Patent Application
20160068122
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an energy harvesting system for a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to an energy harvesting system for a vehicle including an energy harvesting module configured to convert ambient energy to electrical energy and a storage device configured to store and supply electrical energy.
2. Background Information
A battery of an electric vehicle (EV) stores electricity received from an external power source. The stored electricity powers the EV such that the range of the EV is limited by the amount of stored electricity. Supplying power to accessory components of the EV, such as interior lighting, drains the stored electricity, thereby decreasing the remaining battery charge and, thus, the range of the EV. Accordingly, a need exists for an energy harvesting system for a vehicle that harvests and utilizes ambient energy to power vehicle accessories.
In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the present invention provides an energy harvesting system for a vehicle including a vehicle component having an outer surface facing an exterior of the vehicle and an inner surface facing an interior compartment of the vehicle, and an energy harvesting module disposed in the vehicle component. The energy harvesting module includes an accessory battery and first and second energy harvesting devices. The accessory battery is configured to supply power to a vehicle accessory. The first energy harvesting device is electrically coupled to the accessory battery and is configured to harvest ambient energy collected from the exterior of the vehicle. The second energy harvesting device is electrically coupled to the accessory battery and is configured to harvest ambient energy collected from the interior of the vehicle. The energy harvesting module converts the harvested ambient energy to electrical energy.
Another aspect of the present invention provides an energy harvesting system for an electric vehicle including a vehicle structure and a vehicle component connected to the vehicle structure. The vehicle component has an outer surface facing an exterior of the vehicle and an inner surface facing an interior of the vehicle. An energy harvesting module includes an accessory battery disposed in the vehicle component and is configured to supply power to a vehicle accessory. A first energy harvesting device is disposed in the vehicle component and is electrically coupled to the accessory battery. The first energy harvesting device is configured to harvest ambient energy collected from the exterior of the vehicle. A second energy harvesting device is disposed in the vehicle component and is electrically coupled to the accessory battery. The second energy harvesting device is configured to harvest ambient energy collected from the interior of the vehicle. A third energy harvesting device is disposed externally of the vehicle component and is electrically coupled to the accessory battery. The third energy harvesting device is configured to harvest ambient energy collected from the interior of the vehicle. The energy harvesting module is configured to convert the harvested ambient energy to electrical energy.
Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original
Selected exemplary embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the exemplary embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Referring to
The vehicle 12 is preferably an electric vehicle, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The first energy harvesting device 20 includes a solar panel 29. As shown in
The second energy harvesting device 21 can include a vibration harvesting module 24 electrically coupled to the accessory battery 19 and configured to harvest vibration energy. The vibration harvesting module 24 can be any suitable energy harvesting device configured to harvest vibration energy of the vehicle. The vibration harvesting module 24 is electrically coupled to the accessory battery 19, as shown in
In addition to or instead of the vibration harvesting module, the second energy harvesting device 21 can include a radio frequency harvesting module 25. The radio frequency harvesting module 25 is electrically coupled to the accessory battery 19 and configured to harvest radio frequency energy. The radio frequency harvesting module 25 can be any suitable energy harvesting device configured to harvest radio frequency energy, such as RF energy broadcast by a radio transmitter.
A third energy harvesting device 33 includes a heat harvesting module 34 electrically coupled to the accessory battery 19 and configured to harvest heat energy. The heat harvesting module 34 is disposed externally of the vehicle component 13, as shown in
A circuit board 38 is electrically coupled to the accessory battery 19, as shown in
The maximum power tracking circuit 39 monitors the harvested energy from each of the inputs (the vibration harvesting module 24, the radio frequency harvesting module 25 and the solar panel 29) to more efficiently supply power to the accessories 22. When the harvested energy from the inputs is insufficient to power the accessories, the maximum power tracking circuit can supply the required electrical power to the accessories from the accessory battery 19, thereby ensuring proper operation of the accessories.
The heat harvesting circuit 40 monitors the harvested energy from the heat harvesting module 34 to more efficiently supply power to the accessories 22. When the harvested energy from the heat harvesting module 34 is insufficient to power the accessories, the maximum power tracking circuit can supply the required electrical power to the accessories from the accessory battery 19, thereby ensuring proper operation of the accessories.
The battery monitor and charging circuit 41 monitors the charge level of the accessory battery 19 disposed in the energy harvesting module 18 of the vehicle component 13. Harvested energy is directed to the accessory battery 19 to recharge the accessory battery when the battery monitor and charging circuit 41 determines the power level has decreased below a predetermined level.
A first indicator light 30 is disposed on the vehicle component to indicate when energy is being harvested, as shown in
The vehicle component 13 includes a converter 42, such as a 12V DC converter, to convert the harvested electrical energy to electrical power usable with a conventional 12V electrical system.
In an exemplary embodiment shown in
The heat harvesting module 34 is electrically coupled to the accessory battery 19 through the circuit board 38. The opening 36 in the enclosure 26 receives the cable 35, thereby electrically coupling the heat harvesting module 34 to the circuit board 38. The heat harvesting element 34 is mounted to or proximate to a heat source disposed in the interior compartment 17 of the vehicle 12, such as a high temperature heat source of the drivetrain.
In another exemplary embodiment shown in
The vehicle 12 is charged by a conventional charging station 48, as shown in
As shown in
The indicator light 30 is illuminated when energy is being harvested by the vehicle component 13. As shown in
Accordingly, the energy harvesting system 11 in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention harvests and utilizes ambient energy to power vehicle accessories, thereby increasing the power available from the main battery to increase the vehicle range.
In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe the above embodiments, the following directional terms “forward”, “rearward”, “above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and “transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a vehicle.
The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.
While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such features. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
