Solar Charging Device Power Threshold Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Solar batteries in electric vehicles face inefficiencies in charging due to varying output characteristics based on weather conditions, leading to potential battery depletion when the charging system is activated during low output periods.

Innovation Solution

A charging device with a power detection unit and power cutoff unit that only activates the charging control system when the solar module's output power meets a predetermined threshold, preventing unnecessary power consumption and ensuring efficient charging by cutting off power to the detection unit once charging is initiated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the charging control system is activated to monitor and charge the battery based on solar module output, then the battery charging function is improved, but power is consumed from the battery even when output is insufficient, leading to battery depletion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery charging functionVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power detection unit performs preliminary detection of solar module output power before the charging control system is activated. This preliminary action ensures that the charging control system only starts operating when sufficient power is available, preventing battery depletion while maintaining reliable charging function when conditions are appropriate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The power detection unit acts as an intermediary between the solar module and the charging control system. It detects the output power level and uses this information to control the power supply to the charging control system, thereby mediating the power flow to prevent battery depletion while enabling charging when appropriate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the power detection unit continuously monitors solar module output, then the charging control accuracy is improved, but unnecessary power consumption occurs when output is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput power detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption in detection unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The power detection unit operates periodically rather than continuously. It is activated only when solar module output reaches a predetermined level, performs detection and control functions, then enters a standby state. This periodic operation maintains measurement precision when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during low-output periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The power detection unit uses power from the solar module itself to operate, rather than drawing continuously from the battery. By activating only when sufficient solar power is available, the system uses the solar module's own output to service the detection function, eliminating the need for separate battery power supply to the detection unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 allows for appropriate battery charging while preventing depletion by only activating the charging control system when sufficient power is available from the solar module, thereby optimizing energy use and maintaining battery health.

Implementation Method 1

A solar battery (solar module) has recently been mounted in a hybrid car (HV car) or an electric automobile (EV car)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2584667B1Charging device
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2584667B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2584667B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2584667B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a charging device capable of appropriately charging of a battery while preventing battery depletion. In a charging system 1 including a charging device 2, when the output power from a solar battery 3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, power is supplied to a charging control system 7 which controls charging of batteries 12 and 13. Accordingly, when the output power from the solar battery 3 is small, since the charging control system 7 will not start, no power is consumed in the charging control system 7. As a result, battery depletion can be prevented. When the output power from the solar battery 3 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, charging of the battery is performed by the charging control system 7, thereby appropriately performing charging of the batteries 12 and 13.