Solar Charge Controller Transient Suppression Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar charge sources in automotive applications face protection challenges from electrical transients such as load dump, over-current, and inductive switching spikes, which can lead to temporary or permanent loss of the solar charge source and connected electrical components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an automotive type transient suppression module within the solar charge controller to provide protection against these transients, including a load and electrostatic discharge protection modules, and a converter module to regulate voltage, ensuring the solar charge source can operate safely and effectively in transient conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If solar charge sources are used in automotive applications, then renewable energy capability is improved, but vulnerability to electrical transients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automotive transient suppression module as an intermediary component between the solar charge controller and the electrical system. This module includes transient voltage suppression diodes and current limiting circuitry that act as mediators to block and dissipate transient voltage spikes and current surges before they can reach and damage the solar charge source, thereby protecting the system while maintaining renewable energy capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements protection circuitry that is pre-configured and always active before transients occur. The transient suppression module includes clamping diodes and fuse elements that are positioned in advance to immediately respond to and cushion against voltage spikes and current surges, preventing damage before it can occur to the solar charge source
2Reliability
If transient protection modules are added to solar charge controllers, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transient suppression functionality with the existing solar charge controller housing and circuit board structure. The suppression module is integrated into the same enclosure and shares common electrical connections and mounting structures with the charge controller, thereby providing protection functionality while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The transient suppression module is designed to protect against multiple types of electrical transients simultaneously (voltage spikes, current surges, reverse polarity) using a single integrated circuit assembly. This multi-functional approach provides comprehensive protection without requiring separate dedicated components for each type of transient, thus limiting the increase in device 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
The solution effectively prevents temporary or permanent loss of the solar charge source and connected components by mitigating automotive type transients, ensuring reliable operation in transient conditions, thereby maintaining solar charging capabilities and component integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a solar panel configured to absorb sunlight and generate electrical power from the sunlight
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described herein for providing automotive type transient protection of a solar charge source. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a load and a solar charge source for providing DC power to the load. The solar charge source including a solar charge controller including an automotive type transient suppression module configured to provide automotive type transient protection for the solar charge source from an automotive type transient.