Battery Charge Equalization in Solar Street Lighting Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor lighting systems powered by renewable energy face inefficiencies and high costs due to centralized power generation and storage, leading to unequal battery charging and reduced lifespan, especially in areas where grid connection is not feasible, and prior art computer-based control systems are prohibitively expensive.
Innovation Solution
A network of outdoor lighting units with rechargeable batteries connected by a single-core wire to ground, allowing charge equalization without a monitoring system, enabling energy sharing and balancing between units, using energy-efficient light fixtures and power generation devices like solar panels and wind turbines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If centralized power generation and storage is used for outdoor lighting, then power control and distribution is simplified, but system cost increases and battery charge balancing becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the outdoor lighting network into independently powered units, each with its own power generation and storage. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex centralized power control while allowing each unit to operate autonomously, resolving the contradiction between simplified control and battery charge balancing.
Solution Approach 2:
Neighboring lighting units share their power storage resources through direct conductor connections, merging their charge capacities. This allows automatic charge balancing between units without requiring centralized control or monitoring systems, as charge naturally equalizes through the conductors connecting adjacent units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each lighting unit has independent power generation and storage, then system adaptability increases, but charge balancing between units becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates equipotential conditions between neighboring storage units by connecting them through conductors. This causes charge to naturally flow from higher to lower potential until equalization, achieving automatic charge balancing without complex control systems while maintaining independent unit operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge balancing process is self-regulating, using the inherent electrical properties of connected storage units to automatically equalize charge levels. No external monitoring or control is needed - the system self-corrects charge imbalances through natural charge flow between neighboring units.
3Measurement precision
If computer-based control systems are implemented for monitoring and balancing, then charge management precision improves, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for expensive computer-based monitoring by using the natural electrical properties of connected storage units. Charge level balancing occurs automatically through charge flow between neighboring units, providing sufficient charge management without active monitoring or control electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex monitoring systems with simple conductor connections between units. This low-cost approach uses basic electrical components rather than sophisticated electronics, dramatically reducing system cost while achieving the necessary charge balancing function.
4Reliability
If storage means are connected to equalize charge, then charge balancing is achieved, but energy loss occurs during charge transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows partial charge transfer between neighboring units only when needed for balancing, rather than continuous equalization. This minimizes energy loss during charge transfer while still achieving adequate charge balancing, as charge flow occurs only when voltage differences exist between connected units.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution optimizes power use by equalizing battery charges, prolonging battery life, reducing energy waste, and lowering system costs by eliminating the need for expensive monitoring systems, while also making the system more secure against tampering and energy theft.
Implementation Method 1
the conductor serves to conduct electric energy from the storage means of a first lighting unit to the storage means of a second lighting unit so as to balance charge states
Implementation Method 2
The storage means provides an operating voltage that varies with the amount of stored energy. For example, a rechargeable battery having a nominal operating voltage of 24 Volts may have an actual operating voltage of about 26 Volts when fully charged and an actual operating voltage of about 22 Volts when its charge is near 10% of its full capacity
Implementation Method 3
power generation devices like solar panels and wind turbines
Implementation Method 4
power generation devices like solar panels and wind turbines
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A network is disclosed of a plurality of outdoor lighting units. Each lighting unit comprises a light fixture, for example a LED lamp; a power generating means, such as a solar panel or a wind turbine; and a storage means for electric energy, for example a battery. The energy storage means of neighboring lighting units are connected by a conductor. An imbalance in power generation or power consumption results in a balancing current through the conductor. The balancing current equalizes the charge levels of the energy storage means in the system. In an embodiment the conductor comprises a single core wire and ground.