Abstract:
A power supply system of an electronic switching electric motor for air-conditioning devices is described, said power supply system is intended to be installed in the motor vehicles and comprises a solar panel ( 13 ), which is an integral part of the vehicle and supplies electric energy to the motor ( 4, 52 ). The electric motor ( 4, 52 ) can be further powered by the vehicle battery ( 54 ), in a way that no specific equipment is needed to convert the energy, nor converting devices are needed between the motor ( 4, 52 ) and the solar panel ( 13 ). Solar panels ( 13 ) can be used with a higher voltage output than that of the vehicle battery, in such a way as to draw the available electric energy at a voltage and current level suitable to achieve a significant decrease of the dissipation of energy in the system, with the same sections of wiring or in accordance with the known techniques of the low voltage solar panels.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention refers to an electronic switching power supply system for air-conditioning devices to be installed inside motor vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The air-cooling of the vehicle passenger compartment, when the vehicle is parked, is greatly limited by the lack of an autonomous source that supplies electric energy when the engine is switched off. 
     In fact, the amount of electric energy supplied by the storage battery already present in the vehicle is insufficient to guarantee such air-cooling for a prolonged period of time. 
     On the other hand, it would be extremely useful to implement such a system in the motorcars, in order to obtain undoubted advantages in terms of comfort for the user of the vehicle; furthermore, the existing air-conditioning system in the vehicle could be made even more efficient, with respect to the known art, by minimizing the amount of heat to dispose of at the ignition of the engine. 
     The installation of a photovoltaic cell on the roof of the vehicle, in the form of a solar panel, partially enables the difficulties mentioned above to be overcome, since the fan of the air-conditioning device is powered by the energy supplied by the solar panels. 
     However, since, for economic reasons, the same electric motor of the fan is used, and said fan is also powered by the storage battery of the vehicle, it is necessary to interpose at least one energy device adapter between the motor and the solar panel, in such a way as to use the available electric energy efficiently, allowing for the fact that oscillations of available power are produced, caused by the variations of the sun radiation and of the temperature of the panel. 
     FIG. 1 shows a Cartesian drawing of the V-I characteristics of a solar panel for traditional motorcar use, wherein, on the axis of abscissas, the voltage values (V) are indicated in Volt and, on the axis of ordinates, the current intensity values (I) are indicated in Ampere. 
     It is evident that such a solar panel is similar to a current generator substantially up to the axis indicated by A, i.e. just next to the knee-point of the curves, which are shown in the Cartesian diagram of FIG.  1 . 
     In said FIG. 1, there is a point in the characteristic curve, indicated by the letter G, equal to a radiation flow of 700 W/m 2  and to a temperature of about 25 degrees centigrade, wherein the panel has its maximum energy efficiency. 
     The locus of the points of maximum energy efficiency, that is given by the product of the output voltage with the output current, when the radiant incident power changes, is, by good approximation, a vertical straight line (isovoltage, indicated by the letter X in FIG.  1 ), while, by changing the temperature, the locus of the points of maximum energy efficiency is a horizontal straight line (isocurrent). 
     Further, in the Cartesian diagram of FIG. 1, a point of maximum efficiency at the temperature of 65° C. is indicated with the letter H. 
     It can be demonstrated that the efficiency decreases by about 0.5% per each Kelvin grade. 
     Allowing that the direct current electric machines with a commutator are optimised to function to a given supply voltage, when the power supply is an element with an elevated dynamic impedance, such as a current generator, as in the case of a solar panel, the panel-motor system functions in low efficiency conditions, which are worsened in conditions of low sun irradiation. 
     To overcome this inconvenience, a direct current converter is interposed between the solar panel and the motor, as shown in FIG. 2, wherein a block corresponding to the solar panel is indicated by number  13 , a block corresponding to the motor by number  4 , and a block corresponding to the direct current converter by number  2 . 
     A power output control device , indicated by the number  3  in FIG. 2, can be interfaced with the wiring of the vehicle, which is indicated generally by  6 . 
     Such embodiments were necessary, to improve the energy match, however, this type of solution is expensive in economic terms and in terms of overall size and weight. 
