Solar Visor Assembly for Portable Device Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
When a vehicle is stationary, the battery can discharge due to power output from the 12-volt power outlet, potentially leaving it insufficient to start the engine, leading to fuel consumption and emissions if the motor is intermittently run to charge it.
Innovation Solution
A sun visor assembly equipped with a solar panel and a USB charging port that generates and regulates electric power to charge portable devices, reducing the need to start the vehicle and conserve fuel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle 12 volt power outlet is used to charge portable devices when the vehicle motor is stopped, then portable devices can be charged, but the vehicle battery becomes discharged to a level that is insufficient to start the vehicle motor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the solar panel with the sun visor assembly, merging the function of sun protection with electric power generation. This allows the solar panel to charge portable devices independently through the USB port without drawing power from the vehicle battery, thus resolving the contradiction between providing charging capability and maintaining battery charge for motor starting.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel provides self-service by generating its own electric power from sunlight, which is then regulated and made available through the USB port. This eliminates the need to draw power from the vehicle battery, allowing the battery to maintain sufficient charge for motor starting while still enabling portable device charging.
2Reliability
If the vehicle motor is intermittently run to charge the vehicle battery, then the vehicle battery charge level is maintained, but fuel is consumed and emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel serves itself by converting sunlight directly into electric power, which is then regulated and made available for charging portable devices. This eliminates the need to run the vehicle motor intermittently to maintain battery charge, thereby avoiding fuel consumption and emissions while still providing charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of running the motor to generate electricity with a photovoltaic system that converts sunlight directly into electric power. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical operation, fuel consumption, and associated emissions while maintaining the ability to provide electric power for charging devices.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a solar panel is integrated into the sun visor assembly, then portable devices can be charged using solar power independent of the vehicle battery, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solar panel, voltage regulator, and USB port into the existing sun visor assembly structure. This integration approach allows independent solar power generation for charging portable devices while utilizing the existing visor structure, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity compared to separate installations.
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 visor assembly effectively charges portable devices using solar power, preventing battery discharge and minimizing fuel consumption and emissions by providing an alternative power source independent of the vehicle's engine.
Implementation Method 1
The second panel includes a solar panel configured to generate electric power in response to sunlight incident on the solar panel
Data Source
AI summary
A sun visor assembly for a motorized vehicle includes first and second panels configured to be pivotally mounted to a sun visor support rod. The second panel includes a solar panel to generate power to charge a portable device. The sun visor assembly includes a solar panel voltage regulator configured to generate a regulated electric power from electric power generated by the solar panel. The solar panel voltage regulator is operatively coupled with a device charging output port to output the regulated electric power to charge the portable device.