Solar Load Adaptive Speed Control for PV Vehicle Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems fail to maximize solar energy collection when exposed to substantial solar loads, as they are primarily designed for harvesting energy while parked, rather than during operation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a PV panel, solar loading sensor, GPS sensor, and electronic control unit (ECU) that detects solar load and vehicle speed, determining a minimum acceptable speed to increase solar energy collection by reducing vehicle speed when the solar load exceeds a predetermined threshold, and optionally adjusting speed based on road type and nearby vehicle speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vehicle operates at higher speed during substantial solar load exposure, then productivity and travel efficiency are improved, but solar energy collection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vehicle speed based on real-time solar load conditions detected by sensors. The ECU modifies speed recommendations to the driver based on whether substantial solar load is detected, making the speed parameter adaptive rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction by allowing speed to vary according to solar energy collection opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of vehicle speed based on solar load conditions. When substantial solar load is detected, the ECU recommends reducing speed to maximize PV panel exposure and energy collection. This parameter change directly addresses the contradiction between maintaining high speed for productivity and reducing speed for energy collection.
2Loss of energy
If the vehicle reduces speed to increase solar energy collection, then energy harvesting efficiency is improved, but productivity and travel time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from solar loading sensors and GPS to continuously monitor solar load conditions and provide real-time speed recommendations to the driver. This feedback loop allows the system to optimize energy harvesting only when substantial solar load is detected, rather than continuously reducing speed, thus balancing energy efficiency with travel productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies speed reduction only partially - specifically when substantial solar load conditions are detected - rather than continuously reducing speed. This selective application of speed reduction maximizes energy harvesting during favorable conditions while minimizing impact on overall travel efficiency and productivity.
3Productivity
If the system continuously monitors solar load and adjusts speed, then energy collection is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU performs multiple functions: it manages electric motor control, processes solar load sensor data, receives GPS location information, and provides speed recommendations to the driver. By making the ECU a multi-functional universal controller rather than adding separate dedicated systems, the patent optimizes energy collection while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing vehicle components (ECU, sensors, GPS) to perform solar load monitoring and speed optimization without requiring entirely new dedicated systems. The ECU leverages its existing processing capabilities to handle solar energy optimization, allowing the system to serve multiple purposes with existing infrastructure.
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
Enhances solar energy collection by optimizing vehicle speed in real-time based on solar load conditions, increasing energy harvesting efficiency during vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
A PV panel is provided which can receive sunlight and convert the sunlight into electricity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for reducing a current speed of a vehicle that can operate on solar energy to increase solar energy collection. The system may include a photovoltaic (PV) panel configured to receive sunlight to drive an electric motor, a solar loading sensor configured to detect solar load, a global position system (GPS) sensor configured to detect vehicle location data, a speed sensor configured to detect vehicle speed, and an electronic control unit (ECU) connected to the electric motor, the solar loading sensor, the speed sensor, and the GPS sensor. The ECU may determine whether the vehicle is exposed to solar load greater than a predetermined threshold value and, if so, present a driver of the vehicle a minimum acceptable speed to select based on sensor data and a difference of solar energy collection between the minimum acceptable speed and the current speed.