Curved Vehicle Trim With Embedded Solar Cells for Aerodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of solar cells into motor vehicle body parts is challenging due to their brittleness and difficulty in supporting structural loads, leading to protrusions that affect aerodynamics and are costly to replace, especially in self-supporting vehicle bodies with curved contours.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body part design featuring a frame component and a trim part with airtight, three-dimensionally curved cutouts for solar cells that are integrated into the vehicle's contour, ensuring aerodynamic efficiency and protection from environmental influences, using materials like polycarbonate and silicone gel for sealing and structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar cells are integrated into self-supporting vehicle bodies with curved contours, then energy generation capability is improved, but the solar cells protrude from the external contour and aerodynamics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cells are nested within recesses formed in the trim parts, allowing them to be integrated into the vehicle body contour without protruding. The recesses are designed to accommodate the solar cells while maintaining the smooth external contour of the vehicle, thus preserving aerodynamic performance while enabling energy generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The trim parts are designed with localized recesses only in the areas where solar cells need to be integrated, while other areas maintain their original curved contour. This allows the solar cells to be embedded without affecting the overall aerodynamic shape of the vehicle body.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar cells are fitted retrospectively as planar panels, then energy generation capability is improved, but the solar cells protrude from the external contour and aerodynamics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body is divided into frame components and trim parts, with the solar cells integrated into specific trim parts. This segmentation allows for modular integration of solar cells during the manufacturing process, avoiding the need for complex retrospective installation while maintaining aerodynamic contours.
3Use of energy by moving object
If solar cells are integrated into curved vehicle body parts, then energy generation capability is improved, but replacement difficulty increases when cells are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The trim parts containing solar cells are designed as separate, replaceable modules. When solar cells are damaged, only the affected trim part needs to be replaced rather than the entire vehicle body structure, simplifying the repair process while maintaining integrated energy generation capability.
4Strength
If solar cells are integrated into self-supporting vehicle bodies, then structural support function is improved, but integration complexity and cost increase due to brittleness of solar cells
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body is segmented into structurally supportive frame components and non-structural trim parts. Solar cells are integrated only into the trim parts, allowing the frame components to provide the necessary structural support while the trim parts serve as mounting surfaces for the solar cells, reducing integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The trim parts are designed with localized recesses and sealing features only where solar cells are integrated, while other areas maintain their original design for aesthetic or functional purposes. This localized approach reduces overall integration complexity while enabling solar cell installation in specific areas.
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 design allows for seamless integration of solar cells within the vehicle's contour without protrusions, enhancing aerodynamics, protecting the cells from environmental damage, and optimizing production costs by using standardized, pre-assembled solar cells.
Implementation Method 1
at least one solar cell arranged in the same for generating electric energy
Implementation Method 2
The trim part preferably has at least one essentially airtight and substantially watertight closed cutout
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body part of a motor vehicle having at least one frame component and at least one trim part which is arranged thereon, wherein the trim part has at least one cutout which is closed off in an essentially airtight and watertight fashion and has at least one solar cell which is arranged therein and has the purpose of generating electrical energy, and wherein the outer side of the trim part has, at least in a region adjacent to the at least one solar cell, an outer shape which is curved three-dimensionally and which is provided for forming a part of the external contour of the motor vehicle in the installed position on said motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a method for producing a vehicle body part.