FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970,
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULE, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10; RULE 13)
"SOLAR POWERED ASSIST SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE"
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED
AN INDIAN COMPANY,
R&D CENTER, AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR,
89, M.I.D.C., SATPUR,
NASHIK-422 007,
MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES AND ASCERTAINS THE NATURE OF THIS INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present invention is related to the solar power system for automotive vehicles. More particularly the present invention is related to the mode based switchable solar powered assist system for automotive vehicles to run the heating / cooling accessories of the motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Patent application no. US.2009000324 describes non-engine powered air conditioning system for auto-vehicle comprising a solar energy supply arrangement having a solar energy collector adapted for mounting to the auto-vehicle and a power storage electrically connecting to the solar energy collector for converting the solar energy into electrical energy, and an electrical compressor electrically connecting to the power storage, wherein the electrical compressor is adapted for generating a cooling air to an interior of the auto-vehicle. The non-engine powered air conditioning system allows the driver to pre^cool the auto-vehicle before driving when the auto-vehicle is exposed under intensive sunlight for a period of time to avoid the driver experiencing extremely high interior temperature in the vehicle.
This system is limited to a solar powered air conditioning system and it requires an electrically controlled AC compressor for its operation. There is no switching between different modes of operation.
Patent application no. US.2009247063 discloses solar powered vehicle ventilation system wherein the fan(s) is powered independently by the solar cell(s) or solar panel so as not to drain the vehicle's battery needlessly. The vehicle must be parked and off in order to operate the solar powered ventilation system.
This system is limited to a solar powered vehicle ventilation system.

Patent application no. US.2008257622 talks about a motor vehicle with a solar module comprising a climate control unit with an electrically driven compressor powered by a generator driven by a vehicle drive, a battery charged by the generator and a solar module. An additional battery can be charged by the solar module and the compressor can be driven by either or both batteries.
This system is specific to a hybrid / electric vehicle. For cooling the vehicle, an electrically operated AC compressor is used and there is no switching between different modes of operation.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:
The main object of the present invention is to provide mode based switchable solar powered assist system for automotive vehicles.
Another object of the present invention is to provide solar powered assist system to charge the battery irrespective of the type of battery and in turn reduce alternator load on the engine.
Another object of the present invention is to provide solar powered assist system with multiple modes of operation for automotive vehicles.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide mode based switchable solar powered assist system that aims to reduce green house gas emissions by reducing the alternator and compressor load on the engine.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION:
Accordingly the invention provides The solar powered assist system for automotive vehicle comprising a solar panel, a supplementary power source, mounted on the vehicle roof giving out put voltage connected through a controller unit to the existing vehicle electrical system consisting alternator with first battery; a second battery and vehicle cooling system connected

through the said controller unit to the said electrical system; the number of sensor means provided to form input to the said controller for sensing the discrete modes of operation; the timer means provided to the said controller for switching on/ off supply to the said cooling system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:
Figure 1 shows the schematic view of the solar powered assist system for automotive vehicles in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 shows the different modes of state of the vehicle as described in the present invention.
Figure 3 shows operational flowchart of the system in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:
A solar panel mounted on the vehicle roof acts a supplementary power source to cater the vehicle electrical load demands. The system operates in discrete modes depending on the state of the vehicle at any point of time. The number of modes is dependent on the needs of the customer and is scalable. The controller unit of the system, apart from taking care of over voltage and over charging protection, also identifies the state / mode of the vehicle based on certain sensor inputs at any point of time. The modes of the vehicle are Vehicle running mode, parked mode and night mode.. The solar pane) charges the primary battery during the running mode reducing the alternator load on the engine. When the vehicle is in parked mode it charges the secondary battery for the night mode operation of the vehicle. When the batteries are fully charged, the system powers the cooling / heating accessories in the vehicle.
Referring to Figure 1, solar panel is a module comprising of solar cells which generate current based on the amount of sunlight impinging on it. A solar

