Piezo-Electric Rear View Device Casing for Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rear view devices for motor vehicles have a high energy demand due to numerous integrated components, leading to increased size, weight, and complexity from extensive cabling required for connecting to the vehicle's battery, which is undesirable in energy-limited electrical vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating piezo-electrical particles into the polymer casing of rear view devices, which generate electrical energy from mechanical forces like wind pressure and vibrations, eliminating the need for additional cabling by inductive coupling to a power storage unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If numerous integrated components are incorporated into rear view devices, then functionality is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear view device generates its own electrical energy through piezoelectric particles embedded in the casing material. Mechanical forces from wind pressure and vehicle vibrations deform these particles to produce electrical charge, which is stored in a power storage unit. This self-powered approach eliminates the need for additional cabling and reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining enhanced functionality.
2Reliability
If extensive cabling is used to connect rear view devices to the vehicle battery, then power supply is ensured, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the power generation function from the external vehicle battery system and integrates it directly into the rear view device itself. By embedding piezoelectric particles in the casing and incorporating a power storage unit, the device becomes self-sufficient for power supply, eliminating the need for extensive cabling connections to the vehicle battery.
3Use of energy by moving object
If piezoelectric particles are incorporated into the casing, then energy generation is enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the structural casing function with the energy generation function by embedding piezoelectric particles directly into the casing material. The casing serves dual purposes: providing mechanical protection and generating electrical energy through piezoelectric effect when deformed by mechanical forces. This integration simplifies the overall structure and reduces the number of separate components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing is constructed as a composite material system combining a base material (such as polymer or metal) with embedded piezoelectric particles. This composite structure enables the casing to exhibit both mechanical properties for structural integrity and piezoelectric properties for energy generation, achieving multiple functions through a single integrated material system.
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 enables efficient energy conversion and storage without additional weight, reducing the energy consumption of rear view devices and simplifying their construction while maintaining aesthetic and design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
at least one part of a casing (12) which includes piezo-electrical particles (14) and at least one conductive element (16) which is in electrical contact with the piezo-electrical particles (14)
Implementation Method 2
inductively coupled to a power storage unit (20)
Data Source
AI summary
An external rear view device for a motor vehicle includes a casing which has at least one part made from a polymer, wherein the at least one part of the casing comprises piezo-electrical particles and at least one conductive element which is in electrical contact with the piezo-electrical particles and inductively coupled to a power storage unit. A motor vehicle with such a rear view device is also described.