Patent Publication Number: US-2023148064-A1

Title: Solar Charging Vehicle Accessory

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 63/277,133, which was filed Nov. 8, 2021. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The disclosure relates in general to a vehicle accessory, and more particularly, to a solar charging vehicle accessory. 
     2. Background Art 
     Currently, vehicles are on the verge of making a historic transition from an internal combustion drive or an internal combustion engine as a drive mechanism to an electric drive or an electric motor as a drive mechanism. Various sources of electricity are utilized as a source of electricity for electric vehicles, such as fuel cells and batteries. Fuel cell technology is still currently being developed, which leaves batteries as a primary source of power for these electric vehicles. Some electric vehicles still utilize the internal combustion drive in combination with the electric drive as a drive mechanism, refereed to within the vehicle industry as a hybrid vehicle. These hybrid vehicles utilize a battery that is charged by their internal combustion drive, and also employ regenerative charging. Some of these hybrid vehicles also include an electric plug that can be electrically coupled to an external power source, such as an electric grid, to charge their batteries. Other electric vehicles are entirely powered by batteries. Since these electric vehicles are entirely powered by batteries, these electric vehicles all include the electric plug. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure is directed to a solar charging vehicle accessory that is comprised of a substrate member, a solar panel, and an electric coupler. The substrate member covers at least a portion of an electric vehicle, the substrate including a top surface and a bottom surface. The solar panel is coupled to the top surface of the substrate. The electric coupler electrically couples the solar panel to at least one of an electric drive of the electric vehicle and a battery pack of the electric vehicle. 
     In at least one configuration, the electric vehicle is an electric pickup truck and the solar charging vehicle accessory is a tonneau cover to cover a bed of the electric pickup truck. 
     In at least one configuration, the electric vehicle is an electric pickup truck and the solar charging vehicle accessory is cap to cover a bed of the electric pickup truck. 
     In at least one configuration, the solar charging vehicle accessory further comprises an actuator to change an angle of the solar panel. 
     In at least one configuration, the solar charging vehicle accessory further comprises a cooling system including at least one air intake disposed on an end of the substrate member facing a direction of travel of the vehicle, at least one air outlet to discharge the air from the at least one air intake, and a battery pack, the air from the air intake cooling the battery pack. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a schematic view of an example solar charging vehicle accessory disposed onto an example vehicle, a bed of a pickup truck, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an isometric view another example solar charging vehicle accessory disposed onto an example vehicle, a bed of a pickup truck, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory disposed to create access to the bed of the pickup truck shown in  FIG.  2   , in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory disposed to create another access to the bed of the pickup truck shown in  FIG.  2   , in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory disposed to create even another access to the bed of the pickup truck shown in  FIG.  2   , in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an isometric view of another example solar charging vehicle accessory disposed onto the bed of the pickup truck, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory disposed to create access to the bed of the pickup truck shown in  FIG.  6   , in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory disposed to create another access to the bed of the pickup truck shown in  FIG.  6   , in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory disposed to create even another access to the bed of the pickup truck shown in  FIG.  6   , in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates an isometric view of another example solar charging vehicle accessory disposed onto the bed of the pickup truck, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory disposed to create access to the bed of the pickup truck shown in  FIG.  10   , in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates an isometric view of another example solar charging vehicle accessory disposed onto the bed of the pickup truck, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates an isometric view of another example solar charging vehicle accessory disposed onto the bed of the pickup truck, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates an isometric view of another example solar charging vehicle accessory disposed onto a top of an example vehicle, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory, shown in  FIG.  14   , disposed at an angle with respect to the top of the vehicle, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  16    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory, shown in  FIG.  14   , disposed at another angle with respect to the top of the vehicle, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  17    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory, shown in  FIG.  14   , disposed at yet another angle with respect to the top of the vehicle, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  18    illustrates an isometric view of another example solar charging vehicle accessory disposed onto a top of an example vehicle, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  19    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory in another configuration disposed onto the top of the vehicle shown in  FIG.  18   , in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  20    illustrates an isometric view of the solar charging vehicle accessory in another configuration disposed onto the top of the vehicle shown in  FIG.  18   , in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  21    illustrates an isometric view of an example cooling system for use with any of the solar example solar charging vehicle accessories shown in  FIGS.  1 - 20   , in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  22    illustrates an example cell phone app executing on an example cell phone that can control an example actuator of any of the solar example solar charging vehicle accessories shown in  FIGS.  1 - 20   , in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein; and 
         FIG.  23    illustrates an example schematic representation of a general-purpose computing device that can be used with at least one of the solar charging vehicle accessories and smart phone disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one configuration disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     While this disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment(s) with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the embodiment(s) illustrated. 