     Furthermore, it is necessary to consider, in the global energy balance, the conversion losses inevitably introduced by the direct current converter  2 . 
     Finally, to work the system at the maximum efficiency point, it is necessary to provide a temperature sensor on panel  13 , which inevitably, increases the production costs. 
     In conclusion, if the converter  2  is fitted in the proximity of the solar panel  13 , as is usually done in motorcars, an elevated value of current intensity passes through the wiring resistance  5 , thereby lowering the system efficiency. 
     SUMMARY 
     A purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned inconveniences, and to provide a power supply system of an electronic switching electric motor for air-conditioning devices to be installed inside the vehicles. In order to have the maximum use of the available energy at the output terminals of the solar panel to power the motor, the system may be configured without interposing any electronic conversion or electronic control device between the two objects. 
     Another purpose of this invention is to realise a power supply system of an electronic switching electric motor, without using expensive components or complex technologies. 
     Such objectives are achieved by a power supply system of an electronic switching electric motor for air-conditioning devices to be installed inside the motor vehicles made in accordance with the present invention as disclosed herein. 
     Using the operating characteristics of an electronic switching motor with a double machine, that uses, in its electronic control unit, a microprocessor and a very low friction method of rotor suspension, it is possible to obtain the power supply system as claimed in claim 1, using the aforesaid electronic switching motor in two different operating modes, one relative to the system powered by the storage battery and by the traditional electric system found in motor vehicles, the other relative to a power generated by a solar panel. 
     The switching between the two operating modes is automatic and it does not require any additional components nor signals from an external source, as it uses an electromagnetic relay that is already present in the traditional type of an electronic switching motor. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The characteristics and the advantages of the present invention will be made clear in the following description, using non-limiting examples, and by referring to the attached figures, in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a Cartesian diagram that illustrates the voltage-current characteristics of a solar panel for motorcars of a known type; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a power supply system for electric brush motors and commutator with adapter converter for traditional type air-conditioning devices; 
     FIG. 3 shows a general block diagram of an electronic switching electric motor power supply system to be installed inside motor vehicle air-conditioning devices, in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 represents a general block diagram of an electronic switching motor powered by a power supply system, in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of an electronic switching electric motor power supply, to be installed in motor vehicle air-conditioning devices, in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 shows a schematic electronic circuit of a further embodiment of the electronic switching electric motor power supply, in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the figures mentioned above, a solar panel to be installed inside the power supply system. is indicated schematically by number  13 . In accordance with the present invention, a direct current converter, of the “DC-DC” type used to improve power matching, is indicated by number  2 , a power control electric device is indicated by number  3 , an electronic switching electric motor is indicated by number  4 , the power wiring of the motor vehicle is indicated by number  5 , the control wiring is indicated by number  6 , and a temperature sensor to be applied to the solar panel  13  is indicated by number  7 . 
     With particular reference to FIG. 4, which shows the basic diagram of an electronic switching electric motor  4  with a double machine, the working scheme of the power supply system, in accordance with this invention, is as follows. 
     At the opening of the electric contact which can be activated by the ignition lock key or by sending a correct equivalent signal  10 , the relay K 1 , contained in the motor  4 , is released by the electronic control unit  12  and the powering of the motor  4 , through a quiescent contact of the relay K 1 , is secured by a solar panel, indicated by  13 , on the electrical conductor  3 . 
     The relay K 1  comprises, preferably, an electromechanical or electronic changeover switch, with a quiescent contact wired to the solar panel  13  and an excitation contact wired to the battery  54  of the vehicle electric system in such a way that, without other control, the motor  4  automatically presets to an operating mode using the solar panel  13  power, without needing to use signals or power exchanges within the rest of the motor vehicle electric system. 
     The changeover relay k 1 , integrated in the structure of the electric motor  4  and not purposely added to achieve the purposes of the present invention, is further used to protect the solar panel  13  from the application of the inverse voltage of battery  54 , when battery  54  powers the above mentioned electric motor  4 . 
     In the case where the irradiation conditions are suitable, a microprocessor of the control unit  12  recognises the serviceability of the solar panel  13 , on the basis of the voltage value present on conductor  41 , when relay k 1  is released. 
