Solar Powered Smart Device Display Screen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices such as smartphones, media players, and portable radios face battery depletion issues in emergency situations where power charging is unavailable, necessitating a reliable backup energy source.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a transparent solar panel screen and rear solar panels with a rechargeable battery and solar charge controller in a smart device, enabling solar-powered operation and extended battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electronic devices rely solely on rechargeable batteries, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot operate in emergency situations without power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines solar panels with the display screen to create an integrated power-generating display system. The solar panel is positioned behind the display layer, allowing the screen to serve dual purposes: visual output and solar energy collection. This merging eliminates the need for separate solar panel components while enabling emergency operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the visual display interface and the solar power collection surface. The transparent or translucent display layer allows sunlight to pass through to the solar panel while still providing visual output, making the display component universal for both information presentation and energy generation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar panels are added to the rear portion of the device, then energy collection area increases, but the rear portion must be exposed to sunlight which conflicts with typical downward-facing orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel is merged with the front display screen rather than being placed on the rear portion. This integration allows the device to collect solar energy from the front surface where it naturally receives sunlight during typical upward-facing usage, eliminating the conflict between power collection and device orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to collect sunlight from the rear downward-facing surface, the patent transitions to collecting light from the front upward-facing display surface. This dimensional change in light collection approach aligns with natural device orientation during use, allowing users to hold the device in conventional positions while still capturing solar energy effectively.
3Use of energy by moving object
If transparent solar panel screen is integrated with the display screen, then solar power collection is maximized during device use, but the display screen transparency must be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen employs local quality variation by having different transparency characteristics in different regions or layers. The display can maintain high visibility for users while allowing sufficient sunlight transmission to the solar panel. This is achieved through selective transparency in the display layers that balances visual output requirements with solar energy collection needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The display assembly uses composite materials that combine display functionality with light-transmitting properties. The multi-layer structure includes transparent conductive oxides, transparent polymers, and other materials that allow simultaneous achievement of display visibility and solar panel illumination, creating a composite system that performs both functions effectively.
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-powered smart device can maintain functionality for communication and entertainment purposes, even in situations without traditional power sources, by harnessing solar radiation for energy replenishment.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of photovoltaic modules positioned behind the display layer and operatively associated with the rechargeable battery
Implementation Method 2
a solar charge controller adapted to regulate the amount of current the photovoltaic modules feed into an associated battery bank
Data Source
AI summary
Solar Powered display screen for electronic devices including but not limited to smart phones, media players, portable radios . . . is disclosed. Expands battery life of a battery and product usage and can produce two way radio for emergency purposes. (The two way radio is optional).