     It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity. 
     It has come to be appreciated that electric vehicles are exposed to solar energy or sunlight during a large portion of a day, even those electric vehicles that are garaged during some portion of the day. In accordance with configurations disclosed herein, at least one of various solar charging vehicle accessories disclosed herein that can be coupled to an electric vehicle. The solar charging vehicle accessories can be coupled to at least one of the electric drive to power the electric drive while the electric vehicle is being driven and a battery pack of the electric vehicle to charge the battery pack. All of the solar panels discussed below can be sized to maximize solar collection and power generation, substantially covering an entirety of the substrate members onto which the solar panels are coupled. 
       FIG.  1    shows a solar charging vehicle accessory, in this configuration a truck bed cover or tonneau cover  100  that in use is physically coupled to an electric vehicle, such as an electric pickup truck  150 , together forming a system  170 . Typical tonneau covers are typically aftermarket accessories that are coupled to a truck. The tonneau cover  100  can be an aftermarket accessory that is coupled to the electric pickup truck  150 , or alternatively an accessory that is provided by a manufacturer of the electric pickup truck  150 . The tonneau cover  100  includes a frame  110  that is physically sized and coupled to a bed  155  of the electric pickup truck  150 , such as via fasteners (e.g., bolts). 
     The tonneau cover  100  further includes a top side  101  and a bottom side  102 , the top side  101  facing the sun and the bottom side  102  facing the bed  155  of the electric pickup truck  150 . In at least one configuration, the tonneau cover  100  can include a substrate member  105  (e.g., plastic, aluminum, or any other material that can serve as a substrate member) that provides rigidity to the tonneau cover  100  and which can be a one piece member from a first end  103  of the substrate member  105  closest to a cab  157  of the electric pickup truck  150  to a second end  104  closest to a tail  158  of the pickup truck  100 , forming a rectangular planar surface thereacross that is sized to cover the bed  155 . 
     The tonneau cover  100  further includes at least one solar panel  110  comprised of a plurality of solar cells, disposed on a top of the substrate member  105 . The plurality of solar cells of the solar panel  110  are coupled together to form the solar panel  110  that is physically fixedly coupled (e.g., adhesive, clips, bolts, or any other coupler) to the substrate member  105 , the substrate member  105  being physically coupled to the frame  110  to prevent the tonneau cover  100  from moving when so desired. The tonneau cover  100 , via the solar panel  100 , collects solar energy in either a folded down configuration or a raised configuration. The solar panel  110  is electrically coupled to a rechargeable battery pack  175  of the electric pickup truck  150  and/or at least one electric motor  185  of the electric pickup truck  150 . The solar panel  110  can charge the battery pack  175  and/or power the electric motor  185  of the electric pickup truck  150  during use of the electric pickup truck  150 . 
     In at least one configuration, the tonneau cover  100  can further include a rechargeable battery pack  195  to store power separate from the battery pack  175  of the electric pickup truck  150 . The rechargeable battery pack  195  can be integrated with the tonneau cover  100 , or separate from the tonneau cover  100 . The solar panel  110  is electrically coupled to this battery pack  175 . In at least one configuration, the tonneau cover  100  can further include a power converter  197  that can convert Direct Current (DC) power from the solar panel  110  to Alternating Current (AC) that can be used to charge the battery pack  175  of the electric pickup truck  150 . The power converter  197  can be integrated with the tonneau cover  100  or can be a distinct apparatus electrically coupled to the tonneau cover  100 . In at least one configuration, the electric pickup truck  150  includes a DC connector  160  that is coupled to at least one of the battery pack  175  and the electric motor  185 , through which at least one of the solar panel  110  and the battery pack  195  provides power thereto. 
