Solar Hybrid Vehicle Conversion Kit with In-Wheel Motors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motor vehicles have a high energetic and environmental impact due to emissions and pollution, and existing hybrid vehicles face limitations in energy endurance and market penetration, necessitating a solution to transform existing vehicles into low-impact, solar hybrid vehicles without modifying the original motor control system or adding sensors.

Innovation Solution

A kit that integrates in-wheel electric motors and photovoltaic panels with a control unit using OBD port data to manage energy flow, allowing regenerative braking, battery recharging, and torque release, enabling conversion of conventional vehicles into hybrid or solar hybrid vehicles without interfering with the original control system or adding sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If hybrid vehicles are developed by coupling thermal motor and electric motor, then fuel consumption and emissions are reduced, but market penetration remains insufficient and energy endurance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveemissionsVSAvoidmarket penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the vehicle to automatically manage its own energy resources by intelligently coordinating the thermal engine and electric motor based on real-time operating conditions, optimizing fuel consumption and emissions reduction without requiring complex user intervention or system modifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hybrid powertrain system performs multiple functions: it can operate in pure electric mode for urban driving, switch to thermal engine mode for highway driving, and combine both modes for optimal efficiency, making the vehicle adaptable to various driving conditions and increasing its market appeal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Use of energy by moving object

If photovoltaic panels are integrated into the vehicle, then solar energy is utilized for energy accumulation, but the power available is much lower than the maximum power of the motorcar

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy accumulationVSAvoidpower availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The photovoltaic panels continuously accumulate solar energy during the day and store it in the battery, preparing energy reserves in advance for periods when the vehicle needs additional power or when solar energy is not available, such as during nighttime or cloudy periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the photovoltaic energy generation system with the existing hybrid powertrain, combining solar energy, battery energy, and thermal engine power into a unified energy management system that optimizes the contribution of each source based on real-time demands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a kit for transforming conventional vehicles is developed, then existing vehicles can be converted into hybrid vehicles, but the original motor control system would need to be modified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle conversion capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary control unit that communicates with the existing motor control system through standardized interfaces, translating between the legacy system and the new hybrid control requirements without requiring modification of the original control architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is segmented into independent modules: the original motor control system remains unchanged, while a new hybrid control unit manages the electric motor and energy management, with clear separation of functions and communication through standardized protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If sensors are added to detect driving conditions, then precise control of motorized wheels is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving condition detectionVSAvoidsensor addition
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes feedback from existing vehicle sensors and controllers through the OBD interface to infer driving conditions, eliminating the need for additional sensors by cleverly processing available data to determine acceleration, braking, and driving mode with sufficient precision for hybrid control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 reduces fuel consumption and emissions, enhances vehicle reliability by providing a secondary propulsion system, and optimizes engine operation, while allowing for partial energy recovery and solar energy utilization, effectively addressing the limitations of existing hybrid vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

kit further comprises photovoltaic panels for recharging said supply battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

two motorized wheels, provided with an electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

said motorized wheels assist the braking, generating electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2555937B1Kit for transforming a conventional motor vehicle into a solar hybrid vehicle, and relevant motorvehicle obtained by the kit
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 EPROINN SRL
  • EP2555937B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2555937B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2555937B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention concerns a kit for transforming a conventional motor vehicle comprising two driving wheels, alternating internal combustion motor (ICE), into a hybrid electric vehicle, characterised in that it comprises: - two motorized wheels, provided with an electric motor (EM) an a braking system, - a control unit (VMU) for said two motorized wheels; - a solar panel, even of the auto - steerable type during only the parking phases, to increase the energetic advantages of the hybridization by exploiting the solar energy both during the drive and in the vehicle stop phases; - a supply battery (Battery) of the electric motors (EM) of said motorized wheels.