Flexible Photovoltaic Road Laminate for Curved Surface Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current photovoltaic trafficable surfaces, such as SolaRoad, are expensive to install and cannot effectively handle curves or uneven road profiles due to their rigid and individual tile construction, and existing flexible solutions like retractable solar arrays are limited in application.

Innovation Solution

A photovoltaic multilayer laminate comprising flexible photovoltaic foil elements laminated to a stretchable or compressible carrier layer with built-in electrical interconnections, allowing for application from a roll and accommodating road curvatures and unevenness through stretchable or compressible spaces between the foil elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If rigid photovoltaic tiles are used for trafficable surfaces, then photovoltaic energy generation is achieved, but installation cost and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotovoltaic energy generationVSAvoidinstallation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid photovoltaic tiles with flexible photovoltaic foils that can be applied directly to the road surface. The flexible nature of the foils allows for continuous application without the need for individual tile installation, significantly improving installation productivity while maintaining photovoltaic energy generation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The photovoltaic system is divided into multiple flexible foils that are applied sequentially to the road surface. This segmentation allows for easier handling and application compared to large rigid tiles, enabling faster installation while maintaining overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If rigid photovoltaic tiles are used for trafficable surfaces, then photovoltaic energy generation is achieved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotovoltaic energy generationVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible photovoltaic foils are manufactured in continuous rolls and can be applied directly to the road surface, eliminating the need for expensive individual tile installation processes. This significantly reduces installation costs while maintaining photovoltaic energy generation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying rigid tiles to a prepared surface, the patent inverts the approach by applying flexible foils directly to the road surface in a continuous process, similar to applying paint or coating, which reduces installation complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Use of energy by moving object

If rigid photovoltaic tiles are used for trafficable surfaces, then photovoltaic energy generation is achieved, but adaptability to road curves and unevenness is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotovoltaic energy generationVSAvoidadaptability to road profiles

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible photovoltaic foils can conform to the contours of the road surface, including curves and unevenness, while maintaining their photovoltaic functionality. This flexibility provides full adaptability to various road profiles without compromising energy generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The photovoltaic system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible system that can adapt to different road profiles. The flexible foils can be stretched and conformed during application to match the specific geometry of the road surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Use of energy by moving object

If individual photovoltaic tiles are used for trafficable surfaces, then photovoltaic energy generation is achieved, but electrical connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotovoltaic energy generationVSAvoidelectrical connection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple flexible photovoltaic foils are combined into a single continuous application layer on the road surface. The electrical connections are integrated within the flexible foil structure itself, eliminating the need for separate connection processes for each individual tile and simplifying the overall electrical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables the cost-effective, large-scale integration of solar energy harvesting on roads by allowing for continuous application, flexibility to fit various road profiles, and simplified electrical connections, reducing installation time and costs.

Implementation Method 1

Photovoltaic devices are well known in the art. Such devices absorb sunlight and convert it directly into useable electrical energy.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240039454A1Photovoltaic trafficable surface comprising multilayer laminate

Publication Date: 2024.02.01 NEDERLANDSE ORG VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO

AI summary

The invention is directed to a photovoltaic multilayer laminate, to a method for preparing a photovoltaic multilayer laminate, to a method for preparing a photovoltaic roadway, and to a photovoltaic roadway.The photovoltaic multilayer laminate of the invention comprises multiple flexible photovoltaic foil elements laminated at least to a carrier layer comprising electrical interconnections for said flexible photovoltaic foil elements, wherein said multiple flexible photovoltaic elements are arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the laminate, wherein a stretchable or compressible space is provided between each pair of multiple flexible photovoltaic foil elements.