     Now with reference to  FIGS.  2 - 5   , another configuration of a solar charging vehicle accessory is disclosed, a tonneau cover  200 . In this example, the tonneau cover  200  includes a first cover member  210  and a second cover member  220  that are both hingedly coupled to each over via a hinge  230  that is disposed approximately half a distance between the tail  158  of the electric pickup truck  150  and the cab  157  of the electric pickup truck  150 . This hinge  230  can be a cloth, a plastic, metal, or any other material that is able to hingedly couple the first cover member  210  with the second cover member  210 . The first and second cover members  210 ,  220  include first and second substrate members  212 ,  222  onto which first and second solar panels  240 ,  250  are physically fixedly, at least similar to the solar panel  110  discussed above. The first and second substrate members  212 ,  222  can be removably coupled to a frame  260  that is coupled to the bed  155 . 
     The first and second solar panels  210 ,  220  are electrically coupled to each other such that the first and second solar panels  210 ,  220  produce a single power source to charge the battery pack  175  of the electric pickup truck  150  and/or to power at least one electric motor  185  of the electric pickup truck  150 , as discussed above. Electric lines (not shown) can be used for such electrical coupling. 
     The tonneau cover  200  can be placed into various configurations.  FIG.  2    shows the tonneau cover  200  in a planar configuration to completely cover the bed  155  of the electric pickup truck  150 .  FIGS.  3 - 5    show the tonneau cover  200  in various configurations that provide access to the bed  155 . In particular,  FIG.  3    shows the tonneau cover  200  hinging along a first end  201  thereof, closest to the cab  157 . The tonneau cover  200  is shown as remaining in a planar configuration, with a second end  202  of the tonneau cover  200  shown as being held away from the bed  155  by first and second frame arms  262 ,  264 , of the frame  260 , disposed on first and second sides  203 ,  204  of the tonneau cover  200 . 
     In at least one configuration, the first and second frame arms  262 ,  264 , can be hingedly coupled on a first end thereof to sides of the second substrate member  222  and to the frame  260  on a second end thereof, as shown. In at least one configuration, third and fourth frame arms  266 ,  268 , of the frame  260 , can be disposed on first and second sides  203 ,  204  of the tonneau cover  200 . In at least one configuration, the third and fourth frame arms  266 ,  268 , can be hingedly coupled on a first end thereof to sides of the first substrate member  212  and to the frame  260  on a second end thereof, as shown. The tonneau cover  200  can be raised such that the tonneau cover  200  can be placed parallel to the bed  155  to provide access to the bed  155 , as shown. In at least one configuration, the first and second cover members  210 ,  220  can be folded onto each other, such that the first and second cover members  210 ,  220  are disposed onto the cab  157 , as shown in  FIG.  5   . 
     In at least one other configuration, even another solar charging vehicle accessory that can utilize a similar configuration to the tonneau cover  200  but includes additional cover members is disclosed, such as tonneau cover  1000  shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   . The tonneau cover  1000  instead includes four cover members  1010 ,  1020 ,  1030 ,  1040  that are hingedly coupled together and onto which four solar panels  1015 ,  1025 ,  1035 ,  1045  are disposed, respectively. Similar to the tonneau cover  200 , the tonneau cover  1000  can be folded along hinges such that the tonneau cover  1000  is disposed against the cab  157 , as shown in  FIG.  11   . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  6 - 9   , yet another configuration of a solar charging vehicle accessory is disclosed, a tonneau cover  600 . In this example, the tonneau cover  600  includes a first cover member  610  and a second cover member  620  that are both hingedly coupled, via first and second hinges  611 ,  621  to a frame  660  on outside edges  612 ,  622  of each of the first and second cover members  610 ,  620 , shown in  FIG.  7   . The first and second cover members  610 ,  620  can rotate about the hinges  611 ,  621  to a vertical orientation to provide access to the bed  155 . The first and second cover members  610 ,  620  are rectangular in shape, with long edges thereof being parallel with sides of the electric pickup truck  150 , and meeting when folded to form a planar surface at a centerline  601  of the electric pickup truck  150 , as shown. These first and second hinges  611 ,  621  can be a cloth, a plastic, metal, or any other material that is able to hingedly couple the first and second cover member  610 ,  620  to the frame  660 . The first and second cover members  610 ,  620  include first and second substrate members  614 ,  624 , respectively, onto which first and second solar panels  640 ,  650  are physically fixedly, at least similar to the solar panel  110  discussed above. The first and second substrate members  614 ,  624  can be removably coupled to the frame  660  that is coupled to the bed  155 . 
