Rotatable Photovoltaic Sunshade Panels for Night Display Autonomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combining a photovoltaic sunshade with a display system while ensuring continuous high-quality image display at night without draining the system's power reserves, as existing technologies face challenges in balancing energy harvesting and storage for autonomous operation.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered photovoltaic sunshade system with panels having both photovoltaic and display functionalities, where each panel is equipped with energy storage means and light-emitting elements, allowing for rotation to optimize energy usage and storage, and featuring a motor and sensors for automatic positioning based on light incidence and audience presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the photovoltaic sunshade uses photovoltaic cells to generate and store energy during the day, then energy availability for night display is improved, but the system may drain power reserves or go down during extended periods without sufficient sunlight
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary energy harvesting and storage during daytime when sunlight is available, charging energy storage means (batteries or capacitors) in advance to ensure continuous operation during nighttime or cloudy periods. This preliminary action allows the display system to operate without interruption despite varying environmental conditions.
2Extent of automation
If the system is fully autonomous and self-powered, then external power dependency is reduced, but the system may not provide high quality images throughout the entire evening or night without draining to zero
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts display parameters such as brightness, contrast, and power consumption settings based on available energy levels in the storage means. This allows the system to maintain high-quality image display for extended periods by optimizing the balance between visual quality and energy conservation, preventing complete power depletion.
3Productivity
If panels are made rotatable to optimize positioning towards the sun, then energy harvesting efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The panels are designed with rotatable mounting mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of their orientation towards the sun. This dynamic capability enables the system to track solar movement and maximize photovoltaic energy harvesting efficiency throughout the day, while the rotation mechanism is integrated into the overall panel structure to minimize additional complexity.
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 continuous high-quality image display at night using stored solar energy, with the system being partially autonomous and capable of adapting to varying sunlight conditions and audience presence, ensuring balanced energy usage and extended operation without external power.
Implementation Method 1
Solar photovoltaic blinds and curtains enabling energy production are known in the art
Implementation Method 2
this energy stored (e.g. in a battery) can be used in the evening or night
Implementation Method 3
light-emitting display functionality (e.g. comprising LEDs)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to an at least partially self-powered photovoltaic sunshade and display system, comprising a plurality of panels arranged in an array. Each of the plurality of panels has two sides, including a first side including a plurality of photovoltaic cells or a photovoltaic layer is provided, and a second side having an array of light-emitting elements is provided. The at least partially self-powered photovoltaic sunshade and display system comprises energy storage means that receives charge from the plurality of panels and provides electrical power to the array of light-emitting elements. Each of the plurality of panels is rotatable about an axis such that the two sides are respectively rotatable towards or away from the sun, and towards or away from an exterior environment.