Pickup Truck Bed Solar Cover System

The present invention relates to an improved, multifunctional truck bed cover system. The truck bed cover system comprises a plurality of solar panels embedded in a primary truck bed cover and an additional two to three panels configured to be deployed over a cab of the truck using an aluminum frame. The primary truck bed cover is configured to be pivotally movable and inclines using a pair of hinged arms, the hinged arms have movable members that laterally move along channels positioned on sidewalls of the truck bed to incline and decline the truck bed cover. The system can recharge the main battery of the truck and can also recharge an optical or auxiliary battery coupled to an inverter for providing electric power to external items connected to a power socket positioned in the truck bed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of electric pickup trucks and solar charging systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved, multifunctional truck bed cover comprised of solar panel collectors embedded into the top of the cover. Additional solar panels are also provided for absorbing solar energy. The solar energy is converted into electric power and trickled to the main battery pack of the truck or to an optical or auxiliary battery pack and inverter for off-site or off-grid electrical needs. The cover and additional panels are pivotable to orient as per preferences of pickup truck riders. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, the light duty pickup truck is a popular motor vehicle in the U.S. and in many other parts of the world as well. Such vehicles carry a limited number of passengers, as well as a relatively large volume of cargo, accounting for their popularity with motor vehicle owners and operators. The pickup trucks are popular with small business owners, construction contractors, and others in similar fields. Pick-up trucks are a lifestyle choice in several markets around the world. In the U.S., pickup trucks account for 15-20% of total vehicle sales.

Individuals use pickup trucks for adventurous off-road journeys, taking off to the desert, beaches and more. The truck bed provides space for cargo and gives a place to accommodate passengers. Recently, electric pickup trucks have become a reality and are commercially available. Electric pickup trucks have a standard electric vehicle battery for providing power to the truck. However, users of electric pickup trucks face a challenge in travelling long distances using such trucks because of lack of charging stations, especially when trucks are used off roads or in remote areas. Lack of power provided by the battery after running a predetermined distance can cause the truck to strand in potentially dangerous areas and place passengers in a dangerous situation. Individuals desire a way that can provide additional electric power to a battery of an electric pickup truck and enables users to travel long distances without requiring frequent charging of the battery.

Batteries of pickup trucks are generally used by individuals to power electric tools, such as, a generator, radio, and more while remote at a campsite, a worksite and more. A low battery charge of an electric pickup truck may be unable to provide power to operate several devices desired by users. Individuals desire a means to improve battery life of the electric pickup trucks, while enabling users to operate tools from power drawn from the batteries of electric pickup trucks.

A common problem with electric pickup trucks is that conventional gasoline cannot be used for charging the battery and providing power to the truck. Users require electric power to recharge the battery which is generally provided by the electric charging stations. Frequent stopping at charging stations also delays a trip. Individuals desire a sustainable way of recharging batteries and/or providing electric power to tools using the batteries of electric pickup trucks.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a power source that can be used for charging the integrated battery of an electric pickup truck. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an electric power source that can be integrated or retrofitted to pickup trucks. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a power source that reduces dependency of electric pickup trucks on charging stations for charging the integrated battery. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a power source that enables passengers to travel long distances in electric pickup trucks without frequent stops at charging stations. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel power source for electric pickup trucks that can power external items like generators, radios, power tools, and more. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an additional power source that functions as a means of additional power for electric pickup trucks, ensuring the trucks do not run out of battery charge during long trips.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a solar charging system for electric pickup trucks. The system is used for trickling a charge to the main battery or batteries of a truck and for providing power to external items like generators, radios, power tools, and more. The system further comprises a plurality of solar panels positioned on a top surface of a truck bed cover, an additional plurality of solar panels positioned above the cab of the truck and supported by an aluminum frame extending from the truck bed, wherein the plurality of solar panels include photovoltaic cells for absorbing a solar energy and converting the into direct current (DC) electric power, an optical or auxiliary battery pack for storing said electric power, and an inverter connected to the battery pack for converting said DC power into AC power, wherein the bed cover rests on the side walls, rear wall and front wall of the truck bed and is configured to incline using a hinge system. The DC power can be used for recharging the main battery of the truck and the AC power can be used for providing power to external items.