     The first and second cover members  610 ,  620  can be coupled to the frame  600  via a plurality of frame arms  615 , in at least one configuration. In at least one configuration, three (3) such frame arms  615  are coupled to each of the first and second cover members  610 ,  620 , such as centrally to a bottom of the first and second cover members  610 ,  620 , as shown. The frame arms  610  allow the first and second cover members  610 ,  620  to swivel away from the centerline  601  of the electric pickup truck  150 , as shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . The first and second cover members  610 ,  620  can be swiveled away from the centerline  601  to be disposed alongside the bed  155 , as shown in  FIG.  9   . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  12  and  13   , yet another type of solar charging vehicle accessory is disclosed, a pickup truck bed cover or cap  1200  is disclosed that in use is physically coupled to the bed  155  of the electric pickup truck  150 . Typical truck caps are aftermarket accessories that are coupled to a truck. The cap  1200  can be an aftermarket accessory that is coupled to the electric pickup truck  150 . The cap  1200  can include any of the features discussed above for the tonneau cover  100 . The cap  1200  can include solar panels disposed on at least one outside surface thereof. In at least one configuration, to maximize an amount of solar energy collected by the cap  1200 , the cap includes four (4) solar panels coupled to substrate members. The cap  1200  includes a first cover member  1210 , including a first solar panel  1211  coupled thereto, coupled to a top of the cap  1200 , and second, third, and fourth cover members  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240 , including second, third, and fourth solar panels  1222 ,  1233 ,  1244  coupled to two sides and a back of the cap  1200 , respectively, similar to the solar panels discussed above. As shown, the second, third, and fourth panels  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240  can be coupled to the two opposite sides and the back of the cap  1200 , respectively, via hinges  1221 ,  1231 ,  1241 , respectively. In at least one configuration shown in  FIG.  13   , the first cover member  1210  can be sized to not only cover a top surface of the cap  1200 , but further sized to cover a top surface of the cab  157 , shown as first solar panel  1310  of cap  1300  which is included with another solar charging vehicle accessory. 
     In at least one configuration, the cap  1200  can further include frame arms  1255  to raise the second, third, and fourth solar panels  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240  such that the second, third, and fourth solar panels  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240  can be disposed as various angles with respect to sides of the cap  1200 . As shown, the second, third, and fourth solar panels  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240  are disposed at approximately forty-five (45) degree angles with respect to sides of the cap  1200 , but can be disposed at any angle with respect to the cap  1200  without limitation. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  14 - 17   , even another type of solar charging vehicle accessory is disclosed, such as roof cover  1400  that can be coupled to a roof of a vehicle, in this example an electric vehicle  1500  which larger than the electric pickup truck  150 . The roof cover  1400  can include any of the features discussed above for the tonneau cover  100 . The electric vehicle  1500  can be a bus, a tractor trailer truck, a cargo van, a food truck, or any other vehicle that includes a roof having a large planar top surface  1502  onto which at least one cover member, such as cover member  1410  can be coupled. As with the cover members discussed above, the cover member  1410  can include at least one substrate  1411  onto which at least one solar panel  1412  is coupled. In at least one configuration, the roof cover  1400  is disposed atop the electric vehicle  1500  such that the roof cover  1400  does not overhang the vehicle, as shown, although overhanging is possible. 
     In at least one configuration, an actuator  555  (e.g., electric motor) can be disposed between a vehicle and any of the cover members disclosed herein to move the cover member into various orientations, such as various angles, to point the cover member toward the sun to maximize power generation by the cover member. With the examples shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  8 ,  12   , the actuator  555  can be coupled to any of the frame arms  262 ,  264 ,  266 ,  268 ,  615 ,  1255  to raise and lower any corner of the tonneau covers  200 ,  600 ,  1000  and cover members  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230 , respectively. Likewise, the actuator  555  can be coupled to either a single end or both ends of the plurality of frame arms  262 ,  264 ,  266 ,  268 ,  615 ,  1255  to raise and lower any corner of the tonneau covers  200 ,  600 ,  1000  and cover members  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230 , respectively. 
