Modular Solar Streetlight Power System with Segmented Battery Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing streetlight systems that use rechargeable batteries charged by renewable energy sources, such as solar cells, face challenges in maintaining consistent illumination due to varying power generation based on environmental conditions, leading to high manufacturing costs and the need for site-specific adjustments in solar cell arrays and battery capacity.
Innovation Solution
A modular electric power system comprising a main module and sub-modules with rechargeable batteries, renewable energy generators, and control circuits that allow for independent charging and discharging, along with an AC adapter module for supplementary power, enabling stable power supply and efficient use of renewable energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large array of solar cells is used to ensure sufficient illumination, then the illumination stability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a main module and multiple sub-modules that can be independently configured. Each module contains its own solar cells, battery pack, and control circuitry. This segmentation allows the system to be scaled according to specific illumination needs without requiring a uniformly large array, reducing unnecessary manufacturing costs while ensuring sufficient illumination stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit dynamically manages power distribution between the main module and sub-modules based on actual illumination requirements and environmental conditions. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its effective size, using only the necessary capacity to maintain illumination stability, thereby avoiding the need to manufacture and install oversized static arrays.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the solar cell array size and battery capacity are changed to adapt to installation sites, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into standardized main and sub-modules, the patent enables flexible configuration for different installation sites. Each module is a self-contained unit that can be independently manufactured and then combined in various quantities to match specific site requirements, achieving adaptability without requiring custom manufacturing for each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The main module and sub-modules are designed with universal interfaces and standardized components, allowing the same basic unit to serve multiple installation scenarios. This universality enables a single manufacturing process to produce modules that can be deployed in various configurations across different sites, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.
3Illumination intensity
If high capacity rechargeable batteries are used to power the illumination source brightly, then the illumination brightness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery storage system is segmented into a main battery pack in the main module and additional battery packs in sub-modules. This segmentation allows the total battery capacity to be increased by simply adding more modular units rather than using a single large complex battery system, thereby achieving high illumination brightness while keeping each individual module relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple battery packs from the main module and sub-modules are electrically combined in parallel to achieve the required total capacity for bright illumination. This merging approach distributes the complexity across multiple simple, identical units rather than concentrating it in a single complex system, making the overall system easier to manufacture and maintain.
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
The system provides stable and efficient power supply to illumination sources by optimizing module connections and power distribution, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing reliability, especially during periods of low renewable energy generation.
Implementation Method 1
a main battery pack (11) connected to the main renewable energy power generating apparatus (12) with a plurality of rechargeable batteries connected in series and/or parallel that are charged by power generated by the main renewable energy power generating apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a main renewable energy power generating apparatus (12) that generates electric power from renewable energy
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The electric power system is provided with a main module 10 having a switching device 17, and a sub-module 20. The output-side of the sub-module 20 sub-reverse current protection diode 24 is connected to a connection point CP between the main module 10 main reverse current protection diode 14 and the switching device 17 to allow power to be supplied to the load from the sub-battery pack 21 through the sub-reverse current protection diode 24 and the switching device 17. The main module 10 main control circuit 13 controls the switching device 17 ON and OFF to supply power from both the main module 10 main battery pack 11 and the sub-module 20 sub-battery pack 21 to light an illumination source 3.