In this manner, the solar panels charging system of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a unique truck bed cover comprised of solar panels for absorbing sunlight and converting it into electric power which is stored in the vehicle battery. The solar panels provide additional electric energy to the electric pickup truck and can also be used for powering external items like generators, radios, power tools, and more. The solar panels enable an electric pickup truck to travel long distances without requiring frequent charging at charging stations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a solar charging system for electric pickup trucks. The system further comprising a plurality of solar panels positioned on a top surface of a truck bed cover, a plurality of additional solar panels positioned above the cab of the truck and supported by an aluminum frame extending from the truck bed, the solar panels including photovoltaic cells for absorbing solar energy and converting into direct current (DC) electric power, an optical or auxiliary battery pack for storing said electric power, an inverter connected to the battery pack for converting said DC power into AC power, wherein the bed cover rests on the side walls, rear wall, and front wall of the truck bed and is configured to incline using a hinge system.

In yet another embodiment, the truck bed cover includes a pair of longitudinal edges forming side edges and a pair of lateral edges forming a rear edge and a front edge.

In yet another embodiment, the hinge system includes a pair of hinged arms, each hinged arm extends from a hinge positioned at a junction of the front edge and a longitudinal edge and a movable member wherein the movable member is configured to laterally move along a channel disposed along top edge of the sidewall of the truck bed.

In yet another embodiment, the cover inclines when the movable members move toward the front wall of the truck bed and the cover declines when the movable members move toward the rear wall of the truck bed.

In yet another embodiment, a solar charging system for recharging the main battery of an electric pickup truck is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of solar panels configured to absorb solar energy and function as a truck bed cover, the solar panels are coupled to the main battery of the truck and are configured to convert solar energy into electric power, wherein said electric power is stored in the main battery to recharge the battery.

In yet another embodiment, an electric pickup truck solar bed cover system for providing AC electric power to run, for example, a campsite and/or a worksite is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of solar panels for absorbing solar energy for conversion into electric energy, a battery pack for storing said electric energy, an inverter coupled to said battery pack for converting said stored electric energy into alternating current power, a power socket for receiving an alternating current power from said inverter for providing to a plugged in campsite and/or worksite tools wherein the battery pack is also configured to provide stored electric energy to a main battery pack of the electric pickup truck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a power source that can be used for charging the integrated battery of an electric pickup truck. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an electric power source that can be integrated or retrofitted to pickup trucks. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a power source that reduces dependency of the electric pickup trucks on charging stations for charging the integrated battery. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a power source that enables passengers to travel long distances in electric pickup trucks without frequent stops at charging stations. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel power source for electric pickup trucks that can power external items like generators, radios, power tools, and more. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an additional power source that functions as a means of additional power for electric pickup trucks, ensuring the trucks do not run out of battery charge during long trips.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a solar charging bed cover system for recharging the main battery of an electric pickup truck and providing electric power to external items. The system includes a plurality of solar panels configured to absorb solar energy and function as truck bed cover, the solar panels are coupled to the main battery of the truck and are configured to convert solar energy into electric power, wherein said electric power is stored in the main battery to recharge the battery. The solar panels can also be connected to an optical or auxiliary battery coupled to an inverter for providing alternating current to a power socket positioned inside the truck bed for using external items, such as, tools at a worksite and camp items at a campsite.

Referring initially to the drawings,FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of an electric pickup truck equipped with a pickup truck solar bed cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The pickup truck solar bed cover100of the present invention is designed to cover a pickup truck bed and includes a flat cover102comprising a plurality of solar panels104a-n, for absorbing solar energy and converting it into electric power. The solar bed cover100also includes at least two additional solar panels106a,106bsupported by an aluminum frame108. The additional solar panels106a,106bare preferably positioned above the cab110of the truck112and do not cause any drag during motion of the truck112. The aluminum frame108is retractable and foldable and can be re-positioned slightly above the flat solar cover102, as illustrated inFIG.4. The electric power converted from solar energy by the panels104a-n,106a,106bis either stored in the main battery of the truck112or in an optical or auxiliary battery pack as described later in the disclosure.

