STATEMENT OF INVENTION:
The present investigation discloses the design and development of a four wheeled solar
car for city ride. This car can be used for transport from one part of the city to the other
part of the city within 40 km of range. The controller action is made in such a way to give
smooth ride during transportation.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION:
Field of invention
The present invention relates to the design and development of an eco-friendly green
vehicle that does not use engines and therefore runs without consuming any kind of
conventional fuels. In particular it is related to development of a four wheeled vehicle
runs by means of solar power. Moreover the vehicle can be used in the city in a range of
40km.
Background of invention
As a result of population growth in the world, last few decades has pointed the potential
increased in demand of traditional sources of energy. With the increase in demand of
energy, production could not increase equally. Conventional sources of energy like coal,
oil and gas alone cannot supply the increased demand, because they will be exhausted in
the coming years. On the other hand nonconventional sources such as solar energy, wind
energy, and biomass are emerging as an alternative to traditional sources. Solar energy
depicts the maximum potential among the all renewable sources of energy.
Prior Art
• U.S. Pat. No. 4911257 to inventor Kajimoto et al. discloses a vehicle having a
solar battery system. An actinometer is used to measure the quantity of solar
radiation supplied to the body. A controller compares the output of the solar
battery with the detected output of the actinometer and generates an alarm signal
whenever result of comparison is out of a predetermined condition.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5545261 to inventor Ganj et al. discloses a solar roof for motor
vehicles with a solar cell for power. generation. It uses solar cells for supplying
power to a consumer or battery. Also a D.C. converter has been used for
impedance matching between the solar generator and the power consumer and/or
battery. Flat module DC converter is integrated into the solar cell carrying roof
panel.
• Published patent application US 2007/0125417 Al to inventor Johanson et aI.
discloses a solar energy system for a hybrid vehicle that utilizes as attachable
solar panel to receive and convert solar energy into direct current electricity.
• U.S. Pat. No. 2008/0100258 Al to inventor Ward discloses a hybrid vehicle with
adjustable solar panels to increase charge generation. Solar cells are mounted to
the vehicle components such as moon roof or truck bed cover which can be
adjusted in the direction of the sun. It uses a telescopic moon roof mechanism to
allow additional solar panels.
• Published patent application US 2012/0073885 Al to inventor Glynn discloses a
motorized vehicle with expanded solar panel capacity.
• Published patent application US 201110297459 Al to inventor Hayek discloses a
solar powered electric motor vehicle entirely covered in solar cells. Transparent
solar cells are incorporated into the wind-shield and into the other window of the
car.
• Published patent application US 2010/0193260 Al to inventor Freeman discloses
an electric car with maximized solar assist. This minimizes the need for a large
and expensive battery system by offering a continuous flow of electricity.
• Published patent application US 2009/0288890 Al to inventor Freeman discloses
a very efficient and safe solar car wherein all of its solar panels would serve a
secondary purpose besides providing power. Four or five solar panels are
connected in series to provide power to the vehicle regularly; however there
would be a supplemental plug in capacity.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7493974 Bl to inventor Boncodin discloses a solar thermoelectric
powered vehicle having a thermoelectric power generator power source heated by
sunlight.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5725062 to inventor Fronek discloses a solar power generator which
can be mounted onto top of the vehicle such as golf carts, motor homes, boats etc.
without modification or special construction.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:
The present work is related to design and development of a solar powered car for city ride
within a range of 40 km and with a payload of 210 kg.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION:
The invention relates to the design and development of a car that can be used for local
travel within the city. This four wheeled vehicle having a payload of210 kg with smooth
ride at cruising speed of 40 km/h. This vehicle is a light weight low cost vehicle and can
be affordable by the middle class family of the Indian society for intra city riding.
Figure 1 shows the front view of the car.
Figure 2 and Figure 3 show the isometric view of the car.
Figure 4 shows the rear view of the car.
Figure 5 shows the side view of the car.
Index of Drawing Reference Number
1. Bumper
2. Solar roof panels
3. Steering
4. Control unit and batteries
5. Front wheel suspension
6. Chassis
7. Perforated frames
8. Rear wheel suspension
9. DC Hub motor
10. Seats
11. Wheels
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention provides a detailed methodology to construct a novel solar car for
city ride of about 40 kIn of range. The different segments of the car are as follows:
I. Controller unit
2. Steering mechanism
3. Chassis with suspension systems
4. Seating arrangement
5. Brakes and accelerator
6. Installation of solar panels
7. Charging through solar panels and electricity
8. Installation of motors.
The detail description of the different pacts of the solar car is given below:
1. Controller unit - A hybrid control system has been developed and used in order to
power the wheels of the solar car and to control the current flow through the
motor. The controller regulates the actions of hall sensors which in turn allow the
car to accelerate, decelerate or run at constant speed.
