Tilting Solar Charging Panel for EVs With a Compact Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar charging devices for electric vehicles, such as electric bicycles, are either bulky, inefficient, or have a significant footprint, making them difficult to use and ineffective for rapid battery recharging.
Innovation Solution
A solar device with a tilting system allowing the photovoltaic panel to adjust its inclination between 0° and 90° relative to the horizontal, equipped with a locking mechanism and an electronic device to optimize power output based on the panel's angle, enabling efficient charging while minimizing size and bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If photovoltaic panels are mounted on a trailer towed by a bicycle to improve battery recharging, then charging efficiency is improved, but the device occupies significant road space and parking space
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic panel is nested within a housing structure that can be mounted on the bicycle frame. When retracted, the panel is contained within the housing, minimizing footprint. When deployed, the panel extends outward to maximize solar exposure for efficient charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates a tilting system with adjustable angles and a retractable mechanism that allows the photovoltaic panel to dynamically change its position and orientation. This enables the panel to optimize its surface area exposure to sunlight while maintaining a compact form when not in use.
2Productivity
If photovoltaic panels are made larger to improve solar energy capture, then recharging efficiency is improved, but the device becomes bulkier and more difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic panel is equipped with a tilting mechanism that allows it to adjust its angle relative to the bicycle frame. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the panel to optimize its orientation toward the sun, maximizing energy capture from a compact panel size, thereby avoiding the need for a large, unwieldy fixed panel.
3Productivity
If photovoltaic panels are tilted at various angles to optimize sun exposure, then energy capture is improved, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a tilting system with adjustable angles that allows the photovoltaic panel to change its orientation relative to the bicycle frame. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the panel to optimize its orientation toward the sun, maximizing energy capture from a compact panel size.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting system allows change in the angular parameter of the photovoltaic panel orientation. By adjusting the tilt angle, the system optimizes the panel's exposure to sunlight throughout the day, maximizing energy capture efficiency without requiring multiple fixed panels at different angles.
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 device optimizes solar energy capture by adjusting to the sun's position, providing efficient charging with a compact design that is easy to use and maintain, reducing the device's footprint during use and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic element allowing the recovery of solar energy
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 2D~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a solar device (1) for recharging a vehicle having a longitudinal axis (L), the solar device being configured to be positioned on a support (21) of the vehicle, the solar device comprising a photovoltaic panel (111) having a frame (11), a tilting system (12) configured to allow tilting of the frame, around a horizontal axis of rotation (R1) parallel to the longitudinal axis, a locking system (13) configured to selectively lock and unlock the tilting system in position, so as to allow tilting of the frame on the support according to a plurality of inclinations between a minimum, horizontal tilt position θ and a maximum tilt θ delimiting an angular sector of between at least 0° and 70° relative to the horizontal, preferably between 0° and 90°.