SOLAR-PANEL APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20110169445A1
• Filed: 03/17/2011
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tsukasa Shirai
• Original Assignee: Tsukasa Shirai
• Inventors: SHIRAI, Tsukasa
• Application Number:
  US13/050,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20110169445A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02021 for solar cells electrical connection means, e.g. junction boxes, specially adapted for structural association with photovoltaic modules H02S40/34
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

The positive and negative pole of the DC-battery 2-1 is allowed to be connected to the solar panel 2-11 and the solar panel 2-14 when the key position of the ignition switch 2-15 is in a position of “on” or “acc”. The positive and negative pole of the DC-battery 2-1 is not connected to the solar panel 2-11 and the solar panel 2-14 when the key position of the ignition switch 2-15 is in the position of “lock” or “start”. To attain such a configuration, lead wire connects the ignition switch 2-15 utilizing relay 2-4-a and fuse box 2-4-b. When the position of the ignition key is in “on” or “acc”, positive poles of the solar panels 2-11 and the solar panel 2-14 are connected to the positive pole of the DC battery 2-1 via the relay 2-4-a. Relays 3-4, 3-15, 3-16, 4-4, 4-15, and 4-16 have similar function as the relay 2-4-a.

Claims

1. A solar-panel apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

an ignition switch;

a battery;

a solar panel; and

an electrical circuit connecting said ignition switch, said battery and said solar panel;

wherein

said electric circuit connects said battery and said solar panel when said ignition switch is in “

on”

or “

acc”

position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrical circuit comprises a switch which sets an electric power input to said battery at least two settings.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

said solar-panel apparatus further comprises a second solar panel that is smaller than said solar panel, and

said second solar panel is electrically connected to said battery at all times.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an on/off switch is provided between said battery and said solar panel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an on/off switch is provided between said battery and said solar panel, said on/off switch allowing all connections between said battery and said solar panel to be cut off if an overcharge of said battery occurs during driving, stopping, or parking.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said solar panel is provided with a switch for switching a supply state when electric output is supplied from said solar panel to said battery and a circulation state when a positive pole and a negative pole of said solar panel are connected to both ends of a body metal of said vehicle, respectively so that said solar panel functions as an electric current circulation apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

said solar-panel apparatus further comprises a second solar panel having a lower output than that of said solar panel,

an electric power which is generated at said second solar panel can be adjusted by a shutter apparatus which covers said second solar panel, or by a potentiometer or a combination of resistors which lowers said output of said second solar panel,

said second panel is always connected to said battery irrespective of said position of said ignition switch, and

said second solar panel is smaller than said solar panel.

8. A solar-panel apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a battery;

a solar panel;

a shutter apparatus for covering said solar panel so that light input into said solar panel is adjusted; and

an electric circuit connecting said battery and said solar panel.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a potentiometer, a resistor, or an on/off switch, or a combination thereof which lowers electricity output of said solar panel to said battery.

10. A solar-panel apparatus for a vehicle used on land, in or on the water, or in the air, including an automobile, a boat, a vessel, and an airplane, said solar-panel apparatus comprising:

a solar panel;

a conductive part of the vehicle; and

an electric circuit connecting said conductive part of the vehicle and said solar panel;

wherein

one point on said conductive part of the vehicle is connected to a positive pole of said solar panel and another point on said conductive part of the vehicle is connected to a negative pole of said solar panel so that electric current flows through said conductive part of the vehicle, and

said conductive part of the vehicle is powered by said solar panel only for electric current to flow inside said conductive part of the vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said conductive part of the vehicle is a body metal of the vehicle, a cylinder head of an engine, a grounding wire, or a conductive wire.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising an electric apparatus powered by said solar panel, wherein at least one of said two points are connected to said positive pole of the solar panel or said negative pole of the solar panel via the electric apparatus.

13. A solar-panel apparatus for a vehicle used on land, in or on the water, or in the air, including an automobile, a boat, a vessel, and an airplane, said solar-panel apparatus comprising:

a solar panel;

an electric apparatus powered by the solar panel;

a conductive part of the vehicle; and

an electric circuit connecting said solar panel and said electric apparatus powered by the solar panel;

wherein

electric leakage from said electric circuit to said conductive part of the vehicle causes electric current flowing through the conductive part of the vehicle, and

said conductive part of the vehicle is powered by said solar panel only for electric current to flow inside said conductive part of the vehicle.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said electric leakage is caused by using a code, in said circuit, covered by a coat or cover having a conductivity.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said conductive part of the vehicle is a body metal of the vehicle.