control means adjusts the amount of light transmitted based on the amount of solar radiation irradiated on the vehicle. This reduces direct sunlight entering the vehicle interior, making the interior environment more comfortable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 07 / 013389 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a solar cell-equipped vehicle that can more efficiently make the interior space of the vehicle comfortable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One embodiment of a solar-powered vehicle has a first sheet-shaped solar cell mounted on the vehicle and facing a first direction, a second sheet-shaped solar cell mounted on the vehicle and facing a second direction, and a control device that determines the direction of incidence of sunlight on the vehicle based on the difference in output generated by the first and second solar cells. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a solar cell-equipped vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electrical control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] <Vehicle 1> Various embodiments will be described below with reference to Figs. 1-2. As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 1 has a vehicle body 2, a window glass 3, and a plurality of solar cells 10 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the vehicle body 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle 1 has an electric control system 4 that uses the power generated by the solar cells 10 for electronic devices inside the vehicle. Specifically, the electric control system 4 charges a battery 6 with the power generated by the solar cells 10. Then, based on a control signal from an ECU 5, the electric control system 4 operates a dimmer 7 and an air conditioner 8 using the charge in the battery 6. This allows the electric control system 4 to maintain a suitable environment inside the vehicle cabin.

[0008] <Solar Cell 10> As shown in FIG. 1, each solar cell 10 is made of a flexible thin sheet-like perovskite solar cell. As a result, each solar cell 10 is appropriately provided along the outer peripheral surface of the vehicle body 2 having an uneven or rounded shape. Each solar cell 10 is provided on the front, top, left and right sides, and rear of the vehicle. That is, the solar cell 10 has a front cell 11, an upper cell 12, a left cell 13, a right cell 14, and a rear cell 15. Each solar cell 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 is provided along each surface of the vehicle body 2 so that it faces in a different direction from each other. As a result, no matter from what direction the sunlight irradiates the vehicle 1, the corresponding solar cell 10 can appropriately receive the sunlight and generate power.

[0009] Furthermore, the solar cell 10 is provided so as not to overlap with the window glass 3. This prevents the solar cell 10 from interfering with the view of the occupants, ensuring visibility from within the vehicle cabin. In another embodiment, a solar cell having transparency and light-transmitting properties may be provided so as to overlap with the window glass 3. In still another embodiment, the solar cell may be provided on the surface of the window glass 3 on the interior side of the vehicle.

[0010] <Window Glass 3> As shown in FIG. 1, the window glass 3 has a front glass 3a and a rear glass 3b. The window glass 3 also has a left front glass 3c, a left glass 3d, a left rear glass 3e, a right front glass 3f, a right glass 3g, and a right rear glass 3h as side glass. Each window glass 3 is provided with a light control device 7 that adjusts the transmittance of sunlight passing through the window glass 3. The light control device 7 is formed in a film shape and attached to each window glass 3. The light control device 7 is configured to increase opacity by applying a voltage, like conventionally known light control glass. In another embodiment, the light control device may be configured to increase transparency by applying a voltage.

[0011] <Electrical control system 4> 2, the electrical control system 4 has a solar cell 10, a battery 6, a dimmer 7, an air conditioner 8, and an ECU 5 (controller). The battery 6 is connected to the solar cell 10, the ECU 5, the dimmer 7, and the air conditioner 8 via power wiring. The battery 6 is supplied with power generated by the solar cell 10 upon receiving sunlight. The battery 6 supplies power for operating the ECU 5, the dimmer 7, and the air conditioner 8.

[0012] <ecu5> The ECU 5 is a computer system equipped with a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) and memories such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The ECU 5 is connected to the solar cell 10, the battery 6, the dimmer 7, and the air conditioner 8 by control wiring. The ECU 5 receives control signals from the solar cell 10 and acquires information indicating the output voltage and output current generated by each solar cell 10. The ECU 5 receives a control signal from the battery 6 and acquires information indicating the remaining charge. The ECU 5 outputs control signals to control the operating states of the dimmer 7 and the air conditioner 8.

[0013] The ECU 5 determines the direction in which sunlight is incident on the vehicle 1 based on the difference in output of each solar cell 10. For example, as one pattern, let us assume that sunlight is incident on the vehicle 1 from the front right and above, as shown in FIG. 1. In this case, sunlight is more strongly incident on the front battery 11, the right battery 14, and the upper battery 12. As a result, the generated output of the front battery 11, the right battery 14, and the upper battery 12 is greater than that of the other solar cells 10 (the left battery 13, the rear battery 15) that are provided facing leftward or rearward. Based on this generated output information, the ECU 5 can determine that sunlight is incident on the vehicle 1 from the front right and above.