     Otherwise, if the abovesaid voltage value is not sufficient, the reset circuit  14  of the microprocessor maintains the circuit in a rest condition until the supply voltage has reached a value for the system to function appropriately. 
     The circuit  14  also provides power to the electronic 
     The voltage available at the terminals of the solar panel  13  is applied, through the coils L 1  and L 3  of the motor  4 , on the capacitor C 1 , necessary for the motor  4  to work, thereby providing power to the high voltage machine  22 . The machine  22 , since it is positioned downstream a “step-up” converter, has a current generator as its power supply. The generator is represented, in a normal mode, by the coils L 2  and L 3  in switching mode and by the diodes D 3  and D 4  and, in the case where the microprocessor of the control unit  12  detects the presence of the solar panel  13 , by the solar panel itself. 
     It should also be noted that the diodes D 3  and D 4  are structural components of the electric motor  4  power supply system and that they are not elements added on purpose to achieve the purposes of the present invention; however, they can be used, in this case, to protect the solar panel  13  from the inverse voltage phenomenon induced by the rotation of motor  4  caused by aerodynamic or inertial effects when the solar panel  13  works as the electric power supplier in conditions of low illumination. 
     The working control of the machine  22  takes place through the microprocessor that drives, in pulse-width modulation (“PWM”), the “mosfet” transistors TR 2  and TR 4  and stabilises the voltage on the capacitor Cl to an optimal efficiency value for the solar panel  13  being used. 
     The voltage stabilisation is achieved by modifying the “duty cycle” value of the signal modulated in “PWM” mode. 
     In this situation, the electric motor  4  works under isovoltage conditions, i.e. the voltage-current characteristic of the solar panel  13  moves along the locus of the maximum efficiency points, as the sun irradiation intensity changes. 
     The low static torque characteristic of this type of motor  4  enables the motor to start even with very low levels of sun irradiation. 
     In any case, if motor  4  does not start, because it is naturally positioned on a zero torque point, the microprocessor can control an operation of rotor positioning, by operating the “mosfet” transistors TR 1  and TR 3  of the machine  111 . 
     To allow for variations in efficiency of the solar panel  13  due So temperatures, creating very long time constants, an application program contained in the microprocessor of control unit  12  controls periodically small variations of the “duty-cycle” around the working points, verifying how these variations have an effect on the rotational speed of the motor  4 . 
     In fact, the measurement of the rotational speed is a function normally carried out by the microprocessor for the control of the correct operation of motor  4  and, if an increase of the rotational condition is verified, the application program will consider this new point as a proper working point; in the opposite case, it will maintain unchanged the previous working point. 
     The application program of the control microprocessor is designed, in fact, if such a way as to enable operation with just the high voltage machine  22 . The components of said machine comprise the “mosfet” transistors TR 2  and TR 4  and the inductors L 2  and L 4 , and said machine optimises the power matching with solar panel  13 . 
     In this way, it is possible to cover the entire characteristic of the solar panel  13 , using its full capacity, thanks to the modification to the working point under isocurrent conditions. 
     It should be noted that, when the microprocessor recognizes the presence of the solar panel  13 , no signals are exchanged with the traditional electric system of the vehicle, thus guarantying the operating functions of the electric motor  4  and null or negligible current drain by the power supply  54  of the motor vehicle, which usually comprises a storage battery. 
     Further, it should be noted that the automatic switching in the presence of the solar panel  13  requires the motor  4  to support a lifetime corn parable to that of a motor vehicle, equal to about 30,000 working hours. 
     An embodiment of the brushless electric motor  4 ,  52  with a high reliability rotor support is the best technical and economical solution that achieves the predefined lifetime goal. 
     It is possible, if the available voltage at the solar panel  13  terminals is low, to interpose a power supply  51  of the “step-up” type between the solar panel itself  13  or the storage battery  54  and a commutator motor  52  designed to function at high voltage, for example 60 Volts, and with a further electronic control unit  53 , suitable to adjust the functions thereof. 