The flat cover102has a pair of opposite longitudinal edges114,116and a pair of lateral edges118,120with the solar panels104a-ndisposed on the top surface of the flat cover102for absorbing solar light. The flat cover102can be coupled to a motorized hinge system122illustrated inFIGS.2and3allowing the flat cover102to incline relative to the truck bed to access the cargo of the truck and any other articles stored in the truck bed.

The flat cover102is supported on the sidewalls124,126, a back wall128and a front wall130of the truck bed, and the hinge system122of the flat cover102is positioned underneath the flat cover102and along the top edges1240,1260of the side walls124,126.

The flat cover102is preferably made of lightweight metal like aluminum and may have a vinyl cover for encapsulating the solar panels104a-n. Similarly, the frame of the additional solar panels106a-bis also made from aluminum and has a vinyl cover.

The flat cover102is sized and shaped to fit over the bed of the pick-up truck112and is designed and configured so that the profile of the truck112, when the flat cover102is installed, is very similar to that of an uncovered bed.

The solar panels104a-n,106a-babsorb solar energy and the photovoltaic cells of the solar panels convert the absorbed solar energy into electric power. The electric power can be directly trickled to the main electric battery of the pickup truck112. Alternatively, the solar charging system100can have an optical or auxiliary battery132for storing the electric power produced by the solar panels. The optical or auxiliary battery132is connected to an inverter134allowing conversion of stored direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC).

The battery132and the inverter134are installed along with the solar panels and are appropriately positioned inside the pickup truck112. Further, the solar panels are coupled to the optical or auxiliary battery132via conventional wired circuits (not shown) running inside the truck112.

FIG.2illustrates a rear perspective view of the electric pickup truck with the flat cover102positioned in an inclined position using a hinge system in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The motorized hinge system122of the bed cover102includes a pair of hinged arms202,204including a first hinged arm202and a second hinged arm204. The first arm202extends from a first hinge206positioned on the distal end208of the longitudinal edge114to a moving member210. The moving member210is configured to move along a channel212positioned on the side wall124.

The second arm204extends from a second hinge214positioned on the distal end216of the longitudinal edge116to a corresponding moving member218. The moving member218is configured to move along a channel220positioned on the side wall126.

The movement of the moving members210,218along the respective channels212,220towards the front wall130enables the flat cover102to incline and movement of the moving members210,218towards the rear wall128enables the flat cover102to decline.

The channels212,220form a path for lateral movement of the moving members210,218, and the hinges206,214allow the pivotable movement of the arms202,204for pivoting the solar flat cover102to allow for access to the truck bed. The motorized hinge system122can be activated manually by pulling the solar cover102up by moving the moving members210,218along the channels. The hinge system122can also be operated using a control button222positioned appropriately inside the cabin of the truck allowing easy access of the hinge system122for controlling movement of the flat cover102.

The solar charging system100provides power sockets224positioned inside the truck bed and preferably on the rear wall128for drawing power from the optical or auxiliary battery132(when the battery132is utilized for storing electric power converted from solar energy). The power sockets224can be used for plugging in various tools or devices used at campsites, worksites, and more without requiring any additional power source.

FIG.3illustrates an enlarged view of the mechanism showing pivotal movement of the flat cover in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the hinge206is configured to pivotally turn the hinged arm202when the movable member210laterally moves along the channel212disposed along top edge of a sidewall of the truck bed. The pivotable movement also enables the hydraulic pipe302to move along the length of the arm202for smooth movement of the flat cover102for inclining or declining the solar panels104a-ndisposed on top surface of the flat cover102.