       FIG.  14    shows another configuration in which another type of actuator, actuator  1455  ( FIG.  17   ) is centrally physically coupled to the roof cover  1400  and physically coupled to the top surface  1502  of the electric vehicle  1500 . The actuator  1455  can move the roof cover  1400  to any angle with respect to this top surface  1502 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  14    the actuator  1455  can move the roof cover  1400  such that the roof cover  1400  is parallel with respect to the top surface  1502  of the vehicle. The actuator  1455  can further move the roof cover  1400  such that the roof cover  1400  is raised at a back of the electric vehicle  1500  but remains at a lowest configuration at a front of the electric vehicle  1500 , closest to a cab  1504  of the electric vehicle  1500 , as shown in  FIG.  15   . As shown in  FIG.  16   , the actuator  1455  can further move the roof cover  1400  such that the roof cover  1400  is further raised at a back of the electric vehicle  1500  from that shown in  FIG.  15   , but still remaining at a lowest configuration proximate a front of the electric vehicle  1500 , closest to a cab  1504  of the electric vehicle  1500 . The actuator  1455  is further shown in  FIG.  17    as having moved the roof cover  1400  such that the roof cover  1400  is tilted toward a rear right corner of the electric vehicle  1500 . Thus, the actuator  1455  can move the roof cover  1400  at any desired angle with respect to the top surface  1502  of the electric vehicle  1500  to maximize power generation by the solar panel  1412 . 
       FIG.  18    shows even another type of solar charging vehicle accessory, a removable cover  1800 . The removable cover  1800  is the type of cover that would be temporarily disposed atop a vehicle  1850 , such as a car or truck, when the vehicle  1850  is exposed to the sun, but not being driven. Many vehicles are parked for extended periods of time when not being driven. Some vehicles are parked outside of a garage, such as when owners of such vehicles do not own a garage or when such owners are at work. Taking advantage of such extended periods of time with exposure to the sun, the removable cover  1800  includes a plurality of cover members including a plurality of solar panels  1810  that can generate power for the vehicle  1850 . 
     The removable cover  1800  is similar to the covers discussed above in that the removable cover  1800  includes a plurality of substrate members  1812  onto which the plurality of solar panels  1810  are fixed, respectively. However, because the removable cover  1800  is configuration to be repeatedly disposed atop the vehicle  1850  when the vehicle  1850  is not in use, and taken off of the vehicle  1850  when being driven, a non-abrasive material  1814  is disposed onto a bottom surface of the plurality of substrate members  1814 , respectively, to at least mitigate damage to the electric vehicle  1850 , such as scratching of a paint of the electric vehicle  1850 . This non-abrasive material  1814  can be at least one of a cloth (e.g., a felt), a spray-on material, a painted-on material, or any other material that at least mitigates damage to the electric vehicle  1850 . 
     As shown in more detail in  FIG.  20   , the plurality of substrate members  1812  are coupled together via a plurality of hinges  2001  disposed therebetween. In at least one configuration, at least two (2) of such hinges  2001  are disposed between any two (2) substrate members  1812  proximate to ends thereof, although more or less hinges  2001  are possible. The hinges  2001  allow the removable cover  1800  to fold like an accordion, as shown in  FIG.  18   , such that the removable cover  1800  can be shortened or lengthened for shorter and longer vehicles, respectively. The hinges  2001  also allow the removable cover  1800  to be rolled up for storage, and unrolled when disposed atop the electric vehicle  1850 , as shown in  FIG.  19   . For convenience of carrying and positioning by a user, the removable cover  1800  can include at least one handle, such as handle  1905  ( FIG.  19   ) that is fixedly coupled to an end substrate member  1812 , as shown. 
     To assist with cooling at least one of the battery pack  195  and the any of the solar panels discussed above,  FIG.  21    shows a cooling system  2110  that can be integrated within a cover  2100 . The cover  2100  can be similarly configurated to tonneau cover  100  and can be similarly coupled to a vehicle (not shown), as discussed above, such as including a solar panel  2130  disposed on top of a cover member  2135  thereof. The battery pack  195  can be disposed proximate to one end thereof, such as an end  2115  that faces a direction of travel of the vehicle, as shown.  FIG.  21    further shows that, in at least one configuration, a plurality of air intakes, air intakes  2113  that face a direction of travel of the vehicle can be disposed across the end  2115  of the cover  2100 , substantially from one side of the cover  2100  to another, as shown. Such air intakes  2113  can be equally spaced therebetween. The cover  2100  further includes ducting (not shown) within the cover  2100  to direct air entering the air intakes  2113  over the battery pack  195 , under the solar panel  2130  through the cover member  2135 . The air can be discharged through the cover member  2135  via at least one air outlet, such air outlets  2137 . Although twenty-six (26) air intakes  2113  and four (4) air outlets  2137  are shown, the cover  2100  can include more or less air intakes and/or air outlets without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In at least one configuration, the cover  2100  can further include two (2) air intakes  2111 ,  2112  disposed at the end  2115  and corners of the cover  2100  that face a direction of travel of the vehicle. The air intakes  2111 ,  2112  are cut at an angle (e.g., forty-five degrees) such that they capture air as the vehicle is traveling. 
