Solar Paint Housing via IMD Transfer for Energy Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solar panels are expensive, occupy space, and have low efficiency, making them difficult to widely apply in general electronic devices, while solar paint is still in its developmental stage and lacks practical application methods.

Innovation Solution

A solar-powered paint layer is formed on a film using carbon nano tubes and fullerene, which is then integrated into an electronic device housing via in-mold decoration (IMD) technology, allowing the paint to be transferred and fixed onto the housing surface, enabling solar energy absorption and conversion into electrical energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional solar panels are used, then solar power generation is achieved, but the device becomes expensive, occupies large space, and has low efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar power generation efficiencyVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies solar paint as a thin film coating on the housing surface instead of using conventional rigid solar panels. This thin film approach maintains solar power generation capability while dramatically reducing the space occupation and enabling flexible integration into electronic device housings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical form of solar energy conversion from discrete panel modules to a continuous paint coating. This parameter change in the state of matter (from solid panels to liquid/powder coating) enables better surface utilization and efficiency while reducing overall space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If conventional solar panels are used, then solar power generation is achieved, but the device becomes expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar power generationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The solar paint coating is a thin film solution that uses minimal materials compared to conventional panels. The paint contains carbon nanotubes and fullerene in a binder, which can be applied as a thin layer, significantly reducing material costs and manufacturing expenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The solar paint uses inexpensive carbon-based materials (carbon nanotubes and fullerene) as the active components instead of expensive silicon wafers or other conventional photovoltaic materials. This substitution with cheaper materials reduces the overall cost while maintaining functional capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Use of energy by moving object

If solar paint is applied directly without proper integration, then solar power absorption is achieved, but the paint lacks practical application method and durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar power absorptionVSAvoidpractical applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the solar paint coating process with the housing manufacturing process itself. The paint is applied to the housing and then the housing is molded, integrating the solar functionality directly into the structural component. This combination ensures durability and practical applicability while maintaining solar power absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The solar paint is pre-applied to the housing surface before the final molding process. This preliminary action ensures that the solar coating is in place before the housing is completed, allowing for better adhesion and integration while ensuring the paint survives the manufacturing process and provides long-term reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solar paint layer effectively extends the operation time of electronic devices by harnessing solar power, promoting environmental protection and energy conservation, and can be mass-produced using IMD technology, overcoming the limitations of traditional solar panels.

Implementation Method 1

The solar-powered paint layer may be transparent or colorful, and it may form a special pattern and be disposed on a surface of the housing. Thus, it can absorb solar power to generate electric energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8519259B2Electronic device housing with solar paint and manufacturing method thereof

Publication Date: 2013.08.27 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC

AI summary

The invention provides an electronic device housing with solar paint and a manufacturing method thereof. Solar-powered paint layers are transferred onto the housing by the IMD technology. Therefore, the housing of the electronic device can generate electric energy via solar power to prolong the operation time of the electronic device and achieve environmental protection and energy conservation effects.