panel whose specifications with respect to voltage current and power generated are properly chosen based on the vehicle requirements. The solar panel is integrated onto the vehicle roof in such way that it is an integral part of the vehicle roof. Making the solar module a part of the roof is required to ensure that it does not hurt the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
The charge controller unit of the system takes care over voltage, over charging and over current protection. The vehicle battery is charged via controller, in parallel to the existing circuitry in the vehicle as shown in figure 1. The controller unit also decides the optimum voltage at which the solar panel should stop charging the battery.
As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle inherently operates in three modes namely parking mode, running mode and night mode. As shown in figure 3, the controller unit, based on certain inputs decides at any point of time, which mode the system should be in.
In the vehicle running mode, the solar panels keep charging the battery. The panel is connected in parallel to the vehicle electrical load and the alternator. So any kind of energy deficit based on the requirement is supplied both by the solar panel and the alternator. During times when the energy requirements are less, the solar panel is sufficient to meet the demands and in turn, reduces the alternator load on the engine.
When the vehicle is in parked mode, the controller first senses whether the vehicle is parked through the parking brake sensor. Once the parked mode is confirmed, the solar panel starts charging the battery to compensate for the energy loss that happened during the driving mode. The controller unit continuously monitors the battery voltage and when the battery reaches the maximum chargeable voltage, the system stops charging the battery. Now the cooling / heating accessory is switched on for a certain amount of time. The cooling accessory could be an electrical compressor or a simple HVAC blower. Now the cooling accessory run is decided by means of timers in built with the said controller, for a particular amount of time called the 'set' time and

then switched off for a particular amount of time called the 'idle' time. 'Set time' and 'idle time' are calibrate-able parameters of the system.
Night mode is essentially an advanced feature of the system wherein there is secondary battery in the vehicle to cater to the electrical demands of the vehicle during the night. The solar power assist system charges the secondary battery during the day, to be used in the night. This ensures that the alternator load on the engine is reduced also during the night.
The solar panels keep the battery charged at all times. This in turn reduces the alternator load on the engine and in turn saves part of the power needed to run the alternator and reduces the green house gas emissions to the atmosphere. The system is designed to be operative in day and night modes. In the night the vehicle uses the secondary battery, which is charged during the day. Hence, the reduction of green house emissions continues even in the night. By ventilating the vehicle parked in the hot sun, the cabin temperature is considerably reduced. This in turn reduces the extra pumping required to be done by the AC compressor, during the vehicle starting stage and helps bringing an early steady state cabin temperature. Hence, the extra power required by the AC compressor and in turn the engine is saved and emissions reduced.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit its scope. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, although a cooling accessory is described as functional during the charging mode, the same could be extended to an electrical heater for cold climatic conditions. Moreover, the usage of any other electrical driven accessory could be deployed based on the need.
The figure 3 is operational flowchart diagram illustrating the working of the solar powered assist system for automotive vehicle for three modes viz. Vehicle running mode, parked mode and night mode.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:
1. The current invention is not restrictive in the type of vehicle used. It works on internal combustion, hybrid or electric vehicle.
2. The system has multiple modes of operation and these modes are scalable as per needs and future / customer requirements.
3. Solar panel mounted on the vehicle roof acts as a secondary electrical power source, reducing the alternator load on the engine.
4. The cooling / heating accessories powered during the parked mode reduces the compressor / heater load on the engine.

WE CLAIM:
1. The solar powered assist system for automotive vehicle comprising a solar panel, a supplementary power source, mounted on the vehicle roof giving out put voltage connected through a controller unit to the existing vehicle electrical system consisting alternator with first battery; a second battery and vehicle cooling system connected through the said controller unit to the said electrical system; the number of sensor means provided to form input to the said controller for sensing the discrete modes of operation; the timer means provided to the said controller for switching on/ off supply to the said cooling system.
2. The solar powered assist system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said sensors selected to detect multiple modes of operation and the said modes are scalable as per needs and future / customer requirements.
3. The solar powered assist system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said sensors selected to detect modes of the vehicle such as Vehicle running mode, parked mode and night mode.
4. The solar powered assist system as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein said controller means configured to have input means from the said sensors to detect mode and connect the solar power to the first battery or the second battery or the cooling system as per the mode of operation as herein described and illustrated.
5. The solar powered assist system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the said controller unit is provided with control and monitoring system for over voltage, over charging and over current protection.
6. The solar powered assist system as claimed in claims 1 to 5 wherein the said solar panel integrated onto the vehicle roof in such way that it

is an integral part of the vehicle roof without affecting the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
7. The solar powered assist system as claimed in claims 1 to 6 wherein the said cooling system is air conditioner compressor or HVAC blower.
8. The solar powered assist system as claimed in claims 1 to7 wherein the said timers are calibrated for set time operation and idle time of switch off.