     In at least one configuration, the cooling system  2100  can further include a plurality of propellers  2220 . The plurality of propellers  2220  can be disposed within at least some of the ducting and/or the air intakes  2113 . These plurality of propellers  2220  are individually coupled to electrical generators (not shown), respectively, that when actuated produce power to charge the battery pack  195 . 
     Any of the solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300  disclosed above can be “smart” solar charging vehicle accessories, in accordance with at least one configuration, that are configured to included moving solar panels, as discussed herein. The actuator  555  disclosed above can, in at least one configuration, be used in conjunction with any of the solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300  to change an angle of any of the solar panels thereof 
     The solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300  can further include a solar sensor  165  ( FIG.  1   ) coupled to a top of any of the solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300 . The solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300  can self monitor via the solar sensor  165  a direction of the sun and move, via the actuator  555 , any of the solar panels discussed above toward the sun to maximize power generation by the solar panels. In at least one configuration, the solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300  can even further include a motion sensor  167 . The solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300  can move the solar panels discussed above after the solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300  have determined, via the motion sensor  167 , that the vehicle to which the solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300  are coupled has not moved for a predetermined amount of time, e.g., 5 minutes, to maximize power generation by the solar panels. 
     With reference to  FIG.  22   , a wireless device  2210  (e.g., cell phone, tablet computer, etc.) can execute a solar accessor application or solar accessory “app”  2200 . In place of the motion sensor  167  discussed above, the wireless device  2210  can include a motion sensor (not shown) integrated therein to monitor a motion of the wireless device  2210 . The wireless device  2210  can infer from such motion that the vehicle to which any of the solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300  are coupled is no longer in motion, e.g., either a user has walked away from a parked vehicle or the owner is sitting in a stationary vehicle for a predetermined amount of time, e.g.,  5  minutes. The wireless device  2210  can then transmit an instruction to any of the solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300  to raise their solar panels to maximize power generation by the solar panels. 
     The solar accessory app  2200  can further track an orientation of a vehicle within which the wireless device  2210  is disposed. Such orientation includes a direction of the vehicle relative to magnetic north. The solar accessory app  2200  can further track a time of day, and based on the time of day and the orientation of the vehicle, the solar accessory app  220  can determine a direction of the sun relative to any of the solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300 . The solar accessory app  220  can then actuate the actuator  555  to orient the solar panels discussed above from the solar charging vehicle accessories  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  1200 ,  1300  toward the sun to maximize power generation by the solar panels. 
     In at least one configuration, the solar accessory app  2200  can include a navigation feature. The solar accessory app  2200  can use the determined direction of the sun relative to the vehicle to provide routing directions that maximize a time and/or direction that the solar panels are exposed to the sun, to maximize power generation by the solar panels. Thus, the solar accessory app  2200  selects a route, from a plurality of possible routes, that increases a time and/or optimizes an orientation of the solar panels with respect to the sun. 
     Having determined an orientation of the vehicle within which the wireless device  2210  is disposed, as discussed above, the solar accessory app  2200  can further provide a visual indication to a user of a best orientation to park their vehicle to maximize power generation by the solar panels. For example, the solar accessory app  2200  can display a first arrow for the user that provides a direction that maximizes power generation by the solar panels, and a second arrow that shows a current orientation of the vehicle. The user would then have to move the vehicle such that the first and second arrow align to maximize power generation by the solar panels, or at least nearly aligned to at least increase power generation by the solar panels from their current orientation. 
