Single Voltage Converter for Solar MPPT and Vehicle Bus Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar charging systems for motor vehicles suffer from significant power loss due to mismatched impedance between solar panels and battery loads, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, particularly because separate voltage converters are required for voltage stabilization and maximum power point tracking.
Innovation Solution
A single voltage converter is configured to serve both voltage stabilization and solar power generation systems, sharing hardware components and adapting to different voltage and current requirements, allowing for optimized power transfer and reduced component count, weight, and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a voltage converter is used for MPPT to maximize power transfer from solar panels, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage converter is designed to serve dual purposes: functioning as an MPPT controller for solar panel power optimization and as a voltage stabilizer for the vehicle's electrical system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated MPPT hardware, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining high power transfer efficiency from the solar panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the MPPT control function with the voltage stabilizer function into a single integrated voltage converter unit. By combining these two previously separate functions into one device, the system reduces component count and overall cost while achieving both maximum power extraction from solar panels and stable voltage regulation for vehicle accessories.
2Reliability
If separate voltage converters are used for voltage stabilization and solar power generation, then voltage quality is maintained, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage converter is designed to simultaneously perform voltage stabilization for the vehicle's electrical system and power point tracking for solar panel optimization. This single device handles both functions that would traditionally require separate converters, thereby reducing component count and system complexity while maintaining voltage quality through integrated control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the voltage stabilizer circuit and the MPPT controller into one integrated voltage converter unit. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed in the system, lowering overall device complexity and weight, while the integrated design ensures that both voltage quality and power transfer efficiency are maintained through coordinated control.
3Productivity
If a voltage converter is placed between solar panel and battery, then power transfer is optimized, but the converter remains idle during non-starting operations, wasting resources
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage converter is designed to be actively utilized in multiple system modes: during engine cranking it functions as a voltage stabilizer, and during normal operation it functions as an MPPT controller for solar panel optimization. This continuous active utilization eliminates idle time, ensuring the converter contributes to system efficiency in all operational states rather than remaining unused during non-starting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated voltage converter maintains continuous useful action by switching between its two functions based on system needs. During engine starting operations, it stabilizes voltage; during normal solar charging operations, it optimizes power transfer from panels. This continuous active engagement eliminates periods of idle consumption and ensures the converter is always performing a useful function, maximizing system efficiency.
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
This configuration enhances efficiency, reduces the number of components, decreases overall weight and cost, and simplifies packaging complexity by integrating voltage stabilization and solar power generation systems, ensuring optimal power transfer and reduced losses.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage converter configured to convert a voltage on the primary DC bus to a stabilized voltage on the DC accessory bus during a starting operation of the electric starter
Implementation Method 2
The voltage converter converts the solar panel output voltage to an optimized voltage that optimizes power transfer to the auxiliary load
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage quality module (VQM) function and a solar power generation function are integrated by sharing a single voltage converter (VC) within the electrical system of an automotive vehicle with an electric-start internal combustion engine. The cost of adding solar power generating capabilities to vehicles, the packaging complexities of the systems, and the number of added components are all decreased. The VC can be a DC-DC converter in a boost mode or a buck mode. A switching circuit selectably couples the VC between a main battery and an accessory bus or to between a solar panel and an auxiliary battery. A VC controller regulating a VC output using the main battery to stabilize an accessory bus voltage when in an engine crank mode and otherwise regulating the VC output to match an auxiliary battery voltage using the solar panel output.