     FIG. 5 shows the application block diagram of such a system, wherein the relay K 1  is emphasized. The relay can switch between two different operating modes corresponding to the normal operating mode and to the operating mode with solar panel  13 . 
     A further electronic control circuit  55  is driven by the motor vehicle and properly adjusts the power supply “step-up”  51  that works as a voltage booster, to match the storage battery voltage  54 . The circuit  55  is connected to the conductor  411 , with the rated operating voltage of the motor at a high voltage  52 . 
     In the case where it is desirable to direct the solar panel  13  energy towards a load element  60  rather than the motor  52 , the electronic control unit  53  of the motor  52  disconnects the motor, by operating the switch I, which can be an electromagnetic relay or an electronic switch. Through the electronic circuit control  55 , it is possible to produce energy from the solar panel  13  at the desired voltage value, to an external load  60 , that is, for example, the storage battery  54  of the vehicle, which, in this case, would be kept charged even when the motor vehicle engine is shut off. 
     Further, the same result can be achieved using the existing circuitry inside a “brushless” type motor, just by adding switch I. 
     A circuit application is shown in FIG. 6, wherein it is emphasised that the machine  22  is switched off and is not used. The two mosfet transistors TRI and TR 3  are driven in parallel, through a pulse-width modulation control (“PWM”), operated by means of already existing electronic components on motor  52  (L 1 , L 3 , D 3 , D 4 , C 1 , C 2 , microprocessor of the control unit  12 ) as a step-up power supply that powers an external load  60 , through an electromechanical or electronic switch I properly controlled by the control logic unit of the control unit  12 . 
     The load  60 , also shown in his embodiment, could be the motor vehicle storage battery  54 . 
     The microprocessor of the control unit  12  optimises the energy conversion by measuring the voltage at the capacitor terminals C 2 , thereby making the solar panel  13  work at a point of maximum efficiency. 
     It is important to underline that the capacitors C 1  and C 2  and the resultant inductance of machine  112  are structural components of a power supply system of an electronic switching electric motor and that they are not elements added especially for to this invention. 
     Furthermore, they can be used as an electromagnetic filter “EMI” for the protection of the motor vehicle electric system from problems caused by the “brushless” type working motor  52 . Note again that, if it is necessary to supply stabilised power to other loads  60 , which have an operating voltage lower than the solar panel output voltage, this, again, can be carried through relay I and the machine  22  will provide stabilisation while operating as a “shunt” parallel linear regulator. 
     From the above description, the characteristics, as well as the advantages, of a power supply system of an electronic switching electric motor to be installed in motor vehicle air-conditioning devices are clear. 
     In particular they are represented by: 
     possibility to power a ventilator fan of a motor vehicle air-conditioning unit by the motor vehicle battery or by a solar panel, as an integral part of the vehicle, without the need to interpose any external element to the motor for the conversion of energy or for the electric matching between the motor and the solar panel; 
     possibility to use solar panels at a high voltage, collecting available electric energy at a high voltage and at a low current to allow, with equal sections of wiring, the minimum energy dissipation therein; 
     possibility to protect the motor vehicle electric system from problems caused by the working motor; 
     possibility to protect the solar panel from application of battery inverse voltage during the operation of the system; 
     possibility to protect the solar panel from inverse voltage caused by the motor rotation because of aerodynamic or inertial effects, when the system works with the solar panel at low illumination conditions; 
     automatic search of the maximum efficiency point of the solar panels, when the irradiation conditions and the temperature conditions change, without using sensors or customised electric connections; 
     simple structure similar to a traditional motor electrical circuit diagrarm not powered by solar panels; 
     the system works as a power supply “step-up”, carrying solar panel energy on an external load comprising, for instance, the storage battery of the vehicle, maximising the energy conversion efficiency through a customised mathematical algorithm controlled by a microprocessor of a control unit; 
     possibility to supply a voltage stabilised at a low absolute value to an external load, when the system works with solar panels. 
     It is clear that several other changes, besides those mentioned above, can be made to the power supply system of the electronic switching electric motor in accordance with the present invention without departing from the principles of the inventive idea. In addition, different components and materials may be used according to the specific technical requirements.