Foldable Solar Battery Pack With Dual-Source Charge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Over 1.1 billion people lack access to electricity, relying on expensive and dangerous fuel-based sources for lighting and energy, and face significant challenges in charging mobile phones due to limited access to grid electricity.
Innovation Solution
The development of solar-powered battery charging systems, including foldable housing with solar panels, a single-cell battery, and charge control circuitry that manages power flow from solar panels to the battery, allowing simultaneous charging from solar panels and external power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solar panels are used to charge batteries in off-grid communities, then access to electricity and mobile phone charging is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is divided into separate functional modules: solar panels for energy harvesting, charge control circuitry for power management, and batteries for energy storage. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture, making it more suitable for off-grid applications while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge control circuitry automatically manages power flow from solar panels to batteries without requiring external control or monitoring. The system self-regulates charging parameters based on battery state and solar input, eliminating the need for complex user intervention or external management systems, thus improving reliability while keeping device complexity manageable.
2Productivity
If charge control circuitry is added to manage power flow from solar panels, then charging efficiency is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charge control circuitry dynamically adjusts charging parameters such as voltage and current based on battery state of charge and solar panel output characteristics. By changing electrical parameters in real-time, the system optimizes charging efficiency without requiring overly complex control algorithms or additional components, achieving high productivity with manageable complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DC-to-DC power converter is used to step down voltage, then battery charging compatibility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The DC-to-DC power converter is designed to handle multiple battery types and voltage requirements through a single unified circuit architecture. By implementing universal charging capability that can adapt to different battery chemistries and voltage levels, the system achieves high adaptability without requiring multiple specialized converters, thereby simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing production complexity.
4Productivity
If simultaneous charging from solar panels and external power sources is enabled, then charging speed and productivity are improved, but control complexity and power management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charge control circuitry incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor power input from both solar panels and external sources, as well as battery charge state. Based on this feedback, the system automatically balances power distribution between the two sources, optimizing charging speed while maintaining simple control logic. The feedback loop prevents overcharging and manages power conflicts without requiring complex control algorithms.
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
These systems provide efficient and sustainable battery charging solutions for off-grid communities, reducing reliance on expensive and hazardous energy sources, and enabling continuous access to mobile phones for communication and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
two solar panels are coupled to a foldable housing
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for solar-powered battery charging. In a solar battery pack, one or more solar panels may be coupled to a foldable housing. A battery is also coupled to the housing. Charge control circuitry is electrically coupled to the solar panels and the battery. The charge control circuitry is configured to control power flow from the solar panels to the battery based on one or more predetermined characteristics of the solar panels.