Primarily, the lateral motion of the movable member210causes the turning motion of the hinge208to incline or decline the flat cover102. Motion of both of the hinged arms202,204are synchronous using the respective hinges and thus, a smooth movement of the flat cover102is achieved as per requirements of a user.

FIG.4illustrates a perspective view showing the position of the aluminum support of additional solar panels when the additional solar panels are not required in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The aluminum support108is configured to support the additional solar panels106a-band is also configured to change the position of the additional solar panels106a-bwhen the additional solar panels are not required to be used, due to motion of the truck or due to change in direction of solar light. More specifically, the aluminum frame108is attached to the top edges1240,1260of the sidewalls124,126of the truck bed and has separate arms for supporting the solar panels.

More specifically, the supporting structure410is pivotally hinged at hinge402on top edge1240and hinge406on top edge1260. The hinges402,406allow the movement of the solar panel106afrom the deployed position over the cab as illustrated inFIG.1to a declined position as illustrated inFIG.4. Similarly, the supporting structure412is pivotally hinged at hinge404on top edge1240and hinge408on top edge1260. The hinges404,408allow the movement of the solar panel106bsynchronously with the movement of the solar panel106a. The supporting structures410,412are coupled to each other enabling movement of the solar panels106a,106btogether.

The aluminum frame108can be actuated and move from deployed position (FIG.1) to declined position (FIG.3) using the control button222positioned inside the cab of the pickup truck.

In one embodiment, the additional solar panels106a-bcan overlay the solar roof102when not required. The aluminum frame can be accommodated on the top edges of the1240,1260of the side walls124,126for allowing the aluminum frame and additional solar panels to overlay the solar roof102.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the additional solar panels106a-band the aluminum frame108are removable and can be detached from the pickup truck. Further, the aluminum frame108can be designed based on design and configuration of the truck bed and cab of the pickup trucks.

FIG.5illustrates a side perspective view of a pickup truck equipped with a solar bed cover102showing movement of the solar cover102from substantially horizontal position to inclined position in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The hinged arms202,204are accommodated underneath the solar roof102along the channels212,220and when the roof102is inclined, the movable members of the arms202,204move towards the front wall130of the truck bed. This enables the roof102to incline and absorb more solar energy for conversion to electric power for use in powering the truck and other tools and devices.

It should be noted that with the incorporation of solar panels104a-n,106a-b, optical or auxiliary battery, power sockets, and inverter, the solar charging system100can be used for on-demand AC power without the need to use the vehicle's primary battery, thereby increasing total available power and decreasing the risk of drawing down the primary battery during extended power use. Additionally, an entertainment system can be coupled to the optical or auxiliary battery.

FIG.6illustrates a generic functional block diagram showing electrical connection of the solar panels with the main battery of the pickup truck and optical or auxiliary battery in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the solar panels602(referred to solar panels104a-n,106a-b) are connected to the optical or auxiliary battery132and main battery604of the vehicle. It should be noted that in some embodiments of the invention, the optical or auxiliary battery132may not be required and the solar panels can be attached only to the main battery604of the vehicle.

The optical or auxiliary battery132stores the electrical power in DC form and is coupled to an inverter134allowing conversion to AC power. A battery monitor606is also coupled to the main battery604and is configured to monitor power level of the main battery604. In situations where the battery charge level of the main battery604is lower than a predetermined threshold (like 40% of total capacity), then an automatic switch can take place from the main battery604to the optical or auxiliary battery132. The cover may also comprise an electronic vehicle solar system control module which conditions current and voltage and integrates with vehicle Battery Control Module (BCM) to increase range.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “pickup truck solar bed cover”, “pickup truck solar charging system”, “electric pickup truck solar bed cover”, and “cover” are interchangeable and refer to the electric pickup truck solar charging system100of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the electric pickup truck solar charging system100of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the electric pickup truck solar charging system100as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the electric pickup truck solar charging system100are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the electric pickup truck solar charging system100are important design parameters for user convenience, the electric pickup truck solar charging system100may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.