[0014] The ECU 5, which has determined the direction of sunlight incidence, outputs a control signal to operate the light control device 7 and the air conditioner 8 based on the determined direction of incidence. Specifically, the ECU 5 reduces the transmittance of the light control device 7 provided on the windshield 3a and the right front glass 3f. This makes it difficult for sunlight from the right front to enter the vehicle interior. This makes it possible to suppress the rise in temperature inside the vehicle due to direct sunlight. The ECU 5 also prevents direct sunlight from entering the field of vision of the occupants, thereby increasing comfort.

[0015] As one pattern, the ECU 5 operates the air conditioner 8 to send cool air toward the seat located at the front right of the vehicle interior. This allows the area around the seat, which is likely to become hot due to direct sunlight from the front right, to be efficiently cooled. As another pattern, the ECU 5 operates the air conditioner 8 to send warm air toward the seat that is less likely to be exposed to direct sunlight. This allows the area around the seat in the shade to be efficiently heated. As described above, the ECU 5 can efficiently suppress variations in the temperature felt by the passengers. In this way, the ECU 5 can efficiently control the dimmer 7 and the air conditioner 8 to make the vehicle interior space comfortable based on the direction of incoming sunlight.

[0016] <Effects of the embodiment> To summarise the above, vehicle 1 has sheet-like first solar cells (front battery 11, right battery 14, upper battery 12) mounted on vehicle 1 and facing a first direction (forward, right, upward), sheet-like second solar cells (left battery 13, rear battery 15) mounted on vehicle 1 and facing a second direction (left, rear), and a control device (ECU 5) that determines the incident direction of sunlight on vehicle 1 based on the difference in output generated by the first and second solar cells. With the above configuration, ECU 5 determines the incident direction of sunlight, and the environment inside the vehicle can be adjusted based on the information on the incident direction. This makes it possible to more efficiently make the interior space of the vehicle comfortable.

[0017] The vehicle 1 also has a light control device 7 that adjusts the transmittance of sunlight passing through the window glass 3. The control device (ECU 5) controls the light control device 7 based on the determined incident direction of the sunlight. With the above configuration, the ECU 5 can adjust the transmittance of the window glass 3 in accordance with the incident direction of the sunlight.

[0018] Furthermore, the control device (ECU 5) controls the air conditioner 8 in the vehicle based on the determined incident direction of the sunlight. According to the above configuration, the ECU 5 can operate the air conditioner 8 in accordance with the incident direction of the sunlight.

[0019] <Other embodiments> In another embodiment, the solar cells do not have to be provided along the outer peripheral surface of the vehicle, and may be provided so as to face the first and second directions. The number and arrangement of the solar cells are not limited to the above embodiment and may be arbitrary. The first direction is not limited to the right direction, forward direction, and upward direction exemplified in the above embodiment, and the second direction is not limited to the left direction or rear direction. Similarly, the first solar cell is not limited to the front cell 11, the right cell 14, and the upper cell 12, and the second solar cell is not limited to the left cell 13 and the rear cell 15. In addition to perovskite solar cells, known solar cells can be used. For example, silicon-based cells such as single crystal, polycrystalline, amorphous, and multi-junction, compound-based cells such as CIS-based, CIGS-based, GaAs-based, and CdTe-based, dye-sensitized, and organic semiconductor-based solar cells, and quantum dot solar cells can be used.

[0020] In another embodiment, the light control device may be laminated inside the window glass. The window glass may have a light control function like a light control glass. In another embodiment, the battery may be charged not only by a solar cell but also by the running of the vehicle.

[0021] Although various embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various other modifications, substitutions, improvements, and the like are possible for those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0022] 1 vehicle (vehicle with solar panel) 2. Body 3. Window Glass 3a Windshield 3b Rear glass 3c Left front glass 3d left glass 3e Left rear glass 3F right front glass 3g right glass 3h Right rear window 4. Electrical control system 5 ECU (control unit) 6 Battery 7 Dimmer 8 Air conditioner 10. Solar Cells 11 Front cell (first solar cell) 12 Upper cell (first solar cell) 13 Left battery (second solar cell) 14 Right side battery (first solar cell) 15 Rear cell (second solar cell)

Claims

1. A solar-powered vehicle, A sheet-shaped first solar cell provided on the vehicle and facing a first direction; a sheet-shaped second solar cell provided on the vehicle and facing a second direction; A solar cell-equipped vehicle having a control device that determines a direction in which sunlight is incident on the vehicle based on a difference in output generated by the first and second solar cells.

2. The solar cell-equipped vehicle according to claim 1, A light control device is provided to adjust the transmittance of sunlight passing through the window glass. The control device controls the dimming device based on the determined incident direction of the sunlight.

3. 3. A solar cell-equipped vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, The control device controls an air conditioning device inside the vehicle based on the determined incident direction of the sunlight.

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