2. Steering mechanism - A novel steering mechanism has been developed for giving
a proper steering during motion.
3. Chassis with suspension system - We have designed and developed chassis for
the car to make it compact in size and light in weight. Also, suspension system
has been provided to each wheel of the car with the purpose of minimizing the
shocks and to ensure pleasant ride for the passengers.
4. Seating arrangement - The car has been designed for a payload of 210 kg.
Therefore, seating arrangement for three persons has been made by considering
appropriate coziness to passengers.
5. Brakes and accelerator - The car is equipped with drum brakes in both rear and
one of the front wheels. Paddles have been provided for applying brake to the rear
wheels and to accelerate the car.
6. Installation of solar panels - Silicon based solar panels have been used to charge
the batteries and to provide power straight to wheels of the car through motors.
The array of solar panels when placed in the presence of sunlight converts solar
radiation into electrical energy. Generation of electricity is proportional to the
intensity of solar radiation and the efficiency of the solar panels. In the present
invention solar panels are installed in the roof of the car in such a way that it can
absorb maximum solar radiation. Moreover, structures and stiffeners are provided
to minimize the weight of the vehicle and to sustain the solar panels. Solar panels
are mounted in such a fashion that it will be used as the roof of the vehicle.
7. Charging through solar panels and electricity - Two options are provided to
recharge the batteries of the car, either by solar panel (in presence of sunlight) or
through electricity. While charging through solar panels, total time required to
recharge the batteries depends upon the intensity of solar radiation. So the
batteries can be recharged with the array of solar panels in sunny or partially
clouded day however during the night or cloudy days electric power can be used
to recharge the batteries. Moreover, in the sunny days as the solar panels supplies
more power, the batteries can also be recharged during the ride.
8. Installation of motors - In the present invention motors are fitted directly in the
wheels, which in turn results in the reduction in transmission losses and offers
maximum efficiency. DC brushless hub motors have been used in both the rear
wheel of the car due to their higher efficiency (94% - 99 %). Moreover they offer
smooth operation and less electrical noise.
Dimensions of the solar vehicle:
Length
Width
Height (Maximum)
Height (Minimum)
Wheel base
Track Width
Ground Clearance
Weight (without payload)
2170mm
1680mm
2045 mm
1255 mm
1210mm
990mm
130mm
240 kg
Table 1. Time required to full recharge in different weather condition.
Weather Condition Time to Full Rechar2e (minutes)
Sunny 250
Partly Cloudy (50% cloudy) 450
Cloudy 750
Table 2. Average time taken to travel 10 kIn at different operating condition.
Average Time to travellOkm (minutes)
Operating Condition
Sunny Partly Cloudy
weather Cloudy weather
weather
With Solar charge during 20 20.5 21.5
running at average speed
Without Solar charge during 22 22 22
running at average speed
EXAMPLE 1
In a sunny day during the summer the batteries of the solar vehicle takes about 250
minutes to recharge completely.
EXAMPLE 2
During partly cloudy day (about 50 % cloud in the sky) the time required to completely
recharge the batteries is about 450 minutes.
EXAMPLE 3
In the cloudy weather condition, batteries can be recharged in 750 minutes.
EXAMPLE 4
The average time taken to travel a distance of 10 kIn, with solar charge during running is
about 20 minutes in a sunny day, 20.5 minutes in partly cloudy day and 21.5 minutes in a
cloudy day. However it takes 22 minutes (approx.) to complete a distance of 10 kIn
without solar charge during running.
CLAIMS
We claim
1. The design and development of a four wheeled motorized car having solar panels
on its roof for charging the batteries which comprises of a motorized car having
DC brushless hub motors installed directly on the rear wheels and an array of
solar panels of 250-300 Watts and 48-54 Volts is physically connected to body
structure of the solar car, which is electrically connected to the batteries in order
to recharge them.
2. According to claim 1, perforated angles are used for building the structures. The
stiffeners are used in such a fashion that the car will be light in weight and sustain
the solar panels mounted as roof of the car.
3. According to claim 1, a hybrid controller has been developed to supply the power
to the wheels and to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle by regulating the actions
of hall sensors through controller.
4. According to claim 1, a steering system has been developed for providing
appropriate steering during motion.
5. According to claim 1, a chassis and suspension system has been design and
developed in such a fashion to make the car compact and light weight.
6. According to claim 1, three persons can sit with ease as the car has been designed
for a pay load of 21 0 kg.
7. According to claim 1, the car is equipped with drum brakes in the rear wheels.
One of the front wheels is provided with hand brake.
8. According to claim 1, to store the energy, solar panels have been installed on the
roof of the car to convert the solar radiation into electricity which in turn charges
the batteries. Alternately the batteries can be charged through electric power.
After full charge the car can travel 40 Ian at a maximum speed of 40 km/h
smoothly at a pay load of 210 kg.