     With reference to  FIG.  23   , an exemplary apparatus, such as a general-purpose computing device, is illustrated in the form of the exemplary general-purpose computing device  23000 . The general-purpose computing device  23000  may be of the type utilized for any of the covers  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  23200 ,  23300 ,  23400  described above and the wireless device  2210  ( FIG.  22   ). As such, it will be described with the understanding that variations can be made thereto. The exemplary general-purpose computing device  23000  can include, but is not limited to, one or more central processing units (CPUs)  23200 , a system memory  23300 , such as including a Read Only Memory (ROM)  23310  to store a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)  23330  and a Random Access Memory (RAM)  1320 , and a system bus  23210  that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit  23200 . The system bus  23210  may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Depending on the specific physical implementation, one or more of the CPUs  23200 , the system memory  23300  and other components of the general-purpose computing device  23000  can be physically co-located, such as on a single chip. In such a case, some or all of the system bus  23210  can be nothing more than communicational pathways within a single chip structure and its illustration in  FIG.  23    can be nothing more than notational convenience for the purpose of illustration. 
     The general-purpose computing device  23000  also typically includes computer readable media, which can include any available media that can be accessed by computing device  23000 . By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the general-purpose computing device  23000 . Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media. 
     When using communication media, the general-purpose computing device  23000  may operate in a networked environment via logical connections to one or more remote computers. The logical connection depicted in  FIG.  23    is a general network connection  23710  to the network  23900 , which can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or other networks. The computing device  23000  is connected to the general network connection  23710  through a network interface or adapter  23700  that is, in turn, connected to the system bus  23210 . In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the general-purpose computing device  23000 , or portions or peripherals thereof, may be stored in the memory of one or more other computing devices that are communicatively coupled to the general-purpose computing device  23000  through the general network connection  23710 . It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between computing devices may be used. 
     The general-purpose computing device  23000  may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,  FIG.  23    illustrates a hard disk drive  23410  that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile media. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used with the exemplary computing device include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive  23410  is typically connected to the system bus  23210  through a non-removable memory interface such as interface  23400 . 
     The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in  FIG.  23   , provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the general-purpose computing device  23000 . In  FIG.  23   , for example, hard disk drive  23410  is illustrated as storing operating system  23440 , other program modules  23450 , and program data  23460 . Note that these components can either be the same as or different from operating system  23440 , other program modules  23450  and program data  23460 , stored in RAM  1320 . Operating system  23440 , other program modules  23450  and program data  23460  are given different numbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 21   , again, the foregoing description applies to any of the covers  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  1000 ,  23200 ,  23300 ,  23400  described above and the wireless device xxx ( FIG.  22   ), as well as to any other computing devices in communication with these devices via the network  23900 . The network interface  23710  facilitates outside communication in the form of voice and/or data. For example, the communication module may include a connection to a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) line, or a Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VOIP) line for voice communication. In addition, the network interface  23710  may be configured to couple into an existing network, through wireless protocols (Bluetooth, 802.11a, ac, b, g, n, or the like) or through wired (Ethernet, or the like) connections, or through other more generic network connections. In still other configurations, a cellular link can be provided for both voice and data (i.e., GSM, CDMA or other, utilizing 2G, 3G, and/or 4G data structures and the like). The network interface  23710  is not limited to any particular protocol or type of communication. It is, however, preferred that the network interface  23710  be configured to transmit data bi-directionally, through at least one mode of communication. The more robust the structure of communication, the more manners in which to avoid a failure or a sabotage with respect to communication, such as to collect healthcare information in a timely manner. 
     The programming modules  23450  comprise a user interface which can configure the healthcare information collection system  10 . In many instances, the programming modules  23450  comprises a keypad with a display that is connected through a wired connection with the processing unit  23200 . Of course, with the different communication protocols associated with the network interface  23700 , the network interface  23700  may comprise a wireless device that communicates with the network  23900  through a wireless communication protocol (i.e., Bluetooth, RF, WIFI, etc.). In other embodiments, the programming modules  23450  may comprise a virtual programming module in the form of software that is on, for example, a smartphone, in communication with the network interface  23700 . In still other embodiments, such a virtual programming module may be located in the cloud (or web based), with access thereto through any number of different computing devices. Advantageously, with such a configuration, a user may be able to communicate with the healthcare information collection system  10  remotely, with the ability to change functionality. 
     The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the disclosure and the disclosure is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the disclosure.